Nov 24, 2024  
Catalog 2018-19 
    
Catalog 2018-19 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Coding Certificate


Important Information


Short Description


The Medical Coding certificate is designed to prepare students for positions as medical coders in the health care industry. Students who successfully complete the Medical Coding Certification Program will find employment in various health care settings such as hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, ambulatory care facilities, nursing facilities, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), insurance companies, and health data organizations.

Type of Credential


Credit Certificate

Program Code


769

Contacts and Additional Information


Program Coordinator:

CCBC Catonsville, Irby Hunter
443-840-4989 or ihunter@ccbcmd.edu

Additional Information:

  • Health Workforce Shortage Program (The Medical Coding Certificate is not designated as a Health Workforce Shortage Program.)
  • The Health Informatics and Information Technology A.A.S. degree is offered both face to face and fully (100%) online.
  • Most classes offered at the Catonsville campus
  • Opportunities for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - For Health Informatics and Information Technology, see Departmental Exams. Several General Education classes also have PLA opportunities.
  • Articulation and Transfer Agreements

Semester Sequence


This is a suggested schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits.

Courses Needed for This Program*


Total Number of Credits Required for Certificate: 41*


Note


*Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed transferable college credits from other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College . This 1-credit course is designed to be taken in the first semester at CCBC. Students must provide an official transcript(s) from an accredited institution to document successful completion of college coursework for the ACDV 101 requirement to be waived.

Program Description


The Medical Coding certificate is designed to prepare future coding professionals for positions as medical coders in the health care industry. Medical Coding professionals combine health information knowledge with computer technology and management skills. They utilize clinical decisions to evaluate reimbursement of insurance claims, and provide information for indexing statistics and research. Medical Coding is used to help prevent legal difficulties and ensure that providers received full reimbursement in a timely manner.

Students who complete this certificate will find employment in various health care settings such as hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, ambulatory care facilities, nursing facilities, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), insurance companies, and health data organizations.

Students are eligible to sit for the AHIMA CCA (Certified Coding Associate), CCS (Certified Coding Specialist), or CCS-P (Certified Coding – Physician Based) exam.

Program Outcomes


Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

  1. accurately apply diagnosis and procedural codes utilizing (International Classification of Diseases Clinical Modifications (ICD-10-CM), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and Healthcare Procedural Coding Systems (HCPCS);
  2. interpret and utilize coding guidelines for accurate code assignments;
  3. identify the importance of documentation on coding assignments; and
  4. identify the impact of medical reimbursement practices and procedures.