Medical Coding and Billing (Certificate Program)

With this certificate program, you can prepare for a basic, entry-level medical coding support position, and master skills critical to office administration in a medical facility or other healthcare environment. You'll learn important medical office functions, medical coding, medical billing, insurance procedures, electronic records management and financial practices. Additionally, this program will provide students access to the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) portal for practice and preparation to allow you to take the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) certification exam.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Your medical coding and billing training provides a solid foundation in basic medical coding functions, healthcare delivery systems and medical terminology. Completion of the program prepares you to sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) certification exam. In fact, the final course in the program requires students to travel to the testing site to complete the certification exam.

Information and practice materials are available on the Association's website: www.nhanow.com/certifications/billing-coding. Fees associated with the NHA practice materials, practice exams, and one attempt at the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist exam are covered as part of the program.

HOW DOES AN ONLINE MEDICAL CODING AND BILLING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM WORK?

Just like degree programs, certificate programs are increasingly popular for students attending class online. With this observation, you might be curious about how online certificate programs work (and their benefits) in comparison to traditional certificate programs. Below, you can learn how these programs differ, as well as some reasons you might choose to pursue a Medical Coding and Billing Certificate with us.

The traditional certificate program may have a similar format to the standard degree program at other universities, including those on the ground. Most certificate programs range from 12-30 credit hours and are designed to take six months to a year to complete. In the traditional environment, you might be expected to attend class in person, which could interfere with an already busy work schedule.

Online medical coding and billing certificate programs, such as the one we offer, can provide you with a much more flexible format. The entire program consists of 18 credit hours, which can be completed in under a year. All six courses are directly applicable to becoming an entry-level medical coding and billing specialist, and there are no general education courses included in this certificate program.

Students attracted to online certificate programs may be busy, working individuals, or those with growing families and little expendable time to spend in the classroom. The goal of online programs is to provide a convenient format regardless of age and/or lifestyle.

This online certificate program can allow you to engage in coursework at your own pace. You may notice the information for the entire course is provided in the course syllabus, so that you know what to expect at any point during the course. You can access their course materials through the online class webpage, submit assignments via a helpful drop box tool and finish examinations via the internet.

Some of the busiest professionals rely on online certificate programs to help enhance their knowledge base. This method may be growing into one of the most popular options, and ideal for you if you're considering this type of program. More benefits of pursuing an online Medical Coding and Billing Certificate with us include:

  • Ease of communication with instructors and peers
  • Unified research and study approach using the internet
  • Around the clock technical support for current students
  • Curriculum can prepare you for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist certification exam

Below are three sample courses you can expect with this program:

Medical Terminology

Basic Diagnosis Coding Systems

Basic Procedure Coding Systems

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

The undergraduate rate is $295 per credit hour, or $250 if you’re a military member, a veteran, a certified or licensed patient care worker, first responder, or their spouse or child. Grantham also offers scholarships and financial aid for those who qualify.

WHEN CAN I START?

Grantham offers monthly course starts. So we're ready when you are.

Call us at (888) 947-2684 to learn more about our accredited degree and certificate programs, financial assistance opportunities or enrollment process.

Medical Coding and Billing (Certificate Program)

Student Learning outcomes

  • Illustrate the role and function of different types of healthcare facilities and environments
  • Utilize medical coding terms and abbreviations that are commonly used in healthcare
  • Articulate understanding of local, state and federal regulations, including OSHA standards and HIPAA's rules for protected health information and ethical practices
  • Apply diagnosis coding skills for records management and insurance claims
  • Complete the CBCS Certification through National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Core Professional Competencies

University of Arkansas Grantham prepares graduates to succeed in a variety of professional and civic settings by incorporating these critical life skills into the curriculum:

  • Communication – Formulating and expressing thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written and non-verbal communication skills in person, in writing and in a digital world.
  • Distributed Collaboration – Working effectively across distributed locations and asynchronously to achieve a common goal through relationship-building, shared responsibility, empathy and respect.
  • Professional and Social Responsibilities – Engaging in social responsibility through seeking justice, valuing diversity, respecting the environment; demonstrating professionalism through integrity, mutual accountability and ethical behavior. This includes considering the social and global impact of individual and organizational decisions and an awareness of and adherence to regulations, professional standards and industry best practices.
  • Critical thinking/problem solving – Using analytical reasoning when gathering and evaluating relevant information to effectively formulate possible solutions for an issue, problem or a variety of issues. This includes the ability to recognize potential consequences of a decision.
  • Data Aptitude - Developing information literacy and the capacity to manage data with subsequent finding, structuring, evaluating and interpreting in order to provide meaningful analysis to accomplish a specific purpose.

Additional Advantages

Students in the Medical Coding and Billing Certificate program have the added benefits of:

  • Creation of an ePortfolio to assist in job searches
  • Assistance with resumes, job searches and practice interviews
  • Student advisors (SAs), academic mentors and program directors
  • State-of-the-art simulation technology
  • Face-to-face meetings, if needed, with faculty
  • A Health Care Highway Community portal
  • No extra fees: All classroom technology is included in the Resource Fee

Medical Coding and Billing (Certificate Program)

University of Arkansas Grantham’s professionally relevant coursework is designed to help you prepare for your next challenges.

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT:
Program Core Credits: 18
Total Credit Hours: 18
Accreditation(s): DEAC
University Bookstore
Textbook Pricing
Program Core: 18
Course: Title: Credits:
Course: HP111 Title: Healthcare Delivery Systems Credits: 3
  This course introduces students to different types of healthcare delivery systems and how to analyze the organization, financing, regulatory issues, and delivery of different healthcare services. Topics covered include the "continuum of care"" concept, and methods and theories in healthcare delivery systems and computer applications in healthcare. Focus is placed on evolution and trends in managed healthcare, including research, statistics, quality management, and integrating information technologies into medical office practices. Other processes such as staffing, productivity, and improving quality are also discussed."
Course: HP114 Title: Medical Terminology Credits: 3
  This course teaches the foundation of the language of healthcare. Students will learn how to pronounce medical terms and communicate medical information to both health professionals and patients. Students will also learn the principles of word-building needed for the extensive medical vocabulary used in healthcare. Students will utilize interactive technology to assist with learning, pronunciation and application in Anatomy and Physiology.
Course: HP212B Title: Basic Diagnosis Coding Systems Credits: 3
  This course examines medical billing and coding in medical practice. All basic medical billing and coding issues are discussed, including coding diagnosis, the International Classification of Diseases Manual (ICD-10-CM), coding compliance and legal and ethical compliance. Students extrapolate coding information from the ICD-10-CM manual and examine usage guidelines for Volumes I, II and III. This course provides students with access to the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) portal used to practice, prepare and sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) Certification Exam.
Course: HP213B Title: Basic Procedure Coding Systems Credits: 3
  This course provides the student with in-depth coverage of procedural coding utilizing the HCPCS coding system composed of Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) and national codes. The course includes detailed application of the CPT classification system for outpatient services. Emphasis includes Evaluation and Management, Anesthesia, Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, and Laboratory and Medicine codes, as well as the use of modifiers. Students will apply coding and billing principles through the use of coding exercises and coding simulation software. This course provides students with access to the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) portal used to practice, prepare and sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) Certification Exam.
Course: HP214B Title: Reimbursement Methodologies Credits: 3
  This course provides students with a working knowledge of medical insurance and its applications. Emphasis is on understanding insurance essentials, including the role of the medical insurance billing specialist and legal and ethical requirements. Medical documents and coding diagnoses and procedures are discussed. Students comprehend the claims process, focusing on charges, methods of payments, billing and reimbursement. Other topics covered are private payers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Medicaid and Medicare, TRICARE and worker's compensation. Patient billing software is also explored. This course provides students with access to the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) portal used to practice, prepare and sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) Certification Exam.
Course: HP216B Title: Coding and Billing Cert Prep Credits: 3
  Students in this course will gain practical experience applying advanced ICD-10-CM and CPT coding skills. Students will code from a variety of healthcare settings including hospital, physicians' offices and/or other healthcare settings. Intensive coding application will be achieved through the use of real medical records, case studies and scenarios. The training in this course integrates coding and the classification of diseases and treatment in preparation for certification and employment as a clinical coding specialist. This course provides students with access to the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) portal used to practice, prepare and sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) Certification Exam.

All courses must be taken in the prescribed sequence. Failed (F) or Withdrawn (W) courses must be immediately repeated. All courses must be passed with a "D" or better in order to progress in the program. if any course is not passed with a "C" or better, the student will be required to enroll in Part-Time status.

All courses must be completed at Grantham. No transfer credit is allowed.