Medical Office: Billing and Coding - Certificate
Overview
See Department website and program contacts here
The Medical Office Billing and Coding certificate is designed for students seeking entry-level careers in healthcare billing, coding, and administrative support. The curriculum introduces foundational healthcare reimbursement and coding skills used in medical office and healthcare environments.
Coursework includes topics such as medical billing procedures, diagnosis and procedural coding, insurance processing, healthcare documentation, and reimbursement systems. Students develop practical technical skills used to support billing accuracy and healthcare administrative operations.
The Medical Office Billing and Coding certificate is workforce-focused and prepares students for entry-level employment in medical offices, hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, government agencies, and long-term care facilities.
This program can be completed 100% online. Students completing the certificate may return later to continue into the Medical Office Billing and Coding (AAS) degree program.
Students are encouraged to work with an advisor to ensure appropriate course selection and program planning based on their educational background and career goals.
Refer to the tabs above for additional information about:
- Education Plan – provides a sample term-by-term sequence of courses
- Career Info – includes information on potential occupations, employment trends, and earnings
Program Learning Objectives
At the completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Differentiate the roles of the health care team, elements of successful leadership and problem-solving strategies
- Discuss and use medical terminology
- Discuss verbal and nonverbal communication, including gender differences, cultural awareness and sensitivity and the elements of speaking and listening
- Discuss the knowledge and skills required of a medical billing specialist and medical coder
- Discuss the elements of billing and coding
- Complete a professional résumé
- Explain job searches and correct interview techniques
- Use specialized computer programs (EMR) and the Microsoft Office suite
Education Plan
This sample Education Plan illustrates one possible course sequence. Students should consult an advisor to create a personalized plan.
Note: A minimum grade of “C” is required in all courses.
General education courses (such as math, writing, health, etc.) can be taken during any term, or before starting the program.
| First Quarter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| MO110 | Foundational Principles for the Medical Office Team (must be completed before starting third term courses) | 3 |
| MO111 | Medical Terminology | 4 |
| MO140 | Understanding Medical Insurance | 3 |
| MO230 | Medical Coding I: ICD-10-CM | 3 |
| BA111 | Introduction to Accounting | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Quarter | ||
| Winter | ||
| BI121 or BI100 | Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology I or Survey of Body Systems | 4 |
| MO116 | Medical Office Procedures | 4 |
| MO231 | Medical Coding II: Procedural Coding | 4 |
| MO240 | Medical Office Billing I | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Quarter | ||
| Spring | ||
| Select one: | 3-4 | |
| Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology II (if BI121 was taken) | ||
Elective, if needed to reach 59 certiificate credits | ||
| MO136 | Healthcare Documentation | 3 |
| MO226 | Pharmacology and Disease Processes for Medical Office Occupations | 4 |
| MO232 | Medical Coding III: Evaluation and Management | 3 |
| MO241 | Medical Office Billing II | 3 |
| MO234 | CPC Review | 2 |
| Credits | 18-19 | |
| Fourth Quarter | ||
| Summer | ||
| CIS120L | Computer Concepts Lab I | 1 |
| WR121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| PSY201Z | Introduction to Psychology I | 4 |
| HE252 or HPE295 | First Aid: Responding to Emergencies or Health and Fitness for Life | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 62-63 | |