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Medical Information Coder/Biller: Health Information Management Health Information/Medical Information Coder/Billers transform verbal descriptions of disease, injury and procedures into numerical designations. Universally recognized coding systems provide information for reimbursement of healthcare claims, medical statistics and research. The Medical Information Coder/Biller: Health Information Management Program is a College Credit Certificate, consisting of 34/35 college credit hours and is approved as a Comprehensive Coding Program by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). For students who want to advance their career opportunities, SCC offers an Associate in Science in Health Information Management (A.S. degree-HIM; starting Fall 2008). This degree is needed if a student wants to continue on to a bachelor’s degree program.
Medical coding and billing skills are taught manually and enhanced with coding and billing software applications. Upon completion of the program, students have the technical skills that are necessary to enter the healthcare delivery market as an entry-level medical coder and biller, and they possess the knowledge to become a nationally certified coder. SCC Medical Record Coder/Biller graduates are employed throughout Central Florida at companies, such as The Coding Edge, Inc., Physician Associates of Florida, Florida Hospital, Orlando Regional Healthcare and United Healthcare, to name a few. What does a Medical Coder/Biller do? The Medical Coder/Biller is an integral member of the professional healthcare team and is needed almost every time a healthcare professional treats a patient. A Medical Coder/Biller is familiar with the anatomy and physiology of the human body and disease processes.  Typical responsibilities include: - Analyzing medical records and assigning codes to diagnoses and procedures;
- Organizing records to be used for patient billing, insurance claims and account management;
- Tabulating information for health surveys, research studies and improved patient care; and
- Communicating with other healthcare personnel to clarify diagnoses or obtain additional information.
Medical Coders/Billers are employed by hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), mental healthcare facilities and insurance companies. Medical Information Coders/Billers are usually detail oriented, analytical, and investigative, they like to read and thrive in the knowledge of medicine. If you fit this profile, SCC’s Medical Information Coder/Biller program might be right for you. Licensure/CertificationThe American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) both sponsor a certification examination for medical record coders. Upon successful completion of the AHIMA certification exam, the medical record coder is given the title of certified coding specialist (CCS), which is a professional skilled in classifying medical data generally in a hospital setting. There is also the CCS-P, which is a coding practitioner with expertise in physician-based settings (physician offices, group practices or specialty centers). Upon successful completion of the AAPC examination, the medical record coder is given the title of certified professional coder (CPC) or certified professional coder hospital (CPC-H). SalaryIn 2007, the mean hourly wage for Medical Records and Health Information Technicians in Florida was $15.07/hour. Program Dates: Term I (fall semester)
Prerequisites start each semester. - Day, evening and online courses are available, and most major courses are available during evening classes and online. Students must have access to an Internet-capable computer while enrolled in the program (access to computers is available on all SCC Campuses). Online courses are available for specific courses (see Medical Coding course schedule).
- Go to the Enrollment Services Web site for a fee schedule. Textbooks and other fees will vary from semester to semester
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