Medical Billing Specialist (AAS)
Associate of Applied Science
Career-Technical Program
Interest Areas:
- Business Admin. and Management
- Healthcare
Medical billing specialists are in demand, particularly if they possess ICD and CPT coding skills. The medical billing specialist program is designed to prepare individuals for entry-level positions processing and managing third-party reimbursement and managing patient accounts receivables in a variety of health care settings. Physician practices, clinics, health maintenance organizations, and other health care entities including private billing services are all employment options. The associate in applied science degree in Medical Billing Specialist includes both theoretical and practical laboratory instruction.
Students will complete general education courses and courses in medical terminology, coding, insurance reimbursement, medicolegal issues, manual and computerized accounting, and credit and collections. In the final semester of the program, the student has the opportunity to take and earn the National Healthcare Association (NHA) Certified Biliing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) credential exam. With a variety of career experiences, a professional medical billing specialist may pursue a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) credential by passing the national certification examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential by passing the national certification examination administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The medical billing specialist pursues a lifelong program of continuing education.
Contact Information:
Career & Technical Professional Programs Division
Hedlund Building, Room 101
Phone: (208) 769-3226
Program Requirements
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT-110 or ACCT-201 |
Small Business Accounting or Principles of Accounting |
3 |
| ACCT-150 | 10-Key Skill Building | 1 |
| CAOT-120 | Word Processing/Word I | 1 |
| CAOT-130 | Spreadsheets/Excel I | 1 |
| CAOT-164 | Computer Fundamentals for Technical Programs | 1 |
| CAOT-179 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| ENGL-101 | Writing and Rhetoric I | 3 |
| GEM 3 - A.A.S. Mathematical Ways of Knowing | 3-5 | |
| Credits | 15-17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ACCT-111 or ACCT-202 |
Small Business Accounting II or Managerial Accounting |
3 |
| CAOT-121 | Word Processing/Word II | 1 |
| CAOT-131 | Spreadsheets/Excel II | 1 |
| CAOT-132 | Spreadsheets/Excel III | 1 |
| CAOT-168 | Integrated Medical Office Software | 3 |
| CAOT-186 | Medical Coding | 3 |
| COMM-101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| ACCT-140 | QuickBooks | 3 |
| ACCT-244 | Credit and Collections | 3 |
| CAOT-122 | Word Processing/Word III | 1 |
| CAOT-140 | Database/Access I | 1 |
| CAOT-204 | Career Leadership | 1 |
| CAOT-210 | Office Procedures | 3 |
| HCIT-180 | Medical Law and Ethics | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| BIOL-175 | Human Biology | 4 |
| CAOT-115 | Outlook | 1 |
| CAOT-184 | Records Systems Management | 3 |
| CAOT-291 | Medical Billing Specialist Internship I | 4 |
| GEM 6 - A.A.S. Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60-62 | |
Course Key
- GEM
- AAS Institutionally Designated
-
- Gateway
-
- Milestone
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Perform health care office procedures that include scheduling, bookkeeping, billing and payment collection by utilizing a working knowledge of medical terminology, body systems, common medications, electronic health records and insurance.
- Assign diagnostic and procedure codes using ICD and HCPCS/CPT coding systems as used in a variety of health care settings.
- Apply legal and ethical standards and adhere to principles of patient confidentiality within the health care and community environment as defined by HIPAA.
- Use specialized computer programs including practice management/electronic health record (PM/EHR) and the Microsoft Office Suite.
- Demonstrate professionalism through acceptable attitude, organization and time management skills, and attire.
In addition to the program outcomes, students will meet the following North Idaho College General Education (GEM) Requirements: Written and Oral Communication; Mathematical Ways of Knowing; Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing; and an additional program-designated or selected course from any of the GEM requirements.