Medical Insurance Billing and Coding Degrees in Florida | Brevard Community College

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Medical Insurance Billing and Coding Degrees in Florida

Reviewed by Matt Buffington

More than 40 schools in Florida have medical insurance billing and coding programs. Read an overview of the 10 largest schools' programs, requirements and tuition info and find out which school is the right one for you.

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Medical Insurance Billing and Coding Programs in Florida

With the increase in technology and healthcare laws, medical facilities continue to rely on electronic health records. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that job opportunities for medical billing and coding specialists, also referred to as medical records and health information technicians, were expected to increase by 21% from 2010-2020. Many employers want applicants who have completed postsecondary training in medical billing and coding, and some may want job candidates who are certified.

Students in Florida can find a variety of medical billing and coding programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM). This type of training generally includes classroom instruction and clinical education where students obtain hands-on training working in medical office settings. Medical billing and coding instruction may be offered within certificate or degree programs and can also be found in health information technology (HIT) programs.

While these programs teach students medical office procedures, the main focus is on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding systems. Students can obtain certification through a variety of organizations, such as the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The 10 Florida schools outlined below offer medical billing and coding programs that can prepare students for certification and employment.

Brevard Community College

The medical information coder/biller program at Brevard College in Cocoa is available on a full- or part-time basis, with many courses available online. This 34-credit program can be completed in three semesters. Students complete courses in hospital coding/billing, ICD coding principles, CPT coding principles and computerized physician office billing. Hands-on training is obtained through a 240-hour practical experience in a healthcare setting. Graduates of this program can sit for the following certification exams: Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Professional Coder - Apprentice (CPC-A), Certified Professional Coder - Hospital Apprentice (CPC-H-A), Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Professional Biller (PCB).

Daytona State College

Daytona State College in Daytona Beach has two options for students interested in careers in medical insurance coding and billing. The three-semester medical information coder/biller program prepares students for certification exams and employment as medical coder/billers. Applicants must be high school graduates, pass a drug screening and complete a criminal background check a physical examination must be completed prior to starting the clinical portion of the program.

In addition to completing courses in college composition, human biology and Internet research, students take courses in CPT coding, billing and reimbursement methods, ICD-9/10 CM coding and introduction to health information management. Credits earned in this program can be transferred to the health information technology (HIT) associate degree program, which is also a limited access program. The 70-credit HIT program has many of the same admission requirements as the certificate program. Students must also complete two practical experiences to obtain hands-on training. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician exam.

Edison State College

Located in Fort Myers. Edison State College offers a two-year HIT associate degree program. This seven-term program typically requires three terms to complete the HIT prerequisite courses and four terms to complete the HIT core courses. To be eligible for this program, an applicant must take a placement test and complete the prerequisite HIT courses. Once accepted in the program, the student must complete a medical examination, criminal background check and drug screening, as well as attend a program orientation. The student must also have blood borne pathogens, first aid and CPR certification. In addition to coursework, the program requires completion of three professional practice experiences, in which the student is assigned to a healthcare facility or virtual lab simulation.

Florida State College at Jacksonville

The medical coder/biller program at Florida State College at Jacksonville is a limited-access program that includes lectures, lab courses and clinical education. Prior to starting this program, students must complete the following prerequisite courses: human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology for health professions and health insurance billing. While in the program, students complete courses in healthcare delivery systems, pathophysiology, health law, ICD-9-CM coding, CPT-4 coding and health insurance billing. Before starting the clinical component, the student must submit to a criminal background check and drug screening. Upon completion, students receive an applied technology diploma. The credits earned in this program can be transferred to the health information management associate degree program.

Hillsborough Community College

Hillsborough Community College in Tampa offers an office administration associate degree program with a medical office administration specialization. The program prepares students for careers as medical coders, medical records clerks or insurance processors. The 63-credit program includes courses in word processing, medical document production, electronic records management and medical terminology. Students may complete clinical practicum courses for coding and billing. On-the-job training is obtained by working at the school's Office Systems Technology Department and through internships at local businesses. Students must complete the following prerequisite courses: English composition, introduction to sociology, mathematics, general psychology and humanities.

Indian River State College

Located in Fort Pierce. Indian River State College offers an Associate in Science in Health Information Technology program that prepares students for careers in healthcare environments. To earn the degree, students must complete HIT courses, as well as general education courses. Topics of study include health information management, healthcare data analysis, CPT coding, electronic health record and technology, quality assessment and pharmacology. Students complete two professional practice experiences in a health information management department. Additionally, a capstone seminar course prepares students to take the RHIT exam.

Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College in Miami has a three-semester medical coder/biller program that students can complete in one year. This limited-enrollment program starts in January and August. Students complete coursework and participate in clinical education. Miami Dade College provides students with experienced faculty and state-of-the-art equipment. Course topics include healthcare billing and reimbursement, basic principles of disease, ICD coding systems, physician coding and advanced coding systems.

Palm Beach State College

The HIT associate degree program at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth is the only CAHIIM-accredited associate degree program in Palm Beach County. Students who complete this program are eligible to take the RHIT certification exam. The program is offered 50% on-campus and 50% online. The curriculum combines lectures and lab studies in courses like anatomy and physiology, applied inpatient coding, medical reimbursement and revenue, applied health informatics and healthcare data analysis. During the final semester, students complete clinical internships in medical settings throughout the county.

Seminole State College of Florida

Students interested in careers working in medical coding and billing or health information technology have two options at Seminole State College of Florida in Sanford. The medical information coder/biller: health information management certificate is an AHIMA-approved program requiring completion of 34 to 35 credits. Students develop medical coding and billing skills through evening and online courses internships are also part of the curriculum. The Associate of Science in Health Information Technology program consists of 70 credits and focuses on the transition from paper-based health records to electronic health records, as well as the transition from ICD-9 coding to ICD-10 coding.The associate program is also approved by CAHIIM.

If there are more applicants than seats, students are selected based on a point system that includes completion of general education courses cumulative GPA and healthcare work experience, industry certification or completion of the certificate program. The curriculum includes coursework and two practical experiences where the student gets hands-on training working with electronic health records and working in a health information management department of a healthcare facility.

St. Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College, which is located in Clearwater. offers a medical coder certificate program that prepares students to take the CCA certification exam. This program, which requires 34 credit hours, is offered completely online. Students complete courses in heath information technologies, basic and advanced ICD coding, basic and advanced CPT coding, medical terminology and pharmacology. Students also complete two professional practice experiences, which teach students about health records management, record filing and numbering systems, retention and retrieval procedures, coding patient records and typical workflow patterns. Credits from this program can be transferred to the health information management associate degree program.

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