Printed on 6/6/2023

Medical Coding Specialist

31-530-2 Technical Diploma (TD) Part Time, Full Time 28 Credits Financial Aid Eligible Times of Day: Day, Evening Location*: Online

*If general education courses are required, they may be available at multiple locations.

Medical coding specialists translate verbal descriptions of disease, injury and procedures into numerical designations. The accurate recording of this information is critical for the reimbursement of healthcare claims, medical statistics and research. You'll gain an understanding of the anatomy, signs and symptoms of diseases, and medical procedures. You'll also learn how to analyze medical records and assign codes to diagnoses and procedures. Upon completion, you could work in a variety of healthcare settings, for a health insurance company or continue on to the Health Information Technology Associate Degree.

COURSE LIST

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Course list for reference only. Current students please refer to your individualized program plan or see your advisor.
**Outside effort hours are an estimate based on state standards, and may vary from person to person.

    Occupational Specific (25 Credits)

    Course Title
    Course Number
    Credits
    Instructional Hours
    Outside Effort Hours**
    Prior Learning Credit Eligibility
  • Medical Terminology
    10-501-101
    3Credit
    54
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10501101
    • Credits: 3.00

    Focuses on the component parts of medical terms: prefixes, suffixes and word roots. Students practice formation, analysis and reconstruction of terms. Emphasis on spelling, definition and pronunciation. Introduction to operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, as well as systemic and surgical terminology.

  • Digital Literacy for Healthcare
    10-501-107
    2Credit
    72
    36

    • Instructional Hours: 72
    • Outside Effort Hours: 36
    • Course Number: 10501107
    • Credits: 2.00

    Focuses on the use of technology in healthcare. Learners use common business software applications, including word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and databases. Communication methods using technology are addressed. Learners gain experience with using the electronic health record (E.H.R.). Healthcare E.H.R. security issues, social media use, and digital healthcare resources are examined.

  • CPT Coding
    10-530-184
    3Credit
    54
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10530184
    • Credits: 3.00

    Prepares learners to assign CPT codes, supported by medical documentation, with entry level proficiency. Learners apply CPT instructional notations, conventions, rules, and official coding guidelines when assigning CPT codes to case studies and actual medical record documentation.

    Coreq: Basic Anatomy 10806189 OR General Anatomy & Physiology 10806177, Medical Terminology 10501101
  • ICD Diagnosis Coding
    10-530-197
    3Credit
    54
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10530197
    • Credits: 3.00

    Prepares students to assign ICD diagnosis codes supported by medical documentation. Students apply instructional notations, conventions, rules, and official coding guidelines when assigning ICD diagnosis codes to case studies and actual medical record documentation.

    Coreq: Basic Anatomy 10806189 OR General Anatomy & Physiology 10806177, Medical Terminology 10501101
  • Foundations of HIM
    10-530-162
    3Credit
    54
    108
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10530162
    • Credits: 3.00

    Introduces learners to the healthcare delivery system, and the external forces that influence healthcare delivery. Sets an understanding for the expectations and standards related to professional ethics, confidentiality and security of health information. Differentiates the use and structure of healthcare data elements, data standards, and the relationships between them. Prepares learners to collect and maintain health data to ensure a complete and accurate health record.

    Prereqs: Admission to Health Information Technology or Medical Coding programs; ACPL Read 54+/Sent 83+, Next Gen Read 250+/Sent 237+, ACT Read 18+/Engl 15+, HS GPA 2.75+ Sent Only OR Read Prep 10838105/Sent Prep 10831103; Coreqs: 10501101; 10501107
  • Intermediate Coding
    10-530-165
    3Credit
    72
    90
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 72
    • Outside Effort Hours: 90
    • Course Number: 10530165
    • Credits: 3.00

    Prepares students to assign ICD and CPT/HCPCS codes supported by medical documentation and official coding guidance to support appropriate reimbursement. Students will participate in CDI activities, including preparation of appropriate physician queries in accordance with compliance guidelines.

    Prereq: CPT Coding 10530184, ICD Diagnosis Coding 10530197; Coreq: ICD Procedure Coding 10530199
  • Human Disease for the Health Professions
    10-530-182
    3Credit
    54
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10530182
    • Credits: 3.00

    Prepares learners to interpret clinical documentation that they will encounter in a variety of healthcare settings. Emphasis is placed on understanding the common disorders and diseases of each body system to include the etiology (cause), signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests and results, and medical treatments and surgical procedures.

  • ICD Procedure Coding
    10-530-199
    2Credit
    36
    72

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10530199
    • Credits: 2.00

    Prepares students to assign ICD procedure codes supported by medical documentation with entry level proficiency. Students apply instructional notations, conventions, rules, and official coding guidelines when assigning ICD procedure codes to case studies and actual medical record documentation.

    Prereq: Basic Anatomy 10806189 OR Gen Anatomy & Physiology 10806177, Med Terminology 10501101; Coreq: Human Diseases for Health Professions 10530182
  • Healthcare Revenue Management
    10-530-159
    3Credit
    54
    108
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10530159
    • Credits: 3.00

    Prepares learners to compare and contrast healthcare payers and evaluate the reimbursement cycle and compliance with regulations. Learners assign payment classifications with entry level proficiency using computerized encoding and grouping software.

    Prereq: CPT Coding 10530184, ICD Diagnosis Coding 10530197; Coreq: Foundations of HIM 10530162, ICD Procedure Coding 10530199

    Occupational Supportive (3 Credits)

    Course Title
    Course Number
    Credits
    Instructional Hours
    Outside Effort Hours**
    Prior Learning Credit Eligibility
  • Basic Anatomy
    10-806-189
    3Credit
    54
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10806189
    • Credits: 3.00

    Examines concepts of anatomy and physiology as they relate to health careers. Learners correlate anatomical and physiological terminology to all body systems.

    Prereq: HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACPL Read 54+/Sent 83+, Next Gen Read 250+/Sent 237+, ACT Read 18+/Engl 15+ OR Read Prep 10838105/Sent Prep 74851745 OR not pursuing a degree
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Expected Competencies


For more information visit our Credit For Prior Learning page.