Are you looking to launch a stable and in-demand career in the healthcare industry? A career in medical billing and coding offers just that, providing essential services to healthcare facilities across the United States. Our meticulously designed medical coding curriculum equips you with the specialized, practical skills needed to accurately apply codes to medical diagnoses and treatments for billing purposes. Upon graduating from our program, you’ll be fully prepared to confidently take the certification exam and step into a fulfilling career.
Your Journey Through Our Medical Coding Curriculum
Our curriculum is structured to provide a progressive and comprehensive learning experience, starting with foundational knowledge and advancing to specialized coding skills. Here’s a detailed look at the courses you will undertake:
Orientation: Mastering Online Learning at [College Name – Replace with actual college name if available, otherwise keep generic]
This introductory course is designed to set you up for success in your online learning journey. You will explore the core values and objectives of [College Name], learn effective time management strategies, and develop realistic study schedules. Crucially, you will understand the nature and purpose of assessments in online education and hone effective study techniques for online examinations. This module will equip you with the essential skills to thrive as a twenty-first-century online learner.
Lesson Group 1: Introduction to Allied Health Professions
This foundational course provides a broad overview of the healthcare landscape, specifically focusing on the allied health sector within the United States. You will gain insights into the structure of the healthcare industry and the diverse roles played by healthcare professionals. This module will help you differentiate between various allied health professions and understand the ethical and legal considerations inherent in healthcare settings.
Lesson Group 2: Law, Ethics, and Confidentiality in Healthcare
Delving deeper into the professional environment, this course examines the legal and ethical framework governing healthcare practices. You will learn about the origins of laws affecting medical professionals, the litigation process, and alternative dispute resolution methods. A significant focus is placed on patient confidentiality, exploring both common-law principles and government regulations concerning healthcare information. By the end of this course, you will be able to interpret healthcare-related civil and criminal laws, assess current ethical dilemmas in healthcare, and analyze regulations concerning patient data confidentiality.
Lesson Group 3: Medical Billing and Health Insurance Fundamentals
This course introduces the critical aspects of medical billing and the complex world of health insurance. You will gain a solid understanding of reimbursement processes and methodologies, including fee-for-service and episode-of-care models. Key topics covered include payment systems, fee schedules, chargemasters, coding basics, and internal audit procedures. Furthermore, the course elucidates the fundamentals of health insurance and the various types of health insurance plans available.
Lesson Group 4: Essential Medical Office Procedures
This module focuses on developing essential professional skills for the medical office environment. You will learn how to build effective workplace relationships and manage office communications professionally. The course also includes a review of basic math operations crucial for billing and coding, alongside an introduction to Microsoft Word and Excel, essential tools in modern medical offices.
Lesson Group 5: Body Systems and Terminology I
Building a strong foundation in medical terminology is paramount for accurate coding. This course introduces you to the structure, function, diseases, disorders, and treatments of various body systems. You will learn to decipher complex medical terms and explore drug delivery systems, administration routes, drug classifications, and common medications associated with different organ system disorders.
Lesson Group 6: Body Systems and Terminology II
Continuing your exploration of the human body, this course further expands your knowledge of body systems, pharmacology, and related medical terminology. You will delve deeper into drug delivery systems, administration routes, classifications, and medications. The course also covers basic medication calculations, storage protocols, patient administration assistance, and proper documentation practices.
Lesson Group 7: Pathology and Pharmacology Essentials
This course provides a comprehensive overview of pathology and pharmacology, crucial for understanding disease processes and medication management. You will learn to identify the subdivisions of pharmacology and different drug classifications, including vitamins and minerals. The course also examines the causes of infectious diseases and techniques to prevent their spread. Finally, you will review the basic etiology of common diseases and conditions.
Lesson Group 8: Navigating Electronic Medical Records (EMRs)
In today’s healthcare landscape, electronic medical records are indispensable. This course focuses on understanding the reimbursement process in conjunction with health information technology. You will be introduced to billing cycles and the role of technology in medical offices. You will also learn basic accounting transaction terminology and apply this knowledge to manage patient charges and payments within EMR systems.
Lesson Group 9: Basic Medical Coding Principles
This introductory coding course lays the groundwork for your coding expertise. You will begin with an overview of fundamental coding concepts, terms, and procedures. The course explores the history of the ICD-10 coding system and guides you through coding diagnoses using ICD-10-CM. You will learn to apply chapter-specific coding guidelines for diseases and conditions with unique rules. The course concludes with an introduction to procedure coding using ICD-10-PCS and the basics of ICD-10 coding.
Lesson Group 10: Intermediate Medical Coding Techniques
Building upon the basics, this intermediate course concentrates on coding procedures and their associated systems. You will learn general coding guidelines for outpatient procedures and physician office coding using CPT, HCPCS Level I, and HCPCS Level II procedure coding systems. This course provides practical skills in assigning codes for a wide range of medical services and procedures.
Lesson Group 11: Medical Billing and Coding Professional Certification Exam Preparation
This final course is specifically designed to prepare you for professional certification exams, a crucial step in launching your career. You will comprehensively review all domains covered in the certification exams and engage in practice coding exams to simulate the actual testing experience. This course ensures you are exam-ready and confident in your coding abilities.
Program Description: Your Pathway to a Medical Coding Career
Our Medical Billing and Coding certificate program is meticulously crafted to provide you with the essential skills and knowledge required for a successful career in this growing field. You will become proficient in reimbursement methodologies, legal and ethical best practices, patient confidentiality, effective communication, electronic medical records management, and, most importantly, medical coding. The curriculum includes a thorough review of medical terminology related to body systems, pharmacology, and pathology, ensuring you are well-prepared for the Billing and Coding Professional Certification Exam.
Note: [College Name] covers the cost of the CBCS exam within the program tuition. Candidates for CBCS and CCA certifications must hold a High School diploma. Further requirements, such as membership and application processes, can be found on the websites of the respective certifying agencies: CBCS, CPC®, CCA®.
Medical Billing & Coding Program Learning Objectives: Career-Focused Skills
Upon completion of our Medical Billing and Coding program, you will be able to:
- Define the role of a medical biller/coder: Understand typical responsibilities, ethical standards, and career opportunities in the field.
- Master medical terminology: Build a strong foundation in medical terms to accurately describe body structures, functions, and pathologies.
- Understand HIPAA regulations: Describe the purpose and impact of HIPAA and stay updated on relevant legal changes.
- Compare insurance plans: Differentiate between major government and commercial health insurance plans (Medicare, Medicaid, HMO, PPO, POS).
- Apply billing guidelines: Describe typical billing guidelines for various medical procedures (inpatient, outpatient, surgical).
- Manage insurance claims: Summarize the insurance claim lifecycle and processing steps.
- Utilize medical coding systems: Explain the purpose of medical coding and accurately use industry-standard systems (WHO, AMA).
- Assign accurate medical codes: Proficiently assign ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT, and HCPCS codes for diagnoses, procedures, and services for insurance reimbursement.
Decode Your Career Path:
Our Career Diploma program at [College Name] is designed to empower you with the confidence and practical skills needed to achieve your career aspirations in medical coding. We integrate job search preparation directly into your studies. Through our online resources at the [College Name] Central Network, you will receive step-by-step guidance in creating professional resumes and cover letters. Even after graduation, you retain access to your [College Name] Central Network account, allowing you to revisit career tools whenever you need to make a strong impression on potential employers. Discover more about our comprehensive career services on our Career Services page. Start your journey towards a rewarding medical coding career today!
