MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING

Medical Billing and Coding Training

Full Distance Education Program

The Medical Billing and Coding (MBC) program will prepare students to work as a medical biller in a variety of healthcare settings. The program will cover a number of subject areas including medical billing, basic medical coding, medical insurance, HIPAA, and electronic health records. Medical Billing and Coding courses are taught fully online, and a clinical internship will be completed at an assigned clinical site. 

Through these medical billing and coding classes our students will learn how to file claims, complete insurance forms, solve insurance billing problems, appeal denied claims, and utilize a variety of generic billing forms. They will also learn how to assign diagnostic and procedural codes using the ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding systems. MBC Graduates will demonstrate behaviors consistent with professional standards and will meet employer expectations for an entry-level position.

After completing all program requirements, graduates will be awarded a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate of Achievement.

Online Learning

The Medical Billing and Coding program is ideal for those looking to study medical billing through an online learning environment. All academic courses and labs will be taught fully online via a Learning Management System (LMS). Practical training will take place at a clinical site.

Online classes will be taught synchronously. Synchronous instruction is real-time instruction that requires students to attend classes at scheduled times.

Clinical Internship

The Medical Billing and Coding program requires students to complete 80 clinical hours. Students will be placed at a clinical site by the AIMS Internship Department. The internship is designed to provide practical training in a real work environment; students will have a mentor who trains and guides them.

AIMS Education has clinical affiliations with numerous healthcare systems and private facilities. Students will be placed at one or more of these affiliated sites and must complete their clinical hours based on the schedule provided by the school. Internship schedules are based on the availability of clinical sites. All students (day, evening, and weekend) must be prepared to complete their internship during normal business hours (Monday through Friday). The majority of clinical sites do not allow students to complete clinical hours in the evening or on the weekend.

Out-of-state students are required to confirm the availability of a clinical site with the admissions department prior to enrollment.

Employment for Medical Billing & Coding

Incorrect billing costs insurance companies and the government large sums of money. This can result in large fines and potential lawsuits for hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare providers. As a result, healthcare facilities are always in need of highly qualified medical billing professionals. These healthcare providers need well educated professionals to help eliminate the legal ramifications and high costs that are caused by incorrect billing practices.

For those who study medical billing, employment opportunities are available in a number of different settings. Certified medical billing and coding specialists are employed in doctors’ offices, hospitals, pharmacies, ambulatory centers, emergency departments, or medical billing companies. Other opportunities may exist in nursing homes, clinics, surgery centers, or group practices.

MBC Certification / Registry Exam Eligibility

MBC graduates will be eligible to take the following certification exams upon graduation:

• Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) - NHA
• Insurance and Coding Specialist (NCICS) - NCCT
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA) - AHIMA
• Certified Professional Biller (CPB) - AAPC
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC) - AAPC

Eligibility requirements for the credentials listed above are solely determined by the respective credentialing organizations, and are subject to change at any time. NHA, NCCT, AHIMA, and AAPC are independent organizations. AIMS does not guarantee certification/registry exam eligibility.

The AAPC exams are higher level certifications. To successfully pass the CPB or CPC exam, AIMS graduates may require additional education and/or experience.

Program Length

The Medical Billing and Coding program is a non-term program and will be taught using a block schedule. Students will enroll as a cohort and take one course at a time.

• 3 Months (day and evening)
• 9 Months (weekend)
• 12 Credit Hours
• 80 Clinical Hours

Comprehensive Online Education

• Medical Terminology
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Medical Insurance
• Medical Billing
• Basic Medical Coding
• Electronic Health Records

*Clinical hours will be completed at an assigned clinical site.

Employment Opportunities

• Doctors' Offices
• Pharmacies
• Hospitals
• Insurance Companies
• Nursing Homes
• Medical Billing Companies
• Outpatient Medical Centers
• Urgent Care Centers

Minimum Admission Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam
• Additional Requirements