DCCC to Offer Healthcare Billing and Codiing Program

By Kathy Kepley
Davidson County Community College

August 3, 2011

Students enrolling in a Healthcare Billing and Coding program at Davidson County Community College this fall may qualify for employment in doctor’s offices and other medical facilities after four months of training.

The two-part continuing education class will be offered simultaneously at the college’s Davie Education Center in Advance and the Davidson Campus in Thomasville beginning Aug. 12.

The first part of the class, Medical Terminology, will be in an online format. The second course, Billing and Coding, begins Oct. 16 and will be taught face-to-face in classrooms. Offering the program at two sites saves participants time and money by having convenient locations to attend class in both Davidson and Davie counties.

As part of the training program, students will complete the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist Examination offered through the Americal Medical Billing Association. Certification confirms knowledge and credibility to the biller, to the potential healthcare provider and employer

“Advances in medical technology paired with the growing proportion of the baby boomer generation retiring has caused an upsurge in the number of healthcare-related jobs that are available and will become available in the next few years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2014 healthcare jobs are projected to increase dramatically and continue to increase for the next 50 years,” said Tami Sappenfield, Coordinator, Davie Education Center and a certified Global Career Development Facilitator and experienced career counselor.

An added benefit for students enrolled in the program is talking with representatives from medical billing agencies about careers in the field. Often, actual job interview are conducted. One such agency is EMS Management and Consultants Inc. of Lewisville.

“EMS Management and Consultants has hired many quality employees through our relationship with DCCC. We have found the Healthcare Billing and Coding programs at DCCC to be of high quality and very effective in preparing their students for employment in the medical billing field,” said Katie Manning, SPHR, Director of Human Resources.

Terry Brally, president of the Davie County Economic Development Commission, states that the healthcare billing and coding training is a great opportunity for individuals to receive short-term training and be to take advantage of the growth in medical-related jobs in Davie County and surrounding areas.

“Medical-related jobs have grown and will continue to grow not only in Davie County, but in the region as well,” Brally said. “The high level of accuracy in working in health records is absolutely essential and critical lto the overall effectiveness and success of hospitals and other healthcare facilities.”

Healthcare Billing and Coding prepares an individual for entry level positions including front desk medical office, patient access and medical receptionist. Students completing the training and obtaining certification could work at hospitals, doctors’ offices and billing companies. Course topics will include roles and responsibilities of billing and coding, managed health care, life cycle of an insurance claim, legal and regulatory considerations, coding regulations, reimbursement issues, claim instructions, medical terminology, filing, commercial claims, insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare and Workers’ Compensation.

Registration and technology fees for the program total $370, with an additional $254 cost for the course study guide and examination fee. All are payable at registration. Textbooks will be provided by the college as a resource and returned when courses are completed. Students using the college textbooks will need to purchase the course key for Medical Terminology for Healthcare Provides, available at the college bookstore or class site for approximately $40.

To be eligible to register for the program, prospective students must submit documentation of high school diploma or GED, placement scores for computer skills and reading and a Program Interest Form. Completed information should be returned to Diane Hedgecock on the Davidson Campus. She can be reated at 336-224-4791 or via e-mail at mdhedgec@davidsonccc.edu. Once the application file is complete, students may register.