Medical Billing and Coding Specialist

Kaplan College - Laredo Campus | Academic Programs | Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Diploma

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Diploma

This program is available with Kaplan Integrated Technology.

Changing government regulations and the growth of managed care have increased the amount of paperwork involved in processing medical tests, treating patients, and filing claims with insurance companies. As a result, medical billers and coders are in demand in various types of health care facilities. If you pay close attention to details, work well under pressure, and would like to pursue a career in health care, earning a diploma from a medical billing and coding school could help get you started in one of today's fast-growing career fields.*

Our medical billing and coding program at Kaplan College in Laredo, TX, can give you the opportunity to learn many of the technical skills required of medical insurance coders and billers, including a wide variety of medical office, medical coding, and medical insurance billing skills. You will learn how to analyze medical records and assign codes that classify diagnoses and procedures; support assessment of clinical care; and support medical research activity in hospitals, physicians' offices, and other health care facilities.

What Is Medical Billing?

Medical billing is vital to the smooth functioning of the medical office. Medical billers calculate the total amount due from a patient, prepare invoices to be sent out, and follow up to ensure that payment has been received. One of the most important responsibilities of medical billers is contacting insurance companies to negotiate payment or reimbursement on behalf of patients and doctors. Medical billers may have some interaction with patients to answer questions about health care finances.

What Is Medical Coding?

Medical coding involves recording designated codes in patients' medical records. Each type of procedure or treatment has its own designated code that health insurance companies use to determine the reasons the patient was seen and what procedures and treatments were performed. The role of the medical coder is to ensure that each procedure is properly coded in accordance with industry standards.

Medical Billing and Coding Program Features

Develop the skills that could help you achieve your goal of starting a new career as a medical biller and coder. Our program curriculum includes classroom lectures and laboratory training in these areas:

Health insurance, including paperwork, legal issues, and insurance fraud and abuse
General office procedures, including the use of office machines, keyboarding and computer applications, and an introduction to the World Wide Web
Medical coding and terminology

Kaplan College' s medical billing and coding program in Laredo, TX can provide you with the technical skills required by employers in health care services. Listed below are some subjects covered in this program:

Coding and insurance
Database concepts and applications
Medical bookkeeping concepts and applications
Medical terminology
Occupational transcription
Records management

Potential Medical Billing and Coding Career Opportunities

With a diploma from Kaplan College in Laredo, TX, you may seek entry-level employment opportunities as a medical biller and coder in various health care settings:

Medical offices/clinics
Home health agencies
Hospitals
Insurance companies
Medical billing companies
Medical group practices
Nursing homes

Externship

You will be required to complete an externship at an approved facility in the community. The externship gives you an opportunity to gain medical billing and coding experience needed for entry-level employment in doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals, home health care services, nursing and residential care facilities, and insurance companies.

This program also can help prepare you for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) examination sponsored by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The CPC certification signifies to employers that you have achieved a level of knowledge and expertise in coding of services, procedures, and diagnoses for physician practices.†

Kaplan Integrated Technology

Kaplan Integrated Technology (KIT) provides a digital learning platform to blend the advantages of learning through new media technologies with the personalized attention, student-teacher interaction, and peer support available in classroom-based education. Media-based activities and exercises include short educational videos and simulations, collaborative class discussions, and interactive activities.**

For more information about our program with Kaplan Integrated Technology, please contact us by filling out the form below.

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* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012–2013 Edition, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm (accessed April 2012). Expected national growth rate through the year 2020. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

† The School cannot guarantee a student's eligibility either to take any exam or become certified, registered, or licensed. A student's eligibility may depend on his or her work experience, completion of high school (or its equivalent), not having a criminal record, meeting other licensure or certification requirements, or the program or School itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure. Externship sites may themselves require a criminal background check or medical examination.

** Kaplan Integrated Technology involves both classroom and online instruction. Access to computer and Internet required.

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Medical Billing and Coding Specialist