There has never been a better time to enter the field of Medical Billing and Coding. Healthcare workers are in high demand, as more than 900,000 practicing physicians in the United States rely on medical billers and coders to receive payment for their services. CBCS Medical Billing and Coding is an ideal course for students new to this important position in the healthcare field. If you're seeking entry into the healthcare industry, this comprehensive course will provide you with all the information you need to earn a certification in medical billing and coding.
Certified professional coders assign numeric codes to each procedure that appears in a patient's medical record, so that payment can be rendered quickly and correctly. Aside from medical facilities, medical coding jobs are available with health insurance companies, pharmacies, medical suppliers, consulting firms, and medical billing companies.
During this course, you will learn the foundations of a medical vocabulary to help you better understand the contents of a patient's medical record, as well as notes from practicing physicians. In addition, you'll learn current medical coding standards, so you can be successful within the industry. You will be prepared to sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). This course includes a voucher which covers the fee of the exam.
Please Note: The new course, Medical Billing and Coding (Voucher Included) [GES1014], launched on January 27th, 2021. It will replace the individual certificate courses starting June 30th, 2021.
Sharon L. Blackford, MA, BA, RMA, has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She has a Master's degree in Organizational Management, a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, and has served as a Registered Medical Assistant since 1994. Sharon was an active duty Clinical Specialist in the U.S. Army for 10 years. Sharon later moved to the Gulf Coast to accept a position as the Director of Education of Blue Cliff College and was promoted to Campus Director.
LaTisha Cottingham has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has six years of teaching experience in the field of medical billing and coding and Medical Assisting. Currently she is employed as an HIM Analyst for a Long-Term Care establishment that is based out of Alabama. Previously she was employed as the lead instructor for the Allied Health Department for a local career institute. LaTisha's field of expertise is in the area of physician-based inpatient coding and Emergency Department coding. The certifications that she holds are as follows: a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). In preparation for ICD-10-CM, LaTisha received her ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer Certification from American Health Information Association (AHIMA), where she is currently a member. LaTisha is also a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA) where she is a test proctor.
Carline Dalgleish has worked in medical office administration for over 30 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems, a master's degree in Leadership, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Health Information Management. She is a Registered Health Information Administrator and an AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. Dalgleish is the author of an ICD-10 coding system and also owns her own consulting firm, AnnGrant Educational Services.
Bunny Reeves is the senior ambulatory surgery coder at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She trains student coders at Maimonides Medical Center and previously trained and supervised entry-level coders at Staten Island's St. Vincent Medical Center. Reeves is a Certified Coding Specialist, accredited by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Nancy Smith has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Her clinical experience includes working as a medical assistant for a network of rural health clinics, and as a medical coder, insurance claims specialist, and medical records auditor. She worked as a medical office manager for ten years, where she recruited and trained all medical assistants. Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in vocational education and has developed and taught medical assistant programs.
Lydia S. Stewart, RN, BSN, currently serves as the Revenue Cycle Manager at a large regional medical center. Lydia has been a Registered Nurse for 23 years, 15 of those years specializing in Critical Care Nursing and supervision. She is responsible for Medical Audits, Charge Capture, and governmental compliance audits and reviews. Lydia is a member of the Louisiana Medical Auditor Association and Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).
Stacey O'Brien has more than 10 years of experience in medical coding and reimbursement. Ms. O'Brien has been a risk adjustment coder for a Medicare advantage plan, audited medical records for a consulting firm, and currently supervises the coding and electronic claims submission process for a group medical practice. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a CPC coding certification from the AAPC.
Can I register for a course if I am an international student?
Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country's regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.
Does this course prepare for a certification?
Yes, this course prepares you for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam, offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). You will receive a voucher for the exam after successfully completing the course and your financial obligation.
When can I start the course?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
How long does it take to complete this course?
This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive twelve (12) months to complete the course.
What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?
The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact your Student Advisor to help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.
What kind of support will I receive?
You may be assigned with an instructor or team of industry experts for one-on-one course interaction. Your support will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our instructors are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach. You will be assigned to an Advisor for academic support.
What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion. In addition, NHA Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam voucher are provided to you in the format of a digital registration process to enroll for the exam after successful completion of the course and financial obligation.
Am I guaranteed a job?
This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
Can I get financial assistance?
This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more: https://www.ed2go.com/career/financial-assistance
How can I get more information about this course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.
How long do you have to go to school to become a medical coder?
Our medical coding courses are self-paced and completed in 12 months or less. You will then sit for the National Healthcareer Association's (NHA) Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam. Once you are certified, you'll have the qualifications you need to find an entry-level job.
What is the CCA exam?
The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam is an entry-level certification provided through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). It indicates proficiency in medical coding in hospital and office settings.
What is the CPC exam?
The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam is administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is a common advanced credential for medical coders in physician office settings.
What does CBCS stand for?
CBCS stands for Certified Billing and Coding Specialist, and it is a designation earned from the nationally-recognized National Healthcareer Association (NHA). With this credential, you'll gain billing and coding skills that are essential to various medical facilities including hospitals, surgery centers, physician offices, nursing homes, mental health facilities, home healthcare agencies, and dental offices. Earning your CBCS credential will prove to prospective employers that you have what it takes to work with patient information, prevent fraud and abuse, support coding and billing practices, submit claims, and help healthcare providers gain maximum reimbursement for services.
Are Medical Billers and Coders in high demand?
Yes. There is a high demand for qualified medical billing and coding professionals in the healthcare industry today. Demand will increase as the population in the Unites States ages. Jobs for these professionals are on the rise and expected to grow faster than average through 2026 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What does a Medical Biller and Coder do?
Medical Billers and Coders are responsible for processing patient data including medical records and related insurance. In this position, you will code a patient's diagnosis and then request payment from the patient's insurance company. You will play an important role in ensuring that healthcare providers are quickly and accurately paid for the treatment they give patients.
Where do you work as a Medical Biller and Coder?
Medical Billers and Coders work in a variety of settings. The most common settings include hospitals, doctors' offices and insurance agencies. Some medical billing and coding professionals work for companies that develop medical software, and some work for education institutions that work to train other medical billers and coders. Government agencies have also been known to employ medial billers and coders including the National Center for Health Statistics and Medicaid offices. You may also have the ability to work for a reputable company from your own home!
What is a day in the life of a Medical Biller and Coder like?
A day in the life of a Medical Biller and Coder is a rewarding one. You are responsible for ensuring that healthcare providers receive appropriate compensation for the care they provide as well as helping patients get the maximum benefit of their insurance. It is a job that requires a high level of attention to detail at all times because codes must be correct to produce appropriate bills for services. Much of your time will be spent in front of a computer organizing statements, reviewing bills, and performing quality control. You also may be required to negotiate with insurance companies via phone on behalf of providers or patients. It's also important to coordinate with other coders to ensure accuracy and adherence to standards. Finally, you'll want to keep up on the latest developments and regulations in the industry through continuing education.
What is the difference between a Medical Biller and a Medical Coder?
Medical billers are mainly responsible for submitting patient records to government agencies and insurance companies for services that have been provided in the care of the patient. Medical coders gather information on patient records and assign the proper codes for patient diagnosis which are then used by medical billers to submit claim forms.
Can you get a job as both a Medical Biller and a Medical Coder?
Other than a handful of exceptions, medical billing and medical coding are two separate professions. You do not need a degree for either profession, but successful coders usually obtain certification. This course will fully prepare you for a career as either a medical biller or a medical coder, including recommended certification. Once you've completed your training, you will decide which area fits your personality and career goals best and move in that direction.
Do medical billers or medical coders make more money?
Due to the more technical nature of the job and increased training required, medical coders do tend to make more than medical billers on an annual basis. Both medical billers and medical coders are in high demand. Medical billers earn a median salary of nearly $37,000. The salary of medical coder depends on a variety of different factors including certifications, specialties and experience, but the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) reports that their average salary is around $47,800.
What type of test is the CBCS exam?
The CBCS exam is a multiple-choice test. It is made up of 100 multiple-choice questions and you will have 2 hours to finish the exam. The exam must be completed in one sitting at a PSI testing center.
What are the system requirements for the online certification exam proctoring?
System requirements for NHA certification exam proctoring are:
- Operating system supported: Windows 7 and later; 32bit (x86) and 64bit (x64); Mac OS X and later
- Browsers supported: PSI Secure Lock-Down Browser
- Browser settings: The browser must accept third-party cookies for the duration of the exam ONLY
- Webcam/microphone: Minimum VGA 640 x 480 resolution, enabled built-in or external microphone
- Bandwidth: Minimum 400 kb/s download and upload Hardware requirements: 2GB RAM Memory; 1 GB Free Disk Space, minimum 1368x768 screen resolution
You can check the compatibility of your device at: PSI Exams
I was able to go at my own pace and when help was needed, it was there.
- S.S., Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
I enjoyed the ability to work at my own pace. The instructions, material, and tests were all very easy to understand and use. I loved taking both of these courses and would recommend Gatlin and the online program to others.
- K.P., University of Evansville
Everyone was very helpful and the course was very self explanatory and easy to navigate.
- R.N., North Carolina State University
I enjoyed the flexibility to address the course when able to concentrate and spend time needed to complete certain sections. I appreciate the opportunities to self-test with the online exercises - crosswords, championship jeopardy-style drills and prelim quizzes.
- M.C., Kennesaw State University
I liked how I could manage my time to study, without the pressure of finishing one module at a specific time. The facilitator was helpful, even when the course was difficult for me and I sent her a lot of questions, she still managed to reply with explanations, breaking things down step-by-step. The chat with the student support was a big help!! They're always polite and professional!!!
- C.P., Kennesaw State University
I was able to work around my schedule, at my convenience. I didn't have to go anywhere for class - if I wanted to study in my jammies, I did! The rare occasion that I needed assistance with anything, it was readily available. It was a great experience that I would recommend for any Non-traditional student as myself and I would happily take further classes from ed2go.
- J.W., Bowling Green State University
Everything was BEYOND what I had expected! THANK YOU!!
- A.H., San Diego State University
I loved how I could go at my own pace. It made managing my life and schoolwork so much easier.
- B.M., Indiana University/Purdue University, Fort Wayne
Both of my facilitators were excellent! When I had a question, I received a response the same day. I received calls from my counselor and really had good visits. I was encouraged and told that I could do this. I needed about a month extension, and I got 6 more months – for FREE! Of course, I didn't take the 6 more months, but there was no pressure to finish. Thanks.
- W.H., Northwest Technology Center-Alva Campus