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Medical Billing and Coding Training

Classes Start Every 8 Weeks

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Medical billing and coding is a growing field with a multitude of job opportunities1 but it does require a certain level of training. Here, we’ll take a look at the medical billing and coding program and courses offered at DeVry University, what they include and what students will learn during the course of their education.

What Knowledge and Skills Will I Learn in Medical Billing and Coding Training?

In a medical billing and coding training program, you'll have the opportunity to engage with coursework designed to help you ready yourself to pursue a career as a medical biller and coder. This program includes 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, our medical billing and coding program is designed to teach students:

Medical Terminology

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.

Health Services and Information Systems

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

International Classification of Diseases Coding

Learn about the guidelines and principles for implementing the most up-to-date International Classification of Diseases (ICD) system to code patient diagnoses and procedures.

Health Insurance and Reimbursement

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.

Processing Information

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

Document and Record Information

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

Current Procedural Terminology

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

Classification of Medical Data

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, identify 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.

What Medical Billing and Coding Courses Should I Take?

The right medical billing training and medical coding training can help you prepare to pursue your goals as a medical billing and coding professional. Look for a program that covers everything from physiology and disease classification to health insurance and regulatory compliance. For example, our medical billing and coding programs include these courses:

HIT111: Basic Medical Terminology

Introduces elements of medical terminology such as foundations of words that describe the human body and its conditions, terms for medical procedures and names of commonly prescribed medications. You'll be exposed to the essential vocabulary used in professional healthcare settings.

HIT120: Introduction to Health Services and Information Systems

HIT120 covers a range of topics related to the current issues, history and organization of the U.S. healthcare delivery system. You'll have opportunities to improve your understanding of the relationships between system components and care providers, and explore topics such as licensing, accrediting and regulatory compliance.

students study together in class.

HIT141: Health Information Processes

Introduces health information functions, such as content and format of records, retention and storage requirements, indexes and registries, as well as forms design. You'll also explore relationships among departments and clinical providers within a healthcare system.

HIT203: International Classification of Diseases I

Part of a two-course sequence with HIT205, HIT203 addresses guidelines, definitions, principles and coding conventions of the International Classification of Diseases-10-Procedural Coding System (ICD-10-PCS). Anatomy and code structure for each of the body systems and related sections of ICD-10-PCS, health records, manual and computerized coding methods, and coding references are also covered.

HIT205: International Classification of Diseases II

Introduces principles and guidelines for using the ICD-10-Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) system to code diagnoses. You'll learn about coding ethics, data quality and the application of coding principles to electronic record systems.

HIT211: Current Procedural Terminology Coding I

Expands your knowledge of clinical classification systems and current principles of Current Procedural Terminology. You'll also explore the application of coding principles to an electronic record system.

HIT213: Current Procedural Terminology Coding II

Explores advanced coding techniques and guidelines from the Current Procedural Terminology code set and the International Classification of Diseases. You'll practice coding complex case studies and medical reports by utilizing manual tools.

HIT220: Legal and Regulatory Issues in Health Information

Introduces legal and regulatory issues in healthcare with an emphasis on their applications in healthcare information services and documentation of care. You'll explore the rights and responsibilities of providers, employees, payers and patients in a healthcare context.

HIT230: Health Insurance and Reimbursement

Explores reimbursement and payment methodologies applicable to healthcare provided in various U.S. settings. You'll learn concepts related to insurance products, third-party and prospective payment, as well as managed care organizations.

HIT260: Coding Practicum

Provides you with hands-on experience in coding authentic patient records. You'll gain 40 hours of practical experience in medical coding for various patient types and encounters as you apply your knowledge and skills to complex case studies in a virtual setting.

HIT261: CCS Review

Helps prepare you for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification exam, which determines aptitude in multiple competency domains including health information documents, diagnosis and procedure coding, as well as regulatory guidelines and reporting requirements for Acute Care (Inpatient) service.

 

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

What to Look for in Medical Billing and Coding Training Programs

When looking into medical billing and coding training schools, seek an institution that offers:

  • Accreditation by a recognized organization such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Hands-on experience opportunities, such as EHR Go simulation software, which gives you access to simulated medical records as well as several applications and software programs used in the medical billing and coding field.

EHR Go is an electronic health record system and web-based platform, complete with more than 300 live patient files, designed for hands-on educational purposes.  It gives you the opportunity to put theory to practice and perform simulated medical coding activities.

  • Adequate preparation for major medical billing and coding certification exams, such as the CPC, CCS and CCA certifications offered by AAPC and AHIMA

If you’re interested in becoming a medical biller and coder for the healthcare industry, our medical billing and coding online classes can you help you pursue your goals.

Common Medical Billing and Medical Coding Training Questions

You can earn your undergraduate certificate from our medical billing and coding program in as little as one year when you're enrolled full-time throughout the year. You can obtain your certificate even more quickly with qualifying transfer credits1.

Our Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program consists of 10 courses, totaling 34 credit hours. Our Medical Billing and Coding – Health Information Coding Certificate program consists of 13 courses, totaling 42 credit hours. How quickly you complete your program depends on a few factors, such as whether you enroll full-time or part-time, whether you will be taking courses continuously without breaks or if you have qualifying transfer credits.

Medical billing and coding job requirements vary based on the needs of the employers. Many roles require a certificate in medical billing and coding. Others may also require additional industry certifications.

Your medical billing and coding training should help you to improve your decision-making skills, attention to detail, communication and interpersonal abilities, computer skills in accounting and billing software, database software, medical coding software and electronic health record (EHR) programs as well as knowledge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).

Our medical billing and coding programs are designed to help you gain all the knowledge and skills you need including practicing on simulation and real-world software and EHR programs to help you grow as a medical billing and coding professional.

Medical billing and coding classes are accredited differently from institutions of higher learning. Even if a college is accredited does not mean that their medical billing and coding program is individually accredited.

For example, DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org4. The HLC is recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to assure the public that standards of quality have been met. We are also a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a national advocate and institutional voice for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation.

Yes, you can learn from home to be a medical biller and coder through online programs and courses.

Our Medical Billing and Coding Certificate programs include online classes that are led by experienced professors and offer an array of student resources including tutoring support, e-library tools and career services. You’ll also have the ability to network with peers around the country both in class and through our online student community.

Yes. We know our students are busy juggling careers, family and more. We're here to make earning your Medical Billing and Coding Certificate as easy as possible. Our class sessions start every 8 weeks, so you can take classes whenever it works for you, whether you choose to pursue your certificate part-time or full-time. We recommend that you maintain consistent enrollment to keep a steady pace toward achieving your goals. Your advisor can work with you to develop a plan that meets your needs

Medical Billing and Coding Blog: Explore Trends and Insights

Get up to speed on today’s industry trends, career paths and education options with our latest medical billing and coding articles.

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    How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder

    Learn some steps you could take to become a medical biller and coder. Explore different paths to help you enter this difference-making healthcare career.

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    Choosing the Best Online Medical Billing & Coding Program

    Prepare for a career in medical billing and coding. Learn how to choose the best online medical billing and coding program for you with this guide from DeVry.

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    New Trends in Medical Billing and Coding

    Whether you’re new or experienced in medical billing and coding, learn about new trends and changes in medical billing industry statistics.

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Learn More about the Medical Billing and Coding Training

1Growth projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm

2“The financial health of a practice largely depends on the performance of the billing office. Increasing demands on providers with decreasing reimbursement requires healthcare offices to have highly skilled medical billers. Understanding of medical insurance, the claims process, the appeals process, and the impact on the practice's revenue gives the medical biller the tools to successfully optimize and maximize a practice's revenue performance.” https://www.aapc.com/medical-billing/medical-billing.aspx.

3Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment.

4DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), https://www.hlcommission.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202.