SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Medical Billing and Coding Program

Key Takeaways:

The Medical Billing and Coding program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is a two-semester certificate program designed to prepare students for careers in healthcare administration. With part-time evening and weekend classes, it equips participants with the skills to manage billing and coding duties in hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies.

Program Highlights

Flexible Formats: Choose between live virtual classes in the fall or fully online classes in the spring where you take classes on your own schedule.
Certification Preparation: Prepares students for certification exams from AHIMA and AAPC, including CPC, CCA, and CCS.
Hands-On Training: Includes real-world case studies, access to medical management software, and an internship opportunity through the Health Information Management Department.

Program Overview

This program focuses on converting patient information into accurate insurance claims, ensuring healthcare providers receive proper reimbursements. Students learn to work with coding systems like ICD-10/11, CPT, and HCPCS, mastering government regulations, documentation standards, and insurance reimbursement processes.

The curriculum covers essential topics, including medical terminology, anatomy, health insurance systems, and healthcare compliance. Participants complete the program with the skills to handle both inpatient and outpatient claims while meeting industry standards for accuracy and efficiency.

Prerequisites

High school diploma or equivalent.
Good command of the English language.
Basic computer skills (recommended but not required).

Additional application materials include:

Current resume.
Copy of high school diploma or college transcript.
State-issued photo ID.
$30 registration fee.

Tuition and Fees

The total cost for the program is $3,500, which includes tuition and registration fees. Books are not included in the cost and must be purchased separately. Payment plans are available, with tuition payable per course or semester.

Class Schedules

This part-time program offers flexibility with evening and weekend classes:

Live Virtual Classes: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM, Saturdays 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
Online Classes: Fully asynchronous (learn at your own pace)

Certifications

Graduates are prepared to sit for certification exams, such as:

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coding Associate (CCA)

These certifications enhance employability and demonstrate industry expertise.

Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical billing and coding professionals earn an average salary of $50,000–$70,000, depending on location and experience. With continued growth in the healthcare industry, this field offers strong job stability and opportunities for advancement.

Why SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University?

SUNY Downstate offers a flexible, well-structured program with a focus on real-world applications and certification preparation. The partnership with the Health Information Management Department provides valuable internship opportunities. While the program cost does not include books, its competitive pricing and hands-on training make it a solid choice for aspiring medical billers and coders.

Category	Description
Cost	$3,500 (books not included)
Program Duration	2 semesters
Clock Hours	Not specified
Class Schedules	Part-time evenings and weekends, or fully online
Certifications	CPC, CCA, CCS certification preparation included
Admission Requirements	High school diploma or equivalent; basic computer skills recommended
Online Classes?	Yes, fully online or live virtual options available
Job Placement?	No direct job placement, internship opportunities provided
Financial Aid Options	Payment plans available
Location	450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203
Phone	(718) 270-7604
Email	[email protected]
Website	SUNY Downstate MBC Program