Program Description
Medical Billers are responsible for making sure patients are billed correctly. This involves interaction with patients, government agencies and insurance companies. Medical billers need to know how to read a medical invoice, understand some medical coding language and have strong human relations skills. This is a good job for someone who wants to balance interaction with people and analyzing invoices and data.
Program Outcomes
Successful Completion
CCBC Credential:
Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Training Certificate, and have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript). Students will be prepared to take the national certification exam to become a Billing/Coding Specialist.
Certifying Organization:
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
www.nhanow.com
Exam cost: $115
External Credential: Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
Financial Aid and Payment Options
Continuing Education Opportunity Grant
Partial Payment Option (through Nelnet Business Solutions)
Tuition Waiver for Senior Citizens and Individuals with Disabilities
Employer/Sponsor Paid Tuition
Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
Local Office of Workforce Development
Program Length
8-10 months
Billing courses start in February and August at CCBC Essex, May and November at CCBC Randallstown.
Program Requirements
High School Diploma or GED
All students must be computer literate and have Internet access.
Application Process
Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.
Program Course Sequence
HIPAA Training REQUIRES 100% attendance. Students arriving late to class will not be admitted. Late arrival to, or early exit from, class will also result in a failing grade and no refund. Students will then be required to retake the class at their expense.
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Course Number
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Course Title
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Course Hours
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Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
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Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)**
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Prerequisites:
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AHE 534
Or
AHE 124
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Medical Terminology for Health Occupations
Or
Medical Terminology Online
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30
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$329
T-$147/F-$182
Or
$339
T-$147/F-$192
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A Short Course In Medical Terminology-3rd Edition Author: C. Edward Collins. Publisher: Lippencott ISBN: 978-1-4511-7606-3 Price $67.75
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Prerequisites Totals:
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30
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$329-$339
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$67.75
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Course Series:
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AHE130
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Comprehensive Medical Billing
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75
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$849
T-$224/F-$625
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Medical insurance. A revenue cycle approach. 7-E. ISBN: 978-0-07-784027-3. $181.26
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AHC 360
or
AHL 719
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HIPAA Training
or
HIPAA Training Online
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4
or
5
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$89
T-$21/F-$68
Or
$109
T-$21/F-$88
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Handouts online
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Course Series Totals:
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79-80
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$938-$958
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$181.26
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Course Series and Prerequisites Totals:
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109-110
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$1267 - $1297
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$249.01
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Additional Information
Course Substitutions:
Medical Terminology AHE 534 can be substituted with: OFAD 141 or ALHL 115 or AHL 717
HIPAA AHC 360 can be substituted with: AHL 719
Additional Expenses:
NHA Study Guide & Practice Exam: $56
NHA Exam: $115
Skills for Success:
See Technical Standards at the end of this document.
Career Opportunities:
Billers are employed at hospitals, doctor offices, billing agencies, clinics, temp agencies, insurance companies, accountant offices, legal firms, state agencies, self-employment.
Program Contact Information
Coordinator:
Ruth Burke
rburke2@ccbcmd.edu
410-679-3020
Essex, HTEC 013
Administrative Assistant:
Claire Loebein
cloeblein@ccbcmd.edu
443-840-1389
Essex, HTEC 005
Technical Standards
Technical Standards for CCBC’s Medical Billing Training Series
The primary goal of The Community College of Baltimore County’s Medical Billing Series is to adequately prepare students for an entry-level position in a medical facility as a Medical Biller. The duties of a Medical Biller require the ability to sit for long hours and focus on the task at hand. Their duties also require them to have:
- Outstanding communication skills
- Strong math skills
- Strong human relations skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work well with moderate human interaction
- Computer literacy
- Problem solving skills
Following is a partial listing of the types of skills typically required for adequate job performance:
Physical Requirements:
- Sufficient strength and mobility to:
- Lift or otherwise maneuver papers/folders up to 30 pounds
- Stand or sit in one area for long periods of time
- Work quickly to meet deadlines and/or production requirements
- Fine motor coordination sufficient to perform precise tasks such as:
- Perform basic keyboarding functions
- Adequate vision to:
- Read and understand displays on computers/laptops/tablets
- Read and understand forms and communications from outside entities
- Sufficient hearing to:
- Hear and understand language in person and over the telephone, perhaps under noisy conditions
Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism:
- Have the ability to:
- Work in a professional manner under sometimes extremely stressful situations
- Pay close attention to detail and recordkeeping
- Commitment to learning and understanding new technologies, regulations and laws
- Commitment to following approved standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures
- Interact in a professional manner with many personalities and attitudes and with people from many different backgrounds
- Respect and protect patient rights and confidentiality without regard to personal beliefs and judgments
- Maintain proper certifications required to perform the duties of the profession
- Accurately utilize all resource material available to remain current in the profession, including attending departmental in-service training
- Willingness to precept (train) others
- Sufficient communication skills to:
- Give and receive accurate written and verbal instructions
- Carry out all written and verbal instructions
- Follow proper channels of communication
- Communicate in a calm and professional manner
- Communicate clearly and effectively to all team members
Intellectual Ability and Emotional Stability To:
- Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Exercise independent judgment to properly perform tasks at hand
- Accurately utilize all resource material available to perform the task at hand
- Work calmly and efficiently in a fast-paced, stressful environment
- Maintain calm during emergency situations
- Accept feedback from others
