Health Services Administration - Medical Insurance, Billing, and Coding
Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

Students study the American healthcare system, its structure and operations, the forces responsible for shaping it, and the policies influencing its current and future performance.

Provides a solid foundation and understanding of the medical language used by healthcare professionals. This is accomplished through the introduction, reinforcement, and combining of medical word parts including prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms. Emphases are on word building, analysis of parts of the word, abbreviations, spelling, and correct pronunciation of various body systems including the musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, and integumentary, as well as the senses.

Students continue to develop their understanding of the medical terms that are used regarding various body systems. There is an emphasis on combining word parts (prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms) to create full medical terms including the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, lymphatic, and reproductive systems.

Prerequisite: HEA200

An introduction to the principles of law as applied to the healthcare field. Students learn ethical standards and issues as related to healthcare.

An introduction to the development of medical nomenclature and classification systems. Topics include coding of diseases and procedures, an overview of coding systems, and basic coding rules and conventions.

Students learn about inpatient coding, the assignment of DRGs, the relationships of coding to reimbursement, and selected nomenclature and classification systems.

Prerequisite: HEA210

Provides the effective health communication skills that are necessary for employment and success in health services, including writing accurate and concise health reports, familiarization with vocabulary of terms commonly used, and verbal communication.

Explores current and emerging uses of technology in the health services industry. Students learn how to use industry software for medical office management, billing, and coding.

Prerequisites: CIS115, HEA101

Allows students to work in a position related to their course of study. Students integrate the skills and knowledge learned through their academic experiences and participate in focused online discussions and special online projects.

Prerequisite: BUS226

Covers basic financial accounting elements, definitions, and statements. Students learn how to read and understand financial statements and how to use them in making financial business decisions.

Explores the nature and scope of business, examines its component parts, and describes how businesses are organized and managed. Students will learn about the various internal and external forces that comprise our business and economic system.

Explores career development opportunities and strategies. Stresses entry-level job requirements and upward career paths. Covers resume writing skills, interviewing techniques, and the importance of professionalism. Continues the student's orientation to Berkeley College’s computer framework, which includes content collection and compiling a professional e-portfolio.

An introduction to computer technology with an emphasis on applications. Students learn how to use software packages, such as Microsoft Windows, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Includes an orientation to Berkeley College’s computer framework, which includes Blackboard, content collection, and portfolio development.

An introduction to expository writing through a comprehensive survey of forms of composition. Students are taught to use words with precision and strengthen their understanding and application of grammatical and rhetorical principles. Students are encouraged to appreciate and incorporate the principles of academic and professional writing.

Strengthens the writing, reading, and interpretive abilities introduced in ENG105. Encourages students to develop an appreciation and understanding of various works of literature and utilize literature to enhance critical thinking and writing.

Prerequisite: ENG105

Designed to help students improve oral communication skills. Emphasis is placed on identifying good and poor speech habits, techniques for improving speech, oral interpretation, effective speech planning and delivery, and interpersonal communication.

Prerequisite: ENG106

Study of the structure, function, and pathology (disease) of the human body. Students are introduced to various body systems including the musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, and integumentary, as well as the senses.

Students continue to develop their understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology (diseases) of the human body. Topics covered include the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, lymphatic, and reproductive systems.

Prerequisite: SCI223

An introduction to the study of macroeconomics. Provides a brief history of economics, from Adam Smith to the present. Students will learn the theories of contemporary macroeconomics, as well as their application and impact in today’s world.

An introduction to the basic principles of psychology and their direct application to the understanding of human behavior. Topics include human development, learning, memory, thinking, intelligence, creativity, motivation, emotion, adjustment, perception, abnormal behavior, and therapy.