Program Description
This course series prepares students to take the national certification exam to become a Certified Professional Coder. Medical Coders typically work in large physician practices, hospitals or coding companies. They must use federal diagnostic (ICD) and procedure (CPT) codes to express medical services provided. This coding of services provides the basis for billing and collection of money for services. Accurate medical coding is essential to the delivery of quality health care and efficient health care administration.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:
- achieve employability skills to work in a variety of medical facilities including physician offices, hospitals, and billing agencies;
- perform to a professional standard the ability to code to the highest level of specificity;
- demonstrate knowledge of reporting guidelines; and
- articulate complex coding conventions and identify correct coding guidelines.
Program Credentials
Successful Completion:
CCBC Credential:
Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).
External Credential: Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certifying Organization: American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) www.aapc.com
Financial Aid and Payment Options
CCBC currently offers Continuing Education (CE) financial aid to those who qualify. We package public and private funding options to benefit students which include COVID-19 relief funding, the Maryland Sequence Scholarship, CCBC Opportunity Grant funding, Maryland Promise, and Baltimore County College Promise. Financial aid funding is available for select CE courses and programs.
Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.
For more information about funding resources and how to apply for them, please contact the CCBC Continuing Education Information Center at 443-840-4700.
Program Length
12-15 months
Coding courses begin in January at CCBC Randallstown, in May at CCBC Essex, and online in August.
Program Requirements
High School Diploma or GED. All students must be computer literate and have Internet access.
Application Process
To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Continuing Education Workforce Certificate application. Then, send an email to CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu to learn about upcoming course options.
Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.
Prior Learning Assessment
This program has potential options for waiving select courses based on previous coursework or articulated coursework from an approved curriculum, or successful completion of a CCBC placement or challenge exam. A maximum of 120 program hours may be earned from prior learning.
Program Course Sequence
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Course Number
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Course Title
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Course Hours
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Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
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Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)**
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Prerequisites:
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AHE 534
or
AHE 124
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Medical Terminology for Health Occupations
Or
Medical Terminology Online
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30
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$329
T-$99/F-$230
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Programed Learning Approach to Medical Terminology-3rd Edition, Author: Judi L. Nath. Publisher: Wolters/Kluwer ISBN: 9781496360991 Price $90.65
ISBN: 9781975102036 ebook
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AHE 519
or
AHE 672
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Anatomy and Physiology
or
Anatomy and Physiology Online
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30
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$329
T-$147/F-$182
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The Human Body in Health & Disease, 7th Edition
ISBN: 978-0-323-402118 $74.60
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Prerequisite Totals:
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60
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$658
T$246/F$412
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$165.25
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Course Series:
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AHL 904
or
AHL 829
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Medical Coding I
or
Medical Coding I Online
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60
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$815
T-$245/F-$570
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1) Current Year ICD-10-CM For Physicians Professional Ed, Buck, ISBN 0323279767, Publisher Saunders, $106.00;
2) Current Year CPT Professional Ed, American Med Assoc, ISBN 1622022041,Copyright 15,Publisher AMA, $116.95;
3) Current Year HCPCS Level II Expert,Optum/Insight, ISBN 1601519133, Publisher Optum, $83.95;
4) Current Year Step By Step Medical Coding Pkg. Txt & Wkbk, Buck, ISBN 0323393829, Elsevier, Kit/Set/Package, $146.95 aprox.
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AHL 905
or
AHL 830
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Medical Coding II
or
Medical Coding II Online
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60
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$465
T-$140/F-$325
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Same as Medical Coding I
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Course Series Totals:
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120
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$1,280
T-$385/F-$895
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$453.85
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Course Series & Prerequisite Totals:
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180
|
$1,938
T-$631/F-$1,307
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$619.10
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Additional Information
Course Substitutions:
Medical Terminology AHE 534 can be substituted with: OFAD/MDAS 141 or ALHL 115 or AHL 717
Anatomy and Physiology AHE 519 can be substituted with: AHE 715 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 220 and BIOL 221
Additional Expenses:
AAPC Membership: $180
AAPC Practice Exams: $79.99
AAPC Certification Exam: Two attempts in person $399. One attempt online $299
Skills for Success:
The duties of a Medical Coder require the ability to sit for long hours and focus on the task at hand. Their duties also require them to have:
- Outstanding communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Self-motivation and self-direction
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work well with limited human interaction
- Analytical problem-solving skills
- Excellent visual acuity
Career Opportunities:
Coders can work in hospitals, doctor offices, billing agencies, clinics, temp agencies, insurance companies, accountant offices, legal firms, state agencies, and be self-employed.
Students who complete the program and receive their national certification can receive credits toward an Associate of Applied Science in Allied Health through the School of Health Professions.
Career Coach
Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more. View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at: https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA . Explore career and training opportunities at: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.
Technical Standards
Technical Standards for CCBC’s Medical Coding Training Series
The primary goal of The Community College of Baltimore County’s Medical Coding Series is to adequately prepare students for an entry-level position in a medical facility as a Medical Coder. The duties of a Medical Coder require the ability to sit for long hours and focus on the task at hand.
Their duties also require them to have:
- Outstanding communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Self-motivation and self-direction
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work well with limited human interaction
- Analytical problem solving skills
- Excellent visual acuity
Following is a partial listing of the types of skills typically required for adequate job performance:
Physical Requirements:
A. Sufficient strength and mobility to:
- Lift or otherwise maneuver papers/folders/books/charts up to 30 pounds
- Stand or sit in one area for long periods of time
- Work quickly to meet deadlines and/or production requirements
B. Fine motor coordination sufficient to perform precise tasks such as:
- Perform basic keyboarding functions
C. Adequate vision to:
- Read and understand displays on computers/laptops/tablets
- Read and understand forms and communications from outside entities
- Read and understand small print
D. Sufficient hearing to:
- Hear and understand language in person and over the telephone, perhaps under noisy conditions
Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism:
A. Have the ability to:
- Work in a professional manner under sometimes extremely stressful situations
- Pay close attention to detail and recordkeeping
- Commitment to learning and understanding new technologies, regulations and laws
- Commitment to following approved standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures
- Interact in a professional manner with many personalities and attitudes and with people from many different backgrounds
- Respect and protect patient rights and confidentiality without regard to personal beliefs and judgments
- Maintain proper certifications required to perform the duties of the profession
- Accurately utilize all resource material available to remain current in the profession, including attending departmental in-service training
- Willingness to precept (train) others
B. Sufficient communication skills to:
- Give and receive accurate written and verbal instructions
- Carry out all written and verbal instructions
- Follow proper channels of communication
- Communicate in a calm and professional manner
- Communicate clearly and effectively to all team members
Intellectual Ability and Emotional Stability To:
- Ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Exercise independent judgment to properly perform tasks at hand
- Accurately utilize all resource material available to perform the task at hand
- Work calmly and efficiently in a fast-paced, stressful environment
- Maintain calm during emergency situations
- Accept feedback from others
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