The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” 
. Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” 
.
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” 
which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” 
, be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
Medical Coding and Billing Specialists are primarily responsible for submitting documentation of patient medical care to insurance companies. Duties include billing insurance companies and patients; collecting payment for services; and documenting tests, treatments, and procedures, using correct medical terminology—referred to as “coding.” This program provides the training that is required to perform these duties.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Upon completion of this program, applying knowledge of diagnostic and procedural codes, students will review patients' medical records and assign appropriate codes for reimbursement and billing purposes. Using a computerized patient billing system, students will enter patient and case information, process transactions and claims, create statements, and produce reports.
Icon Key
-
Gateway Course
-
Program Requirement
-
General Education -
Appropriate for
Intersession
-
Available Online -
Global Citizenship
NOTE: Noncredit Pathway Opportunities: The noncredit certificates of completion below can serve as a bridge into for-credit coursework in this program. Refer to www.smc.edu/noncredit for more information.
- Business Essentials Level 1: BUS NC 901 and 902
- Customer Service: BUS NC 911 and 912
- Receptionist: BUS NC 911 and CIS NC 902 and 903
Semester 1
15-17 Units
OFTECH 1 or 10 recommended
See the full list: Required Elective Course from "Keyboarding Courses" below
This course is designed to review principles of grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and number format; improve vocabulary and spelling; and develop proofreading and editing skills. Word Processing software is used to create and revise business documents.
This course is designed to develop medical vocabulary skills. Topics include word parts (roots, combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes), body structure, major body systems, and pharmacology. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) guidelines and Internet research tools are also discussed.
ACCTG 45/BUS 45 or MATH 18 recommended
See the full list: SMC GE Area IV-B Course
SMC GE Area IV-A Course 3 units
Semester 2
15-16 Units
The course introduces the basics of medical insurance billing and current payment methodologies in hospital and physician office settings. Students use MediSoft, a popular medical billing accounting software program, to enter patient and case information, schedule appointments, process transactions, and produce reports and patient statements.
Coding is defined as the translation of procedures, services, and supplies into numeric and/or alphanumeric components for statistical reporting and reimbursement purposes. This course introduces students to CPT, CPT Modifiers, and HCPCS coding procedures.
This course introduces students to information systems and their role in business. Topics include information systems, database management systems, networking, e-commerce, ethics and security, computer systems, hardware systems, and application software (word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation graphics). In this course, students develop computer-based solutions to a variety of business problems.
This course is an intensive study of the gross and microscopic structure of the human body including the four major types of tissue and their subgroups, and the following organ systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, nervous, and senses. Functions of the organ systems are included at the introductory level to prepare students for a course in Human Physiology. Laboratory assignments develop the skills of observation, investigation, identification, discovery and dissection. The use of actual specimens, including cat dissection and observation of a human cadaver, is emphasized to assure that students learn the relative structure, functions, textures and variations in tissues not incorporated in models. Supplemental materials such as models, photographs, charts, videotapes, and digitized images are also provided. This course is required for students preparing for many Allied Health professions including, but not limited to, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physical Education and Kinesiology Training, and Physician’s Assistant and is a prerequisite for Human Physiology 3.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 1
- 5B: Biological Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B2 - Life Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
This survey course explores the principles of biology using humans as examples. It includes introductions to the scientific method, cell biology, heredity, evolution, human ecology, behavior, and the major concepts of structure, function and pathology of most organ systems. The course may serve as an introduction to the future study of biology, including anatomy and physiology, or stand by itself as a non-lab life science course for general education students.
- Skills Advisory: ENGL 21B
- 5B: Biological Science
- B2 - Life Science
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
- Area I: Natural Science
This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
Semester 3
15 Units
Students develop skills in applying ICD-10-CM Codes to the following specialty areas: Introduction to Coding, An overview of the ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-CM Coding Conventions, Steps in Diagnostic Code Selection, Diagnostic Coding Guidelines, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Neoplasms, Diseases of the Blood and Blood Forming Organs, Endocrine, Nutritional, and Metabolic Diseases, Mental and Behavioral Disorders, Diseases of the Nervous System, Disorders of the Eye and Adnexa, Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process, Diseases of the Circulatory System, Diseases of the Respiratory System, Diseases of the Digestive System, Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue, Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue. Emphasis of this course is to analyze medical records case scenarios and to abstract accurate diagnostic conditions of the human body.
This course includes a detailed study of business applications using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet package. Topics include the commands, formats, and functions of Excel with emphasis on its use as a problem solving and financial analysis tool. Students will also learn to create macros, customize ribbons and tabs, and integrate Excel with other applications and the World Wide Web. Students will also have an introduction to writing Visual Basic code.
- Skills Advisory: CIS 4
- Skills Advisory: CIS 1 or
This course emphasizes essential administrative and clerical skills required to function in a health care environment. Topics of study include records management; insurance, coding, and finance terminology; billing, reimbursement, and collections; telephone and scheduling procedures; medical ethics, law, and compliance; computer usage in the medical office; written communications; and intercultural communications. Students are introduced to electronic billing and scheduling using Medisoft. Health care careers are also discussed.
SMC GE Area II-A Course 3 units
SMC GE Area II-B Course 3 units
Semester 4
15 Units
This course develops further skills in medical coding/billing. Students apply and evaluate expert level knowledge and experience in abstracting information from the medical records for diagnostic, (ICD-10-CM) and inpatient procedural medical codes, (ICD-10-PCS). Students abstract ICD-10-PCS for a variety of specialty areas such as General Surgery, Radiology, Pathology/ Laboratory, Obstetrics, Placement, Administration, Measuring and Monitoring, Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation, Oncology, Rehabilitation Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and New Technology Sections. Emphasis of this course is to interpret and apply accurate diagnostic conditions to inpatient hospital-based coding, filing health insurance claim forms, billing, collection, and payment procedures.
- Skills Advisory: OFTECH 25
This course discusses terminology, concepts, and procedures related to electronic health records and provides hands-on applications. Topics of study include advantages, core functions, data sources, workflow, coding standards, and privacy and security regulations of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Students use EHR software to input patient data, create patient records, document office visits, order prescriptions and lab tests, and perform other tasks involved in patient care and management.
- Skills Advisory: OFTECH 20
SMC GE Area III Course 3 units
Elective Course 3 units
Elective Course 3 units
Keyboarding Courses (3 units required)
3 Units
This course is designed to teach keyboard mastery by touch, improve speed and accuracy, and use Microsoft Word to create and revise business documents. Proofreading skill development is also included.
This course is intended for students without previous keyboarding instruction. Emphasis is on keyboard mastery, correct keyboarding techniques, and proofreading skills.
Students develop speed and accuracy. Emphasis is on using Microsoft Word to produce letters, memos, tables, and reports.
- Skills Advisory: OFTECH 1A or
- Skills Advisory: 25 wpm
Course content includes keyboard mastery by touch, correct keyboarding techniques, and proper formatting of letters, memos, reports, tables, and other kinds of personal and business communications.
- Skills Advisory: OFTECH 1B or
- Skills Advisory: 30 wpm
This course emphasizes speed and accuracy development, keyboarding technique, and proofreading skills.
Computers are used in all work environments. To function efficiently, computer users must be able to input data on a computer keyboard quickly and accurately. This course is designed to develop the computer keyboarding skills that are required to function in the workplace.
- Skills Advisory: OFTECH 1
- Skills Advisory: OFTECH 1C