Medical Coding and Billing

The Medical Coding and Billing blended program utilizes distance education courses along with on-campus training to prepare students for their new career, giving you the flexibility demanded by today's busy lifestyle. This program is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills required to become an entry-level Medical Biller and/or Coder including foundational courses in health insurance and diagnostic and procedural coding. Students complete coursework in the main medical diagnostic coding (ICD) and procedure coding (CPT) systems, as well as medical terminology, computerized medical billing and health insurance applications. The program also contains an externship which is completed in an outside facility. Upon completion, graduates may pursue entry-level jobs as Medical Billing and Coding Specialists, or related administrative positions in various allied health settings.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program graduates will have:

• An extensive medical vocabulary and understanding of medical terminology
• The ability to use the main diagnostic (ICD) and procedure (CPT) coding systems correctly to identify and code diagnostic components
• The ability to accurately process the various insurance claims and third-party reimbursements
• An understanding of medical ethics and patient communication skills necessary in any health care environment

American Institute encourages the applications of qualified students regardless of race, sex, color, religion or national origin. All applicants complete an on-campus personal interview with an admissions representative, which enables school administrators to determine whether an applicant is a qualified candidate for enrollment in the program. Parents, children and/or significant others are encouraged to participate in the admissions interview and tour the facility.

40 weeks (days) / 64 weeks (evenings). Total semester credits: 48. Total contact hours: 990. Delivered in a blended format combining online theory with on-campus training and an externship.

Prior to enrolling, prospective students are encouraged to explore the availability of financial aid funds through private, state and federal agencies. Financial aid information and application assistance are provided by Student Finance to help prospective students, and their families clearly understand the student's financial situation before entering a contractual agreement.

Many students supplement Title IV assistance or pay for their educational costs with other programs such as Veterans benefits, agency sponsorship, employer reimbursement or in-house financing. In general, financial aid is awarded based upon need. To assist applicants to complete their financing prior to beginning classes, the school makes available individual appointments for each applicant with a Financial Aid Advisor who will assist with form completion and answer questions that may arise.

Federal Student Aid (FSA) Programs

• Federal Pell Grant — A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) — A grant program for undergraduate students with exceptional needs, priority given to students with Federal Pell Grant eligibility.
• Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans — Low-interest loans; the interest is subsidized or paid by the federal government while a student is in school and during a six-month grace period after the student leaves school or graduates.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans — Not need-based; eligibility depends on a student's annual award year maximum and grade level.
• Federal Direct PLUS — Parents of dependent students may borrow to cover funds needed beyond base amounts, based on the credit history of the parent applying.
• Federal Work Study — Funds used to place students in community service or student services jobs, paying at least minimum wage, allowing them to work 10-20 hours per week; students must have an unmet financial need to qualify.

Additional sources of assistance include Vocational Rehabilitation, Veterans Benefits (including the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and Department of Defense Tuition Assistance), Employer Sponsorship, and institutional aid such as the Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut Student Scholarship and Support Grant (available to students in the Dental Assisting program).

Total program tuition is $18,995 (tuition only; any fees billed separately).

American Institute does not guarantee or imply the guarantee of employment or of any certain wage or salary as a result of attendance at or graduation from American Institute.

Career Services Specialists provide job search assistance. Job search assistance includes advising about job search strategies, assisting with résumé preparation and helping improve interviewing skills and may be provided individually, in groups or both at the discretion of the school. It also includes contacting employers on behalf of our graduates. However, no assurance is made that a specific (or any) employer contact will be made on behalf of you as an individual. About half of our graduates who are employed achieve this through contacts we make and about half through contacts they make. The best results are achieved by graduates who view the job search process, which typically takes several months but may take longer, as a personal goal, with assistance from the school, and who put as much effort into job search preparation and conduct as they did for school.

Placement assistance is offered to graduates; however, ultimately the securing of employment is the student's responsibility. Potential employers will consider many factors when hiring. These factors include but are not limited to a student's attendance, attitude, grades, work background, educational background, personal performance on an interview, and other intangible factors.

All graduates have the advantage of ongoing refresher training, resume preparation, and placement assistance during any scheduled school term. The Career Services Office functions as a referral center that attempts to match graduating students with positions in the local area.

American Institute (AI) is committed to excellence in education. It is our mission to provide quality distance and on-site education, realistic laboratory experiences, and hands-on experiences in field-appropriate facilities. AI enables students to develop and exhibit the professional skills, personal behaviors, and a record of reliability necessary to successfully obtain entry-level employment.

Classes at American Institute are offered in various modes of delivery, including distance education, residential, blended, externship and clinical courses. In 1924, American Institute, then known as Hartford Secretarial School, opened its doors to its first class of business students. Building on its distinguished past, American Institute remains committed to meeting the evolving demands of the job market.