Medical Billing and Coding

Certificate or Associate Degree Program¹^,²

Program Overview

This program combines theory and practice to help you develop the specialized skills and knowledge necessary to perform medical coding and process medical insurance billing and claims within the health care setting.

CLASSES START April 8, 2019*

*Class start days may vary by location or program

Get started on your education today!

Employment Projection

15% growth nationally from 2016-2026³

Employment Options

Medical Offices,
Independent Billing Companies,
Dental Offices

Program Length

About 9 months (Certificate)⁴
Less than 2 years (Associate Degree)⁴

1. While some employers may not require this level of education, it can help better prepare you for the responsibilities of this role.

2. Program availability varies by location

3. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-6013.00 (visited July 12, 2018).
Data reflects a national projected percentage change in employment from 2016-2026 and may not reflect local economic conditions.

4. Not including breaks. Program length by weeks and admission requirements can be found here in the academic catalog.

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*Certificate is awarded from the Phoenix North campus.

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What Will I Learn

A Day In The Life

How Easy Will It Be to Get a Job as a Medical Secretary?

The numbers are on your side! Not only do career opportunities appear likely to continue to grow, but with the ICD-10 Code release, there’s need for qualified employees who have learned this information. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an additional 80,800 jobs for Medical Secretaries between 2016 and 2026⁵. There are some great reasons for this growth in the medical records field, including:

As people continue to live longer, they’ll require more medical services. That means a greater need for people to organize and maintain their health information data.
The widespread use of electronic health records means an increased need for employees to organize and manage that information.
The introduction of the ICD-10 coding system means more specific coding possibilities for illnesses and injuries, and a need for people qualified to code those issues.
Cancer registrars are expected to continue to be in high demand. As the population ages, there will likely be more types of special purpose registries because many illness are detected and treated later in life⁶.

5. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-6013.00 (visited July 12, 2018).
Data reflects a national projected percentage change in employment from 2016-2026 and may not reflect local economic conditions.

6. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-6(visited July 12, 2018).

7%Total Projected Job Growth for All Occupations

15%Projected Medical Secretaries Job Growth⁵

Where can you work as a Medical Secretary?

Medical Offices

In a medical office, you’ll protect the security of medical records to ensure that confidentiality is maintained. You’ll also review records for completeness, accuracy and compliance with regulations.

Independent Billing Companies

Working for independent billing companies you will enter data, such as demographic characteristics, history and extent of disease, diagnostic procedures or treatment into the computer. You'll also post medical insurance billings.

Dental Offices

Dental offices require medical secretaries too. Here, you’ll be in charge of transcribing medical reports and retrieving patient medical records for dentists, hygienists or other medical personnel.

Clinics

In the clinic setting, you might compile and maintain patients’ medical records to document condition and treatment and to provide data for research or cost control and care improvement efforts.

You Create the Code for Your Success.

The medical billing and coding industry is changing, and you’re poised to be at the forefront of this growing industry. In Carrington College’s Medical Billing and Coding program, you’ll receive a combination of theory and practical training to help you prepare for your career. You’ll also have the opportunity to build your skills and gain real-world experience through an externship. When you graduate, you should be prepared to put your knowledge, critical thinking and specialized skills to use. Our program is built to give you the information and experience you need to be able to:

Perform procedural and diagnosis coding for submission to insurance companies
Accurately interpret medical records, including diagnosis and procedures performed by health care providers
Communicate clearly with physicians, patients and other professionals
Demonstrate proficiency in information management
Stay informed about coding rules, federal and state regulations, and insurance contracts

How Does Carrington College Support Me As A Student?

We know college is a big step. But education can be the first step in building a better future. Your instructors, administrators and fellow students are there to help if you ever hit a bump in the road along the way. Carrington College offers a lot of great student support services designed to help you succeed, including:

Student Finance

From scholarships and grants to loans, we will help you understand how to search and apply for financial aid⁷.

Tutoring and Study Groups

For help with schoolwork, your instructors and Student Success Center staff are often available for tutoring or you can join in an open student study group.

Fixed Tuition Promise

How would you like to know what you’re going to pay, right from the beginning? We promise your tuition won’t change through the length of your program. It’s our commitment to you⁸.

Externships, Clinical Rotations and Fieldwork

Most programs include an opportunity to learn in the real world before you even graduate! You’ll earn impressive experience that looks great on your resume.

Career Services

After graduation, we’ll help you with your career search with everything from resume writing help to job search support to interview tips.

7. Student loans, grants and scholarships are available to those who qualify.

8. Fixed Tuition Promise is available for all Carrington College students who remain active and in good standing during the duration of their program. Students who withdraw or are withdrawn from school and are not reinstated within 180 days of their last date of attendance are subject to a tuition increase. Students who are required to repeat a course to fulfill graduation requirements are subject to additional expenses.

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