Take your Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program online today and join the ranks of health technicians nation wide!
Home | FAQs | Online Degrees | Certificate Courses | Admission Policies | Class Rooms | Request Info.
Canyon College
COURSE SYLLABUS: Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program
MODULES I - IV
Instructor:
Paula Tripp, CMAA, CBCS, CET, CPT, CHI, RHE - | E-mail
OVERVIEW:
The Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program was designed specifically for those interested in the billing, coding, administrative aspect of the medical healthcare system. The courses and modules provide specific, achievable objectives through practical lessons and assignments. The courses are in a combined self-study/Instructor directed format that makes the program more "individualized" than that of the average program. The "self-study" portion refers to the convenience of completing the program courses according to one's own time schedule. You may complete each lesson, assignment and test at any time of the day, any day of the week; cognizant of the "time limits" as established within the syllabus, respective of the Admission Policy of Canyon College. The program is designed for the busy professional, utilizing the online classroom format with additional "extras," like guest speakers and note-worthy billing and coding news that is located in the student calendar. The "extras" can be taken advantage of, regardless of where a student is within the program and promises to be "pertinent" to the field at large. With consistent and detailed teaching, the program is intended to provide personal enrichment from an inclusive array of medical billing and coding topics ranging from the introductory courses to intense and detailed advanced billing and coding courses.
Student/Instructor Contact and Communications
Communication is achieved mostly through e-mail, but can also be accomplished using fax and on certain instances, telephone. Email is the preferred method and is a priority with respect to Instructor response. One-on-one contact with the Instructor is considered to be an important aspect of the program. Students are also instructed in several assignments to communicate through the Classroom Message Board so that all in the class may read and respond to other students' comments, thus encouraging input and thought.
Instructor's Email: mspaula@canyoncollege.edu
Lessons and Assignments
You are required to read, review and complete each lesson within each course. All attached and applicable assignments need to be completed IN FULL before submitting them. When applicable and requested, all tests will be available after review and completion of each previous course assignment(s).
Tests
Each course within the program has a "midterm" and a "final" with the exception of Module IV. Module IV contains a comprehensive final.
Grading/Scoring
As a student, you are required to complete all lessons, assignments and tests as part of each course within the program. The final grades in each course, along with the assignments and tests, are based on the percentages below. The "final" grade is based on the average of all grades and is also calculated using the following grading scale:
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
F = Below 60%
All assignments and tests will be reviewed. The Instructor will email your grades/scores within 24-48 hours from the date of submission; respective of weekends, holidays and unexpected delays. (Refer to the Holiday Schedule located in "Calendar".)
Module/Course Outline
The program contains nine (9) detailed courses within four (4) modules. Lessons and reading assignments are self-paced.
(Further breakdown of outlined lessons and objectives are located at the beginning and within each course.)
Module I - Introduction
Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding Careers
Course Description: This course introduces concepts, definitions and general associations related to medical health insurance billing and coding, along with identifying different career avenues in the field.
Module II - Billing
Introduction to Medical Billing
Course Description: This course introduces the basic definitions, concepts, procedures and applications necessary to perform tasks involved in health insurance billing.
Medical Billing II
Course Description: This course goes into depth with respect to insurance claim forms, electronic billing, accounts receivable, and collections.
*Module III - Coding
Introduction to Medical Coding
Course Description: An introduction to basic coding definitions and distinctions between and about the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification System (ICD9-CM); the Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Edition (CPT4); Health Care Procedure Coding System (HCPCS); Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) and the upcoming ICD10.
Medical Coding – ICD-9-CM
Course Description: A review of the layout, organization and components of the manual; along with description of coding regulations with respect to body systems and applicable coding initiatives.
Medical Coding – CPT
Course Description: Layout, organization and components of the manual; along with Critical CPT Coding Terms. Step-by-step guidelines and conventions are also discussed.
Medical Coding – Evaluation and Management Coding
Course Description: Physician services; outpatient and inpatient coding for E & M codes. A detailed course designed to instruct students the "how-to's" of this seemingly difficult coding aspect.
Medical Coding – Surgical Coding and Specialties of Coding
Course Description: Surgical Coding, Global surgical packages, and complications' coding. Specialties such as OB/GYN and how the surgical packages affect them are discussed.
Module IV – Application
Advanced Medical Billing and Coding
Course Description: Application of all subjects related to medical billing and coding. This course is a "practicum" and includes practice "cases" in which the student must complete the billing and coding cycle from beginning to end.
Coding Manuals are required for MODULE III.
Program TEXTS:
Online Bookstore
Five textbooks required.
Textbook 1 & 2, used in Modules 1, 2, & 3:
Understanding Health Insurance: A Guide to Billing and Reimbursement, and Workbook,
8th Package Edition, (maybe listed as: Bndl Understanding Health Insurance and Workbook)
by Jo Ann C. Rowell & Michelle A. Green.
Thomson Delmar Learning (Thomson), 2005/2006.
ISBN: 1418008451 ISBN-13: 9781418008451
(This is a kit that contains the textbook (ISBN: 1401895956 ISBN-13: 9781401895952)
and the Workbook (ISBN: 140189609X ISBN-13: 9781401896096).)
Textbook 3, used in Module 3 &4:
2007 ICD-9-CM Expert for Hospitals, Vol. 1, 2 & 3, (Spiral Recommended), Spiral ISBN-13: 9781563379154
or Updateable (in Loose Leaf Binder, usually comes with three 2007 updates) Updateable ISBN-13: 9781563379161
or
2007 ICD-9-CM Expert for Physicians, Vol. 1 & 2, (Spiral Recommended), Spiral ISBN-13: 9781563379116
or Updateable (in Loose Leaf Binder, usually comes with three 2007 updates) Updateable ISBN-13: 9781563379123
Textbook 4, used in by Module 3 &4:
2007 CPT® Professional, (Spiral Recommended), ISBN-13: 9781579477912
Textbook 5, used in Module 4:
Clinical Coding Workout: Practice Exercises for Skill Development, 2007 Edition, with answers,
by June Bronnert, Melanie Endicott, et al. Phone: 866-902-4462. ISBN: 1584261706
Additional books/resources that are helpful for the billing and coding professional,
but not required for class:
Current Medical Dictionary
HCPCS – Coding Manual for DME providers
Anatomy and Physiology
*Please email the instructor for any additional questions regarding class texts or coding manuals at mspaula@canyoncollege.edu.
Program Time and Activity Requirements
The convenience of completing this program in an online format is designed for the busy professional. While a student may choose the extent of activities (lessons and assignments) according to his or her schedule, the courses within the program are designed to be completed within an average time-span of 6-9 months, respective of the Admissions Policy of Canyon College. The majority of students complete the program within 7 months. If you need additional time or you are enrolled in the "Medical Courses" in addition, or if unforeseen issues arise, fax or Email the Instructor. The Instructor is here to help you through the program and to provide as much individual assistance as possible. Our GOAL is to assist you in COMPLETING the program and will work with you as much as possible to achieve this goal!
Medical Courses
If you are NEW to the Medical field, it is recommended that you also enroll in the "Medical Basics" Module in addition to the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program. The "Medical Basics" (Module V) includes Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology and Medical Diseases. Many of the courses in the regular program utilize medical terms, abbreviations, anatomy, physiology and medical disease terms that are included within this module. It is recommended that you take this in conjunction with the regular program. In lieu of this additional module, additional time will be acknowledged since you will need to complete this module before completing the regular Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program.
Administration Course
If you are currently in a managerial or administrative position, or are aspiring to be; you may want to enroll in the "Medical Administration of Medical Billing and Coding" (Module VI). Although the regular program is designed to include some of the basic "administrative" issues, this advanced and extensive course is specifically designed with daily, weekly, monthly issues of managers and administrators in mind and includes such topics as financial management, contract negotiating, staff evaluation, and organizational issues.
NUR380 Updated References 12/05
- G-2 Compliance Resource Guide 2000. Published by Washington G-2 Reports, Washington, DC 2000
- CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid) – http://cms.hhs.gov (FKA "HCFA")
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) Medlearn Matters, Coverage and Regulation Issues for Providers. December 9, 2005 – http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/
- Profiles, Washington, "IOM report calls for Overhaul of Health Care System", Clinical Laboratory News, April 2002.
- Profiles, Washington, "IOM Releases Report on Medicare Laboratory Payment Policy", Clinical laboratory News, January 2003.
- Young,Christopher P., "New ABN: Understanding the Rules/Strategies for Successful Implementation", CLMA Compliance 2003.
- Insurance Handbook for the Medical Office, 2003. Marilyn Takahashi Fordney, CMA-AC, CCS.
- Basics of CPT/HCPCS and ICD9CM Coding, Toulas Nicholas, ART, CCS. Pub: AHIMA.
- 2005/2006 CMS Provider and HIPAA Updates – http://cms.hhs.gov/providers.
- 2003/2004 CPT, ICD9CM, and HCPCS Coding Manuals Pubs: AMA, W B Saunders.
*For additional references as applicable, refer to each Course Syllabus within the program.
*And most important, remember….learning is fun so take a deep breath, relax and ENJOY your online learning experience!