According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the health care industry will continue to grow through 2014, due, in part, to an aging population and innovative medical technology.* This trend has created new opportunities within the industry, and not all of today's health care jobs require patient contact. Medical billing and coding is an administrative support specialty that is in particularly high demand as patient records are being increasingly scrutinized by health insurance companies, regulators, courts, and consumers.* At Kaplan College, you can develop the skills required to seek entry-level employment in this field.
Earn Your Certificate
The Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program will provide you with the knowledge and technical skills required by employers in health care services. Coursework provides instruction in topics such as:
- Anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology
- Data information processing
- Medical billing, coding, and terminology
- Insurance billing
- Medical terminology and medical office management
Real-World Externship Experience
Prior to graduation, you will be required to complete a medical billing and coding externship to gain on-the-job experience in a real-world work environment. During your externship you will practice assigning ICD-9 and CPT codes to patient medical files, insurance claims, and other documentation while under supervision of professional health care practitioners.
Prepare for Certification
This program may help prepare for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam or the Certified Coding Specialist–Physician-Based (CCS-P) exam sponsored by the American Health Information Management Association.†
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding and can pursue entry-level employment with a variety of employers in the health care industry, such as:
- Doctors' offices, clinics, and hospitals
- Home health agencies and nursing homes
- Insurance and medical billing companies
- Medical group practices
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition.
† However, the College cannot guarantee a student's eligibility either to take this exam or become certified. A student's eligibility may depend on his or her work experience, completion of high school (or its equivalent), not having a criminal record, meeting other licensure or certification requirements, or the program or College itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure. Externship sites may themselves require a criminal background check or medical examination.