This program is entirely online and delivered through Moodle as part of Workforce/Short-Term Continuing Education, with no on-campus requirements. While there are no scheduled class meetings, students must submit assignments weekly by the specified deadlines. Please note, this is not a self-paced course: late submissions are not accepted, and assignments will lock after the deadline. Completion of all assignments is required to pass the course.
Prerequisites:
- Students must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding, possess a basic understanding of word processing software (such as Microsoft Word), and have a strong command of English grammar and punctuation.
The Medical Billing and Coding program is offered under Workforce/Short-Term Continuing Education. Therefore, it does not qualify for financial aid. Students are responsible for paying the registration and textbook fees out of pocket or seek financial assistance from a third-party agency. Students are encouraged to contact local financial support services if assistance is needed.
Schedules are subject to change.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Each of the program’s courses must be registered for separately. Students must meet the prerequisite requirements for each course. Please review the information below prior to submission. View the individual course outline by clicking on the course name below.
- OST-3150A Medical Terminology
(144 hours/12 weeks) - OST-3150B Medical Billing *
(160hours/14 weeks)
Prerequisite:
Medical Terminology (or exemption approval)
*Please do not register for Medical Billing until you have completed Medical Terminology OR received an exemption from Mrs. Watlington.
The final course in the Medical Billing and Coding Program focuses on coding. Students can choose between the Outpatient Coding track, which prepares for the CPC Certification, or the Inpatient Coding track, aimed at the CIS or CCS Certification exams. While both courses may be completed, they cannot be taken simultaneously due to their complexity. It is recommended that you research the certifications to decide which aligns best with your career goals.
- OST-3150C Medical Coding – Outpatient
(200 hours/16 weeks)
Prerequisite:
Medical Terminology
Medical Billing - OST-3150D Medical Coding – Inpatient
(160 hours/14 weeks; NEW course)
Prerequisite:
Medical Terminology
Medical Billing
The CPC Exam Review course is an optional refresher for students who completed the Medical Coding Outpatient course within the last three years and are seeking additional preparation for the CPC exam.
- OSC-3030 CPC Exam Review
(80 hours/8 weeks)
Prerequisite: Completion of Medical Coding within the past 4 years
**Medical Billing may be taken concurrently with Medical Terminology; however, this is discouraged. Each course is rigorous and requires a minimum of 12-14 hours of study per week, per course. Students are still required to complete and pass weekly assignments by the deadlines.
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY; OST-3150A
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY; OST-3150A (144 hours/12 weeks)
Registration/Tuition – $180
Please register only if you are ready to complete your payment. Thank you for your cooperation.
Start learning the language of the medical field. You will learn terminology for the anatomy and physiology of all body systems, laboratory medicine, pharmacology, and major diseases as well as terms used in physical exams, operative procedures, and diagnoses. Other topics in the class include: definitions, spelling, commonly-used prefixes, suffixes, root words and combining forms.
Exemption Request: Students requesting an exemption from the Medical Terminology course must email Lori Watlington at lori.watlington@piedmontcc.edu an unofficial copy of college transcript. Telephone requests will not be accepted. Students must have completed Med Terms I and II, with a C or higher. Requests will not be accepted or reviewed without the submission of a transcript.
MED 121 and MED 122; or
OST 141 and OST 142
TEXTBOOK:
Essentials of Medical Language 2024 Release with Connect Access
$112.47 (plus tax). Connect Access with free access to the eBook
Important: On the first day of class, students will be directed to McGraw Hill to purchase the Connect Access package. An add-on option for a loose-leaf textbook will be available for $32 after purchasing Connect Access. While the loose-leaf text is recommended, it is not required.
Please purchase the textbook through the course; pre-purchases or purchases from other sources are not permitted.
| SECTION | DATE | LOCATION | SCHEDULE | REGISTER |
| CLOSED | Sept. 24 – Dec. 16 Registration Closes: Sept. 20 @ 12 p.m. | Online – Asynchronous | Assignments to be completed by weekly deadline. | CLOSED |
| 53258 | Jan. 14 – April 7, 2025 Registration Closes: Jan. 9 @ 12 p.m. | Online – Asynchronous | Assignments to be completed by weekly deadline. |  |
| Opens Jan. 15 | May 6 – July 29, 2025 Registration Closes: May 1 @ 12 p.m. | Online – Asynchronous | Assignments to be completed by weekly deadline. | |
| Opens July 7 | Aug. 26 – Nov. 18, 2025 Registration Closes: Aug. 21 @ 12 p.m. | Online – Asynchronous | Assignments to be completed by weekly deadline. | |
MEDICAL BILLING; OST-3150B
MEDICAL BILLING; OST-3150B (160 hours/14 weeks)
Registration/Tuition – $180
Please register only if you are ready to complete your payment and have completed Medical Terminology or received an approved exemption. Thank you for your cooperation.
This Medical Billing course introduces the revenue cycle, including the reimbursement methodologies, claim preparation, payer plans and requirements, and an introduction to medical coding. This course also gives students experience with the CMS-1500 claim form and a medical billing software for data entry and billing. You will have a basic understanding of how to abstract medical diagnoses from clinical documentation to accurately code diagnoses (ICD-10-CM) and procedures (HCPCS and CPT).
Once you have completed Medical Billing, you are equipped to test for:
Certified Professional Biller (CPB) – AAPC
Students may continue to Medical Coding and be equipped to test for the Dual CPC and CPB Certification through AAPC.
Prerequisite (completion of):
Medical Terminology (or exemption approval)
*Medical Billing may be taken concurrently with Medical Terminology; however, this is discouraged. Each course is rigorous and requires a minimum of 12-14 hours of study per week, per course. Students are still required to complete and pass weekly assignments by the deadlines.
TEXTBOOK:
Medical Insurance: A Revenue Cycle Process Approach
$112.47 (plus tax). Connect Access with free access to the eBook
Important: On the first day of class, students will be directed to McGraw Hill to purchase the Connect Access package. An add-on option for a loose-leaf textbook will be available for $32 after purchasing Connect Access. While the loose-leaf text is recommended, it is not required.
Please purchase the textbook through the course; pre-purchases or purchases from other sources are not permitted.
MEDICAL CODING – OUTPATIENT; OST-3150C
MEDICAL CODING – OUTPATIENT; OST-3150C (200 hours/16 weeks)
Registration/Tuition – $180
The increasing demand on healthcare providers requires medical offices to invest in highly skilled billers and coders for proper reimbursement. This course provides an in-depth study of diagnostic and procedural coding using ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II codes.
Upon completion, students will have the required knowledge to accurately code diagnostic and procedural services needed to sit for the following industry-recognized certifications:
Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam – AAPC
Dual CPC and CPB Certification – AAPC.
Prerequisite (completion of):
Medical Terminology (or exemption approval)
Medical Billing
TEXTBOOK:
Pro Fee Coder Bundle; $259.99 non-member price (plus tax and shipping); AAPC.
*Students planning to take Inpatient Coding once they complete Outpatient, may opt to purchase the Facility Coder Bundle.
Students purchasing the AAPC Membership during purchase of Coder Bundle will receive a discount. The link to purchase will be provided in Student Welcome Email, sent 10 days prior to start of course. Do not purchase until you have been instructed to do so. For more information on Manual updates, click here.
AAPC Membership; $222
Membership is required when scheduling the credential exam; however, students have the option to decide when to purchase the membership.
Let’s Code It!; 2024-2025 with Connect Access Card
$150.15 (plus tax) Connect Access with free access to the eBook
Important: On the first day of class, students will be directed to McGraw Hill to purchase the Connect Access package. An add-on option for a loose-leaf textbook will be available for $32 after purchasing Connect Access. While the loose-leaf text is recommended, it is not required.
Please purchase the textbook through the course; pre-purchases or purchases from other sources are not permitted.
MEDICAL CODING –INPATIENT; OST-3150D
MEDICAL CODING –INPATIENT; OST-3150D (160 hours/14 weeks)
Registration/Tuition – $180
This course will focus on advanced medical coding and billing for Inpatient Services. Students will learn to apply ICD procedure coding conventions and guidelines, Procedure Coding System (PCS) Table navigation, and application of codes. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationship between anatomy and physiology and the application of procedure codes by reviewing clinical documentation to determine procedure intent and extent.
Upon completion, the student will have the knowledge to sit for the following industry-recognized certifications:
Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) – AAPC
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) -AHIMA
Prerequisite (completion of):
Medical Terminology
Medical Billing
TEXTBOOK:
Facility Coding Bundle; $299.99 non-member price (plus tax and shipping); AAPC.
Students purchasing the AAPC Membership during purchase of Coder Bundle will receive a discount. The link to purchase will be provided in Student Welcome Email, sent 10 days prior to start of course. Do not purchase until you have been instructed to do so. For more information on Manual updates, click here.
AAPC Membership; $222
Membership is required when scheduling the credential exam; however, students have the option to decide when to purchase the membership.
ICD‑10‑PCS: An Applied Approach, 2025; AHIMA.
$105 (plus tax); ISBN: 978-1-939635-91-4
CPC Exam Review; OSC-3030
CPC EXAM REVIEW OSC-3030 (80 hours/8 weeks)
Registration/Tuition – $125
You’ve completed the Medical Coding Outpatient course that is required for the CPC (Certified Professional Coder) AAPC exam, but is it enough? Do you feel like you are ready? Have you taken the exam and failed and wish to review prior to retesting? Increase your chances of success with a focused online exam review.
Eligibility Requirements: Students must have successfully completed the Medical Billing and Coding courses within 3 years to be eligible. Students are required to submit copies of their unofficial transcript Lori Watlington via email after their submission of registration form. Upon approval, students will be sent payment instructions.
TEXTBOOK:
You Code It! Abstracting Case Studies Practicum
$112.47 (plus tax). This includes access to the Connect learning platform and a free eBook.
Important: On the first day of class, students will be directed to McGraw Hill to purchase the Connect Access package. An add-on option for a loose-leaf textbook will be available for $32 after purchasing Connect Access. While the loose-leaf text is recommended, it is not required.
Please purchase the textbook through the course; pre-purchases or purchases from other sources are not permitted.
Students will also need the following to sit for the Credentialing Exam:
- Pro Fee Coder Bundle; $259.99 non-member price (plus tax and shipping); AAPC.
2024 Edition valid for testing through December 31, 2024
2025 Edition valid for testing through December 31, 2025 (available for purchase December 2024)
*Students planning to take Inpatient Coding credentialing exam, may opt to purchase the Facility Coder Bundle.
Students purchasing the AAPC Membership during purchase of Coder Bundle will receive a discount.
AAPC Membership; $222
Membership is required when scheduling the credential exam; however, students have the option to decide when to purchase the membership.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The median annual wage for a billing and coding specialist is $53,690 – or $25.81 per hour. Click this link for more information. Jobs in the field include the following:
- Medical records coordinator
- Medical coder
- Medical coding specialist
- Medical records technician
- Health information specialist
- Medical records clerk
- Health care biller
- Billing specialist
Other Health and Wellness Programs
- Associate Degree Nursing
- BLS/ BLS Instructor Training & Heartsaver CPR/ First aid/ AED
- Cardiovascular Technician/Monitor
- Central Sterile Processing
- Cosmetology – Diploma/Certificate
- Emergency Medical Science
- EMT/ Paramedic Programs
- Healthcare Management Technology
- Medical Administrative Assistant EHR Specialist – Online
- Medical Assisting
- Medication Aide: Long-Term Care Facilities
- Medication Technician
- Nurse Aide I (CNA)
- Nurse Aide II (CNA)
- Nurse Aide Refresher
- Pharmacy Technician – Online*
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Practical Nursing
- Sonography (Coming Fall 2025)
