MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING TRAINING.

Medical billing and coding is a growing* field with a multitude of job opportunities, but it does require a certain level of training¹. Here, we’ll take a look at MBC courses at DeVry University, what they include and what students will learn during the course of their education.

In a comprehensive medical billing and coding program, you can be exposed to coursework in preparation of a career as a medical biller and coder, including preparation for nationally recognized certifications, such as Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

In such a program, students can learn a variety of skills and disciplines. For example, DeVry University’s medical billing and coding program is designed to teach students:

Learn medical terminology, including the foundations of words used to describe the human body and its conditions, terminology for medical procedures, the names of commonly prescribed medications and common abbreviations.

Explore the history and organization of, and current issues in, the U.S. healthcare delivery system, including interrelationships among system components and care providers.

Study the principles and guidelines for using the International Classification of Diseases system to code diagnoses and procedures in an inpatient setting.

Explore reimbursement and payment methodologies applicable to healthcare provided in various U.S. settings as it relates to relevant forms, processes, practices and the roles of health information professionals.

Compile codes, categories, calculations, tabulations and audits, or verify information or data.

Enter, transcribe, store or maintain information in written or electronic form.

Study the principles and guidelines for using the Current Procedural Terminology system for reporting physician and other healthcare services, including non-inpatient procedures.

Abstract, classify and code medical data while also ensuring data quality and Integrity.

All of these skills combine to help students understand medical billing and coding, understand medical procedures and treatments, communicate effectively with both insurance companies and patients and collaborate with other medical professionals to create accurate health records.

A medical biller and coder with these skills can not only help their employer’s bottom line, but also ensure that patients receive high-quality care² with the help of comprehensive health records.

To become a medical biller and coder, you’ll want to take courses that cover everything from physiology to disease classification to health insurance. For example, DeVry University’s medical billing and coding program includes these courses:

• BIOS105: The Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology
• BIOS267: Pathopharmacology
• HIT111: Basic Medical Terminology
• HIT120: Introduction to Health Services and Information Systems
• HIT141: Health Information Processes
• HIT203: International Classification of Diseases I
• HIT205: International Classification of Diseases II
• HIT211: Current Procedural Terminology Coding I
• HIT213: Current Procedural Terminology Coding II
• HIT220: Legal and Regulatory Issues in Health Information
• HIT230: Health Insurance and Reimbursement
• HIT260: Coding Practicum
• HIT261: CCS Review

These courses cover a wide range of subjects that students may need to know in their day-to-day work as medical billers and coders.

Additionally, such courses can help to prepare students for major medical billing and coding certification exams including:

• Certified Professional Coder (CPC), offered by AAPC
• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS, offered by American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA), offered by AHIMA

• Accreditation by a recognized organization such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
• Hands-on experience opportunities, such as AHIMA’s virtual lab environment, VLab, which gives students access to real-world medical records as well as several applications and software programs used in the medical billing and coding field
• Adequate preparation for major medical billing and coding certification exams, such as the CPC, CCS and CCA certifications offered by AAPC and AHIMA