Medical Coder/Biller (MCB) (B398)
Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level health care practitioners committed to professional development through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory and supportive learning environment.
Health information coding is the transformation of verbal descriptions of diseases, injuries and procedures into alphanumeric designations. Responsibilities include coding of diagnoses and procedures; preparation and processing of insurance claims. Medicare and other third party payors use coded data for claims processing. Coded information is used in the assessment of clinical care, to support research activity, and the identification of health care concerns critical to the public at large.
This limited access program prepares graduates for employment as a health care/medical coder or biller in a variety of settings. The program is a combination of professional courses including lecture, laboratory and clinical education components. Confidentiality and legal concerns are also covered. Professional practice experiences are provided in local health care facilities under the supervision of qualified professional personnel. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded an Applied Technology Diploma.
All courses are college credit and are transferable into the Health Information Management A.S./A.A.S. program.
Prior to being admitted to the program, an applicant must complete:
| BSC 2085C |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
4 |
| HSC 1531 |
Medical Terminology |
3 |
| HIM 1260 |
Health Insurance Billing |
2 |
- Applicant must have earned a high school diploma or equivalency degree.
- Applicant must complete Medical Coder/Biller program application. (Contact the HIM office for application deadline).
- Applicant must be currently enrolled or a former Florida Community College student.
- Applicant must have completed a minimum of nine credit hours of prerequisites. The specific prerequisites for admission are Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BSC 2085C) and Medical Terminology (HSC 1531). A grade of “C” or better must be achieved in all prerequisite courses. A GPA of 2.0 must be maintained.
- Applicant must have CPTs (College Placement Test Scores) by the Medical Coder/Biller program application deadline.
Applicants will be ranked on the quality points earned in the three courses listed in number four above. Students who verify work experience in health information management will earn two points per year, up to a maximum of six points. In the event of a tie, the College Placement Test scores (English, reading and elementary algebra) will be used as a tie-breaker.
Students completing this program may continue their studies in Health Information Management A.S./A.A.S.
A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.
Estimated cost of tuition is $1,727 (tuition rated for Florida residents, as of 7/07). Contact the program manager for additional costs (textbooks, materials, fees).
Course Number and Title |
Credits |
|
| BSC 2085C |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
4 |
| HSC 1531 |
Medical Terminology
(for Health Professions) |
3 |
| HIM 1435 |
Pathophysiology I |
2 |
| HIM 1300 |
Health Care Delivery Systems |
2 |
| HIM 1260 |
Health Insurance Billing |
2 |
| HIM 1436 |
Pathophysiology II |
2 |
| HIM 1224 |
ICD 9–CM Coding and Lab |
3 |
| HIM 2012 |
Health Law |
3 |
| HIM 1253 |
CPT–4 Coding and Lab |
3 |
| HIM 1800 |
Professional Practice Experience I |
2 |
| |
Credit Hours |
26 |
| |
Total Credit Hours |
26 |
Clinical agencies may require students to undergo drug screening and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.
The cost of the background check and drug screen is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by program’s published deadlines.
Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition.
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