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Medical Billing & Coding Certificate Program with Clinical Externship


Program includes National Certification & a Clinical Externship Opportunity


The Medical Billing & Coding Profession

Medical billing and coding is one of the fastest-growing careers in the healthcare industry today! The need for professionals who understand how to code healthcare services and procedures for third-party insurance reimbursement is growing substantially. Physician practices, hospitals, pharmacies, long-term care facilities, chiropractic practices, physical therapy practices, and other healthcare providers all depend on medical billing and coding for insurance carrier reimbursement. The medical industry will have almost 50% more jobs available by 2023; therefore, a surplus of medical facilities will continue to hire candidates who specialize in medical billing and coding..


The Medical Billing & Coding Program

This billing and coding course offers the skills needed to perform complex coding and billing procedures. The course covers: CPT (Introduction, Guidelines, Evaluation and Management), specialty fields (such as surgery, radiology and laboratory), the ICD-10 for both diagnosis and procedure coding, ICD-9 (Introduction and Guidelines) and basic claims processes for insurance reimbursements.This billing and coding program delivers the skills students need to solve insurance billing and coding problems. It details proper assignment of codes and the process to file claims for reimbursement. This course covers the following key areas and topics:

  • An overview of healthcare and the insurance industry
  • The organization and use of the ICD-9-CM, CPT, and HCPCS manuals to identify correct codes
  • Detailed review and practice using the alphabetic index and tabular list of the ICD-9-CM
  • Comparison between ICD-10 and ICD-9
  • Basic claims processes for medical insurance and third-party reimbursements
  • Completing common insurance forms, tracing delinquent claims, and appealing denied claims

Medical Billing & Coding Detailed Course Information:

  • Introduction to International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modifications, Coding Guidelines, Basics of diagnostic and procedural coding
  • Introduction to the organization and use of the ICD-10, ICD-9-CM and CPT manuals
  • The Health Insurance Claim Form (CMS 1500)
  • Reviews of both ICD-10 (diagnostic coding) and ICD-10-PCS (inpatient procedural coding)
  • Various issues surrounding the implementation of ICD-10
  • HIPAA and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
  • Review and practice coding Evaluation and Management (E&M) services
  • Review and practice coding from anesthesia, surgery, radiology, medicine, and the pathology/laboratory sections of the CPT, CPT Modifiers, E and V Codes
  • Coding surgical procedures of the integumentary system
  • Coding procedures related to the female genital system and maternity care and delivery
  • Coding for general surgery, radiology, pathology and laboratory services
  • Coding for diagnostic and therapeutic services and the Level II National Codes
  • Tracing delinquent claims, insurance problems & third-party reimbursement issue

Lesson Checklist

Each lesson includes a prescribed checklist of activities for successful completion of the lesson. This includes lesson objectives, readings, and recommended assignments. Although assignments are optional, the instructor will grade and provide feedback on submitted assignments.

Course Materials:

  • 2015 Step-by-Step Medical Coding
  • Workbook for 2015 Step-by-Step Medical Coding
  • 2015 ICD-9-CM, Hospital Edition Volumes 1, 2, & 3
  • 2015 CPT Current Procedural Terminology, Professional Edition
  • ICD-10-PCS Coding Manual

Module/Lesson Structure

The Medical Billing and Coding program is divided into five main content modules. The textbook is 2015 Step-by-Step Medical Coding by Carol J. Buck. Each module contains one or more lesson presentations to view. These lesson presentations are the “lectures” which, along with the textbook readings and resources, will help you learn the material. The lesson presentations aim to address a variety of learning styles and preferences using text, audio, video, etc. Each lesson contains at least one Check Your Understanding interactive self-assessment that will help you gauge your comprehension of that lesson’s content.

Many lessons include supplemental resources such as games, animations, videos, and interactive activities. Using these additional materials will deepen your understanding of the content. Each module has a Module test (the last Module concludes with a Final Exam for all students).

Module 1 – Introduction to Medical Billing and Codings

  • Lesson 1 – Reimbursement, HIPAA, and Compliance
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 1 (pp.1-27)
  • Lesson 2 – An Overview of the ICD-9-CM
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 8 (pp.199-247)
  • Lesson 3 – ICD-9-CM Outpatient Coding and Reporting Guidelines
    • Reading Assignment: Chapters 9-10 (pp.248-289)
  • Lesson 4 – Chapter-Specific Guidelines
    • Reading Assignment: Chapters 11-12 (pp.290-364)
  • Lesson 5 – An Overview of the ICD-10-CM
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 2 (pp.28-47)

Module 2 – Introduction to the CPT and HCPCS

  • Lesson 6 – Introduction to the CPT and Level II National Code (HCPCS)
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 13 (pp.365-400)
  • Lesson 7 – CPT Modifiers
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 14 (pp.401-430)
  • Lesson 8 – Evaluation and Management Services
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 15 (pp.431-496)
  • Lesson 9 – Anesthesia Services
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 16 (pp.497-518)

Module 3 – Using the CPT

  • Lesson 10 – Surgery Overview
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 17 (pp.519-532)
  • Lesson 11 – Integumentary and Musculoskeletal Systems
    • Reading Assignment: Chapters 18-19 (pp.533-592)
  • Lesson 12 – Respiratory System
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 20 (pp.593-614)
  • Lesson 13 – Cardiovascular System
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 21 (pp.615-659)
  • Lesson 14 – Hemic, Lymphatic, Mediastinum, and Diaphragm
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 22 (pp.660-669)

Module 4 – More CPT Surgery Sections

  • Lesson 15 – Digestive System
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 23 (pp.670-702)
  • Lesson 16 – Urinary and Male Genital Systems
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 24 (pp.703-738)
  • Lesson 17 – Female Genital System and Maternity Care and Delivery
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 25 (pp.739-762)
  • Lesson 18 – Endocrine and Nervous Systems
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 26 (pp.763-780)
  • Lesson 19 – Eye and Ocular Adnexa, Auditory System, and Operating Microscope
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 27 (pp.781-795)

Module 5 – Radiology, Laboratory, Medicine, and Inpatient Coding

  • Lesson 20 – Radiology
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 28 (pp.796-824)
  • Lesson 21 – Pathology and Laboratory
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 29 (pp.825-842)
  • Lesson 22 – Medicine
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 30 (pp.843-881)
  • Lesson 23 – Inpatient Coding
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 31 (pp.882-910)


The Medical Coding ICD-10 Modules

This Medical Coding ICD-10 course reviews key elements of the changes from ICD-9 to ICD-10 and examines the impact of this change on the U.S. healthcare system. Modules will provide an overview of the ICD-10 for both diagnosis and procedure coding. It covers the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 and reviews the changes and updates. It includes the new codes, the structure, and nature of the characters. You will also learn how to use the appropriate code manuals.

  • Detailed reviews of both ICD-10 (diagnostic coding) and ICD-10-PCS (inpatient procedural coding system)
  • Differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10
  • Issues relating to federal regulation and compliance
  • Various issues surrounding the implementation of ICD-10
  • A review of ICD-10, the purpose of ICD-10
  • Reimbursement process, federal regulation and compliance
  • Transition process, Diagnosis coding in the ICD-10
  • Using the ICD-10 manual
  • Using the ICD-10-PCS manual for hospital procedure coding
  • ICD-10 in day-to-day operations
  • Coding from chart notes and from operative reports
  • Functions, processes, and procedures of diagnostic coding, electronic coding tools
  • Practice coding for a variety of purposes and settings

Note: This program can be completed in 6 months. However, students will have online access to this program for a 12-month period.

Education and National Certifications

  • Students should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
  • There are several National Certification exams that are available to students who successfully complete this program:
    • American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certified Professional Coder Exam (CPC or CPC-H Apprentice)
    • American Health Information Association (AHIMA) Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam
    • National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Billing and Coding Specialist Certification (CBCS)

National Certification

Upon successful completion of this Auburn University program, students would be eligible to sit for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) -Certified Professional Coder Exam (CPC or CPC-H Apprentice); the American Health Information Association (AHIMA) Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Billing and Coding Specialist Certification (CBCS) exam.Students who complete this program are encouraged to complete the externship option with their program. Students who complete this program can and do sit for the national certification exam and are qualified, eligible and prepared to do so. Auburn University works with each student to complete the exam application and register the student to take their national certification exam.

Externship / Hands on Training / Practicum

Although not a requirement of this program, once students complete the Medical Billing & Coding program they have the ability to participate in a clinical externship and/or hands on practicum so as to practice the skills necessary to perform the job requirements of a Medical Billing & Coding professional. Students will be assisted with completing a resume and/or other requirements necessary to work in a hospital, physicians’ practice, clinic and/or with other healthcare organizations. All students who complete this program are eligible to participate in an externship and will be placed in a healthcare organization near their location. Auburn University works with national healthcare organizations and has the ability to place students in clinical externship opportunities nationwide

Note: No refunds can be issued after the start date published in your Financial Award document.