Description

The Medical Coding one-year certificate of completion provides individuals with education to understand the sequencing of codes and their impact on reimbursement, along with training on how to assign diagnostic and procedure codes. This program provides a thorough understanding of ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT/HCPCS coding to prepare students to sit for a national coding certification exam, such as the AHIMA Certified Coding Associate (CCA), to earn credentials as an entry-level professional medical coder.

Program Learning Outcomes

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

1. Analyze health record content to abstract information required to support accurate coding.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the etiology, pathology, signs, symptoms, prognosis of diseases, diagnostic studies, treatment modalities, and procedures to correctly apply diagnoses and procedure codes.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of medical coding conventions and guidelines for diagnostic and procedural coding.
4. Apply principles of healthcare privacy, patient confidentiality, data security, and regulatory compliance.
5. Communicate both verbally and in written form with health care team members in an effective, appropriate, and professional manner.

Entrance Requirements

Academic Entrance Requirements

To enroll in the Fall cohort, students must first complete AH 111 Medical Terminology, CIS 120 Computer Concepts, and have successfully completed either BI 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I or BI 105 Human Biology for Health Science Careers.

Additional Costs (Beyond Standard Tuition/Fees and Textbooks)

Material Costs

Required:

• The total cost varies based on preparatory coursework and the level of program completion (certificate or degree). Additional expenses, estimated at approximately $1,000, includes an EHRGo subscription, AHIMA VLab subscription, AHIMA student membership fee, and attendance at the OrHIMA annual conference held each Spring, along with other related costs.

Recommended:

• This is a fully online program and students are expected to have access to a computer with a web camera and reliable high-speed internet.

Course Requirements

Advising Notes

The Medical Coding CC1 follows a cohort model, starting each Fall. Before joining the cohort, students must complete AH 111 Medical Terminology and BI 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (preferred) or BI 105 Human Biology for Health Science Careers. While BA 214 Business Communications and/or WR 121Z Composition I are recommended, they may be taken during the Fall term if available. Once enrolled in the cohort, students may complete the remaining courses in the A&P series and COMM 218Z Interpersonal Communication concurrently. The program’s courses are structured in a set sequence throughout the academic year.

Program Performance Standards

Academic Requirements: 

• Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.
• All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
• All prerequisites courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Sample Plan

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Students may take BI 105 Human Biology for Health Science Careers in lieu of BI 231/ BI 232/ BI 233 sequence.