Santa Clarita, Calif., February 20, 2020 — Animal Behavior College, a leader in vocational pet services education and training for more than 20 years, today announced it has expanded its offerings to include professional support training in one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. – healthcare. Apex Career School (ACS), a new subsidiary of the college, will offer students certifications in the areas of Medical Billing and Medical Coding.
Both courses are currently open for enrollment.
“Our goal is to help students realize their potential and reach their goals,” said Steven Appelbaum, president and CEO of Animal Behavior College. “When students request new programs, we listen. Over the past decade, the healthcare industry has added 2.6 million jobs nationwide. We know that the best and most educationally valuable programs are those that upon completion offer graduates, viable career opportunities. And there is currently much demand for graduates of these two flagship distance-learning programs.”
The Medical Billing Course teaches students how to accurately ensure that the healthcare facility they represent is reimbursed for all services rendered to patients. Students learn reimbursement methodologies for proper medical billing and how to correctly submit claims. All enrollees receive materials including the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) Professional Edition codebook, International Classifications of Diseases, the Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codebook, and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II Professional codebook. With the assistance of an assigned Certified Professional Biller (CPB) instructor, students learn medical billing basics, how to bill across various platforms, health insurance models, how to process workers’ compensation claims and prepare invoices.
“The course, which can be completed in as little as nine months, prepares students to take the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) examination through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) upon completion,” Appelbaum said. “When they pass the exam, they are awarded Certified Professional Biller certification.”
The Medical Coding Course teaches medical terminology, so coders know which numeric and alphanumeric codes to apply when entering data into patient records and billing programs. Using universal identifier codes for everything from diagnosis, illness and injury to surgical procedures and treatments, coders, simplify communication between healthcare providers, insurers and governmental agencies. Students receive the same materials as Medical Billing Course students, learn medical terminology, human anatomy, radiology, and medical coding procedures, and are assigned a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) who grades assignments and answers questions. The 9 to 12- month course prepares students for the final examination and a Certificate of Completion in Medical Coding from Apex. Students may then take the CPC exam from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). If they pass and complete the practicum, they are then eligible to achieve full CPC status.
Doctors’ offices, surgery centers, public health facilities, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and many other facilities employ medical billers and coders. Employment of medical billers and coders, commonly referred to as medical records and health information technicians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028 much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The aging Baby Boomer population (72.6 million people) is driving the demand for more healthcare services. Medical facilities are finding it increasingly necessary to maintain electronic health records to better track patients’ medical and treatment histories and eliminate any billing or coding inaccuracies.
For more information and to enroll, call 888-640-6223 or visit Apex Career School.
About Apex Career School
Apex Career School (ACS) puts education first with a focus on each student’s career success within a specifically targeted vocational industry. A subsidiary of Animal Behavior College, ACS offers students opportunities to pursue viable careers in growing industries. All curriculum is available online and conveniently accessible for working students who are looking to change careers to ones that are in high-demand sectors.