Accretive Health Pathway to Employment

Location:   Accretive Health , 231 South LaSalle, Chicago

Program Description: This innovative corporate training program provides participants classroom medical coding and billing skills while providing a pathway to employment at Accretive Health.  Participants request one of three training tracks that introduce them to Accretive Health and the field of health information technology (IT). The program introduces students to the basics of the healthcare system, including medical terminology, basic abbreviation, healthcare acronyms, and the various departments of a hospital.  The program also introduces students to a medical revenue cycle, international classification of disease coding, current procedural terminology for coding, and legal and regulatory issued in healthcare.  Participants will also learn the organizational culture of Accretive Health, a vibrant and fast-paced organization. Participants will be considered for full-time employment at Accretive Health upon conclusion of the program.

Track 1: Medical Reimbursement Specialist

Projected Training Schedule: Thursday, Friday & Saturday from October 28, 2011 – March 3, 2012

Pre-requisites:

  • Minimum of High school diploma/GED required
  • Analytical ability
  • Interest in working “behind” the computer
  • Effective problem solving and resolution skills
  • Basic telephone skills and etiquette
  • Keyboard proficiency
  • Knowledge of computer and basic functions
  • Ability to memorize large amounts of information
  • Customer-focused
  • Positive attitude
  • Interest in learning medical coding and billing in a fast-paced corporate organization with opportunity for growth

Certifications to be earned:

  • Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) from American Medical Biller Association (AMBA)

Examples of jobs that use this type of technology certification: Follow-Up Representative, Customer Service Representative, Medical Biller, and Billing Representative.

Summary of skills learned:

  • Medical billing
  • Current procedural terminology
  • Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word
  • Medical Billing Systems
  • Medical revenue cycle
  • Customer service
  • Legal/regulatory issues, HIPAA
  • Cash Posting

Percentage of course that is instructor-led vs. online: 90% instructor-led, 10% online

Track 2: Medical Coding Specialist

Projected Training Schedule: Thursday, Friday & Saturday from October 28, 2011 – May 12, 2012

Pre-requisites:

  • Minimum of High school diploma/GED required
  • Analytical ability
  • Interest in working “behind” the computer
  • Effective problem solving and resolution skills
  • Basic telephone skills and etiquette
  • Keyboard proficiency
  • Knowledge of computer and basic functions
  • Ability to memorize large amounts of information
  • Customer-focused
  • Positive attitude
  • Interest in learning medical coding and billing in a fast-paced corporate organization with opportunity for growth

Certifications to be earned:

  • Certified Coding Associate from American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

Examples of jobs that use this type of technology certification: Medical Coder, Medical Records Data Specialist, Outpatient Coder

Summary of skills learned

  • Disease coding
  • Application software
  • Current procedural terminology
  • Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word
  • Medical Billing Systems
  • Analysis of healthcare data

Percentage of course that is instructor-led vs. online: 90% instructor-led, 10% online

Track 3: Professional Services

Projected Training Schedule: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from October 28, 2011 – March 3, 2012

Pre-requisites:

  • Associate’s degree required, Bachelor’s degree preferred
  • Analytical ability
  • Previous consulting and/or management experience is beneficial
  • Effective problem solving and resolution skills
  • Positive attitude
  • Interest in learning health information technology in a fast-paced corporate organization with opportunity for growth

Certifications to be earned:

  • Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) from American Medical Biller Association (AMBA) – optional

Examples of jobs that use this type of training: Medical Reimbursement Specialist, Health IT consultant, Team Lead, Manager

Summary of skills learned:

  • Medical billing/reimbursement systems
  • Medical revenue cycle
  • Performance analysis
  • Implementation
  • Management skills
  • Training

Percentage of course that is instructor-led vs. online: 90% instructor-led, 10% online, with additional independent study as necessary