Frequently Asked Questions

Medical Billing and Coding is exceedingly important to the daily operations of hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, diagnostic centers and medical laboratories.  Billers and Coders process patients’ medical records, to ensure that patient encounters, diagnoses, procedures, and treatments are properly identified, coded and submitted for reimbursement by insurance companies. A system known as the International Disease Classification (ICD) codes is used to categorize healthcare services.  This system is maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA), and provides a way for insurance companies to pay providers of care. 

1. What is Medical Coding?
   Medical Coding is a means by which every healthcare service, from an office visit, to a test, treatment or procedure, is assigned an international numeric code.  These ICD codes are used worldwide, and provide health insurance companies with a standardized language to understand patient services and pay claims.  Medical codes are also used for gathering statistical data.  The ICD-CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are used for office visits, procedures like radiology and laboratory testing, injections (from immunization to chemotherapy), and even major surgery. ICD-CM/PCS codes are the Procedure Coding System (PCS) used in hospital and inpatient settings.
2. What is Medical Billing?
   Medical Billing involves the preparation of invoices to request payment from government and commercial health insurance for patient services. These services include diagnostic tests, treatments, and procedures.
3. What kind of training does coding require?
   Our curriculum follows guidelines set by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), and includes the following eight courses:  Click here for link to program schedule. Also included is a computer lab experience, that allows students to experience using actual billing software.
4. Is certification needed for Medical Billing and Coding positions?
   Employers generally seek out people who are certified in the specific field.  Certification demonstrates a level of competence that may set you apart from other applicants.  To aid your success, we run a dedicated six-week Certification Preparation course during the Summer annually. Additionally, you may qualify for our internship experience offering a minimum of two hundred hours, hands on practice. Our course prepares you to sit for any of the national certifying examinations.
5. How much money can I make?
   According to the industry standards, starting salary is about $50,000 per year, higher in some areas of the country.  With Certification and experience a Medical Coder can earn between $50- $75K. Coders often become the “gatekeepers” for the pre-authorization process for employers and insurance companies. This gatekeeper role is often filled by nurses with coding training.
6. Where do coders work?
   Private practices, health clinics, hospitals, Long Term Care facilities, Urgent Care Centers, are all involved in patient care and require billers and coders. With experience, you may also work from home, as a contractor for any of these agencies.  Additionally, Insurance Companies use Coders to process claims.  Law firms also need coders to review and make decisions on claims.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, identifies Medical Billing and Coding as one of the 20 fastest growing occupations in healthcare. There is therefore, great potential in this career.
7. How do I get started?
   To get started, complete the application as fully as possible. You will need to submit a $30.00 registration fee with the form to: E-Market   Click on Continuing Medical Education then on Medical Billing and Coding Program. Save copy of receipt.
8. How much does the course cost?
   The total program cost is $3500.00, this can be paid as a lump sum or by using monthly or bi-weekly installment payment plan.
9. Are books included in the program cost?
   No but we work to get the best packages available from the publishers.