Your Curriculum

Medical Billing / Claims Analyst
Certificate

Catalog Year 2013-14 

MHCC Faculty Adviser:
Carole Wickham: 503-491-7195 - Room AC 2772
Carole.Wickham@mhcc.edu 

Medical billing specialists are vital for the efficient management of all aspects of billing. A medical billing specialist’s responsibilities can include: expert management of healthcare billing-processing, adjusting and resubmitting of claims; adherence to current healthcare industry regulations and policies; and compliance with insurance procedures and allotted benefit coverage. Billing specialists understand the information on identification cards, distinguish between Medicare and Medicaid and understand Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage and workers ’ compensation benefits.

A claims analyst uses the same skills as a billing specialist. The duties of a claims analyst may include: overseeing claims processing and payments to third-party providers, monitoring charges and verifying correct payment of claims, sending denial letters on claims and sending follow-up requests for information. The claims analyst reviews payment reports for accuracy and compliance.

Medical billing specialists/claims analysts can work in hospitals, insurance companies, doctors’ offices, medical billing companies, nursing homes, medical group practices, home health agencies and medical clinics.

Students who complete this shorter term Medical Billing/Claims Analyst program can go to work and return at any time to complete the Medical Office Specialist AAS degree.

Program Outcomes
At the completion of this program, students should be able to:

• Differentiate the roles of the healthcare team, elements of successful leadership, and problem-solving strategies
• Discuss and use medical terminology
• 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 billing specialist/claims analyst
• Discuss the elements of billing and coding
• Complete a professional resumé
• Explain job searches and correct interview techniques
• Use specialized computer programs (EMR), and the Microsoft Office suite

For program costs, completions and job placement information, please click here.

Medical Office students are required to have a criminal background check http://www.mhcc.edu/AlliedHealthCBC/ and a current Tuberculin skin test (PPD) at the beginning of the MO110 Powerful Strategies for the Office Team class. Medical Office students must document completion of the three-dose Hepatitis B vaccine series and complete a Measles Immunization Clearance Certificate for School Attendance form prior to beginning the externship placement process. Some externship sites may require further immunizations. See program director for site specific requirements.

Note: A minimum grade of "C" is required in all courses.

¹ Classes may be taken the summer prior to beginning the program.
² See course descriptions for prerequisite.
³ Students may not use demonstrated proficiency on the College Placement Test (CPT) to satisfy this requirement.
⁴ Any combination of WE280MOBD or WE280MOBH to total 8 credits. Instructor and dean permission is required; check with instructor for the correct course number and credits appropriate to the internship assignment.