Medical Billing and Coding Program

The ACC Medical Billing and Coding program is designed to help you learn how to use databases, industry software and various reference materials as you train for the critical responsibility of quickly and accurately recording and reporting patient information. Upon successful completion of this program and the receipt of your diploma, you will know how to:

• Work on the business side of dental or medical offices
• Secure patient information
• Work with insurance companies
• Submit and monitor billings for payment
• And perform many other important skills

ACC's dynamic curriculum is designed to help you become proficient on current industry software, forms and terminology. Graduates of this program may pursue entry-level positions such as health claims examiner, claims processor, dental biller or insurance biller.

The focus is on your success!
The goal of our program is to help you graduate with the confidence and qualifications to begin your career as a health claims examiner/medical biller.

As the medical industry expands, experienced and qualified medical billers and coders will continue to be essential to keeping offices running smoothly. With your ACC diploma in Medical Billing and Coding, you can expect to qualify for entry-level positions in:

• Doctors' Offices
• Clinics and Other Health Care Facilities
• Dentists' Offices
• HMOs
• Insurance Companies
• Independent Billing Companies

A few interesting statistics* about medical billing and coding careers: 

• Job opportunities for claims adjusters and examiners should be best in the health insurance industry as the number of health insurance customers expands.
• Rising medical costs may result in a greater need for claims examiners to carefully review a growing number of medical claims.
• An increase in the number of claims being made by a growing elderly population should also spur demand for health insurance claims adjusters and examiners.

A few places where graduates from various ACC programs have been hired:

Many area employers are very familiar with the quality of ACC's health care training programs and our school's track record for preparing confident, qualified professionals for rewarding careers. Our graduates have been hired by:

*Source: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/claims-adjusters-appraisers-examiners-and-investigators.htm

Courses in this program are offered in a blended format, a convenient, flexible combination of online and on-campus classes. The ACC Medical Billing and Coding curriculum is divided into standalone learning units called modules, which include:

• Introduction to Computer and Health Care Systems – In this module, you will gain an overview of electronic health records, data exchange and the commonly available software tools used in today's health care systems. Ultimately, you will be able to describe the financing, organization, regulatory and delivery systems of different healthcare services.
• Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology – Coursework for this module examines the systems of the body with an emphasis placed on the disease process affecting the human body. You will build your knowledge of common  medical terms related to major disease processes, diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, abbreviations, drugs and treatment of modalities.
• Billing and Coding – Coding and Diagnosis – This course includes an introduction to Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED), students will be asked to conduct a brief overview of its role in the healthcare delivery system as the basis for an electronic health record. You will also examine case studies and the use of more complex coding assignments.
• Pharmacotherapy and Introduction to Health Care management – This module focuses on understanding the action of drugs, including the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs by the body. You will be introduced to the generic components of the use and structure of healthcare  data and data sets. You will also become familiarized with components relative  to primary and secondary record systems.
• Billing and Coding – Reimbursement Procedures – In this course, you will study the use of coded data and health information in reimbursement and payment systems appropriate to all healthcare settings and managed care. Content includes contemporary prospective payment systems and key health plans, charge master maintenance and evaluation of fraudulent billing practices.
• Billing and Coding – Identification and Procedures – In this module, you will develop  an  understanding  of  coding  and  classification  systems  in  order  to  assign  valid diagnostic and/or procedures codes. By the end of this course, you should feel comfortable using hands-on labs as well as logic-based computerized encoding systems with coding reference software. 
• Introduction to Claims Examiner & Medical Software Applications – In this module, you will  gain an understanding of claims examiner and medical software applications. You'll also learn the importance of reviewing claims made against insurance companies as well as the difference between claims adjusters and claims examiners. Computer software tools will be utilized to deepen your understanding of public reporting, storage and retrieval, as well as identification of issues pertaining to various types of encoder software.
• Medical Billing and Coding Externship – Working under the direct supervision of qualified personnel at the externship site, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills presented throughout the training program and gain valuable real-life experience in the billing and coding field. The externship also contains 20 hours of online review to prepare you to pass the CCA certification examination. You must complete this externship to graduate and earn your diploma.

Once you have completed your ACC training and earned your diploma, you'll be ready to pursue exciting career opportunities as an entry-level medical biller/coder. On the job, you'll use a wide variety of a wide variety of skills from basic human anatomy to personal computing.

As a professional health claims examiner/medical biller, your day-to-day responsibilities* may include:

• Reviewing patient information for preexisting conditions such as diabetes
• Retrieving patient records for medical personnel
• And working as a liaison between the health clinician and billing offices

You'll be on your way!
As you begin your career as a health claims examiner/medical biller, the ongoing development of your skills can create increased opportunities for advancement. Even after you are employed, ACC's Career Services team will remain committed to providing you with the resources, support and personalized assistance you need to keep your career on the fast track.

*Source: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-2