Instructors must possess an academic degree relevant to what they are teaching and at least one level above the level at which they teach, except in programs for terminal degrees or whenequivalent experience is established.If a faculty member holds a master’s degree or higher in a discipline or subfield other than that inwhich he or she is teaching, that faculty member must have completed a minimum of 18 graduatecredit hours in the discipline or subfield in which they teach. Instructors teaching in graduate programsshould hold the terminal degree determined by the discipline and have a record of research,scholarship, or achievement appropriate for the graduate program.
Description and Outcomes The objective of the Medical Billing/Coding Certificate program is to prepare you with the knowledge, technical skills, and work habits to pursue an entry-level position as a billing and insurance specialist in either a physician's office or institutional setting, or as a patient referral specialist, coder, or medical receptionist. The certificate program is approved by the AHIMA Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP), and the curriculum concentrates on helping you acquire the basic skills and knowledge necessary to submit medical claims for reimbursement, process bills, operate computerized billing systems, and gain a working knowledge of various insurance plans. Emphasis is placed on quality of coding for reimbursement and statistical reporting. You will gain additional hours of practical experience in both a virtual lab and onsite practicum location. You will complete a virtually proctored knowledge-based certification exam during your final term through the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA). Upon graduation, workplace duties may include evaluating medical records in order to appropriately assign ICD-10 and CPT codes related to medical diagnoses and procedures, submitting insurance claims for reimbursement, and evaluating rejected claims for resubmission. You may use computerized billing programs and complete the HCFA claim form. In addition, you may develop a working knowledge of various insurance plans, including their associated regulations and guidelines, in order to efficiently and accurately refer patients to various health care providers. Practicum Experience Prior to graduation, you will be required to complete a 40-hour practicum experience during HS292Billing and Coding Practicum. You will select the facility where you will complete the experience. Detailed guidelines for selection of a facility will be provided during HS215Medical Insurance and Billing. You should be aware that health care organizations may have specific requirements regarding vaccination against communicable diseases includingCOVIDand Influenza. Failure to comply with requirements could interfere with the opportunity to complete a required practicum, fieldwork, or internship experience, may delay graduation or lead to an inability to complete your program, and could impact future employment opportunities. Program Length The Medical Billing/Coding Certificate program consists of 44 quarter credit hours. Upon completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate. Program Outcomes Administration: Perform administrative functions of medical billing and coding. Technical: Apply computer literacy skills in managing electronic medical claims. Foundational Knowledge: Demonstrate knowledge of coding and billing guidelines and requirements in the process of medical claims management. Standards, Laws, Ethics, and Professionalism: Analyze ethical and legal standards in practical applications within the discipline of coding and medical claims processing. Critical Thinking: Apply problem-solving skills to real and simulated health care scenarios.
Purdue Global's Admissions Requirements may be viewed at the following site: www.purdueglobal.edu.
The deadlines are dependent upon which Track (A, B, or C) and term the student chooses to start. Academic Calendars are posted online at www.purdueglobal.edu.