Medical Coding & Billing Certificate

Major Code: (9310)

Certificate Learning Outcomes

• Correctly define common and relevant medical terms.
• Explain HIPPA guidelines relating to patient privacy and the need to follow them.
• Process patient information, health care, and insurance data
• Use source documents to determine proper diagnostic and procedure coding.
• Exposure to and hands-on experience with processing medical data by charting clerical skills, clinical skills, and patient care in an EHR (electronic health records) system.

Medical coders are some of the most sought-after professionals in the health care industry. Medical coders, also commonly referred to as health information technicians, organize and manage health information data. They ensure the quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security of health information in paper files, electronic systems, and medical billing claims. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to record and maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories.

Medical coders review health information and convert it into medical codes for billing purposes. Every medical visit results in at least two codes, one for the service provided by the practitioner and one to convey the diagnosis (or reason) for that service. Medical coding professionals ensure that these codes are applied correctly during the billing process, and they serve as advocates for medical facilities, health practitioners, and patients. In maximizing the accuracy of claims and compliance levels, skilled medical coders optimize the billing process and lower health care costs throughout the entire industry.

Program Overview

The University of Rio Grande offers a Medical Coding and Billing Certificate that not only prepares students to sit for national certification through the American Academy of Professional Certificates (AAPC), but it also fully rounds out the students medical coding and billing education, which helps to expand the student’s medical office skill set and employment options. A Medical Coding and Billing Certificate from the University of Rio Grande is a 31-credit hour program designed to be completed in two semesters (or less than one year). The program starts every fall and completes the following spring semester. The program is currently offered at the institution’s Jackson and Meigs branches. It can be completed in-person only.