Medical Office Specialist: Billing and Coding - AAS Degree
Overview
See Department website and program contacts here
The Medical Office Billing and Coding (AAS) degree is designed for students seeking careers in healthcare billing, coding, insurance processing, and medical office administration. The curriculum combines healthcare administrative knowledge with coding and reimbursement skills to prepare students for employment in a variety of healthcare settings.
Coursework includes topics such as medical billing procedures, diagnosis and procedural coding, insurance claims processing, healthcare regulations, medical records, and reimbursement systems. Students develop practical technical skills used to support healthcare documentation, coding accuracy, and billing operations.
The Medical Office Billing and Coding program is workforce-focused and prepares students for careers in medical offices, hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, government agencies, and long-term care facilities.
Students without prior computer experience, or those wishing to strengthen computer skills before beginning the program, are encouraged to enroll in BCS090 Computer Basics for College Success, a free course offered through the Learning Success Center.
Students are encouraged to work with an advisor to ensure appropriate course selection and program planning based on their educational background and career goals.
Refer to the tabs above for additional information about:
- Education Plan – provides a sample term-by-term sequence of courses
- Career Info – includes information on potential occupations, employment trends, and earnings
Program Learning Objectives
At the completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Differentiate the roles of the health care team, elements of successful leadership and problem-solving strategies
- Discuss verbal and nonverbal communication, including gender differences, cultural awareness and sensitivity and the elements of speaking and listening
- Discuss the knowledge and skills required of a medical coder
- Discuss the knowledge and skills required of a medical biller\\n
- Discuss the elements of billing and coding
- Complete a professional résumé
- Explain job searches and correct interview techniques
- Use specialized computer programs (EMR) and the Microsoft Office suite
Education Plan
This sample Education Plan illustrates one possible course sequence. Students should consult an advisor to create a personalized plan.
Medical Office students are required to complete a criminal background check and may be required to provide documentation of immunizations prior to beginning an internship. Please speak to your adviser with immunization-specific questions. Do not complete a background check without first consulting with your program adviser. Drug and alcohol screening may be required.
Note: A minimum grade of “C” is required in all courses.
General education courses (such as math, writing, health, etc.) can be taken during any term, or before starting the program.
| First Quarter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BI121 or BI100 | Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology I 1 or Survey of Body Systems | 4 |
| CIS120L | Computer Concepts Lab I | 1 |
| MO110 | Foundational Principles for the Medical Office Team (must be completed before starting third term courses) | 3 |
| MO111 | Medical Terminology | 4 |
| MTH065 or MTH058 | Beginning Algebra II (or higher) or Quantitative Reasoning I | 4-6 |
| Credits | 16-18 | |
| Second Quarter | ||
| Winter | ||
| CIS125WP | Word Processing | 3 |
| COMM115 or COMM218Z | Introduction to Intercultural Communication (Cultural Literacy course) or Interpersonal Communication | 4 |
| MO140 | Understanding Medical Insurance | 3 |
| Select one: | 3-4 | |
| Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology II (if BI121 was taken) 1 | ||
Elective, if needed to reach 90 degree credits | ||
| Credits | 13-14 | |
| Third Quarter | ||
| Spring | ||
| MO117 | Hospital Administrative Procedures | 3 |
| MO136 | Healthcare Documentation | 3 |
| MO141 | Patient Advocate for Medical Insurance | 3 |
| WR121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Fourth Quarter | ||
| Fall | ||
| HE252 or HPE295 | First Aid: Responding to Emergencies or Health and Fitness for Life | 3 |
| MO116 | Medical Office Procedures | 4 |
| MO226 | Pharmacology and Disease Processes for Medical Office Occupations | 4 |
| MO230 | Medical Coding I: ICD-10-CM | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Fifth Quarter | ||
| Winter | ||
| MO231 | Medical Coding II: Procedural Coding | 4 |
| MO240 | Medical Office Billing I | 3 |
| MO250 | Medical Law and Ethics | 3 |
| PSY201Z | Introduction to Psychology I | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Sixth Quarter | ||
| Spring | ||
| BA111 | Introduction to Accounting | 4 |
| MO214 | Building a Professional Portfolio | 1 |
| MO232 | Medical Coding III: Evaluation and Management | 3 |
| MO234 | CPC Review | 2 |
| MO241 | Medical Office Billing II | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Seventh Quarter | ||
| Summer | ||
| WE280MOBD | Coop Ed - Medical Office Billing | 4 |
| Elective, if needed to reach 90 degree credits | 3 | |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 90-93 | |
- 1
Students may fulfill the Anatomy & Physiology requirement with any of these 3 options:
- BI100 Survey of Body Systems , or
- BI121 Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BI122 Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology II , or
- BI231Z Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BI232Z Human Anatomy and Physiology II, and BI232Z Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Please note: Students who choose option 1 may need to take an elective course in order to reach 90 credits.
Career Information
Explore potential careers related to this program, including typical job roles, employment trends, and projected growth. This information can help you better understand how your education may align with future career opportunities.
Cultural Literacy course