Billing and Coding at a Glance
- Starting salary: $25,320
- Level of patient contact: Low
- Length of Program: Four semesters
- Program Location: Belleville Campus and
Sam Wolf Granite City Campus
- Program Starts: Spring and Fall semesters
- Full-time and Part-time schedules available
- Optional cross-training as a medical assistant
- Small class sizes enhance learning
- Prepare for Certified Professional Coder exam
- Must meet with program coordinator to enroll
More Information
After reviewing the information found on this page, students interested in the Medical Billing and Coding program should contact Program Coordinator Dana Woods.
Billers and Coders:
- Locate medical codes such as CPT and ICD codes
- Obtain insurance referrals
- Process insurance claim forms
- Bill third-party payers and patients
- Track insurance claims
- Write appeals on claims
Performance Essentials
To successfully complete the program and practice as a Medical Biller and Coder, student must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. Students are encouraged to meet with the Disability & Access Center to discuss potential issues associated with meeting these requirements.
Career Resources
The SWIC Career Activities and Employment Center offers a Career Mentor program, including job shadowing.
The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook provides additional career information.
A variety of employers are seeking individuals trained in Billing and Coding:
- Small and large group practices
- Dental offices
- Health clinics
- Hospitals
- Pharmacies
- Nursing homes
- Mental care facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Insurance companies
- Health maintenance organizations
Career Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor projects that medical information and claims processing will continue to grow much faster than other occupations throughout the year 2014.
Cross-training as a medical assistant in administrative and clinical duties frequently makes the medical biller and coder more marketable than individuals specializing in billing and coding only. In the local area, most offices do not have sufficient work to keep someone employed full time strictly in billing and coding.
Starting Salary
Starting salaries are about $25,320 annually, depending on the facility and the training and skills of the medical biller and coder.
Salary with Certification
Certified Professional Coders make approximately 5 to 10 percent more than non-certified coders.
Students must complete the following requirements before beginning program courses:
1. Complete the COMPASS placement test
The COMPASS placement test assesses skills in reading, writing and mathematics. COMPASS results must qualify the student to enroll in ENG 101 or greater and MATH 94 or greater.
To arrange a meeting with a counselor or obtain more information on the COMPASS program, call or visit a SWIC Counseling Center.
2. Computer Literacy Requirement
Students must fulfill a Computer Literacy requirement in one of the two following ways:
I. Pass the Computer Literacy Test with a score no lower than 75 percent.
The computer literacy test is available at any of the SWIC Testing Centers. Call to arrange an appointment and bring a photo ID on the day of testing.
Belleville Campus: 618-235-2700, ext. 5551
Sam Wolf Granite City Campus: 618-931-0600, ext. 7364
Red Bud Campus: 618-282-6682, ext. 8134
II. Complete the following computer courses:
- OAT 146 - Computer Applications for the Office
OR - OAT 130 - Word Processing Basics
AND
OAT 131 - Database Basics
AND
OAT 132 - Electronic Spreadsheet
3. Meet with the Medical Billing and Coding program coordinator
All students interested in the Billing and Coding program must meet with the program coordinator prior to enrolling in Medical Billing and Coding classes. For an appointment, contact Dana Woods.
The Southwestern Illinois College Medical Billing and Coding certificate program prepares graduates to submit claims to insurance companies or Medicare in order to receive payment for services provided to a patient by a medical doctor or other licensed health care provider.
Medical Billing and Coding Certificate
Medical Billing & Coding Certificate (021D) Course Sequence
This is a 28.5-credit-hour certificate program, which can be completed in four semesters.
The Medical Billing and Coding certificate allows students outside of the Medical Assistant program to gain recognition for completing the core courses of billing and coding. The curriculum is a component of the Medical Assistant program and includes medical terminology, medical office procedures, medical insurance and coding, clinical coding, business law, accounting and assigned clinical experiences.
Prerequisites may be required for some courses. Refer to the college catalog for specific course information.
General Education Courses
General education courses can be completed prior to admission. These courses can be taken at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City or Red Bud campuses. If general education courses are not completed prior to admission, they must be completed during the semesters indicated above.
Medical Billing and Coding Courses
Billing and Coding classes begin each fall and spring at the Belleville and Sam Wolf Granite City campuses. These courses are only offered during the day. Click the link above to view the course list.
Clinical Education Experiences
Students have a chance to put their classroom knowledge to work during two externships in area medical facilities:
- MA 192: Administrative Externship for 100 hours during the third semester of the program
- MA 243: Clinical Coding Practicum for 120 hours during the final semester of the program
Clinical experience courses are completed off campus in various settings. Students may be required to travel outside of the college district for clinical experience and must have background checks and drug testing prior to starting the clinical experience.
Belleville Campus Capacity
The Billing and Coding program generally accepts 10 students at the Belleville Campus each fall and spring semester.
Sam Wolf Granite City Campus Capacity
The Billing and Coding program generally accepts 10 students at the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus each fall and spring semester.
The Medical Billing and Coding program consists of general education courses, MA pre-fix courses and assigned clinical education experiences. Specific locations depend on the course type.
General Education Courses
These courses can be taken at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City or Red Bud campuses.
Medical Billing and Coding Courses
These courses are only offered at the Belleville and Sam Wolf Granite City campuses during the day.
Clinical Education Experiences
Students are assigned clinical experiences in the third and fourth semesters of the program. Clinical experience courses are completed off campus in various settings. Students may be required to travel outside of the college district for clinical experience and must have background checks and drug testing prior to starting the clinical experience.
Medical Billing and Coding Certificate
For details, see the Medical Billing and Coding cost sheet.
Full-Time Students
Students who enroll full time will attend school four to five days per week throughout the two-year certificate program.
Part-Time Students
If planning to attend part time, students must meet with the program coordinator to develop a schedule for program completion. Although students may take up to six years to complete the program, it is STRONGLY discouraged as many students have difficulty retaining knowledge of materials taught in earlier semesters.
Clinical Education Experiences
Whether attending full time or part time, all students must be available 30-40 hours per week to complete the clinical education portion of the program which is a total of 220 hours of practical experience.
The following criteria are required of students enrolled in the program and all information will be explained in detail at program orientation meetings.
Orientation and Performance:
Students who are given permission to enroll in this program must attend all required orientation sessions and be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. Students are encouraged to meet with the Disability & Access Center to discuss potential issues associated with meeting these requirements.
Insurance:
Auto and health insurance are required during clinical education courses. Students are personally responsible for any costs incurred for injuries occurring during their clinical experience.
Medical Requirements:
These requirements do not have to be fulfilled until they are explained at the orientation meeting. Medical Billing and Coding students will be required to show proof of immunizations, TB test and physical examination before beginning any clinical experience.
Background Check:
View background check and drug testing requirements. View a list of disqualifying convictions from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Graduation Requirements:
Student enrolled in the program must follow the requirements for graduation at the time they are admitted and must meet all course, program, degree and sequencing requirements specified. Students are responsible for program policies as listed in each year's MA Student Handbook. Students who fail to meet program specific requirements will be dropped from the program.
Certified Professional Coder Exam
After successfully completing 28.5 credit hours, students will earn a Medical Billing and Coding certificate and will be eligible to take the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam through the American Academy of Professional Coders. Although certification is not required to practice Billing and Coding, it is strongly advised as many employers require it.
Certification Benefits
Certified Professional Coders make approximately 5 to 10 percent more than non-certified coders.