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
External Credential: Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
Financial Aid and Payment Options
Baltimore County College Promise
Maryland Promise
Continuing Education Opportunity Grant
Maryland Workforce Development Sequence Scholarship
Partial Payment Option (through Nelnet Business Solutions)
Tuition Waiver for those who qualify
Employer/Sponsor Paid Tuition
Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
Local Office of Workforce Development
Students may apply for a career training scholarship through Central Scholarship (http://www.central-scholarship.org/)
Program Length
6-9 months
Billing courses start in February and August at CCBC Essex, May and November at CCBC Randallstown. March and September online.
Program Requirements
High School Diploma or GED
All students must be computer literate and have Internet access.
Prior Learning Assessment
This program has potential options for waiving select courses based on previous coursework or articulated coursework from an approved curriculum, and successful completion of a CCBC placement or challenge exam. A maximum of 18 hours may be earned from prior learning.
Application Process
To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Non-Credit Workforce Training Certificate application. Then, contact CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu for information about upcoming class options.
Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.
Recommended Program Course Sequence
Contact CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu for information about upcoming course options.
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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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Course Series:
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AHL149
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Medical Terminology for Administrative Healthcare Professionals
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18
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$159
T-$48/F$111
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Handouts provided Online
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AHE130
or
AHL188
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Comprehensive Medical Billing
or
Comprehensive Medical Billing Online
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75
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$849
T-$255/F-$594
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Medical insurance. A revenue cycle approach. 7-E. ISBN: 978-0-07-784027-3. $181.26
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Course Series Totals:
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93
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$1008
$303-$705
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$181.26
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All courses must be finished for successful program completion
Additional Information
Course Substitutions:
Medical Terminology AHL 149 can be substituted with: OFAD 141 or ALHL 115 or AHL 717 or AHE 124 or AHE 534
Additional Expenses:
NHA Study Guide & Practice Exam: $65
NHA Exam: $115
Skills for Success:
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
Career Opportunities:
Billers are employed at hospitals, doctor offices, billing agencies, clinics, temp agencies, insurance companies, accountant offices, legal firms, state agencies, and can be self-employed.
Career Coach
Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more. View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at: https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA . Explore career and training opportunities at: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.
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:
A. 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
B. Fine motor coordination sufficient to perform precise tasks such as:
- Perform basic keyboarding functions
C. Adequate vision to:
- Read and understand displays on computers/laptops/tablets
- Read and understand forms and communications from outside entities
D. Sufficient hearing to:
- Hear and understand language in person and over the telephone, perhaps under noisy conditions
Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism:
A. 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
B. 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
Application Process
To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Non-Credit Workforce Training Certificate application. Then, contact CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu for information about upcoming class options.
Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.
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