Medical Billing and Coding Specialist

Diploma

The purpose of the Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Program at Stautzenberger College is to provide a quality education while supporting the mission of Stautzenberger College. By emphasizing ethics and respect for the medical profession, service to the community, and advancement through practical application, the student is prepared to enter the medical billing and coding profession.

The goal is to provide:
• Coding and insurance billings skills using current CPT, ICD, and HCPS code books.
• Understanding diagnostic and procedural coding.
• Knowledge of proper medical documentation.
• Information regarding private insurance and managed care systems.
• Understanding of hospital billing.
• Guidance in ethical behavior and professionalism befitting the medical biller/coder.
• Career guidance and placement assistance of graduates after their externships.
• Communication and collaborative skills necessary for effective interaction with other members of the medical team.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Support of the Medical Billing/Coding profession.

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a “hands-on” approach to gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the functions of a medical biller/coder while understanding the professional and ethical responsibilities. Courses in computer billing applications, administrative procedures, and medical law along with courses in CPT, ICD, and HCPS coding, processing insurance claims, and retrieving information from medical documents train the student for the billing and coding profession. General courses in written communication and computer coursework serve to develop the student’s writing skills, and work place adaptability.

The graduate is prepared to enter the medical profession as an entry-level medical biller/coder. Employment can be with a physician’s office, managed health care organization, laboratory, or other allied health facility.

Upon completion, the medical biller/coder student may sit for the national voluntary Certified Procedural Coding exam.

back