This course will cover the basic principles and concepts of medical billing and coding:
A Medical Billing and Coding Specialist is a valued professional who plays a crucial role in healthcare settings. This professional applies knowledge of medical record information and transforms data into the universal language reimbursed by health insurance carriers. This career path highly supports remote work flexibility, allowing individuals to earn a good salary, make a difference in patients’ lives and become specialized within one year of certification completion.
The medical records and/or health information specialist typically perform the following duties:
UT San Antonio Professional and Continuing Education offers the Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certification for all individuals interested in entering the healthcare medical reimbursement industry at an entry level with a high desire to learn and advance within healthcare settings.
MBC is offered as post-secondary training and requires passing the certification process through the National Healthcareer Association® (NHA).
The demand and high projection growth rates for the Medical Billing and Coding program aim to provide favorable job opportunities for future students. The certification of this technical role is a valuable asset to the healthcare profession. The job responsibilities require a significant commitment to practice, retention, and performance as the certification goes beyond the ability to code medical health records.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist has been a target occupation in the geographical areas serviced by UT San Antonio and is in high demand in the Workforce Solutions Alamo strategic plan for Economic and Workforce Analysis, 2021-2024.
According to the Texas Workforce Commission, Medical Billing and Coding, a part of the Health Information Technician field, is projected to grow 18.5% from 2020 to 2030 in Texas, which includes an increase for healthcare services with the increase of the state's aging population.
Online Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) Training is delivered virtually over sixteen consecutive weeks for a total of 112 hours. The cohort meets with the online instructor two days a week for three hours.
Medical Terminology and Anatomy & Physiology are foundational learning courses essential to student success in all allied health programs.
This course introduces health insurance and reimbursement and familiarizes students with the health insurance industry, legal and regulatory issues, and differences in reimbursement methodologies.
The Coding Certification Review course provides the learning outcomes for students to master certification, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate mastery of the course content.
Yolanda G. Villanueva is an instructor of the Medical Billing and Coding Certification program at UT San Antonio. Her teaching experience began at the Alamo Colleges District Northwest Vista campus in 2017. It continued with the Integrated Basic Education Skills Training (IBEST) program, where she successfully maintained an above-average student pass rate for the certification program and assisted in the student’s advancement in the healthcare industry.
With over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry in the greater San Antonio area, her current position includes working as a Medical Coding Compliance Specialist for the Department of Defense, applying medical coding, healthcare compliance, risk analysis, health systems implementation advisor, clinical documentation auditor, and revenue cycle performance analyst. She previously held key positions in Medical Business Management for sixteen years, where she recruited and trained all medical insurance reimbursement staff.
Steven Carpenter is an instructor of the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist Course at UT San Antonio. He began his teaching career at the University of the Incarnate Word in partnership with Career Education Services and the Alamo Colleges District, San Antonio, in 2018, instructing over 200 students to achieve their certifications to work in healthcare clinics and hospitals.
His healthcare experience includes 24 years of military service with the United States Army as an enlisted Medical Specialist and a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Medical Service Corps. He graduated from the United States Army – Baylor University Master’s Program in Healthcare Administration and has a master’s degree from the United States Army War College in Strategic Studies. He also holds a master’s degree in Computer Resources Management from Webster University.
You do not need a college degree to obtain employment as a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist. However, employers seek individuals who have training from a reputable Medical Billing and Coding Specialist program like that offered by UT San Antonio.
A Certificate of Training from UT San Antonio and NHA Certification make you a more desirable job candidate. Employers prefer or even require applicants to have completed a reputable training program and certification before consideration for a job position. Our course outline will ensure our students are competitive for the 34,288 jobs that exist within the 28 employment regions within the state of Texas.
The Certified Professional Coder provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) ascertains that you have the fundamental knowledge needed to excel in this healthcare industry. Students can attain a certificate of completion from UT San Antonio and sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) certification from the NHA upon program completion.
The UT San Antonio Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist training program currently costs $3,695. Tuition includes the National Healthcareer Association Certified Billing and Coding Specialist exam voucher. Payment plans, continuing education loans, employer funding and workforce funding options may be available to eligible students. Review the current registration information for the latest tuition and payment deadlines.
The UT San Antonio Medical Billing and Coding program is completed over 16 consecutive weeks and includes 112 hours of training. Students typically attend live virtual classes two evenings each week for three hours per session. Additional time outside class may be needed to review course materials, practice coding and prepare for the national certification examination.
Students learn medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, health insurance, reimbursement, electronic and paper claims, and the healthcare revenue cycle. The program teaches students to assign diagnosis and procedure codes using ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT and HCPCS coding systems. Coursework also covers HIPAA, medical documentation, electronic health records, Medicare, Medicaid, fraud prevention, regulatory compliance and certification-exam preparation. You can also explore how artificial intelligence is changing medical billing and coding work.
Previous medical billing, coding or healthcare experience is not required to enroll in the UT San Antonio program. The training is designed for individuals interested in entering the healthcare reimbursement field at an entry level. A high school diploma or equivalent is required to qualify for the National Healthcareer Association certification process. Students should also be prepared to participate in online classes and complete independent study.
Yes. The program prepares students to sit for the National Healthcareer Association Certified Billing and Coding Specialist, or CBCS, certification exam. The curriculum includes medical terminology, insurance and reimbursement, diagnosis and procedure coding, regulatory compliance and a dedicated certification review course. The NHA CBCS examination voucher is included in the current program tuition. For a step-by-step overview of the career pathway, read how to become a medical biller and coder in Texas.
Yes. The Medical Billing and Coding training is delivered through live virtual classes, allowing students to participate online while receiving real-time instruction and guidance. Students will need a reliable computer, internet access and Microsoft Office Suite. Although the training is virtual, the NHA certification examination is administered at the UT San Antonio Downtown Campus.
Medical coding involves reviewing healthcare documentation and translating diagnoses, treatments and procedures into standardized codes such as ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS. Medical billing uses those codes to prepare and submit insurance claims, verify coverage, process payments and resolve reimbursement issues. Many healthcare employers seek professionals who understand both functions, which is why the UT San Antonio program provides combined training in medical billing and medical coding.
The program does not include formal job placement services or a dedicated career-development unit. However, instructors may discuss practical job-search topics throughout the training, including resumes, interviews, employment opportunities and expectations within the medical billing and coding field. Graduates may pursue entry-level opportunities with hospitals, physician offices, outpatient centers, insurance companies, nursing facilities and other healthcare organizations. Some medical billing and coding positions may also offer remote-work opportunities.
Certification exam administered at UT San Antonio Downtown Campus
CBCS training offers financial assistance in payment plans, SA: Ready to Work grants, and continuing education loans..
