Program Description
Medical Coders typically work in medical practices, hospitals, or coding agencies. They must use federal diagnostic and procedure 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. This program features courses that will provide the skills needed to assign valid diagnostic and procedure codes. Students practice assigning codes to complex examples through case studies, scenarios and actual de-identified medical records and obtain an in-depth understanding of intricate coding conventions, terminology, and rules. Students will learn the procedures for reviewing medical record documentation.
This course series prepares students to take the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) national certification exam to become a Certified Professional Coder (CPC). Coding jobs can be found in hospitals, doctor offices, billing agencies, clinics, temp agencies, insurance companies, accountant offices, legal firms, state agencies, and be self-employed.
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.
CCBC Pathway
Health Professions Pathway. Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs. Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study. You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.
Program Credentials
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
We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education 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.
Some CE Workforce Development Certificate Programs are eligible for early high school funding through Maryland Blueprint for qualifying BCPS high school students. Please check with your School Counseling Office to determine your eligibility for the BCPS Tuition Benefit Program.
Length of Training
12-15 months
Coding courses begin in January and March online with 6pm Zoom classes once a week, and May at CCBC Essex once a week, 6-9:15pm.
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
Prerequisites:
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Course Hours
|
Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)**
|
Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
|
|
AHE534
or
AHE124
|
Medical Terminology for Health Occupations
Medical Terminology Online
|
30
|
Programed Learning Approach to Medical Terminology-3rd Edition, Author: Judi L. Nath. Publisher: Wolters/Kluwer. ISBN: 9781284209129 Price $101.71
|
$329
T-$99/F-$230
|
|
AHE519
or
AHE672
|
Anatomy & Physiology for Health Occupations
Anatomy & Physiology for Health Care Workers Online
|
30
|
The Human Body in Health & Disease, 8th Edition
ISBN: 978-0-323-734165 $94.97
|
$329
T-$99/F-$230
|
|
Prerequisite Totals:
|
|
60
|
$196.68 |
$658
T$198/F$460
|
Course Series
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Course Hours
|
Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)**
|
Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
|
|
AHL 904
or
AHL 829
|
Medical Coding I
Medical Coding I Online
|
60
|
1) Current Year Buck’s ICD-10-CM For Physicians Buck, Publisher Elsevier, $113;
2) Current Year CPT Professional Ed, American Med Assoc, Copyright Publisher AMA, $155;
3) Current Year Buck’s HCPCS Level II Publisher Elsevier, $105;
4) Current Year Step By Step Medical Coding Textbook, Elsevier $118.
|
$815
T-$245/F-$570
|
|
AHL 905
or
AHL 830
|
Medical Coding II
Medical Coding II Online
|
60
|
Same as Medical Coding I |
$465
T-$140/F-$325
|
|
Course Series Totals:
|
|
120
|
$491 |
$1,280
T-$385/F-$895
|
|
Course Series & Prerequisite Totals:
|
|
180
|
$687.68 |
$1,938
T-$583/F-$1,355
|
Additional Information
Course Substitutions:
Medical Terminology can be substituted with: OFAD/MDAS141, ALHL115, AHL717, AHL149, or AHL246
Anatomy & Physiology can be substituted with: AHE715, BIOL109, or BIOL220 and BIOL221
Additional Expenses:
AAPC Membership $205. AAPC Practice Exams $79.95. AAPC Study Guide $99.95, AAPC Exam Review $249.
AAPC Certification Exam: One attempt $399, Two attempts $499. In person or online.
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
The 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, potentially 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