Medical Billing and Coding

Mission.

This program involves the study needed to become a Billing and Coding Specialist to work in the healthcare arena. The courses focus on the CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 coding manuals. The rules and regulations of the most common healthcare insurance plans will be covered. The use of practice management software is applied for the medical billing cycle. Laws are reviewed that govern reimbursement. The program will prepare the graduate to be successful in the national certification exams.

Medical billers and coders may work in physicians’ offices, clinics, medical billing companies and medical practice groups. The positions may have titles such as medical coding specialist, insurance billing specialist, health insurance specialist or coder.

Program learning objectives.

• Discuss the anatomy and physiology of the human body and medical terminology.
• Extract information from documentation in the medical record for proper coding.
• Choose codes for diagnoses and for procedures and supplies.
• Prepare insurance claims and use claim follow-up and payment processing.
• Use practice management software to complete the tasks of the medical billing cycle.
• Apply the laws that relate to health insurance and ethically perform the duties of a medical coder and biller.
• Develop a confident and professional image to meet the changing needs of healthcare.

To be considered for admission into a degree or professional certificate program, students must be a high school graduate or have received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), Pennsylvania Home School Diploma or other recognized equivalency diploma. High School Students applying with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher may be considered for regular admission. Students applying with a GPA below a 2.0 in high school or from another college or university, if accepted, will be admitted conditionally. Please submit an application for admission and a copy of high school and/or college transcript(s). Some applicants may be required to attend a personal interview with the Admissions Office.

An admission essay may be deemed optional for all applicants whose GPA meets or exceeds the minimum for acceptance into the desired program. For certificates and degrees in the Schools of Humanities and Business, the minimum GPA for acceptance is 2.0. For most Health Sciences certificates and degrees, unless otherwise specified, the minimum GPA is 2.2.

In order to be successful in an online environment, students must have consistent and reliable access to a computer and reliable internet connection. Students are permitted to enroll in completely online degree programs during the program's scheduled enrollment availability.

Admissions Requirements.

A GPA of 2.2 or higher is required; applicants must also submit two reference forms. Applicants must have a passing GED to be accepted. Applicant must have successfully completed two units of science and one unit of math with a grade of C or higher. Only Central Penn College Medical

Assisting course credits may be transferred into the certification program if earned within one year of application. Medical Coding classes will be taken online through Central Penn College.

Online courses follow the College's year-round schedule of quarterly, 11-week terms. Students need reliable access to the internet and a computer capable of running current software; access to speakers, a microphone, webcam, printer, and scanner may be necessary for online courses.

This program has Winter and Spring and Fall starts. Upcoming start dates: January 11, 2027, April 12, 2027, October 11, 2027, January 10, 2028.

Tuition and fees. Undergraduate tuition is $525 per credit for all majors. A Student/Technology Fee of $510 per term (5 or more credits) or $315 (4 or fewer credits) is required. A one-time $150 graduation fee applies.

Certification and other costs not covered by tuition. The program prepares students to sit for the American Association of Professional Coders exam, which is $425 and is offered locally; it is not required nor part of the program.

Books and other expenses. Variable expenses per term (estimates): textbooks $350–$450; course material fees approximately $50–$150 per course; personal $150–$250; transportation $150–$300.

Financial aid. The catalog does not state whether this certificate is an eligible program for federal financial aid; contact the Financial Aid Office (financialaid@centralpenn.edu, 1-800-759-2727). To receive financial aid a student must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program and be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (4 credits). Central Penn’s FAFSA school code is 004890.

Payment options. Tuition and expenses are paid each term approximately three weeks before the term starts. Central Penn has a short-term three-month payment plan through CASHNet that divides the balance of the tuition owed by three payments; there is a $35 non-refundable application fee paid with the first payment. An Employer Reimbursement Tuition Agreement Plan lets students who receive tuition reimbursement from their employer defer payment until the specified dates.

Military benefits. Military benefits accepted include the Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veterans Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) and Yellow Ribbon Program, Dependents’ Education Assistance (Chapter 35) and Tuition Assistance.

Net price calculator. Use Central Penn’s Net Price Calculator at https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/centralpenn for an early estimate of your total annual cost.

Careers you can pursue. Certified Medical Coder, Medical Billing & Coding Technician, Medical Billing & Coding Specialist, Dental Insurance Coder, Practice Coordinator.

College-wide outcome. 89.2% of Central Penn graduates were employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation (graduates July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025; One-Year Graduate Follow-up Report published July 1, 2026).