Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program
About the Program
15 credits
The Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program (15 credits) prepares participants for employment in the medical community that involves medical billing, coding, and claims processing. Medical billing and coding specialists are responsible for translating and sequencing medical documentation into formal, standardized, numerical codes for diagnoses and procedures. Medical billing and coding supports the billing process by coding and processing claims. Various organizations in the community offer opportunities for employment including medical practices, hospitals, nursing and rehabilitation facilities, coding and billing services, insurance companies, government agencies, and consulting firms. Upon successful completion of 15 credits online and passing the exam, participants receive a certificate in Medical Billing and Coding.
Program Details
This cohort-based program is 15 credits plus AAPC certification exam. Delivery is all online in an asynchronous format. Orientation to Keystone College online learning platform (2 hours) precedes start of courses (no charge).
- Introduction to Healthcare (3 credits) – 10 weeks
- Medical Terminology (3 credits) – 15 weeks
- Anatomy & Physiology for Coding (3 credits) – 15 weeks
- Introduction to Medical Billing (3 credits) – 7 weeks
- Introduction to Medical Coding (3 credits) – 7 weeks
- AAPC Exam (0 credits)
Tuition:
- $450/credit or $6750 for 15 credits
- Student fees to support online course delivery – $400
- Books: One for each course. Medical Terminology Book is $150. There is a book for each of the other four courses. Approximate total on books = $500
- AAPC exam fee= $300
- Total investment = $7950
Medical Billing and Coding Courses
- ALHL 1110 – Introduction to Healthcare – 3 credits online
Provides an introduction to health career professions. Reviews the evolution and current status of health care delivery and introduces students to the concepts of cultural diversity, safety in the workplace, communication skills, aspects of management, securing employment and strategies for becoming a successful employee, professional role development, health care law and ethics, blood-borne pathogens, HIPPA, and quality assurance. - BIOL 1140 – Medical Terminology – 3 credits online
Studies the technical and specialized anatomical, surgical, pharmaceutical, and common medical phrases. 3 credits () - BIOL 1145 – Anatomy & Physiology for Coding – 3 credits online
Introduces the student to important concepts related to human disease. Presents the etiology, symptoms, and treatments of the most common disorders and diseases of each body system along with a review of the anatomy and physiology pertinent to the concept related to the disease. Discusses the relationship of aging to disease, along with their effects on each body system. - ALHL 1120 – Introduction to Medical Billing – 3 credits online
Provides an overview of insurance programs at commercial, state, and federal levels along with third-party billing techniques, costcontainment strategies, claims developing and processing, and diagnosis and procedure coding systems. Additional topics include legal issues, resources, managed care contracting, fee schedules and electronic data systems. Prerequisites: ALHL 1100, BIOL 1140 and 1145. - ALHL 2110 – Introduction to Medical Coding – 3 credits online
Covers the principles of medical coding related to the three main code books: CPT®, ICD-10- CM Code Set and HCPCS Level II. This course is recommended for anyone who is preparing for a career in medical coding for a physician’s office and strongly recommended for anyone who is preparing for AAPC’s CPC certification examination. Prerequisites: ALHL 1110 and BIOL 1140 AND 1145. - ALHL 2910 – AAPC Certification Exam – 0 credits, Pass/Fail.
Participants completing the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate must successfully pass the AAPC Certification Exam.
Who Should Attend?
This certificate is open to those interested in the medical billing and coding profession. No prior college experience is required. Those who hold a degree can add this academic credential. It will serve as formal education and a short-term academic credential for those interested in a role as a Medical Biller and Coder. Anyone who aspires to this career path can should attend. This certificate can be added to any associate or bachelor’s degree seeking student’s program of study.
Certificate Program Benefits
A certificate program is a flexible, convenient, and short term commitment to your professional development, self enhancement and career advancement opportunities. Certificate program courses can apply to academic degrees at Keystone College.
Admission to Certificate Programs
A high school diploma or a GED is required to enter a certificate program. There are no prerequisites to this certificate. All courses are taken at Keystone College and no course transfers will be accepted. A non-degree form needs to be completed to enroll.
Location
This certificate is available in an online format. It is available to an organization with sufficient enrollment, as a consortium based program with multiple organizations or online through Keystone College to individuals.
Financial Aid
Stand alone certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid. Students completing certificate programs while also pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree may be eligible for financial aid. Students should check with the Office of Financial Aid to determine eligibility.
Full-time students should contact the Financial Aid Office. Keystone College accepts all forms of tuition reimbursement from employers. Part-time students can contact the Professional Development Institute for information on loans.
