Have you thought about becoming a Professional Medical Biller and Coder? Medical Billing and Coding Professionals are an integral part of the medical field, working in medical offices and hospitals.
In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in medical tests, treatments, and procedures that will be increasingly scrutinized by health insurance companies, regulators, courts, and consumers. Also, patient information must be entered into computer databases to comply with the new Federal Legislation requiring the use of electronic patient records. All of these factors have combined to create a potential job market for qualified medical records technicians.
Upon successful completion of the Medical Billing and Coding course, students may apply for entry level positions doing medical billing or coding in a medical office setting and sit for certification examination.
Course Description
This course will prepare the student for a career in Medical Billing and Coding reimbursement. The Professional Medical Coding course enables the student to accurately define insurance terms and abbreviations, introduces the student to simulation exercises with filing and billing procedures. Focus on familiarizing the student with requirements, rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to various insurance programs. This course enables students to translate written descriptions of procedures/services performed to their highest specificity.
The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) manual will be covered in-depth to include:
- • Introduction to Surgery and the Integumentary System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Respiratory System
- Cardiovascular System
- Female Genital System and Maternity and Delivery
- Male Genital System
- Intersex Surgery
- Urinary System
- Digestive System
- Mediastinum and Diaphragm
- Hemic and Lymphatic System
- Endocrine System
- Nervous System
- Eye and Ocular Adnexa
- Auditory System
This course emphasizes the organization of diagnosis codes and the basic ICD-10-CM coding rules. Written descriptions of diseases, disorders, and injuries are translated into ICD-10-CM codes to their highest level of specificity and to match the procedure/service performed. This program is AAPC approved.
HIPAA TRAINING: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training will be provided during the first-class session. Completion is required before continuing with the class.
Course Objectives
- Use knowledge of medical terminology.
- Apply and interpret International Classification of Diseases codes.
- Code accurately procedures and diagnoses on all claims submitted to insurance carriers.
- Prepare accurately all medical and disability claims for the physician’s office.
- Apply and interpret Current Procedural Terminology codes.
- Translate to the highest level of specificity and link between ICD-10-CM codes and CPT codes.
- Interpret coding and documentation guidelines by using the www and the internet.
- Prepare appeals for all underpaid claims.
- Inform health care providers and their staff of changes in insurance practice policies.
- Assist with updating of patient registration forms and charge forms as required by changes in coding or insurance billing requirements.
- Explain insurance benefits, policy requirements, and filing procedures to patients.
- Introduction of ICD-10 CM Diagnostic coding.
Certification Information
The curriculum in this course is approved by American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC). Our goal is to train medical coders to prepare for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) exam.
Through rigorous examination and experience, CPCs have proven mastery of all code sets (CPT, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II), evaluation and management (E/M) principles, surgical coding, and adherence to documentation and coding guidelines.
American Association of Professional Coders, AAPC, www.aapc.com
Students should plan to study about 10 hours per week outside of class to be successful.
AAPC Medical Coding Certification Requirements:
- Pay examination fee at the time of application submission.
- Maintain current membership with the AAPC.
- New members must submit membership payment with examination application.
- Renewing members must have a current membership at the time of submission and when exam results are released.
- A CPC designation must have at least two years medical coding experience.
- If you have not submitted proof of 2 years on the job experience, a CPC-A designation will be awarded.
It is the responsibility of every student to register for and pay for the national certification exam. Students will register here on American Association of Professional Coders, AAPC’s website . Exam/Membership estimated at $390. AAPC website will give exact pricing.
Registration Information
Registration can be completed via online, walk-in or postal mail.
Walk-in registration is accepted during our regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Jefferson Campus
2601 Carson Road
George Wallace Hall, Office 202
Birmingham, AL 35215
Shelby-Hoover Campus
4600 Valleydale Road
Health Science Building, Office 432
Birmingham, AL 35242
Course Fee $1595
Books are not included in course fee. The student will be informed on the first day of class the books and correct editions to purchase, estimated at $650.00. Exact pricing available at the bookstore after first day of class.
Scholarship Opportunities
WIOA
Local Alabama Career Centers provide WIOA (Workforce Investment Opportunity Act) scholarship opportunities to qualifying students for some workforce training programs. Eligibility is based on various factors, including income. Contact the Birmingham Career Center at 205-582-5200 or Ken King at our career center on site at Jefferson State for more information 205-856-8029 or [email protected].
Schedule
Courses are offered on an ongoing basis and we offer open enrollment. To view a complete schedule, go to the following link: Click Here
