Medical Billing certificate course curriculum

The Medical Billing certificate course curriculum is developed by knowledgeable instructors with years of experience in their field. You'll gain real-world, high-demand skills to succeed in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics, and physician offices.

Orientation: Learning at Ashworth

In this course, you’ll examine the goals and values of Ashworth College, time management, creating a realistic weekly and monthly study schedule, the nature and purpose of assessments, how to study effectively to prepare for and take an online examination, and developing the skill sets necessary for success in the twenty-first century.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to do the following:

Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner.

Lesson Group 1: Introduction to Allied Health

In this course, you’ll learn about healthcare, the healthcare industry in the United States, and the roles that healthcare workers play in that industry.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to do the following:

Differentiate among the various available allied health professions.
Describe the legal and ethical issues that arise when working in a healthcare facility.

Lesson Group 2: Medical Billing and Health Insurance

This course introduces the reimbursement process and the various methodologies involved, such as fee-for-service and episode-of-care methodologies. The course also covers important information regarding payment systems, fee schedules, chargemasters, coding, and the internal audit process. The course also explains the fundamentals of health insurance and types of health insurance.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

Discuss various reimbursement methodologies and payment systems
Define health insurance

Lesson Group 3: Basic Medical Coding

Your first coding course begins with an overview of coding concepts, terms, and procedures. You’ll start by exploring the history of the ICD-10 coding system. You’ll code diagnoses in the ICD-10-CM and use the chapter-specific coding guidelines to code diseases and conditions with specific and unique rules. You’ll finish your course with coding procedures in the ICD-10-PCS, and in the basics of coding with ICD-10.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

Describe the layout and purpose of the ICD-10-CM coding manual
Explain how to use the ICD-10-CM to assign codes for medical diagnoses
Summarize the guidelines for coding physiologic conditions involving different organ systems
Identify the purpose of the ICD-10-PCS and how it's used 
Assign diagnosis and procedure codes using the ICD-10 coding manuals

Lesson Group 4: Intermediate Medical Coding

In this course, you’ll concentrate on procedures and their associated systems. You’ll also learn about general coding guidelines for outpatient procedures and physician office coding using CPT, HCPCS Level I, and HCPCS Level II procedure coding.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

Assign codes for services and procedures using CPT and HCPCS Level II
Outline the procedure for assigning codes from the E/M and Anesthesia sections of CPT
Outline the types of services and procedures described in the CPT
Explain the types of procedures coded in the hemic, lymphatic, digestive, reproductive, and urogenital systems
Describe the procedures coded in the endocrine, nervous, ocular, auditory, radiology, pathology, and medicine sections of the CPT
Assign CPT and HCPCS codes for physician procedures and services

SHOW ALL CURRICULUM

/ Displayed

Program Description

The Medical Billing certificate program is designed to provide you with the knowledge of the fundamental skills required of those with careers in medical billing. You’ll learn how to code diagnoses and procedures using industry-standard coding systems. Additionally, you’ll familiarize yourself with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and different types of reimbursement methodologies, insurance plans, and billing guidelines.

Program Objectives

After completing the Medical Billing certificate program, you’ll be able to do the following:

Outline the typical responsibilities of a medical biller/coder, describe the personal and professional ethics required for success in this profession, and describe the career opportunities available to appropriately trained personnel.
Describe the purpose and impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and explain how medical professionals can learn about changes to the laws and regulations that affect them.
Compare and contrast the major types of government and commercial insurance health plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), and Point-of-Service (POS) plans.
Describe the typical billing guidelines for inpatient medical, inpatient/outpatient global surgery, medical/surgical, and minor surgical procedures.
Summarize the life cycle of a typical insurance claim and explain the processing steps that must be completed before claims and other forms can be submitted to the insurance company.
Explain the purpose of medical coding and accurately code diagnoses and procedures using industry-standard coding systems published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Medical Association (AMA).

Insuring job path preparedness

You'll gain job skills from every lesson in the Medical Billing Career Certificate course and prep for your job search at the same time. The online tools available through the Ashworth College Central Network are integrated into your studies so you'll be ready to deliver a polished presentation of your qualifications to potential employers as soon as you graduate. You'll also be able to revisit the Ashworth College Central Network whenever you need to after you've earned your certificate. Learn more about it at the Ashworth College Career Services page.