Medical Billing Specialist with Electronic Health Records (Vouchers Included)

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OVERVIEW

This comprehensive bundle will train you for one of today’s fastest-growing careers. The Medical Billing Specialist course offers valuable training in legal, ethical, and regulatory concepts that are central to this field, including HIPAA compliance, fraud and abuse in medical billing, and third-party payer guidelines. You will also understand all phases of the revenue cycle, including patient registration, charge capture, medical coding, claim submission, data analytics, payer reimbursement, patient billing, and collection practices.

Medical Terminology is truly the language of medicine. You will study the word parts, structures, and functions of the human body. You will also learn about the disorders and medical procedures that are common to each body system, including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, integumentary, genitourinary, lymphatic, and immune.

Electronic health record specialists are critical in today’s healthcare environment, where timely access to accurate patient records is vital to the safety and treatment of patients. This course teaches the skills required to become a Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS) through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), including charting, HIPAA compliance, electronic health record management, and insurance and billing. You will be prepared to work on a health information management team, auditing records, compiling reports for patient tracking, and coordinating the systems that keep our healthcare facilities operating.

After successful completion of the course requirements, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from the school through which you enrolled. Upon completion of this course, you should be well prepared to find your place in this rewarding healthcare career. You will also be able to take the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

This course offers enrollment with vouchers. The voucher is prepaid access to sit for the certifying exam upon eligibility. Proctor fees may apply, which are not included.

Disclaimer: To qualify for the externship applications process, students must successfully complete the online course content and have account balances up to date (at a minimum). Going through the externship application process does not guarantee an externship. COVID may be affecting the externship process or site availability in your area. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process 2 weeks prior to completing courses.

What you will learn

  • Describe the different stages of the revenue cycle
  • Recognize federal laws that affect healthcare
  • Define health insurance and medical terminology
  • Use the ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II codebooks to assign medical codes accurately
  • Explain the data entry requirements of a medical insurance claim form
  • Identify the billing guidelines of government and private payers
  • Recount the structures, functions, and disorders of the different body systems
  • Learn to manage patient visits, arrange follow-up care, and issue prescriptions
  • Keep track of vital information such as patient allergies and medications Understand how to best read and interpret health records
  • Understand how to best read and interpret health records
  • Learn how to communicate with patients and report public health information

How you will benefit

  • Establish the appropriate EHR for your practice
  • Be able to manage the revenue cycle to maximize reimbursement effectively
  • Recognize fraud and abuse in medical billing
  • Assign medical codes from different types of clinical documentation
  • Complete medical claims according to payer guidelines
  • Receive a Certificate of Completion that will show a prospective employer that you received comprehensive, up-to-date training in medical billing that may set you apart from other candidates
  • Receive a voucher for the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) that will bolster your resume and authenticate your skillset
  • Participate in an optional Externship to learn how your course of study applies to the real world
  • Prepare to take the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) CEHRS certification exam Develop the communication style needed to communicate positively and efficiently with patients and medical workers Jump-start your career as a health information clerk, medical records coordinator, electronic medical records technician, or electronic medical records specialist
  • Develop the communication style needed to communicate positively and efficiently with patients and medical workers
  • Jump-start your career as a health information clerk, medical records coordinator, electronic medical records technician, or electronic medical records specialist

SYLLABUS

  1. Medical Terminology
    1. Introduction to Medical Terminology
    2. The Musculoskeletal System
    3. The Cardiovascular System
    4. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
    5. The Respiratory System
    6. The Digestive System
    7. The Urinary System
    8. The Nervous System
    9. The Special Senses: The Eyes and Ears
    10. The Integumentary System
    11. The Endocrine System
    12. The Reproductive System
    13. Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology
  2. Medical Billing Specialist
    1. Introduction to Medical Billing
      1. Career Opportunities
      2. Personal and Technical Qualifications
      3. Employment Settings
      4. Telecommunications
      5. Professional Certifications
    2. Introduction to Health Insurance
      1. Health Insurance Terminology
      2. Commercial and Government Payers
      3. Healthcare Documentation
      4. Electronic Health Record
    3. Managed Healthcare
      1. Types of Reimbursement
      2. Managed Care Providers
      3. Managed Care Models
      4. Consumer-Directed Health Plans
    4. Revenue Cycle Management
      1. Phases of Revenue Cycle Management
      2. Encounter Form, Chargemaster
      3. Insurance Claim Cycle
      4. New Patient Registration
      5. Collection Practices
    5. Legal Aspects of Health Insurance and Reimbursement
      1. Laws Affecting Healthcare
      2. Protected Health Information (PHI)
      3. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
      4. Fraud and Abuse in Medical Billing
      5. Release of Information (ROI)
    6. ICD-10-CM Coding
      1. Overview of ICD-10-CM
      2. Key Features
      3. Organization of the Codebook
      4. Index to Diseases and Injuries
      5. Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
      6. Coding Conventions
      7. Official Guidelines
    7. CPT Coding
      1. Overview of Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
      2. Category I, Category II, and Category III Codes
      3. Organization of the Codebook
      4. Main CPT Sections
      5. Evaluation and Management
      6. Anesthesia
      7. Surgery
      8. Radiology
      9. Pathology and Laboratory
      10. Medicine
      11. Code Modifiers
    8. HCPCS Level II Coding
      1. Overview of HCPCS Level II
      2. Organization of the Codebook
      3. Durable Medical Equipment
    9. Maximizing Reimbursement
      1. Price Transparency
      2. Data Analytics
      3. Billing Audits
    10. Pharmacology for Medical Billers
      1. Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics
      2. Routes of Administration
      3. Drug Classifications
      4. Prescription Drugs and Over-the-Counter Drugs
      5. Controlled Substances
      6. Medication Lists and the Electronic Health Record
    11. Midterm
    12. Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
      1. Deficiencies in Documentation
      2. Medical Necessity
      3. Coding Audits
      4. Types of Clinical Documentation
    13. Insurance Claims
      1. National Uniform Claim Committee
      2. CMS-1500 Claim Form
      3. Patient and Insured Information
      4. Physician or Supplier Information
      5. UB-04 Claim Form
    14. Commercial Insurance
      1. Individual/Group Health Insurance, Automobile, Disability, Liability, Workers’Compensation
      2. Completing Commercial Health Insurance Claims
    15. Blue Cross Blue Shield
      1. History of BCBS
      2. Types of BCBS Plans
      3. Participating/Nonparticipating Providers
      4. BCBS Billing and Payment Guidelines
    16. Medicare
      1. Medicare Eligibility
      2. Medicare Part A, B, C, and D
      3. National Coverage Determinations/Local Coverage Determinations
      4. Participating/Nonparticipating Providers
      5. Physician Fee Schedule
      6. Medicare Billing and Payment Guidelines/NCCI
    17. Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, Workers’ Compensation
      1. Medicaid
      2. Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
      3. TRICARE
      4. Workers’ Compensation
    18. Certification
      1. Importance of Certification
      2. Study Strategies for the Certification Exam
      3. Prior to the Exam
      4. Morning of the Exam
      5. During the Exam
    19. How to Find a Job in Medical Billing (Optional )
      1. Formulating Your Career Goals
      2. What Employers Want
      3. Showcasing Your Skills
      4. Resume Tips
      5. Cover Letter Tips
      6. Interview Questions
    20. FINAL
  3. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist
    1. An Overview of EHR and CEHRS
      1. What is an EHR
      2. The Importance of EHRs
      3. Efforts to Encourage EHR Adoption
      4. EHRs in the Future
      5. The Role of a CEHRS in a Medical Practice
    2. An Introduction to MOSS 3.0
      1. MOSS 3.0 Components
      2. Administrative
      3. Clinical
      4. Billing
    3. History of EHRs
      1. EHR Origins in Practice Management Systems
      2. Major Federal Initiatives to Promote EHR Adoption
      3. MIPS
    4. Steps to EHR Implementation
      1. Step 1: Assess
      2. Step 2: Plan
      3. Step 3: Select
      4. Step 4: Implement
    5. The EHR Framework
      1. EHR Architecture, Hardware, Software, Networks and Interfaces
      2. Human-Computer Interface (User) Devices
      3. Functional, Data Content, and Vocabulary Standards
      4. Feature and Data Formats
      5. Security Controls
      6. Hybrid Health Records
      7. Disaster Recovery
    6. HIPAA Requirements and EHR Systems
      1. What is HIPAA?
      2. HIPAA and CEHRS
      3. HIPAA Privacy Rule
      4. HIPAA Security Rule
    7. The EHR and Record Content
      1. Record Purposes
      2. Record Formats and Types of Data
      3. Record Standards
      4. Medical Record Content
      5. Documentation Practices
    8. Lists, Treatment Plans, Orders, and Results
      1. The Lists
      2. Summary Lists in the Office Workflow
      3. Standards – Functional, Content, and Vocabulary
    9. Patient Visit Management
      1. The EHR in an Office Workflow
      2. Master Patient Index
      3. Service Payment Information
      4. Scheduling
      5. Consents, Acknowledgements, Advance Directives, and Authorizations
    10. Coding, Billing, and Practice Reports
      1. Coding and Billing Workflow
      2. Code Sets and Clinical Vocabularies
      3. Coding, Billing, and the EHR
      4. Encoders and Computer-Assisted Coding
      5. Electronic Bill Submission
    11. Patient Communications
      1. Patient-Focused Communication
      2. Patient Portals
      3. Personal Health Records
    12. Practice Reports, Research, Registries, and Reportable Events
      1. Medical Product Development
      2. Practice Requirements
      3. Standards that Support Research
      4. Registries and Reportable Events
    13. Personal Health Records and Continuing Care Records
      1. Personal Health Record
      2. Communication Among Providers for Continuing Care
      3. Continuity of Care Record
      4. Ongoing Training and Technical Support of EHR Software

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course must be taken on a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Microsoft Word Online.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in Medical Terminology:

  • Medical Terminology for Health Professions

The following textbook, workbook, and codebooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in the Medical Billing Specialist course:

  • Understanding Health Insurance: A Guide to Billing and Reimbursement, by Michelle A. Green.
  • Workbook to Accompany Understanding Health Insurance: A Guide to Billing and Reimbursement, by Michelle A. Green.
  • ICD-10-CM Expert for Physicians
  • CPT Professional
  • HCPCS Level II Professional
  • CPB Certification Study Guide, from AAPC

The following access will be from your instructor once you begin the Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist course:

  • You will receive an access code from your instructor to access your MOSS 3.0. MOSS 3.0 is the simulated EHR you will be using during the course for your assignments.

Please Note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent to be eligible to sit for national certification exams.

INSTRUCTOR

Nancy Smith has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Her clinical experience includes working as a medical assistant for a network of rural health clinics, and as a medical coder, insurance claims specialist, and medical records auditor. She worked as a medical office manager for ten years, where she recruited and trained all medical assistants. Nancy holds a bachelor’s degree in vocational education and has developed and taught medical assistant programs.

LaTisha Cottingham has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has six years of teaching experience in the field of medical billing and coding and Medical Assisting. Currently, she is employed as an HIM Analyst for a Long-Term Care establishment that is based out of Alabama. Previously she was employed as the lead instructor for the Allied Health Department for a local career institute. LaTisha’s field of expertise is in the area of physician-based inpatient coding and Emergency Department coding. The certifications that she holds are as follows: a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). In preparation for ICD-10-CM, LaTisha received her ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer Certification from American Health Information Association (AHIMA), where she is currently a member. LaTisha is also a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA) where she is a test proctor.

Carline Dalgleish has worked in medical office administration for over 30 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems, a master’s degree in Leadership, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Health Information Management. She is a Registered Health Information Administrator and an AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. Dalgleish is the author of an ICD-10 coding system and owns her own consulting firm, AnnGrant Educational Services.

Lydia S. Stewart, RN, BSN, currently serves as the Revenue Cycle Manager at a large regional medical center. Lydia has been a Registered Nurse for 23 years, 15 of those years specializing in Critical Care Nursing and supervision. She is responsible for Medical Audits, Charge Capture, and governmental compliance audits and reviews. Lydia is a member of the Louisiana Medical Auditor Association and Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

Bunny Reeves is the senior ambulatory surgery coder at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She trains student coders at Maimonides Medical Center and previously trained and supervised entry-level coders at Staten Island’s St. Vincent Medical Center. Reeves is a Certified Coding Specialist, accredited by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Sharon L. Blackford, MA, BA, RMA, has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She has a Master’s degree in Organizational Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, and has served as a Registered Medical Assistant since 1994. Sharon was an active duty Clinical Specialist in the U.S. Army for 10 years. Sharon later moved to the Gulf Coast to accept a position as the Director of Education of Blue Cliff College and was promoted to Campus Director.

Stacey O’Brien has more than 10 years of experience in medical coding and reimbursement. Ms. O’Brien has been a risk adjustment coder for a Medicare advantage plan, audited medical records for a consulting firm, and currently supervises the coding and electronic claims submission process for a group medical practice. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a CPC coding certification from the AAPC.

Rachael Delekta holds an MBA in Healthcare Administration and is a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist. Rachael has been in the health care field for more than ten years. She has worked mostly on the insurance side of things, as a customer service manager for dental insurance, a claims and customer service coach, and a workers’ compensation case management biller and auditor. She works daily with medical records and healthcare software.

Jennifer Della’Zanna, MFA, CHDS, CPC, CGSC, CEHRS, AAPC Fellow, has worked in the health care industry for 25 years as a medical transcriptionist, receptionist, medical assistant, practice administrator, biller, and coding specialist. She has written and edited courses, articles, and study guides about medical coding, transcription, and the use of technology in health care. She is an editor and proofreader for the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity, where she also serves on the Credentialing Commission and the Research/Development Team.

FAQS

Does this course prepare for a certification?

Yes, you will be prepared for the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS) exam offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). You will also have access to study materials to help you prepare for the exams.

What is medical billing?

Medical billing is the process of submitting health insurance claims on behalf of a patient to various health insurance payers to acquire payment for services provided by a medical facility.

What is the occupational outlook for medical billers?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs in medical billing will grow much faster than average—eight percent over the next 10 years. This increase is double the average job growth rate in the United States. Our population is aging, which means that more medical care will be needed in the coming years. Additionally, increasing reliance on Electronic Health Records (EHRs) will drive growth in this field, with an additional 30,000 professionals eventually being needed to fill jobs in this industry.

How much do medical billers make?

Based on current job postings, the median salary for a medical biller ranges from $34,632 according to Indeed.com to $37,440 according to ZipRecruiter. The American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) reports in its 2019 Salary Survey that “medical billers with a CPB™ certification average $55,078 in annual salary.” Your salary will depend on the type and size of healthcare facility you work for, years of experience in the field, credentials, certifications you obtain, and where in the country you choose to live and work.

Why is medical billing training and certification important?

Medical billers follow strict processes to ensure that payment requests are submitted the correct way to receive payment promptly. Without the knowledge of these processes, healthcare provider reimbursement may be compromised.

Medical billing training and certification are important because they not only help you gain the knowledge you need for success in the profession, but they also provide ways for you to prove to employers that you have the skills needed to perform the job. Industry certifications can help your resume stand out from other job applicants and could make the difference in you getting an interview and ultimately a job. According to the AAPC, Certified Professional Biller (CPB™) certification “demonstrates a professional’s working knowledge to support cleaner claim submission, faster reimbursement, fewer denials, and better run practices and facilities.”

What is the difference between medical billing and medical coding?

Medical billing and coding are separate processes, but both are important regarding receiving payment for healthcare services. Medical billers are mainly responsible for submitting patient records to government agencies and insurance companies for services that have been provided in the care of the patient. Medical coders gather information on patient records and assign the proper codes for patient diagnosis, which are then used by medical billers to submit claim forms.

Why get trained with us?

This course provides a comprehensive approach to career training and certification preparation. We offer scenario-based learning with frequent interactivities and safe-to-fail exercises to help you practice the skills you obtain. Our course provides hands-on practice with claims and coding with work assignments that help learners apply concepts presented in this course. The CPB™ certification exam and prep assets are included within the cost of tuition.

Does this program prepare me for a certification?

Yes, this program prepares you for the Certified Professional Billing (CPB™) exam offered by the American Association of Professional Coders. Complete this course 100% online at your own pace and utilize the certification prep assets, which will get you ready to sit for and successfully pass your CPB™ exam. You will receive a voucher for the exam after successfully completing the program and your financial obligation.

What is a certified medical biller?

A practicing or aspiring medical biller can prepare for and take a national certification exam, such as the Certified Professional Biller (CPB™) offered by the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) and included in this course. Successfully passing this exam will provide you with the CPB™ designation.

What is the American Association of Professional Coders?

The American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) is an organization founded in 1988 to provide education and certification for professional medical billers and coders. It also exists to heighten the standards of the industry through training, certification, networking, and job opportunities. The AAPC has over 200,000 members globally and offers 28 different certifications related to the business side of healthcare.

How long does it take to become a medical biller?

You will have up to 12 months to complete this online, self-paced course, but depending on your time commitment and study schedule, you may be able to complete the course much sooner. Upon successful completion of this course, we encourage you to take advantage of the included certification prep materials and then register to take the CPB™ exam.

How much does medical billing certification cost?

The cost of the CPB™ certification exam will be included in the cost of enrollment. You will receive a voucher at the end of your course that you can use to sit for the exam when you’re ready. There is no additional cost.

What is a certified electronic health records specialist (CEHRS)?

A certified electronic health records specialist (CEHRS) is someone who has demonstrated that they have the knowledge and skills to perform the important job of ensuring that patient data is secure, complete, and accurate. To achieve the nationally-recognized CEHRS designation you must prepare for and pass the CEHRS exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association.

Where do you work as an electronic health records specialist?

Electronic health records specialists work in a variety of healthcare facilities including physicians’ offices, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, surgery centers, and government facilities. You may even be able to work from home in this career!

Are electronic health records specialist in high demand?

Yes! Electronic Health Records Specialists are in high demand, and jobs are expected to increase by 8 percent through 2029 which is considered faster than average by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An aging population is expected to be the biggest contributor to this job growth.

What is a day in the life of an electronic health records specialist like?

A day in the life of an electronic health records specialist is one of multi-tasking. You will be responsible for auditing patient records, submitting reimbursement claims, processing requests for medical information, reviewing records, collecting insurance and demographic information from patients, and discussing patients with physicians and insurance professionals. There is a high need for specialists who are trustworthy and able to keep the information confidential.

How much do electronic health records specialists make?

The median salary for electronic health records specialists is just over $44,090 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those working in physicians’ offices have an average salary of around $35,500, while those working in hospitals earn over $44,000 on average.

What type of test is the CEHRS certification exam?

The CEHRS certification exam is a multiple-choice test that consists of 110 questions. The exam must be taken at a PSI testing center, and you will be given 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete it.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you’ll receive (12) months to complete the course.

What if I don’t have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

The course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions and provide feedback on your performance. Occasionally, your course may be supported by a team of industry experts. You will also receive support from the student advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion. You will also be eligible to sit for the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) exam through National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). You will also receive certification exam vouchers and applicable study materials.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling. You may also receive assistance from our Externship Coordinator and access to an Externship Starter Kit included in your course.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the “Contact Us” form.

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