Sinclair Community College

Medical Coding & Billing Specialist (MCBS.S.STC)

23.0 Credit Hours

The Medical Coding and Billing Specialist certificate prepares students for entry-level coding and billing positions in physician medical offices, medical insurance companies and outpatient billing services.

Students will develop skills to accurately determine diagnostic and procedural code number assignments that impact medical reimbursement. Skill sets include application of ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS coding systems; medical terminology; anatomy and physiology and disease processes; processing insurance claims and reimbursement practices.

The Medical Billing and Coding Specialist certificate can be completed in the traditional classroom setting or completely online or a combination of both delivery systems.

Students must receive a grade of C or higher in all courses in the MCBS.STC and have a GPA of 2.0 to receive the certificate.

Program Outcomes

printable version

Demonstrate effective communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving and information literacy

Identify the importance of documentation on code number assignment and the subsequent reimbursement impact

Interpret coding guidelines and federal regulations for accurate code number assignment and completion of billing forms

Demonstrate personal behaviors, attitudes and values consistent with a health care professional

Accurately apply diagnosis and procedure code numbers utilizing ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS classification systems

Curriculum

ALH 1101

Introduction to Healthcare Delivery

2 credit hours

ALH 1140

Fundamentals of Disease Processes

3 credit hours

BIO 1121

Human Anatomy & Physiology I

3 credit hours

BIO 1222

Human Anatomy & Physiology II

3 credit hours

HIM 1101

Medical Terminology

2 credit hours

HIM 1165

Drug Classification for Coding

1 credit hour

HIM 1201

Introductory Medical Office Coding

4 credit hours

HIM 2262

Advanced Medical Office Coding

3 credit hours

MAS 2210

Medical Billing Specialist

2 credit hours

Medical Coding & Billing Specialist (MCBS.S.STC)

23.0 Credit Hours

The Medical Billing and Coding Specialist certificate can be completed in the traditional classroom setting or completely online or a combination of both delivery systems.

Students must receive a grade of C or higher in all courses in the MCBS.STC and have a GPA of 2.0 to receive the certificate.

Program Outcomes

graphical version

Demonstrate effective communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving and information literacy

Identify the importance of documentation on code number assignment and the subsequent reimbursement impact

Interpret coding guidelines and federal regulations for accurate code number assignment and completion of billing forms

Demonstrate personal behaviors, attitudes and values consistent with a health care professional

Accurately apply diagnosis and procedure code numbers utilizing ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS classification systems

Curriculum

2 credit hours ALH 1101: Introduction to Healthcare Delivery

3 credit hours ALH 1140: Fundamentals of Disease Processes

3 credit hours BIO 1121: Human Anatomy & Physiology I

3 credit hours BIO 1222: Human Anatomy & Physiology II

2 credit hours HIM 1101: Medical Terminology

1 credit hour HIM 1165: Drug Classification for Coding

4 credit hours HIM 1201: Introductory Medical Office Coding

3 credit hours HIM 2262: Advanced Medical Office Coding

2 credit hours MAS 2210: Medical Billing Specialist

ALH 1101 Introduction to Healthcare Delivery
Credit Hours: 2.0
Department: Allied Health
Division: Life and Health Sciences

Orientation to the health care delivery system, including history, economics, medical/legal issues, professionalism, ethics, sociological aspects and wellness concepts. Orientation to the use of technology in the health care system will also be provided, including user interfaces, telecommunications and networks. The development of health care team skills, including critical thinking and problem-solving strategies and multicultural health care perspectives, will be presented. One classroom, three lab hours per week.

ALH 1140 Fundamentals of Disease Processes
Credit Hours: 3.0
Department: Allied Health
Division: Life and Health Sciences

Pathological changes associated with the most commonly occurring diseases of each body system. Correlates changes with patient's response, diagnostic studies, and treatment modalities.

BIO 1121 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Credit Hours: 3.0
Department: Biology
Division: Science, Mathematics and Engineering

The first course in a two-semester sequence studying the structure and function of the human body. Topics include introductory terminology, biochemistry, cytology, the integumentary system, the skeletal system, the muscular system, the nervous system and the endocrine system. Two classroom, two lab hours per week.

BIO 1222 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
Credit Hours: 3.0
Department: Biology
Division: Science, Mathematics and Engineering

The second course in a two-semester sequence studying the structure and function of the human body. Topics include the cardiovascular system, the lymphoid system, immunity, the digestive system, the urinary system and the reproductive system. Two classroom, two lab hours per week.

HIM 1101 Medical Terminology
Credit Hours: 2.0
Department: Health Information Management
Division: Life and Health Sciences

Basic prefixes, roots and suffixes; terminology including anatomic, diagnostic, symptomatic, procedural, eponymic terms and standard abbreviations required for a working knowledge and understanding of the language of medicine.

HIM 1165 Drug Classification for Coding
Credit Hours: 1.0
Department: Health Information Management
Division: Life and Health Sciences

An overview of the major drug classifications, common drugs in each class, conditions for which drugs are administered and their general effects to assist medical coders in analyzing health care documentation for coding and reimbursement applications.

HIM 1201 Introductory Medical Office Coding
Credit Hours: 4.0
Department: Health Information Management
Division: Life and Health Sciences

Introduction to principles, guidelines and conventions for assigning ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-CM diagnostic codes and CPT procedure codes to patient encounters for physician services. Additional out-of-class assignments are required.

HIM 2262 Advanced Medical Office Coding
Credit Hours: 3.0
Department: Health Information Management
Division: Life and Health Sciences

ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-CM diagnosis and CPT procedure coding for the physician's office and other ambulatory facilities. Two classroom, two lab hours per week.

MAS 2210 Medical Billing Specialist
Credit Hours: 2.0
Department: Medical Asst Tech
Division: Life and Health Sciences

This course is designed to introduce the student to the practice of medical billing within the medical office, including the use of computerized medical billing software. It is also designed to introduce the student to the principles of bookkeeping, automated and manual patient financial accounting, collection techniques, employee payroll and banking procedures. One classroom, three lab hours per week.

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