Certificate Description and Outcomes

Medical office coders work in medical office and outpatient settings coding medical records for statistical and reimbursement purposes.  A good understanding of medical terminology is essential for diagnosis and procedure coding. An understanding of human biology or anatomy and physiology is also necessary for a medical coder to accurately interpret what one is attempting to code. Experience working in a medical setting or current employment in a medical office or hospital where you utilize medical terminology and anatomy and physiology may be adequate for you to do well in the coding class.

The Medical Coding program is an occupational endorsement certificate program.  An occupational endorsement is a transcripted certificate that is awarded by the university.  All medical coding coursework is fully transferable to the Associate’s degree program.

Professional certification is available through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

Admission Requirements

See Occupational Endorsement Certificate admission requirements in Chapter 7 of the catalog.

Description of Outcomes

This program prepares students to work as medical coders in outpatient settings.  The program is based upon the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) recommendations.  Upon successful completion of the program, students are prepared to sit for the AHIMA’s Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P) coding examination.  After successful completion of this program the students will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Proficiency in the performance of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding.
• Proficiency in the performance of Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) coding.
• Proficiency in the performance of International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnostic coding.

Occupational Endorsement Certificate Requirements

1.  Complete the following core courses with a grade of  C or higher: (11 credits)

MA A101                        Medical Terminology I  (3 credits)

MA A104                        Essentials of Human Diseases  (3 credits)

MA A220                        Coding for the Medical Office (3 credits)

MA A320                        Advanced Case Studies in Medical Coding (2 credits)

2.  Complete a minimum of 6 credits of the following support courses, as approved by the department advisor, with a grade of C or higher:

BIOL A100         Human Biology (3 credits)          

BIOL A111         Anatomy and Physiology I  (4 credits)

BIOL A112         Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)

MA A230            Billing and Insurance for the Medical Office  (3 credits)

3.  A total of 17 credits is required for this occupational endorsement certificate.

Other Recommended Courses for this Occupation are:

BIOL 111 and 112 - Anatomy and Physiology
CIOS 101 and 102 - Keyboarding speed of 45 wpm
CIS 105 - Computer knowledge
CIOS 130A - Microsoft Word
MA 120 - Medical Office Procedures