vcc.ca
MEDC 1270: Medical Billing for Medical Office Assistant
Effective date
May 2027
Department
Medical Office Assistant 15/16
School
Health Sciences
Description
In this course, students learn the theory and practice of medical billing through the Medical Services Plan (MSP). Students are introduced to MSP fee codes, and ICD-9 diagnostic codes, and apply this knowledge to billing using electronic medical record (EMR) software. Attention is given to WorkSafe BC and ICBC billing procedures as well as out-of-province and private billing. Students learn the procedure and protocols for physician referrals and specialist billing.
Credits
1.5
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Interpret and explain fee and diagnostic codes
- Identify and make use of reliable sources for fee code and diagnostic code information
- Use the Doctors of BC preamble to appropriately bill patient care
- Set up, enter, and edit patient records
- Book patient appointments, create a day sheet from scheduler, and apply the correct fee and diagnostic codes to each appointment
- Work in an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software program to process MSP claims and private-pay billing
- Complete the forms required to submit insurance claims to WorksafeBC and ICBC
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 15
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 20
Total Hours: 35
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 20
Total Hours: 35
Instructional Strategies
Lecture, software simulations, guest speaker
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C+
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Project |
10 |
Research |
|
Assignments |
30 |
Six lab competency assignments @ 5% each |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
20 |
Two quizzes @ 10% each |
|
Final Exam |
20 |
Written/Theory |
|
Final Exam |
20 |
Computer/Practical |
Course topics
- Medical Services Plan of BC (review) Fee codes for MSP (patient age categories, appointment types) Diagnostic codes used in medical billing (ICD-9) MSP billing and remittance schedule, deadlines for submission and resubmission of claims Coding for WorkSafeBC and ICBC claims Electronic appointment scheduling and billing
Learning resources
EMR software, e.g., ACCURO
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.