Health Information Management, Billing and Coding
Our HIMBC programs prepare students for entry-level positions in medical insurance, billing and coding, as well as in medical office administration. Both the diploma and degree programs cover the basics of medical billing and coding, along with healthcare administration topics.
Learn about our HIMBC programs and how they can prepare you for a new career path in healthcare.
Program Overview
Campus vs Online
Blue Cliff College offers a Diploma in Health Information Management, Billing and Coding both on campus and online. You may choose between either Blue Cliff College’s On-Campus HIMBC Diploma program with an Externship or the Online HIMBC Diploma program with the Capstone Course. A Capstone Course takes all of the skills learned during the duration of the program and applies them to simulated real-world tasks commonly found in the workplace. An externship is offered in the on-campus class to help students refine their skills in a real-world medical office setting.
Diploma vs Degree
Blue Cliff College offers a Degree in Health Information Management, Billing and Coding, online only. Once you have completed a diploma program for HIMBC, then you may qualify for our Online HIMBC Degree Program. A HIMBC or similar diploma is the prerequisite to enrolling in the HIMBC Degree Program.
The degree program provides additional, advanced training in HIMBC, along with general education requirements common to an associate degree program.
If you are just beginning your academic journey, consider enrolling in the HIMBC diploma program. And when you are ready to pursue more advanced professional goals consider continuing your education with our HIMBC degree programs.
What does a HIMBC Specialist do?
HIMBC Specialists organize, manage, and code health information data. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, HIMBC Specialists typically perform the following duties¹:
- Electronically record data for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting
- Use classification systems to assign clinical codes for insurance reimbursement and data analysis
- Review patients’ records for timeliness, completeness, and accuracy
- Organize and update patient information in clinical databases or registries
- Maintain confidentiality of patients’ records (HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
Those in health information management occupations regularly work with nurses and other healthcare professionals – making them an integral part of any medical facility. The Blue Cliff College HIMBC Diploma program is designed to help you get these skills in engaging classes along with hands-on training.
How long is HIMBC Specialist training?
Here are the normal completion times for each HIMBC Program:
- HIMBC Diploma Campus Day (65 Credit Hours) 12 months
- HIMBC Diploma Campus Night (65 Credit Hours) 15 months
- HIMBC Diploma Online (65 Credit Hours) 15 months
- HIMBC Degree Online (99 Quarter Credit Hours) 7.5 – 9 months
Students who have completed the online HIMBC Diploma Program with Capstone may transfer in 65 credit hours and are not required to repeat the Capstone as they complete their online HIMBC Degree. The normal completion time is 7.5 months.
Students who have completed the on-campus HIMBC Diploma Program without the Capstone may transfer in 59 credit hours and will be required to take the Capstone as they complete their online HIMBC Degree. The normal completion time is 9 months.
The Capstone course is required in the degree program as it is also a certification preparation course.
Upon successful completion of the program and all other graduation requirements, a diploma or degree in Health Information Management, Billing and Coding will be awarded, respective to the program.
What will you learn in HIMBC Specialist training?
The Blue Cliff College Health Information Management, Billing and Coding Diploma program allows students to learn about the technical skills, various software applications, and basic operations of medical office administration. The health information management curriculum teaches students the skills they may need to keep medical offices running smoothly and efficiently. These skills could possibly help our students in their potential career path in health information management occupations.
Blue Cliff College’s HIMBC Specialist program includes:
- Introduction to Health Management
- Medical Terminology 1
- Anatomy and Physiology 1
- Medical Administrative Procedures
- Introduction to Data Management
- Health Information Security and Privacy
- Medical Terminology 2
- Anatomy and Physiology 2
- Medical Coding and Billing 1
- Reimbursement Methodologies
- Electronic Health Records 1
- Medical Forms and Insurance
- Pharmacology for Health Information Management
- Patient Billing and Collection Process
- Electronic Health Records 2
- Medical Coding and Billing 2
- Medical Coding and Billing 3
- Professional Development
- Externship
Graduates of the Blue Cliff College Health Information Management, Billing and Coding (HIMBC) diploma program may be eligible to apply to continue advanced training in the Blue Cliff College Health Information Management, Billing and Coding (HIMBC) Associate Degree program.
Blue Cliff College’s HIMBC Specialist Degree program includes all the courses in the HIMBC Diploma Program, plus these additional classes:
- Health Information Research
- Oral and Written Communication
- Advanced Software Applications
- Business Math
- Advanced Billing and Medical Coding
- Quality Assurance
- Chart Auditing
- Health Statistics
- Principles of Management
- Capstone* – this course is not required if previously completed in the online HIMBC Diploma Program.
The degree program includes general education courses and advanced billing and coding classes. This could help to prepare students for leadership and advanced roles in this field. While other work experience and certifications will also play a role, degree holders could earn $5-$8 more per hour.
Where do HIMBC Specialists work?
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook HIMBC Specialists typically work full time and may work days, nights, or weekends depending on the hours of the medical facility². The top five employers of HIMBC Specialists are:
- 33% – Local, Private, and State Hospitals
- 10% – Physicians Office
- 7% – Local, Private, and State Educational Services
- 6% – Federal Government
- 5% – Professional, scientific, and technical services
The HIMBC program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in the healthcare field as a coding specialist, insurance claims specialist/representative, front desk/receptionist and billing and collections.
What is the Job Outlook for HIMBC Specialists?
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of HIMBC Specialists to grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030³.
What is the Total Cost of the HIMBC Program?
| Diploma Programs | Degree Program | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Campus | Day |
Campus | Night |
Online |
Online |
|
Program Length: |
9 Months |
15 Months |
15 Months |
7.5 – 9 Months |
|
Tuition: |
$23,468 |
$23,468 |
$23,468 |
$37,347 |
|
Supplies & Fees *: |
$1,891 |
$1,891 |
$1,891 |
$1,261 |
|
Estimated Total: |
$25,359 |
$25,359 |
$25,359 |
$38,608 |
Effective July 10th
*For a list of books associated with this program, ISBN, and price click here.
Program availability and times vary by campus.
Financial Aid is available for those that qualify.
HIMBC Specialist Training Near Me
The HIMBC Diploma Program is also offered at the following campus locations:
The HIMBC Diploma Program and the HIMBC Degree Program are offered through our online campus. No matter where you live in Louisiana or Mississippi, as an online student you can take advantage of Blue Cliff College’s Online Campus.
More about Careers in HIMBC Specialists
For more information about a career as a HIMBC Specialist, please visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET website.
Standard Occupational Code (SOC):
29-2072.00 – Medical Records Specialists
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP):
51.0713 – Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/Coder
Program Specific Application Requirements
None. See Blue Cliff College’s college admissions process here.
Licensing Information and Accreditation
State requirements and licensing may vary from state to state. Blue Cliff College is:
- Licensed by the Mississippi Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration. Certificate No. C-736
- Licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Regents
- Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is a recognized accrediting agency by the US Department of Education.
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