Unprecedented changes in healthcare have created an overwhelming and unmet demand for qualified medical coders. The U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 51% increase in the need for medical coders during the next five years. In addition to medical reimbursement, coding is used for planning and research, to track diseases and by hospital administrators to determine whether facility resources are used effectively.
Medical coding requires the coder to abstract information from the patient record and combine it with their knowledge of reimbursement and coding guidelines to optimize physician payment. This coding curriculum will train participants to code for medical offices, clinics, mental health facilities and hospitals. Successful completion of this certificate will prepare you to sit for a national coding exam.
Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” (73.33) in all courses in order to receive the Medical Coding Certificate.
Students may transfer credits earned at other accredited institutions, provided a minimum grade of “C” has been earned in courses in medical terminology and allied health (AHLT), coding (MCOD) and science (BIOL). Appropriate transfer credits may be accepted in a five-year time frame.
Potential employment after earning this certificate includes positions as a Clinical Data Analyst, Coding Specialist, or Medical Biller, and other jobs in Auditing and Compliance, Clinical Documentation Improvement or Practice Management.
Certificate Program - Required Courses
Note: Instead of BIOL106M and BIOL107M, students can take Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL110M) and Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL120M).