Certificate Program: Medical Billing & Coding

Accelerate your future
in healthcare
with an
Undergraduate Certificate in
Medical Billing and Coding
C O L L E G E
O F
H E A L T H
S C I E N C E S
Earn a certificate in
Medical Billing and Coding
The employment outlook is bright for qualified Medical Billing and Coding
workers,1 the health care professionals in charge of processing patient data
such as treatment records and insurance claims. In fact, employment in this
field has been projected to grow 22% from 2012 to 2022, almost double the
average rate for all occupations.2 There are several reasons for this growth.
The demand for health care services is expected to increase substantially as
the nation ages. At the same time, many organizations are still in the process
of converting to electronic medical records (EMRs) and will be challenged
to keep up. In addition, the current coding system used nationwide is being
updated, and many current medical coders have indicated that they might
retire instead of learning the new system.3
Prepare to pass the CCA exam
Many employers require professional certification for medical coding and
billing positions. The Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding
program at DeVry University is designed to prepare students for the nationally
accepted standard of achievement in the field, the Certified Coding Associate
(CCA) exam. This exam covers such topics as health records and data content;
health information requirements and standards; clinical classification
systems; reimbursement methodologies; information and communication
technologies; and privacy, confidentiality, legal, and ethical issues.4
Employment of
HEALTH INFORMATION
TECHNICIANS
is projected to grow
22%
from
2012 to 2022
much faster than the average
for all occupations2
Program Coursework for Undergraduate
Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding
Prepare for your future
Earn the credentials for success
Medical Billing and Coding professionals play an important role in healthcare today.
They are tasked with coding a patient’s diagnosis along with a request for payment
from the patient’s insurance company. The health care industry depends on skilled,
qualified medical insurance billers and coders to accurately record, register and
track each patient’s account.
DeVry’s Undergraduate Certificate in Medical
Billing and Coding program is designed to
produce certificants who are able to:
• Demonstrate understanding of inpatient
and outpatient coding guidelines.
• Apply knowledge of health records and
data content.
The goal of this coursework is to equip students with the knowledge,
skills and abilities needed to function as an entry-level coding
specialist within settings such as hospitals and physician practices.
• Explain reimbursement processes and
methodologies.
• Relate compliance topics to coding
functions.
• Describe various information
technologies used to perform coding
functions.
AHIMA-recommended course of study
Prior to taking the CCA exam, the American Health Information Management
Association (AHIMA) recommends that candidates have at least 6 months of
on-the-job coding experience or complete an approved coding training or certificate
program. The program should include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology,
basic ICD diagnostic/procedural and basic CPT coding – all of which are included in
DeVry University’s Medical Billing and Coding Undergraduate Certificate program.5
• Recognize, and be sensitive to, issues of
confidentiality and privacy.
“The CCA credential distinguishes
coders by exhibiting commitment and
demonstrating coding competencies
across all settings, including both
hospitals and physician practices.”6
Coursework for Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding
This 10-course online program (35 total credit hours), consisting of online classes
and labs, runs according to the regular DeVry University academic session schedule.
Going to school full time, this certificate can be earned in as little as three semesters.
Basic Medical Terminology
Terminology for conditions of the
human body and medical procedures.
Current Procedural Terminology Coding
Coding procedures performed by
healthcare providers using CPT and
HCPCS II level codes.
Fundamentals of Human Anatomy
and Physiology
A survey of all major systems of the
human body.
Fundamentals of Pathophysiology
A foundational knowledge of disease,
medical terminology, anatomy and
physiology.
Health Information Processes
Content and format of records; retention
and storage requirements; indexes and
registries; and forms design.
Health Insurance and Reimbursement
Healthcare reimbursement and payment
methodologies and systems (capitation,
PPS & RBRVS); insurance products;
third-party and prospective payment
systems; managed care organizations.
International Classification of
Diseases Coding I & II
Two-course sequence on the most
current classification systems used to
code diagnoses and procedures.
Introduction to Health Services
and Information Systems
The importance of financial and quality
management, safety and security in
health information.
Pharmacology and Medical Treatment
The uses for commonly prescribed
pharmaceutical treatments.
In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning
Commission (HLC), www.ncahlc.org. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. DeVry University
is authorized for operation by the THEC. www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus –3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211.
Program availability varies by location. ©2015 DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved. 3/15
– American Health Information
Management Association
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2014–15 Edition, Medical Records and Health
Information Technicians, retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/
healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
on September 12, 2014
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Medical Records and Health
Information Technicians, retrieved fromt http://www.bls.gov/ooh/
healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
on February 26, 2015
2 ICD10monitor.com, “ICD-10 requires a strategy for managing the
coder shortage,” retrieved from http://www.icd10monitor.com/
slideshow/231-icd-10-requires-a-strategy-for-managing-the-codershortage on September 15, 2014
3 CCA Prep Exam 100 questions, retrieved from http://www.proprofs.
com/quiz-school/story.php?title=cca-prep-exam-1-100-questions on
September 17, 2014
4 American Health Information Management Association, retrieved
from http://www.ahima.org/certification/cca on September 11, 2014
5 American Health Information Management Association, retrieved
from http://www.ahima.org/certification/cca on September 15, 2014
6