Program: Medical Coder/Biller (MCB) (B398) (A.T.D.) - Florida State College

Applied Technology Diploma

Note: In addition to the membership application above (“Apply for this Program Now”), students must also meet the program requirements for this program.

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.

Need More Information?

Call North Campus, (904) 766-6663

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

Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences

Some practice settings may have additional requirements including health insurance, a volunteer application, references, fingerprinting and background check, drug testing, and/or an interview prior to the start of the clinical experience. The additional requirements are the responsibility of the student, including expenses.

The cost of the background check(s) and drug screen(s) is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline.

Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition.

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

Articulation

This certificate articulates directly into the Health Information Management (2277) (A.S.) degree. Students may pursue this certificate to develop or upgrade their skills, or pursue the A.S. degree and earn the certificate while completing the requirements for the degree. Contact an advisor or counselor to determine the career education path that is best for you.

Gainful Employment

This is a gainful employment program. Visit the Gainful Employment page for gainful employment programs’ placement and on-time completion rates, median loan amounts, SOC codes and estimated program costs.

Gainful employment programs include only training programs of at least one academic year that lead to a certificate and credentialed non-degree programs (credit programs requiring 30 or fewer credit hours and clock hour programs requiring 600 or more contact hours). These programs prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.