6155 - Medical Information Coder/Biller (T.C.)

This is a Limited/Selective Access program.

Creating competent, ethical, and confident entry-level health care practitioners committed to professional development through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory, and supportive learning environment.

The Medical Information Coder/Biller program is a 37 credit hour college credit certificate. Upon program completion, students will have the technical skills needed to enter the healthcare delivery market as an entry-level medical coder/biller.

Students enrolled in the Medical Information Coder/Biller program learn the fundamentals of: health information management processes, legal aspects of health care and reimbursement methodologies; biomedical sciences, including medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology; and inpatient and outpatient medical coding, including ICD, HCPCS, and CPT coding systems and how to use them. The program is a combination of professional courses including lecture, laboratory, and clinical education components.

Health information coding is the transformation of verbal descriptions of diseases, injuries, and procedures into alphanumeric designations. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded a technical certificate.

A minimum grade of C or higher must be achieved in all professional coursework.

Applicants must:

1. Be currently enrolled or a former Florida State College at Jacksonville student.

2. Complete the required prerequisite coursework with a grade of C or higher:

   1. BSC 2085C - Human Anatomy and Physiology I

   2. BSC 2086C - Human Anatomy and Physiology II

   3. HSC 1531 - Medical Terminology (for Health Professions)

3. Maintain a 2.0 GPA.

4. Complete the Medical Information Coder/Biller application.

5. Submit official high school transcript or general education scores.

6. Submit a reflection essay.

7. Submit verification of health-related work experience (if applicable) typed on employer letterhead including the dates of employment, specific health-related duties performed and the number of hours worked per week.

8. Submit verification of volunteer service (if applicable) typed on the organization’s letterhead.

Applicants will be ranked on the quality points earned in the four courses listed above. Students who verify work experience in health information technology will earn two points per year, up to a maximum of six points.

Note: Admissions preference is given to fully qualified candidates who have met all entrance criteria, including the satisfaction of prerequisite courses. Should seats remain available in the program cohort, applicants who fulfill admissions criteria prior to the start of the program will be considered next.

The application deadline is February 15 of each year with classes starting in the Summer term.

(904) 646-2300 or hcic@fscj.edu.