Program Options

After initial orientation courses, the Healthcare Management Associates degree from OSU-OKC allows students to choose from three tracks for specialization as well as paths to gain micro-credentials in specific areas of study.

• Leadership Track

  For students who want to continue their education after graduation from OSU-OKC, the leadership track may be for you.  Students will learn about medical coding and medical billing without the advanced courses for certification.  

   

  Classes:

  Track 3
  Leadership		Credit Hours	Prerequisites
  Select any 3 credit hours from the following: Any HCM, ACCT, CIS, or MGMT course
  		3	Varies
  HCM 2193	Healthcare Leadership	3	HCM 1143, HCM 1153, HCM 2143, HCM 2153, HCM 2163 Pre/Co-req: HCM 2103

   

• Medical Billing Track

  The Medical Billing Track allows students to identify and navigate the healthcare reimbursement for services. Medical billers apply the codes from the medical coders to billing system, so insurers and patients are correctly invoiced. Attention to detail is important to avoid rejected claims or overcharging. Knowledge of the health plans, payer types, and healthcare regulations requires highly specialized professionals.  Medical billers are vital for the financial health of the business of medicine for physicians and provider organizations. Medical billers manage the claims through the revenue cycle process and may work remotely, depending on the healthcare organization.

   

  Classes:

  Track 1
  Billing		Credit Hours	Prerequisites
  HCM 1173	Healthcare Billing	3	[W] HCM 1103, BIOL 1012
  HCM 2123	Advanced Healthcare Billing	3	HCM 1173

   

• Medical Coding Track

  The Medical Coding Track teaches students the essentials of medical coding for procedures and diseases. Medical coders work with patients’ healthcare records to ensure that every diagnosis and procedure is assigned an accurate code. These alpha-numeric codes represent documents, descriptions of diseases, conditions, and procedures and allow for proper reimbursement. The training program within this field often includes courses in several key coding systems, current procedural terminology (CPT), international classification of diseases (ICD), and the healthcare common procedure coding systems (HCPCS). Medical coders may work remotely depending on the healthcare organization.

   

  Classes:

  Track 1
  Billing		Credit Hours	Prerequisites
  HCM 1183	Healthcare Coding	3	[W] HCM 1103, BIOL 1012
  HCM 2183	Advanced Healthcare Coding	3	HCM 1183

   

Microcredentials

Are you considering a career as a medical biller or a medical coder? These positions are crucial to the smooth operation of the healthcare industry, making sure that records are accurate and medical services are billed correctly. 

 

Medical billers and medical coders work in many healthcare environments such as large hospitals, small private practices, and health insurance companies. These positions include entering standard industry codes into electronic health records and billing systems, making sure the process runs smoothly for both patients and providers. Medical coders work with patients’ healthcare records to ensure that every diagnosis and procedure is assigned an accurate code. These alpha-numeric codes represent documents, descriptions of diseases, conditions, procedures and allow for proper reimbursement.  Medical billers apply these codes to billing system, so insurers and patients are correctly invoiced. Attention to detail is important to avoid rejected claims or overcharging. Medical billers and coders are expected to know not just the coding systems, but also how ethics relate to billing/coding, the importance of accuracy, and how the medical billing process works. 

 

If you’re ready for a career change and want to work in the healthcare field, consider working as a medical biller or medical coder. By ensuring everything is billed and paid correctly, you can make a difference in the lives of patients and providers. 

 

Medical Billing and/or Medical Coding microcredentials are embedded in the Healthcare Management Associates degree. If students are not currently seeking a degree, the courses are accredited and available for application to a degree process or transfer in the future.

 

For more information, contact:

Dr. Cindy Akkerman, MBA, MBA-HCM, CPC, CPB, CPPM, CRC, CPC-I
Department Head, Healthcare Management
School of Health Sciences
(405) 945-6797
cindy.akkerman@okstate.edu