Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based is designed to prepare individuals for entry-level medical billing and coding positions in ambulatory care treatment centers such as clinics, physician practices, managed care organizations, private billing services, and insurance companies.

Details

Field of Interest

Health Sciences

Degree Type

Certificate of Completion (CCL)

Academic Plan

Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based (CER)

Academic Plan Code

5014

Total credits required

Catalog Year

2025-2026

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Admission criteria

High school graduate or GED.

Completion of Program Prerequisites.

Formal application and admission to the Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based certificate program is required.

Ability to fully participate in professional practice in the health care settings.

Applications can be obtained from advisement or from the College website.

Background Check Requirements
Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of the Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Students must be willing to undergo a background check performed by the MCCCD-approved vendor. (Students who are unsure of their background status may take a preliminary background check at their own expense before entering the program, results of which will not be sent to the college.)

The following courses must be completed within five (5) years of the Required HIM Course(s): BIO201, BIO202, BPC110 or CIS105, HCC145, and HIM200.

PHOENIX COLLEGE:
Phoenix College offers a credit-based certificate.

GATEWAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
GateWay Community College offers a clock-based certificate in Medical Billing and Coding

What You'll Learn

Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior, and cultural competency skills according to ambulatory care professional practice standards.
Apply critical thinking skills to decision-making processes in accordance with ambulatory care standards and best practices.
Apply legal and ethical concepts and principles applicable to ambulatory care setting regulations and guidelines.
Use health information technologies commonly used in ambulatory care settings.
Apply anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology concepts in the ambulatory care coding function.
Apply clinical nomenclatures, vocabularies, classification systems, and revenue cycle management.

Career Statistics

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.

Medical Records Specialists

$49,790

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2024.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Note: You will have to select one of the options below to view available course sequences.

Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based
Phoenix College (Fast Track)
Phoenix College (Part-time)

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

To view course sequences, select one of the pathway map options above.

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 1)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO156 or BIO181	Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college level chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	Program Prerequisite	NSI, SQ or NSI, SQ	4
BPC110 or CIS105	Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems		Program Prerequisite	CS or CS	3
HCC145	Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals		Program Prerequisite		3
HIM101	Introduction to Health Information Management	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the (Medical Coding: Hospital-Based, or Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based, or Health Information Technology) program, and permission of Program Director.			3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 2)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO201	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	Prerequisites: C or better in (BIO156, or BIO156XT, or BIO181, or BIO181XT, or 1 yr of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.		NSI, SG	4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 3)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
BIO202	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO201 or BIO201XT.	NSI, SG	4
HIM105	Computers in Healthcare and Health Record Systems	Prerequisites: (Acceptance into either the (CCL/5092) Medical Coding: Hospital-Based or the (CCL/5014) Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based program) and a grade of C or better in HCC130 or permission of Program Director.		2
HIM180	Introduction to Medical Billing and Reimbursement	Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director.		2
HIM200	Human Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Health Information Management (HIM) Professionals	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HCC145 and BIO201) or permission Program Director.		3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 4)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
HIM181	Medical Claims Processing	Prerequisites: [(BPC110 or CIS105) and HIM180] or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM208 or permission of Program Director.	3
HIM208	ICD-CM Diagnostic Coding	Prerequisites: (BIO202, HCC145, and HIM200) or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM180 or permission of Program Director.	2
HIM213	CPT and HCPCS Coding	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO202, HCC145, and HIM200.	3
HIM215	Physician-Based Billing and Coding Seminar	Prerequisites: HIM213 or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: HIM216 or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM211, current CPR at BLS Healthcare Provider Level through the AHA, and permission of Program Director.	1
HIM216	Professional Practice in Physician-Based Billing and Coding	Prerequisites: HIM213 or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: HIM215 or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM211, current CPR at BLS Healthcare Provider Level through the AHA, and permission of Program Director.	1

Part-time Sequence

To view course sequences, select one of the pathway map options above.

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 1)Spring Semester (Term 1)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO156 or BIO181	Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college level chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	Critical course Program Prerequisite	NSI, SQ or NSI, SQ	4
HIM101	Introduction to Health Information Management	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the (Medical Coding: Hospital-Based, or Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based, or Health Information Technology) program, and permission of Program Director.			3
BPC110 or CIS105	Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems		Program Prerequisite	CS or CS	3
HCC145	Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals		Critical course Program Prerequisite		3
BIO156 or BIO181	Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college level chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	Program Prerequisite	NSI, SQ or NSI, SQ	4
BPC110 or CIS105	Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems		Program Prerequisite	CS or CS	3
HCC145	Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals		Program Prerequisite		3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 2)Summer Semester (Term 2)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
BIO201	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	Prerequisites: C or better in (BIO156, or BIO156XT, or BIO181, or BIO181XT, or 1 yr of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.	NSI, SG	4
HIM101	Introduction to Health Information Management	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the (Medical Coding: Hospital-Based, or Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based, or Health Information Technology) program, and permission of Program Director.		3
BIO201	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	Prerequisites: C or better in (BIO156, or BIO156XT, or BIO181, or BIO181XT, or 1 yr of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.	NSI, SG	4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 3)Fall Semester (Term 3)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
BIO202	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO201 or BIO201XT.	NSI, SG	4
HIM200	Human Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Health Information Management (HIM) Professionals	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HCC145 and BIO201) or permission Program Director.		3
HIM180	Introduction to Medical Billing and Reimbursement	Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director.		2
BIO202	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO201 or BIO201XT.	NSI, SG	4
HIM105	Computers in Healthcare and Health Record Systems	Prerequisites: (Acceptance into either the (CCL/5092) Medical Coding: Hospital-Based or the (CCL/5014) Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based program) and a grade of C or better in HCC130 or permission of Program Director.		2
HIM180	Introduction to Medical Billing and Reimbursement	Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director.		2
HIM200	Human Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Health Information Management (HIM) Professionals	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HCC145 and BIO201) or permission Program Director.		3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 4)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
HIM181	Medical Claims Processing	Prerequisites: [(BPC110 or CIS105) and HIM180] or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM208 or permission of Program Director.	3
HIM208	ICD-CM Diagnostic Coding	Prerequisites: (BIO202, HCC145, and HIM200) or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM180 or permission of Program Director.	2
HIM213	CPT and HCPCS Coding	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO202, HCC145, and HIM200.	3
HIM215	Physician-Based Billing and Coding Seminar	Prerequisites: HIM213 or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: HIM216 or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM211, current CPR at BLS Healthcare Provider Level through the AHA, and permission of Program Director.	1
HIM216	Professional Practice in Physician-Based Billing and Coding	Prerequisites: HIM213 or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: HIM215 or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM211, current CPR at BLS Healthcare Provider Level through the AHA, and permission of Program Director.	1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 5)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
HIM105	Computers in Healthcare and Health Record Systems	Prerequisites: (Acceptance into either the (CCL/5092) Medical Coding: Hospital-Based or the (CCL/5014) Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based program) and a grade of C or better in HCC130 or permission of Program Director.			2
HIM208	ICD-CM Diagnostic Coding	Prerequisites: (BIO202, HCC145, and HIM200) or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM180 or permission of Program Director.			2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 6)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
HIM181	Medical Claims Processing	Prerequisites: [(BPC110 or CIS105) and HIM180] or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM208 or permission of Program Director.	3
HIM213	CPT and HCPCS Coding	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO202, HCC145, and HIM200.	3
HIM215	Physician-Based Billing and Coding Seminar	Prerequisites: HIM213 or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: HIM216 or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM211, current CPR at BLS Healthcare Provider Level through the AHA, and permission of Program Director.	1
HIM216	Professional Practice in Physician-Based Billing and Coding	Prerequisites: HIM213 or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: HIM215 or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM211, current CPR at BLS Healthcare Provider Level through the AHA, and permission of Program Director.	1

Course Area Key

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
NSI = Natural Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=15993216.

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based