Medical Billing and Coding
What Does a Billing and Coding Specialist Do?
Billing and Coding Specialists typically do the following:
Review and assign medical codes for diagnoses, treatments, and procedures.
Ensure codes follow insurance and regulatory guidelines (ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS).
Prepare and submit insurance claims for reimbursement.
Verify patient data and insurance eligibility.
Work with healthcare providers to clarify documentation for accurate coding.
Maintain patient records and uphold confidentiality (HIPAA compliance).
Stay updated on coding standards, billing regulations, and payer policies.
Medical Office Administration: Billing and Coding Diploma
The Houston Institute of Global Health’s accelerated Medical Office Administration: Billing and Coding Diploma is designed to get your career ready in just 6 months. You’ll dive into practical instruction on researching and assigning diagnostics and procedural codes to medical records, as well as processing medical bills, and includes overviews of common claim forms, medical terminology, and ethical issues for healthcare professionals. Plus, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience through a 135-hour clinical externship, where you’ll practice what you’ve learned in a real medical office setting. By the time you land your first job, you’ll be fully prepared to jump right in and make an impact from day one.
- 6 months*
- Online + Externship
- 660 clock hours/31 credits
- Online learning
Externship
Get real world ready with clinical experience in billing and coding.
Earn your credentials
Show your future employer that you’ve met the highest standards of preparation in the field.
Online format
All courses are completed online except for the externship.
Curriculum Overview
Graduates of the Medical Office Administration: Billing and Coding Diploma will be qualified to process patient data including medical records and related insurance. In this position, you will code a patient’s diagnosis and then request payment from the patient’s insurance company. You will play an important role in ensuring that healthcare providers are quickly and accurately paid for the treatment they give patients.
For course descriptions, see our course Catalog.
HST111
Medical Terminology | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
This course provides a logical understanding of the language of medicine. Basic prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and rules for taking a singular term and making it plural are studied, along with word analysis, word building, spelling, and pronunciation. These principles are applied to the study of the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscle/joints, blood, lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular. Each body’s system is reviewed with anatomy and physiology; diagnostic, lab, and surgical procedures; and pharmacology for interest and knowledge.
HIT135
Legal Aspects of Health Information | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
This course provides you with foundational legal theory related to health information management in a variety of healthcare settings. Topics of study include an introduction to U.S. laws and regulations pertaining to health information privacy and security, as well as legal, ethical, and compliance issues in health information management.
HST116
Human Structure and Function | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
In this course, you will survey the foundations of anatomy and physiology of the human body as they apply to the field of health science. Topics include the cells, tissues, organs, and functions of the various body systems. You will also be introduced to the organization and structure of the human body.
HIT215
Medical Coding and Insurance | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
This course provides an understanding of healthcare insurance billing and insurance concepts in practice today. It includes medical insurance billing theory and methodology, and covers specific reimbursement theories, healthcare concepts, and the practical application of third- party insurance rules.
HST200
Diseases of the Human Body | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
Studies include principles of vaccinations and disease prevention, chronic diseases, diagnosis and treatments, and economic impact. You will also learn about infectious diseases, disease etiology, symptoms, diagnostic tests, therapeutic methods, and disease prognosis. In addition, genes, mutations, inheritance, genetic diseases, cancer, and cancer treatments will be reviewed.
HIT220
Reimbursement Methodologies | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: HIT 215
This course will show students the reimbursement side of healthcare and the importance of correct coding and billing practices to both the facility and the patient. Students will gain insight into the various types of health insurance plans and also study compliance as it relates to reimbursement.
HIT253
Medical Coding I | 5 credits |
Prerequisites: None
This course surveys the basics of medical coding for inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings. Specifically, the format, conventions, and general guidelines for the ICD-10-CM, ICD- 10-PCS, HCPCS Level I/II, and CPT code sets are examined. You learn to apply appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes upon reviewing key health record information. Additionally, the course introduces clinical documentation improvement (CDI), compliance audits, and health information systems (i.e., CAC, encoders).
HIT255
Medical Coding II | 5 credits |
Prerequisites: HIT 253
This course explores advanced topics vital to the ethical, legal, and compliant practice of medical coding within inpatient and outpatient settings. You will examine case scenarios throughout the course using a problem-based learning approach. The course offers virtual laboratories on health information systems and technologies critical to quality coding practices in today’s digital world.
HIT292
Billing and Coding Practicum | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: Completion of all Program Requirements
This course is designed to build on the concepts and skills of program courses, specifically medical billing, and coding. You will gain practical experience in medical billing, coding, and administrative functions in both an online virtual lab setting and in a healthcare facility.
Support Beyond Graduation
We don’t just train you — we walk with you.
Every HIGH student receives:
- Resume and job interview coaching
- Access to externship-to-hire opportunities
- Community job board access
- Letters of recommendation and professional references
Our goal is to see every graduate working, serving, and thriving.
