Medical Coding and Billing, Associate in Applied Science (MCBA)
Program Overview
The Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program equips students with the skills to work as medical coders and billers in various healthcare settings. The program covers medical terminology, anatomy, coding systems, and revenue cycle management. Graduates are eligible for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam and can pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
The Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. Degree provides students with the skills necessary to function as Physician-Based Coders, Hospital Coders, or Medical Claims Reviewers. Today, there are many demands for coding specialists and accurately coded data from the medical record in all types of health care institutions. Coded data is used on claims for reimbursement, patient care management and healthcare evaluation and research. The curriculum includes medical terminology, human anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, administrative medical office management, electronic health records and CPT and ICD coding. An Associate in Applied Science will be awarded upon completion of the program with a 2.0 GPA and a “C” or better in all Allied Health and Nursing (AHN) courses.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the anatomical structure and physiological functioning of the human body and of medical terms descriptive of body systems.
- Describe the ethical and legal concepts of concern as they apply to reimbursement in health care and health information management.
- Apply and identify appropriate coding systems as they pertain to the identification of diseases and procedures in medical practices and hospital settings.
- Evaluate the revenue cycle management process.
- Demonstrate ability to successfully complete the necessary health record documentation approved by private and government medical reimbursement systems.
- Identify the routes of administration, indications, adverse effects and related laboratory studies for commonly used medications.
- Explain the disease process and concepts of pain assessment and management.
- Create a portfolio to demonstrate professional skills to enhance marketability for employment.
- Compare and contrast coding specialties to determine similarities and differences of the different body systems.
- Verify documentation in the health record is timely, complete and accurate.
- Define the roles and responsibilities of various providers and disciplines throughout the continuum of healthcare.
- Identify and use secondary data sources.
Program Description:
The Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program is a two-year program that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as medical coders and billers. The program covers a wide range of topics, including medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical insurance, and coding and billing procedures. Students also learn how to use medical software and electronic health records. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Outline:
Program Structure:
The Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program is a four-semester program. The first two semesters are spent taking general education courses, such as English, math, and science. The last two semesters are spent taking core medical coding and billing courses.
Course Schedule:
The following is a sample course schedule for the Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program:
- First Semester
- Medical Terminology
- Body Structure and Function I
- Body Structure and Function II
- Applied Microbiology
- Introduction to Health Care
- English Composition I
- Second Semester
- Introduction to Information Technology
- Introduction to CPT Coding
- Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
- Ethical/Legal Aspects of Health Care Management
- Modern College Mathematics or Introduction to Probability and Statistics
- Third Semester
- Fundamentals of Health Information Technology Science
- Professional and Communication Issues in Health Care
- Advanced CPT Coding
- Introduction to ICD-10-CM Coding
- Any Oral Communication designated course
- Fourth Semester
- Hospital Coding and Case Studies
- Revenue Cycle Management and Reimbursement Methodologies
- Sociology
- Any Global Understanding designated Humanities course
Individual Modules:
Medical Terminology
This module introduces students to the basic principles of medical language, including the structure of medical terms, the use of prefixes and suffixes, and the meaning of medical abbreviations.
Body Structure and Function
This module provides students with a basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Topics covered include the skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system.
Applied Microbiology
This module introduces students to the basic principles of microbiology. Topics covered include the structure and function of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and the role of microorganisms in disease.
Introduction to Health Care
This module provides students with an overview of the healthcare system in the United States. Topics covered include the different types of healthcare organizations, the different roles of healthcare providers, and the different ways to access healthcare.
English Composition I
This module provides students with the basic skills of writing. Topics covered include grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Introduction to Information Technology
This module provides students with a basic understanding of computer hardware and software. Topics covered include the different types of computer hardware, the different types of computer software, and the different ways to use computers.
Introduction to CPT Coding
This module introduces students to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system. Topics covered include the different types of CPT codes, the different ways to use CPT codes, and the different ways to find CPT codes.
Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
This module provides students with a basic understanding of the pathophysiology of disease and the pharmacology of drugs. Topics covered include the different types of diseases, the different ways diseases progress, and the different types of drugs used to treat diseases.
Ethical/Legal Aspects of Health Care Management
This module provides students with a basic understanding of the ethical and legal issues involved in healthcare management. Topics covered include the different ethical principles that apply to healthcare management, the different laws that apply to healthcare management, and the different ways to comply with ethical and legal requirements.
Modern College Mathematics or Introduction to Probability and Statistics
This module provides students with a basic understanding of mathematics or probability and statistics. Topics covered include the different types of mathematical operations, the different types of probability distributions, and the different ways to use statistics to analyze data.
Fundamentals of Health Information Technology Science
This module provides students with a basic understanding of the principles of health information technology. Topics covered include the different types of health information technology systems, the different ways to use health information technology systems, and the different ways to manage health information technology systems.
Professional and Communication Issues in Health Care
This module provides students with a basic understanding of the professional and communication issues involved in healthcare. Topics covered include the different roles of healthcare professionals, the different ways to communicate with healthcare professionals, and the different ways to resolve conflicts in healthcare.
Advanced CPT Coding
This module provides students with an advanced understanding of the CPT coding system. Topics covered include the different types of CPT codes, the different ways to use CPT codes, and the different ways to find CPT codes.
Introduction to ICD-10-CM Coding
This module introduces students to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) coding system. Topics covered include the different types of ICD-10-CM codes, the different ways to use ICD-10-CM codes, and the different ways to find ICD-10-CM codes.
Hospital Coding and Case Studies
This module provides students with a practical understanding of hospital coding. Topics covered include the different types of hospital coding systems, the different ways to use hospital coding systems, and the different ways to find hospital coding information.
Revenue Cycle Management and Reimbursement Methodologies
This module provides students with a basic understanding of revenue cycle management and reimbursement methodologies. Topics covered include the different types of revenue cycle management systems, the different types of reimbursement methodologies, and the different ways to improve revenue cycle management and reimbursement.
Sociology
This module provides students with a basic understanding of sociology. Topics covered include the different sociological theories, the different sociological methods, and the different sociological findings.
Any Global Understanding designated Humanities course
This module provides students with a basic understanding of a global understanding topic. Topics covered include the different global understanding perspectives, the different global understanding methods, and the different global understanding findings.
Virtual Professional Practice Experience Capstone Course
This module provides students with a practical, hands-on experience in a medical coding and billing setting. Topics covered include the different types of medical coding and billing tasks, the different ways to perform medical coding and billing tasks, and the different ways to improve medical coding and billing skills.
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
Students in the Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Quizzes
- Tests
- Exams
- Projects
- Presentations
- Portfolios
Assessment Criteria:
Students in the Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program are assessed on their:
- Knowledge of medical terminology
- Understanding of human anatomy and physiology
- Ability to code and bill medical procedures
- Ability to use medical software and electronic health records
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Ability to solve problems
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
The Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Case studies
- Simulations
- Guest speakers
- Online learning
Faculty:
The Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their field. The faculty members are committed to providing students with a high-quality education and are always available to help students succeed.
Unique Approaches:
The Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program offers a number of unique approaches to teaching, including:
- A focus on hands-on learning
- A commitment to small class sizes
- A variety of experiential learning opportunities
- A strong emphasis on ethical and legal issues
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
Graduates of the Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program are qualified to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Doctor's offices
- Insurance companies
- Healthcare billing companies
Career Opportunities:
Graduates of the Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program can pursue a variety of career opportunities, including:
- Medical coder
- Medical biller
- Healthcare billing specialist
- Insurance claims processor
- Healthcare revenue cycle manager
Career Outcomes:
Graduates of the Medical Coding and Billing A.A.S. program are in high demand and can expect to find a job quickly after graduation. The median annual salary for medical coders and billers is $46,240. The top 10% of earners make more than $70,000 per year.
