Diploma Program – 8 Months
720 Clock Hours
20-Hour Weeks
Program Description: Medical Insurance Billing and Coding professionals perform a variety of administrative health information functions, including those associated with organizing, analyzing, and technically evaluating health insurance claim forms and coding diseases, surgeries, medical procedures, and other therapies for billing and collection.
Objectives: The objective of the Medical Billing and Coding Program is to provide the student with the
appropriate didactic theory and hands-on skills required and necessary, to prepare them for entry level
positions as medical insurance billers and coders in today’s health care offices, clinics, and facilities. Students will learn diagnostic and procedural terminology as it relates to the accurate completion of medical insurance claims. Utilizing a format of medical specialties, relevant terms will also be introduced and studied.
Program At-A-Glance: The Medical Insurance Billing and Coding Program is a 720 Clock Hours course of
study, consisting of seven individual learning units, called modules. Students are required to complete all
modules, starting with Module MEDINTRO and continuing in any sequence until all seven modules have been completed. After the MEDINTRO Introductory Module is completed, the remaining six modules stand alone as units of study. If students do not complete any portion of one of these modules, the entire module must be repeated. Upon successful completion all modules, students participate in an externship. This consists of 160 Clock Hours of hands-on experience working either in a tutorial classroom setting called a practicum or in an outside facility in the field of medical insurance billing and coding.
Students who have a GPA of 2.0 or less will be required to attend the Practicum and Students who have a GPA of greater than 2.0 will be required to do Externship in an outside facility.
Program Length: 8 Months/720 Clock Hours
Program Outline
| Course Number | Course Title | Clock Hours Lec/Lab | Extern ship Hours |
| MEDINTRO | Introduction to Medical Terminology, Keyboarding, Word Processing, Basic Math, Insurance Coding, and Administrative Duties of Medical Personnel | 80 40/40 | 0 |
| MIBCA | Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural Coding of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems | 80 40/40 | 0 |
| MIBCB | Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural Coding of the Genitorurinary System | 80 40/40 | 0 |
| MIBCC | Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural Coding of the Integumetary and Endocrine Systems, and Pathology | 80 40/40 | 0 |
| MIBCD | Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural Coding of the Musculosketal System | 80 40/40 | 0 |
| MIBCE | Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural Coding of the Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Systems | 80 40/40 | 0 |
| MIBCF | Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural Coding of the Sensory and Nervous Systems, and Psychology | 80 40/40/0 0 | 0 |
| MIBCP | Practicum | 00/00 | 160 |
| OR MIBCX | Externship | 00/00 | 160 |
| Program Totals | 720 | ||
Module Descriptions
Module descriptions include the module number, title, synopsis, a listing of the lecture/theory hours, laboratory or externship hours and credit units. For example, the listing “40/40” indicates that the module consists of 40 hours of lecture/theory, 40 hours of laboratory work.
Module MEDINTRO-Introduction to Medical Terminology, Keyboarding, Word Processing, 40/40
Basic Math, Insurance Coding, and Administrative Duties of Medical Personnel
This module presents basic prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms, special endings, plural forms,
abbreviations, and symbols. Also covered is medical jurisprudence and medical ethics. Students will learn legal aspects of office procedures, including a discussion of various medical/ethical issues in today’s medical environment. Students will learn basic computer skills and acquire knowledge of basic medical insurance billing and coding. Students are provided exposure to computer software applications used in the health care environment including basic keyboarding, Word and Excel. In addition, basic guidelines and coding conventions in ICD-9 and CPT with focus on the professional (outpatient) guidelines, as well as an introduction to the use of the coding reference books. Basic math is introduced. Career skills and development of proper study and homework habits are introduced as well as professionalism needed in the healthcare environment.
Prerequisite: None
Module MIBCL – Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural 40/40
Coding of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems
This module presents a study of basic medical terminology focused on the cardiovascular system, and the lymphatic system. A word-building systems approach is used to learn word parts for constructing or analyzing new terms. Emphasis is placed on spelling, definition, usage, and pronunciation. Abbreviations are introduced as related terms are presented within the module. A study of the human body’s diseases and disorders, including signs, symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment is accomplished following the modular subject areas. Students are provided exposure to computer software applications used in the health care environment including medical billing software, Word and Excel. Students will learn the major medical insurances and claims form processing is presented in an ongoing approach to build this skill set. It will include information on national and other common insurance plans as well as claim form completion and ICD and CPT coding. Problem solving and managed care systems will also be discussed. Students will perform daily financial practices to include patient fee determining, credit arrangements and bookkeeping and bank-keeping procedures. Computer use in the ambulatory environment will also be taught. Basic and advanced guidelines and coding conventions in CPT will be taught with focus on the professional (outpatient) guidelines. The evaluation and management documentation guidelines will be discussed, as well as, the proper use of modifiers. Basic guidelines and coding conventions in ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding and medical necessity with CPT pairing will be stressed, as well as the use of a natural language encoder program. Various aspects of pharmacology will be discussed including a study of the medications prescribed for the treatment of illnesses and diseases within the modular subject area. Included in this are drug actions, and medication uses in relation to body systems and medical terminology. To prepare the student to comprehend the complexity of the health care system and the life cycle of a medical practice, areas that will be discussed include personnel management, compliance, technology, and the many roles of office management.
Prerequisite: MEDINTRO
Module MIBCA – Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural 40/40
Coding of the Genitourinary System
This module presents a study of basic medical terminology focused on the genitourinary system. A word-building systems approach is used to learn word parts for constructing or analyzing new terms.
Emphasis is placed on spelling, definition, usage, and pronunciation. Abbreviations are introduced as related terms are presented within the module. A study of the human body’s diseases and disorders, including signs, symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment is accomplished following the modular subject areas.
Students are provided exposure to computer software applications used in the health care environment including medical billing software, Word and Excel. Students will learn the major medical insurances and claims form processing in an ongoing approach to build this skill set to include information on national and other common insurance plans as well as claim form completion and ICD and CPT coding. Problem solving and managed care systems will also be discussed.
Daily financial practices to include patient fee determining, credit arrangements and bookkeeping and bank-keeping procedures will be discussed. Computer use in the ambulatory environment will also be taught. Basic and advanced guidelines and coding conventions in CPT will be taught with focus on the professional (outpatient) guidelines. The evaluation and management documentation guidelines will be discussed, as well as the proper use of modifiers. Basic guidelines and coding conventions in ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding and medical necessity with CPT pairing will be stressed, as well as the use of a natural language encoder program. Various aspects of pharmacology will be discussed including a study of the medications prescribed for the treatment of illnesses and diseases within the modular subject area. Included in this are drug actions, and medication uses in relation to body systems and medical terminology. To prepare the student to comprehend the complexity of the health care system and the life cycle of a medical practice, areas that will be discussed include personnel management, compliance, technology, and the many roles of office management.
Prerequisite: MEDINTRO
Module MIBCB – Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural 40/40
Coding of the Integumentary and Endocrine Systems, and Pathology
This module presents a study of basic medical terminology focused on the integumentary system, the endocrine system, and pathology. A word-building systems approach is used to learn word parts for constructing or analyzing new terms. Emphasis is placed on spelling, definition, usage, and pronunciation. Abbreviations are introduced as related terms are presented within the module.
A study of the human body’s diseases and disorders, including signs, symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment is accomplished following the modular subject areas. Students are provided exposure to computer software applications used in the health care environment including medical billing software, Word and Excel. Students will learn the major medical insurances and claims form processing in an ongoing approach to include information on national and other common insurance plans as well as claim form completion and ICD and CPT coding. Problem solving and managed care systems will also be discussed.
Students will perform daily financial practices to include patient fee determining, credit arrangements and bookkeeping and bank-keeping procedures… Computer use in the ambulatory environment will also be taught. Basic and advanced guidelines and coding conventions in CPT will be taught with focus on the professional (outpatient) guidelines.
The evaluation and management documentation guidelines will be discussed, as well as, the proper use of modifiers. Basic guidelines and coding conventions in ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding and medical necessity with CPT pairing will be stressed, as well as the use of a natural language encoder program. Various aspects of pharmacology will be discussed including a study of the medications prescribed for the treatment of illnesses and diseases within the modular subject area.
Included in this are drug actions, and medication uses in relation to body systems and medical terminology. To prepare the student to comprehend the complexity of the health care system and the life cycle of a medical practice, areas that will be discussed include personnel management, compliance, technology, and the many roles of office management.
Prerequisite: MEDINTRO
Module MIBCE – Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural 40/40
Coding of the Musculoskeletal System
This module presents a study of basic medical terminology focused on the musculoskeletal system. A word-building systems approach is used to learn word parts for constructing or analyzing new terms. Emphasis is placed on spelling, definition, usage, and pronunciation.
Abbreviations are introduced as related terms are presented within the module. A study of the human body’s diseases and disorders, including signs, symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment is
accomplished following the modular subject areas. Students are provided exposure to computer software applications used in the health care environment including medical billing software, Word and Excel. Students will learn the major medical insurances and claims form processing in an ongoing approach to include information on national and other common insurance plans as well as claim form completion and ICD and CPT coding.
Problem solving and managed care systems will also be discussed. Students will perform daily financial practices to include patient fee determining, credit arrangements and bookkeeping and bank-keeping procedures. Computer use in the ambulatory environment will also be taught. Basic and advanced guidelines and coding conventions in CPT will be taught with focus on the professional (outpatient) guidelines. The evaluation and management documentation guidelines will be discussed, as well as, the proper use of modifiers.
Basic guidelines and coding conventions in ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding and medical necessity with CPT pairing will be stressed, as well as the use of a natural language encoder program. Various aspects of pharmacology will be discussed including a study of the medications prescribed for the treatment of illnesses and diseases within the modular subject area. Included in this are drug actions, and medication uses in relation to body systems and medical terminology. To prepare the student to comprehend the complexity of the health care system and the life cycle of a medical practice, areas that will be discussed include personnel management, compliance, technology, and the many roles of office management.
Prerequisite: MEDINTRO
Module MIBCD – Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural 40/40
Coding of the Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Systems
This module presents a study of basic medical terminology focused on the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal system. A word-building systems approach is used to learn word parts for constructing or analyzing new terms. Emphasis is placed on spelling, definition, usage, and pronunciation. Abbreviations are introduced as related terms are presented within the module.
A study of the human body’s diseases and disorders, including signs, symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment is accomplished following the modular subject areas. Students are provided exposure to computer software applications used in the health care environment including medical billing software, Word and Excel. Students will learn the major medical insurances and claims form processing in an ongoing approach to include information on national and other common insurance plans as well as claim form completion and ICD and CPT coding. Problem solving and managed care systems will also be discussed. Students will perform daily financial practices to include patient fee determining, credit arrangements and bookkeeping and bank-keeping procedures.
Computer use in the ambulatory environment will also be taught. Basic and advanced guidelines and coding conventions in CPT will be taught with focus on the professional (outpatient) guidelines. The evaluation and management documentation guidelines will be discussed, as well as, the proper use of modifiers. Basic guidelines and coding conventions in ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding and medical necessity with CPT pairing will be stressed, as well as the use of a natural language encoder program.
Various aspects of pharmacology will be discussed including a study of the medications prescribed for the treatment of illnesses and diseases within the modular subject area. Included in this are drug actions, and
medication uses in relation to body systems and medical terminology. To prepare the student to comprehend the complexity of the health care system and the life cycle of a medical practice, areas that will be discussed include personnel management, compliance, technology, and the many roles of office management.
Prerequisite: MEDINTRO
Module MIBCF – Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Diagnostic and Procedural 40/40
Coding of the Sensory and Nervous Systems, and Psychology
This module presents a study of basic medical terminology focused on the sensory system, the nervous system, and psychology. A word-building systems approach is used to learn word parts for constructing or analyzing new terms. Emphasis is placed on spelling, definition, usage, and pronunciation. Abbreviations are introduced as related terms are presented within the module.
A study of the human body’s diseases and disorders, including signs, symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment is accomplished following the modular subject areas. Students are provided exposure to computer software applications used in the health care environment including medical billing software, Word and Excel. Students will learn the major medical insurances and claims form processing in an ongoing approach to include information on national and other common insurance plans as well as claim form completion and ICD 9- CM and CPT coding.
Problem solving and managed care systems will also be discussed. Students will perform daily financial
practices to include patient fee determining, credit arrangements and bookkeeping and bank-keeping procedures… Computer use in the ambulatory environment will also be taught. Basic and advanced guidelines and coding conventions in CPT will be taught with focus on the professional (outpatient) guidelines. The evaluation and management documentation guidelines will be discussed, as well as, the proper use of modifiers.
Basic guidelines and coding conventions in ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding and medical necessity with CPT pairing will be stressed, as well as the use of a natural language encoder program. Various aspects of pharmacology will be discussed including a study of the medications prescribed for the treatment of illnesses and diseases within the modular subject area. Included in this are drug actions, and medication uses in relation to body systems and medical terminology. To prepare the student to comprehend the complexity of the health care system and the life cycle of a medical practice, areas that will be discussed
include personnel management, compliance, technology, and the many roles of office management.
Prerequisite: MEDINTRO
Once a student has completed all modules, he or she will be placed in their final module of training, as chosen by the school administration, in an on-campus practicum experience or out in the field in an approved externship facility.
Module MIBP – Practicum 0/160
Upon successful completion of Modules MIBINTRO. MIBCL, MIBGU, MIBIE, MIBMS, MIBRG, and MIBSN,
Medical Insurance Billing and Coding students participate in a 160 hour practicum on-campus. The practicum provides the student an opportunity to apply principles and practices learned in the program and utilize entry-level skills in working with insurance companies and processing claims. Medical insurance billing and coding students work under the direct supervision of the school staff. Students are evaluated by an instructor or Department Chair at 80 and 160 hour intervals. Completed evaluation forms are placed in the students permanent records. Students must successfully complete their practicum experience in order to fulfill requirements for graduation.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Modules MIBINTRO. MIBCA, MIBCA, MIBCD, MIBCE, MIBCF, and
MIBCG.
Module MIBCP – Externship 0/160
Upon successful completion of Modules MIBINTRO. MIBCA, MIBCB, MIBCC, MIBCD, MIBCE, and MIBCF,
medical insurance billing/coding students participate in a 160-hour externship. Students are expected to work a full- time (40 hours per week) schedule if possible. Serving in an externship at an approved facility gives externs an opportunity to work with the principles and practices learned in the classroom. Externs work under the direct supervision of qualified personnel in participating institutions and under general supervision of the school staff. Supervisory personnel will evaluate externs at 80 and 160-hour intervals. Completed evaluation forms are placed in the students’ permanent records. Students must successfully complete their externship training in order to fulfill requirements for graduation.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Modules MIBINTRO. MIBCA, MBCB, MIBCC, MIBCD, MIBCE, MIBCF, MICBG
