Health Sciences Department | C.C. Certificate of Completion | 9 months

You will be taught some exciting new skills in this program. Among these new skills, you will learn how to:

• Translate doctors' notes into useful medical code
• Navigate through various insurance rules and regulations to reduce accounts receivable days
• Understand the nuances of various types of insurance carriers along with their claim requirements

Careers

Career opportunities include:

• medical billing and/or coding

The Medical Billing and Coding (MBC) program uses a cohort model of delivering quality instruction and support. This means students start the program together, learn together and graduate together. The MBC program is a full-time academic program starting in winter with students completing their certificate the end of summer term (total of 37 credits).

Most courses are offered online and virtually, with instructor led sessions in the evenings to accommodate various schedules. The Medical Billing and Coding program uses the most up-to-date curriculum sponsored by the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC).

Students who successfully complete the Medical Billing and Coding program with Clackamas Community College are eligible to take two national certification exams through the AAPC: Certified Professional Biller (CPB) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC). There is an extra charge for these examinations paid directly to the AAPC. AAPC Membership is required.

Don’t let cost become a barrier! Clackamas Community College offers numerous scholarships and grants.

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Financial Aid

The estimated cost of the 37-credit program includes tuition, books, and additional fees associated with obtaining a national credential through the AAPC.

Optional Items:

• Medical dictionary
• Anatomy coloring book
• Flash cards (medical terminology and/or anatomy and physiology)

Upon successful completion of the Medical Billing and Coding program, students will be eligible to sit for two different national certification exams: Certified Professional Biller (CPB) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC).

The cost of these exams is not included in the program cost:

Certifications

• AAPC National Certification Exams (summer term)

Costs

• $475 (per exam)
  • Note: if you take both the coding and billing exams, the cost is $950
    
• Each exam fee includes one free re-take
• Visit AAPC.com for more details. Online option may be available at lower cost.

It is recommended to meet with a Health Sciences Advisor prior to applying to the program. Our advisors will help answer pre-requisite program requirements.

Tracy Pantano-Rumsey, Academic Advisor
tracy.pantanorumsey@clackamas.edu, 503-594-6131

Phil Reid, Academic Advisor
philr@clackamas.edu, 503-594-0623

PROGRAM CODE: CC.MEDBILLCODE

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• perform medical insurance billing, including producing claims and making changes to claims;
• apply coding and billing guidelines and laws;
• analyze insurance reimbursement forms to ensure insurance companies have paid accurately;
• post payments/adjustments to patient accounts;
• explain provider chart notes and code patient visits accurately for billing;
• communicate with providers and patients about billing and coding;
• describe healthcare laws that pertain to medical billing and coding;
• maintain confidentiality and security of patient data.

The Medical Billing and Coding (MBC) program requires students complete the following academic pre-requisite requirements. Students may take one pre-requisite course concurrently with their first term winter MBC courses. 

Prerequisites:

• MA-110 Medical Terminology
• WR-121Z Composition I
  
• BI-120 Intro to Human Anatomy and Physiology