Medical Billing/Coding Certificate
Description and Outcomes
The Medical Billing/Coding Certificate program is designed to prepare you with the knowledge and technical skills needed to pursue entry-level positions within various health care settings that deliver services associated with revenue cycle management, including but not limited to medical billing, coding, and insurance-related processes.
Throughout the program, you will learn the fundamentals of medical coding, insurance procedures, medical terminology, and the use of software applications relevant to the field. This certificate program is approved by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP). In addition to including foundational knowledge, the curriculum concentrates on practical, real-world applications, developing the basic skills necessary for submitting medical claims for reimbursement, processing bills, operating computerized billing systems, and understanding various insurance plans. Emphasis is placed on the quality of coding for reimbursement and statistical reporting. You will have the opportunity to gain practice through virtual labs and simulation software throughout the program.
Upon graduation, your professional duties may involve evaluating medical records to accurately assign ICD-10 and CPT codes related to medical diagnoses and procedures, submitting insurance claims for reimbursement, and assessing rejected claims for resubmission. You may use computer-assisted programs and standardized forms to complete medical coding and billing processes. In addition, you may develop a working knowledge of various insurance plans, including their associated regulations and guidelines, to efficiently and accurately refer patients to various health care providers.
Practicum Experience
The Medical Billing/Coding Certificate program offers you an enhanced learning experience, with flexibility that allows you to balance your education with your personal and professional commitments. The practicum options include a 40-hour observation or an alternative experiential learning assignment during the HS292 Billing and Coding Practicum course. In addition, you will take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam in the practicum course. The exam for this nationally recognized certification can be taken either in person at an approved testing facility or through virtual proctoring.
Program Length
The Medical Billing/Coding Certificate program consists of 44 quarter credit hours. Upon completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate.
Program Outcomes
- Administration: Perform administrative functions of medical billing and coding.
- Technical: Apply computer literacy skills in managing electronic medical claims.
- Foundational Knowledge: Demonstrate knowledge of coding and billing guidelines and requirements in the process of medical claims management.
- Standards, Laws, Ethics, and Professionalism: Analyze ethical and legal standards in practical applications within the discipline of coding and medical claims processing.
- Critical Thinking: Apply problem-solving skills to real and simulated health care scenarios.
Program Availability
For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.
Policies
Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams
Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.
Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.
You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.
In addition to the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) certification exam sponsored by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) taken in your final term, upon graduation you may be eligible to take the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification exam, the Certified Coding Specialist–Physician-based (CCS-P®) exam, and the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA); the Medical Coder and Biller Certification (MCBC) sponsored by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA); and the Insurance and Coding Specialist (NCICS) certification exam sponsored by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). You may be eligible for additional certifications once you attain professional experience. You will take one of these exams available through virtual remote proctoring during your capstone course, which is designed to provide you with a professional credential at the time of graduation.