Qualify for National Certifications
When you take part in Cal State East Bay’s Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program, you’ll acquire skills to solve insurance billing problems, manually file claims, complete common insurance forms, trace delinquent claims, and use generic forms to streamline billing procedures.
And by completing the program with the suggested practical work experience, you may be qualified to sit for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Exam, the Certified Professional Coder Exam (CPC or CPC-H Apprentice), the American Health Information Management Association's Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Exam, and other national certification exams.
Best in the West
Selected as a "Best in the West" college by The Princeton Review
Exam Prep
Nationally recognized program qualifies you to sit for professional certification exams
High-quality Instruction in a Convenient Location
Taught by nationally certified coders, you’ll receive hands-on instruction that is applicable in all areas of the medical billing and coding field. The program is held at CSUEB’s downtown Oakland Center, making classes easily accessible by car or public transportation.
When I first started the Medical Billing and Coding program, I was one of the few students who did not have a medical background. My instructor gave me hope and confidence. She was always resourceful and ready to help whether there were questions related to coding or regarding job search.
Join a Booming Field
Medical Billing and Coding is one of the fastest growing careers in the health care industry. The need for professionals that understand how to code health care services and procedures for third party insurance reimbursement is growing substantially. Physician practices, hospitals, pharmacies, long-term care facilities, chiropractic practices, physical therapy practices, and other health care providers all depend on medical billing and coding for insurance carrier reimbursement.
As a medical biller and coding professional, you’ll keep records, calculate patient charges, and review files. Typical duties include reviewing records, calculating charges for a patient’s procedure and service, and preparing itemized statements and submitting claims to third party payers.
You’ll be responsible for the collection of physician charges and patient data to ensure that claims are submitted to insurance carriers accurately and in the most efficient and expeditious manner. Additionally, as a medical coder you’ll determine codes for physician procedures and diagnosis - using ICD-10 and CPT-4 coding protocols - for third party billing purposes.
Occupational Trends
Employment of medical records specialists and health technologists and technicians is projected to grow 10.3 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
—QCEW Employees - Emsi
The median annual wage for medical records specialists and health technologists and technicians was $44,096 in 2020.
—QCEW Employees - Emsi
Most employers prefer to hire health information technicians who have professional certification.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Become a Medical Billing and Coding Expert
By earning your certificate from an accredited university, you’ll exhibit the finest level of knowledge and professionalism in medical billing and coding, making you a valued employee in the marketplace.
In fact, Cal State East Bay graduates have obtained positions as medical billers and coders in hospitals, medical clinics, physician's offices, insurance companies, and more. Others have gone on to take national certification exams, including the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Exam, the Certified Professional Coder Exam (CPC or CPC-H Apprentice), the American Health Information Management Association's Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Exam, and other national certification exams.
As a Cal State East Bay graduate, you will acquire:
The skills needed to complete common insurance forms and solve insurance problems.
The familiarity with CPT, ICD-10, and basic claims processes for medical insurance and third-party reimbursements.
An understanding of how to manually file claims using the CPT and ICD-10 manuals.
Familiarity with how to find the service and codes using the CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS manuals.
Expertise in tracing delinquent claims, appealing denied claims, and using generic forms to streamline billing procedures.
The completion of the course work helped me to gain a promotion and to work in the management level position that I currently work in.
Next, find out what you’ll learn in the program. »
Hands-on Instruction and Applicable Methods
As a student in CSUEB’s Medical Billing and Coding program, you’ll receive real-world experience by learning how to find service codes using professional coding manuals (CPT and ICD-10) and gaining applicable knowledge in the following areas:
CPT (introduction, guidelines, evaluation, and management)
Specialty fields (such as surgery, radiology, and laboratory)
ICD-10 (introduction and guidelines)
Basic claims process for medical insurance and third party reimbursement
What You'll Learn
Below is a detailed list of the lessons you’ll learn throughout your time in the program:
- Your career as an insurance coding specialist
- Documentation guidelines and legal issues affecting insurance claims and medical records
- Basics of health insurance and procedural coding
- Introduction to the CPT Manual
- Evaluation and management services
- Anesthesia/surgery, radiology and pathology/laboratory medicine
- Diagnosis coding
- CPT modifiers, E and V Codes, and late effects
- Introduction to international classification of diseases, clinical modifications, coding guidelines
- The health insurance claim form (CMS 1500)
- HIPAA and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
- Tracing delinquent claims and insurance problem solving
- Managed care systems, special plans and third party reimbursement, medicare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, Medicaid and other state programs, CHAMPUS and CHAMPVA, worker’s compensation, disability income insurance, and disability benefit programs
Program Format
The Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program is conveniently offered in the evenings at the downtown Oakland Center, which is easily accessible by car or public transportation.
Certificate Requirements
To earn your Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding, you must complete one required 12-week/80-hour course.
| Course | Units | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXTX 154: Medical Billing and Coding Certification Program |
Find out how to apply and join the program. »
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program is available to any interested student who has a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
No application is needed to enter this program. To get started, simply register for the course.
At Cal State East Bay, we pride ourselves on putting students first, from the moment you inquire until you graduate. We hope you've found answers to your questions in this support center, but if not, please get in touch.