Medical Coding and Billing Program

What Is Medical Coding & Billing?

Medical coding and billing specialists act as liaisons between medical offices and insurance providers. By accepting this role, you become a translator for the practice, converting the physician’s medical terminology into codes processed by insurance carriers. Like many other careers in the medical field, medical coding and billing specialists are in high demand and job opportunities are growing. However, unlike medical assistants, these specialists primarily handle administrative duties and rarely engage with patients.

At Montes HealthCare College, we’re dedicated to providing you with a comprehensive education. All of the skills and information you learn at MHCC will be derived from the first-hand experiences of Doctors Juan and Alejandro Montes. In an effort to bring you the full experience of working as a specialist, the MHCC Medical Coding & Billing Program will be offered in a hybrid format. Throughout your time with us, you will be instructed both in the classroom and in an online format. This method of instruction will help you capture the hands-on learning required by the industry along with the online responsibilities of claim submission and medical revenue management as presented through our web-based learning platforms.

Duties and Requirements

Clerical Duties:
- Creating and sending medical claims for insurance companies and patients.
- Following up on unpaid claims.
- Clarifying claim discrepancies.
- Arranging appropriate payment plans.
- Obtaining pre-authorizations for certain procedures.
- Reviewing medical bills and fees.
- Confirming patient eligibility.

Required Knowledge:
- Proficiency with medical billing software.
- Knowledge of insurance guidelines.
- Understanding of medical code classifications.
- Great communication skills with patients/healthcare companies.
- Basic accounting and bookkeeping knowledge.

Medical Coding & Billing Program Overview

Our Medical Coding and Billing Program will allow you to receive a certificate of completion without traditional weekly classroom attendance. The program is centered around hands-on learning and instruction on advanced medical coding skills. This comprehensive preparation will give you the training you need to succeed in the field. Below is an outline of the program and a preview of the classroom policies and learning objectives through Modules 1 and 2.

CURRICULA OUTLINE

SAMPLE MODULE 1 SYLLABUS

SAMPLE MODULE 2 SYLLABUS

Program Objectives

The main objective of this program is to provide you with a thorough understanding of medical coding and billing best practices. After completing the program, you will be prepared for an entry-level position as a medical billing clerk or administrative assistant.

Our Medical Coding & Billing Program is broken up into eight modules. Each module focuses on a different aspect of the field.

Module 1: Introduction to Coding – the Language of Medical Billing.: The focus of this module will be to provide a practical approach to coding, the language of medical billing. Here, you will learn about medical coding systems including, the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), Healthcare Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS), and the Level II coding system and the International Coding of Diseases (ICD-10-CM).
Module 2: Body Systems with Introduction to Medical Coding.: The focus of this module will be to develop a strong medical vocabulary. Here, you will learn about the body system terminology used in medical, diagnostic, and procedural coding.
Module 3: Introduction to Billing Systems and Healthcare Insurance.: This module will be broken up into two units. Unit 1 will introduce you to all aspects of procedural coding. This includes coding fundamentals as well as specific coding guidelines for Level I and Level II procedural coding. Unit 2 will focus on the analysis of diagnosis coding systems. This unit will provide instructions on supplying accurate information to insurance companies in order to validate procedures. Emphasis will also be placed on the legal aspects of the medical coding profession.
Module 4: Intro to Medical Billing Insurance Processing Outpatient Physician-Based.: This module will be broken up into two units. Unit 1 will introduce you to various aspects of outpatient Billing and Processing, practice management software, the role of EHR in coding, billing, and bill collection. The unit will also cover SOAP notes and the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. Emphasis will be placed on the understanding and completion of HIPAA 5010 compliant claims. Unit 2 will cover hospital billing processes with emphasis placed on the Medicare Reimbursement Model. Through the application SIMChart for Coders, an introduction to the inpatient billing process will be explored at the facility level, covering professional services billing and compliant collection skills.
Module 5: Advanced Coding Skills.: This module focuses on the application of coding principles learned in Module 1. Here, we will introduce you to advanced hospital coding skills. Medical chart analysis and Medicare reimbursement compliance will be discussed from a practical standpoint. Coding from a variety of report types will be examined as well. You will receive multiple procedural handouts for manual coding.
Module 6: Coding Compliance – Audit and Revenue Integrity.: This four-week module will introduce you to advanced coding skills through an online simulated coding internship. The initial three weeks will be spent on online abstract coding through the Elsevier Buck coding program. You will also focus on coding through Encoder Pro Expert and TruCode encoders. Additionally, this module will cover Evaluation and Management (E/M) and include an advanced audit function, listed as the E/M Lecture Hall.
Module 7: Coding Certification Test Prep – Outpatient.: This two-week module will introduce you to the test-taking skills needed to ace the National Medical Coding Certification Exam. We will focus on lecture and practical exercises on the outpatient coding examination from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Module 8: Externship Program.: In this module, you will be placed in an operating billing environment, which may be an administrative billing center or a physician’s practice. Here, you will receive hands-on training in the daily operations of the department to apply the skills and theories you’ve learned in prior modules. This externship will span 160 hours or approximately six weeks.

The program is 680 hours total. After successfully completing our Medical Coding & Billing Program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. This certificate will give you the credentials needed to apply for work as a medical coding and billing specialist.

Program Outline

Module Number	Module Title	Clock Hours	Semester Credits
MCBH110	Introduction to Coding – The Language of Medical Billing	80	4.0
MCBH120	Body Systems with Introduction to Medical Coding	80	4.0
MCBH130	Introduction to Billing Systems and Healthcare Insurance	80	4.0
MCBH140	Introduction to Medical Billing Insurance Processing Outpatient Physician-Based	80	4.0
MCBH150	Advanced Coding Skills	80	4.0
MCBH160	Coding Compliance – Audit and Revenue Integrity	80	4.0
MCBH170	Coding Certification Test Preparation – Outpatient	40	2.0
MCBH180	Externship	160	8.0
	Totals	680	34.0

Financing for Medical Coding & Billing Programs

At Montes HealthCare College we happily provide financing support through Climb Credit Financing. In addition to providing payment options, we also provide all of the educational resources necessary to complete this program upon enrollment. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits available.

Medical Coding & Billing Career Outcomes

After completing the exams required for certification, you can begin your medical coding and billing career as an Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk (SOC 43-9041) or a Medical Secretary (SOC 43-6013). With the increase of elderly patients and medical facilities, job opportunities in the medical field are expected to grow over the next decade. While the field offers many employment opportunities, our staff at MHCC is happy to consider our alumni for job placement at one of our affiliated clinics.

Enroll At Montes HealthCare College Today

Ready to take the next step? If you’re interested in a fulfilling career as a medical coding and billing specialist, fill out the contact form below and schedule a tour of our campus. Our staff is eager to meet you! For questions and more information, get in touch by calling (310) 436-7000 or emailing us at info@monteshcc.com. We look forward to joining you on your journey to success!

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