Program Description
Medical Billers must ensure that patients and insurance companies are properly billed for all medical procedures and services, and that payments are received and processed in a timely manner. Their work includes updating patient data, developing payment plans, and preparing invoices. This involves interaction with patients, government agencies, and insurance companies. This is a good job for someone who wants to balance interaction with people and analyzing invoices and data. This program features courses that provide students with the fundamental knowledge of medical insurance billing and skills needed to know how to read a medical invoice, claims preparation and submission, major insurance carriers, managed care, medical accounts receivable management, and the use of information systems in the process.
Medical billing jobs can be found at hospitals, doctor offices, billing agencies, clinics, insurance companies, and be self-employed. Healthcare workers are always needed, and the demand for medical billers is steady. You will have good chances of finding a well-paying job as a fully trained medical biller.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:
- achieve employability skills to work in a variety of medical facilities including physician offices, hospitals, and billing agencies;
- perform to a professional standard the ability to enter patient information into medical billing software, process medical claims, and adjudicate payments;
- demonstrate knowledge of various health insurance plans and how to maximize reimbursement; and
- generate and interpret financial reports.
CCBC Pathway
Health Professions Pathway. Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs. Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study. You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.
Program Credentials
CCBC Credential:
Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Training Certificate, and have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).
Financial Aid and Payment Options
We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.
Some CE Workforce Development Certificate Programs are eligible for early high school funding through Maryland Blueprint for qualifying BCPS high school students. Please check with your School Counseling Office to determine your eligibility for the BCPS Tuition Benefit Program.
Length of Training
6-9 months
Billing courses begin in February, May, August, and November with classes once a week in the evenings.
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 Continuing Education Workforce Certificate program application. Then, contact CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu for information about upcoming class options.
Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.
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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Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)**
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Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
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AHL149
or
AHL246
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Medical Terminology for Administrative Healthcare Professionals
Medical Terminology for Administrative Healthcare Professionals Online
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18
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Handouts provided Online
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$189
T-$57/F$132
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AHE130
or
AHL188
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Comprehensive Medical Billing
Comprehensive Medical Billing Online
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75
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Medical Insurance A Revenue Cycle Approach, Version 8E7
$143.79 Publisher: McGraw Hill ISBN: 978-1-260-48911-8 |
$899
T-$270/F-$629
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Course Series Totals:
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|
93
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$143.79 |
$1088
T-$327/F-$761
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All courses must be finished for successful program completion
Additional Information
Course Substitutions:
Medical Terminology for Administrative Healthcare Professionals can be substituted with: AHE124 or AHE534 or OFAD141 or ALHL115 or AHL717
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
The 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, potentially 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