Medical Coding & Billing Certificate

This intensive, fourteen-week, eighty-four hour certificate program covers medical terminology, coding, and computerized medical billing. It is designed to provide a foundation and to prepare individuals for entry into the field of coding and billing in health care settings. Students learn how to use the resources that will be available to them as coders and billers in this growing field.

Participants may register for individual sections or for all three sections.

Medical Terminology (10 sessions, 3.0 CEU's)

Fall 2008: M/W, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, 9/3 - 10/6

This section of the certificate program will provide an understanding of frequently used medical terms in the context of anatomy and physiology, including a review of root words, use of prefix and suffix, and abbreviations. Classroom activities and assignments include practice drills and case studies.

3.0 CEU's are awarded to students who successfully complete the program requirements. Participants who complete the program will be awarded a certificate, and a permanent record is kept of your participation.

Instructor: Mary Ann Kristan, RN, MSN, has been in nursing for over twenty years, has seven years experience as a lab technician, and taught at the Worcester Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing. She currently practices as the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse at UMass Memorial Health Care.

Medical Coding (10 sessions, 3.0 CEU's)

Fall 2008: M/W, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, 10/8 - 11/12

Participants in this section become familiar with ICD9 and CPT coding books as they pertain to physician billing. Fundamental coding concepts are explained and demonstrated with examples. Participants complete coding exercises for services performed in various types of medical specialties.

3.0 CEU's are awarded to students who successfully complete the program requirements. Participants who complete the program will be awarded a certificate, and a permanent record is kept of your participation.

Instructor: Brian Meredith, C.P.C., is a certified professional coder and a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders. He is currently a Compliance Specialist for UMass Memorial Healthcare, and has over 9 years experience in medical coding and billing. He has been teaching Medical Billing and Advanced Medical Coding & Billing courses at Assumption College for several years.

Medical Billing (8 sessions, 2.4 CEU's)

Fall 2008: M/W, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, 11/17 - 12/15

This section looks at patient billing utilizing SSIMED medical billing software. Participants analyze the CMS-1500 physician medical billing form and perform exercises at PC workstations in patient registration, charge entry and claim submission with emphasis on the creation of "clean" medical health insurance claims. Carrier types, governmental and commercial carrier billing policies, electronic data interchange and claim submission, claims processing and editing and accounts receivable follow-up are all discussed.

2.4 CEU's are awarded to students who successfully complete the program requirements. Participants who complete the program will be awarded a certificate, and a permanent record is kept of your participation.

Instructor: Brian Meredith, C.P.C., is a certified procedural coder and a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders. He is currently a Compliance Specialist for UMass Memorial Hospital, and has over nine years experience in medical coding and billing.

Tuition: $550 per section, or a total of $1,650 for the entire program. There is a $20 registration fee per semester. Books are not included in the tuition.

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