Medical Billing and Coding Specialist

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certificate

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the health care industry is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2020, due, in part, to an aging population and innovative medical technology.* This trend has created new opportunities within the industry, and not all of today's health care jobs require patient contact. Medical billing and coding is an administrative support specialty that is in particularly high demand as patient records are being increasingly scrutinized by health insurance companies, regulators, courts, and consumers.* At TESST College of Technology in Towson, MD, you could develop the skills required to seek entry-level employment in this field.

Earn Your Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certificate

The Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certificate program can provide you with the knowledge and technical skills required by employers in health care services. Coursework provides instruction in topics such as:

• Anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology
• Data information processing
• Medical billing, coding, and terminology
• Insurance billing
• Medical terminology and medical office management

Real-World Externship Experience

Prior to graduation from TESST College of Technology, Towson, MD campus, you will be required to complete a medical billing and coding externship to gain on-the-job experience in a real-world work environment. During your externship you will practice assigning ICD-9 and CPT codes to patient medical files, insurance claims, and other documentation while under supervision of professional health care practitioners.

Prepare for Certification

This program can help prepare for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam or the Certified Coding Specialist–Physician-Based (CCS-P) exam sponsored by the American Health Information Management Association.†

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Career Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certificate and can pursue entry-level employment with a variety of employers in the health care industry, such as:

• Doctors' offices, clinics, and hospitals
• Home health agencies and nursing homes
• Insurance and medical billing companies
• Medical group practices