Program Overview
The Medical Billing and Coding (MBC )program at the School of Health Professions (SOHP), SUNY Downstate Health Science University, is a certificate program designed to assist individuals entering the field of medical billing and coding, or preparing for certification. The program is run in two formats, either fully asynchronous or real-time virtual. The real-time virtual session begins in the Fall annually, the asynchronous program starts in the January annually. Each program session provides the skill development needed for a career as a certified biller or coder in hospitals, insurance companies, physician’s offices, and other health related facilities. This is a part-time program. Real-time virtual classes are held Monday and Wednesday evenings (6:00 pm - 9:30 pm) and on Saturdays 9:00 am - 3:30 pm- inclusive of lunch break.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is one of the fastest growing industries in Healthcare, and growth is expected to continue through the year 2030. Our program prepares you to sit for the Certification exams offered by both the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
Medical Billing and Coding are fundamental to generating healthcare revenue. MBC involves converting patient information into insurance claims, so that healthcare facilities and providers can be properly reimbursed. Students acquire the skills needed to perform all coding duties, fulfill coding regulations and determine accuracy of clinical documentation for reimbursement.
The foundation provided in this program also paves the way for advancing your career through certification in areas of practice such as:
- Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)
- Risk Adjustment Coder
- Insurance Specialist
- Clinical Documentation Specialist
- Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM)
- Certified Documentation Expert Outpatient (CDEO)
- Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR)
The program, is run over two semesters, and covers the following areas of study (click for schedule of courses). Students work with actual medical management software, reference books, and problem-solve actual case studies, to prepare for certification. Additionally, to bring that competitive edge, the program partners with Downstate’s Health Information Management Department, to provide the senior student an internship opportunity as a part of the educational experience.
Objectives
This program provides the information and skill development necessary for those seeking career opportunities as a certified coder/biller in physician’s offices, hospitals, insurance companies, medical billing service departments and other health related facilities. Students acquire the skills necessary to fulfill coding regulations and ensure documentation for appropriate reimbursement. Emphasis is placed on government regulations that affect reimbursements for in-patient and out-patient claims. This program meets the curricula expectation of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Click to download the Program Brochure
- The International Classification of Diseases
- ICD-10 and 11 Classes & Certification Prep
- The School of Health Professions announces a 6-week Immersion/Certification Preparation, to engage existing billers and coders in ICD processes, plus preparation certification. Our graduates are recognized for their astuteness as in-patient or out-patient billers and coders.