Health Information Technology, Technical Certificate (Medical Insurance Specialist)

Degree: Technical Certificate

Emphasis: Medical Insurance Specialist

The Medical Insurance Specialist Technical Certificate program prepares individuals to follow billing procedures, basic coding, insurance guidelines, medical terminology, and regulatory changes for insurance billing at entry-level competencies for insurance billers in various healthcare settings. Employment of individuals with these skills is essential for healthcare providers, whether the provider is a physician, clinic, hospital or nursing home. A concentrated amount of time is dedicated to those skills to provide the students with optimal knowledge and skill to function in the marketplace. The program is designed to offer a wide variety of learning experiences including classroom lecture, computerized software and clinical practicum.

This program is designed for the student who does not intend to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.

Admission, Retention and Graduation Requirements

1. All students admitted into the Medical Insurance Specialist Technical Certificate program will meet the same criteria as established for any technical certificate program offered by Walters State Community College. Primary among these criteria is graduation from high school or a passing score on the GED assessment.
2. Indicate Medical Insurance Specialist as the desired major on the WSCC application form.
3. Each student enrolled in the Medical Insurance Specialist Certificate program will be monitored, advised and counseled. Student’s grades will be evaluated at the end of each semester by the director of the medical insurance specialist program. A student must maintain the following standards or be dismissed from the program: (a) a grade of “C” or better in each course; (b) complete designated prerequisite/co-requisite courses.
4. Program graduation requirements include the successful completion of the courses listed below with a minimum grade of “C” in each course.
5. In addition, admission into an allied health program requires the following: (a) a completed physical health form; (b) evidence of malpractice liability insurance; and (c) a signed and dated Acknowledgement of the Drug/Alcohol Abuse Policy and Consent forms. These requirements are at the student’s expense. Deadlines are announced in class.