Program: Medical Coder/Biller (MCB) (B398) - Florida State College

Applied Technology Diploma

Mission Statement

Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level health care practitioners committed to professional development through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory and supportive learning environment.

The Career

Health information coding is the transformation of verbal descriptions of diseases, injuries and procedures into alphanumeric designations. Responsibilities include coding of diagnoses and procedures; preparation and processing of insurance claims. Medicare and other third party payors use coded data for claims processing. Coded information is used in the assessment of clinical care, to support research activity, and the identification of health care concerns critical to the public at large.

The Program

This limited access program prepares graduates for employment as a health care/medical coder or biller in a variety of settings. The program is a combination of professional courses including lecture, laboratory and clinical education components. Confidentiality and legal concerns are also covered. Professional practice experiences are provided in local health care facilities under the supervision of qualified professional personnel. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded an Applied Technology Diploma.

Application Procedure

Applicant must have earned a high school diploma or equivalency degree.

Applicant must complete Medical Coder/Biller program application. (Contact the HIM office for application deadline).

Applicant must be currently enrolled or a former Florida State College student.

Applicant must have completed a minimum of nine credit hours of prerequisites. The specific prerequisites for admission are Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BSC 2085C), Medical Terminology (for Health Professions) (HSC 1531) and Health Insurance Billing (HIM 1260). A grade of “C” or better must be achieved in all prerequisite courses. A GPA of 2.0 must be maintained.

Applicant must have CPTs (College Placement Test scores) by the Medical Coder/Biller program application deadline.

Applicants will be ranked on the quality points earned in the three courses listed in number four above. Students who verify work experience in health information management will earn two points per year, up to a maximum of six points. In the event of a tie, the College Placement Test scores (English, reading and elementary algebra) will be used as a tie-breaker.

Students completing this program may continue their studies with a Health Information Management (2277) (A.S.) degree.

Need More Information?

Prerequisites

Prior to being admitted to the program, an applicant must complete:

BSC 2085C - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 4
HIM 1260 - Health Insurance Billing Credit Hours: 2
HSC 1531 - Medical Terminology (for Health Professions) Credit Hours: 3

Curriculum

Total Credit Hours: 26

Professional Courses (Credit Hours: 26)

BSC 2085C - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 4
HIM 1224 - ICD-9-CM Coding and Lab Credit Hours: 3
HIM 1253 - CPT-4 Coding and Lab Credit Hours: 3
HIM 1260 - Health Insurance Billing Credit Hours: 2
HIM 1300 - Health Care Delivery Systems Credit Hours: 2
HIM 1435 - Pathophysiology I Credit Hours: 2
HIM 1436 - Pathophysiology II Credit Hours: 2
HIM 1800 - Professional Practice Experience I Credit Hours: 2
HIM 2012 - Health Law Credit Hours: 3
HSC 1531 - Medical Terminology (for Health Professions) Credit Hours: 3

Record of Conviction of a Crime

Effective July 1, 2009, pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, health care review boards shall refuse to renew a license, certificate or registration, issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre, regardless of adjudication, to a felony violation of: chapters 409, 817, or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application, terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent 5 years) or terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent 5 years). The Florida nursing or allied health licensure or certification application requires disclosure of any criminal history and the disposition of all cases prior to board review. Being convicted of, or having entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendre to, any of the listed felonies in Florida Statute 456.0635 or termination for cause from the statutorily-described Medicaid programs will preclude an applicant from obtaining a nursing or allied health license or certification in the state of Florida. Entry and acceptance into the nursing or allied health program does not guarantee licensure or certification in the State of Florida.

Note

A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.

Articulation

All courses are college credit and are transferable into the Health Information Management (2277) (A.S.) degree program.