Please click here for a complete program brochure.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 18% through 2016 faster than the average for all occupations.” Technology is advancing at a rapid pace and is producing more advanced medical procedures and treatments. With these advances comes the need for trained professionals with the knowledge to code, bill, and correctly document the performance of these procedures. Trained professionals will be needed to ensure correct coding and documentation of new and established procedures to pass potential audits by federal as well as private insurance payers.

The program is designed for students who wish to acquire a thorough understanding of the human anatomy, the language used in the medical profession, regulations that govern the practice of medicine, and the knowledge of how to correctly code and bill for services provided. Upon completion of the program students can expect to be employed in physician offices, multi-specialty group practices, insurance companies, outpatient care facilities, and with government agencies.

Registration and Tuition:
This program consists of 5 required courses which should be taken in the following order: Medical Terminology, ICD-9 Coding, CPT-4 Coding, Regulations in Health Care Coding, Medical Billing with Practicum. Tuition is $2,900 plus a one time $20 registration fee, or you can register for each course individually, with a $20 registration fee per semester. To register for courses please click on the Course Browser/Registration.

Note for those registering online: Please call our office at 212.650.3850 to select classes you are taking per semester.   Please be aware that you are registering for the certificate and that you still need to call/come in to the office to choose the classes. If you wish to do a Payment Plan,  please come to our office E1022 ( Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Spring 2013 Semester
Course	Day	Time	Dates
Regulations	Thursday	6:30-9:50pm	4/25- 5/9
Medical Billing	Tuesday	6:30-9:30pm	4/9- 5/7
Inpatient Facility Coding	Wednesday	6:00-10:00pm	4/3- 5/8
Summer 2013 Semester
Courses	Day	Time	Dates
Medical Terminology	Wednesday	6:00-9:50pm	6/5- 8/7 skips 7/17
ICD-9 Coding	Tuesday	6:00-9:45pm	6/4- 7/23
CPT-4 Coding (First Class only will meet on Tuesday 5/21)	Monday	6:00-9:50pm	5/20- 7/22 skips 5/27
Regulations	Thursday	6:30-9:50pm	7/11- 7/25
Medical Billing	Tuesday	6:30-9:30pm	5/28- 6/25
Combined Certificate Courses
Outpatient Facility Coding	Wednesday	6:00-10:00pm	5/15- 6/19
Inpatient Facility Coding	Wednesday	6:00-10:00pm	7/3- 8/7

1. Medical Terminology
   This course will provide the framework needed to understand medical terms through the analysis of word components. This will include an in-depth study of prefixes, suffixes, word roots, connecting and combining forms. The student will acquire an understanding of medical terms by dissecting terms into their component parts. Students will also learn terms applicable to the structure, function, and diseases of the human body. Required Book: The Language of Medicine (any edition).
2. ICD-9 Coding (Prerequisite Medical Terminology)
   This course will emphasize the fundamentals of assigning International Classification of Diseases, ICD-9-CM, codes. Students will learn the history of coding and coding conventions. Coding exercises will be explored and coding and billing issues will be reviewed.
3. CPT-4 Coding (Prerequisite Medical Terminology and ICD-9)
   This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of coding medical procedures and the accurate utilization of assigned codes. The classification system for coding medical procedures will be reviewed through in-depth coverage of the correct usage of the Current Procedural Terminology Manual, CPT-4 and the Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedure Coding System, HCPCS, Level II codes. Must take ICD-9 before enrolling in this class.
4. Regulations in Health Care Coding
   This course is designed to give students an understanding of the legal and ethical issues encountered in the delivery of health care services. The student will learn regulations and procedures for claims filed with government agencies. This will include discussions of fraud and abuse, the National Correct Coding Initiative, NCCI, as well as current health care legislation.
5. Medical Billing with Practicum (Prerequisite Medical Terminology and ICD-9 and CPT-4)
   The student will learn the theory and basic financial techniques utilized in a physician’s office and other health care facilities. This will include gaining an insight into the administrative and clerical aspects of a medical office. The principles and applications of medical and financial records management, billing details, appointment scheduling, insurance processing and accounts receivable will be explored. The student will also be given the opportunity for practical application of lessons learned using medical billing software

Combined Certificate in Outpatient and Inpatient Medical Billing $3,800

This program begins with an overview of coding and billing for hospital services. The first course is focused specifically on outpatient coding and billing. The second course covers coding and billing for inpatient services. Students will further develop proficiency in basic coding and billing skills while expanding knowledge of technical services in coding and billing, as well as gain insight into guidelines and principles for facility inpatient and outpatient coding and billing, including assigning ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes, ICD-9-CM procedure codes, and CPT & HCPCS procedure codes in multiple inpatient and outpatient settings. Students will also have an understanding of all major steps in a hospital's revenue cycle, payer-specific payment methodologies and regulatory guidelines for coding and billing facility services through review of assigned reading materials, attendance and participation in class time lectures. By the end of this program, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the basic concepts of coding and billing for facility inpatient and outpatient services through completion of assigned practice exercises and case studies and pass a written examination demonstrating understanding and competency in the above.
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology, ICD-9-CM Coding, CPT Coding

Students interested in this program must complete all 5 courses outlined in the Medical Coding & Billing Certificate as well as the 2 courses below. Click here for Payment Plan

Inpatient Facility Coding $600
Prerequisite: Medical Terminology, ICD-9 and CPT-4

Outpatient Facility Coding $600
Prerequisite: Medical Terminology, ICD-9 and CPT-4

Prerequisite:
First course taken must be Medical Terminology. If you are a registered nurse you do not need to take the Medical Terminology class. You must bring a transcript as proof you have completed this class.

Upon completion of the program, students will be knowledgeable on all aspects of ICD-9, HCPCS and CPT-4 coding, understand government regulations that affect reimbursement and documentation, have a thorough understanding of filing insurance claims, understand the differences between federal carriers and managed care companies, worker’s compensation and no fault billing, the meaning and implications of medical necessity, correct reimbursement procedures, and revenue cycle management.

The student will have 125 hours of instruction and will be prepared to sit for the national certification exam given by the American Academy of Professional Coders, AAPC. Upon successfully passing the exam, candidates will earn the credential, Certified Professional Coder, CPC.

To register for courses online, please click on the Course Browser/Registration

Required Text Books:
Regulations and Medical Billing: no text book required
Medical Terminology: The Language of Medicine by Davi-Ellen Chabner
ICD-9 and CPT: If you join the AAPC, you can get a discount on this package. Click on the link below to buy the bundle package.

http://www.aapc.com/medical-coding-books/2013/2013-physician-bundle-1.aspx

For the Combined certificate: Understanding Hospital Coding and Billing: A Worktext, 2nd Edition
Marsha S. Diamond, CPC, CPC-H
Textbook ISBN-10: 1-111-13815-X
Textbook ISBN-13: 978-1-111-13815-8 

*If your coding class begins after October 1st, please confirm the edition with the instructor.

 

Note: Continuing Education Certificate Programs are part-time non-credited courses and therefore we do not issue student visas.  To apply for a student visa, students must be enrolled in a full-time credited college program or an ESL studies program.  For more information on Continuing Education's ESL program please click here: International English Language Institute