Advanced Medical Coding Specialist Program

Advanced Medical Coding Specialist

Program Number: 31-530-1

• One-year Technical Diploma
• Health-Related Professions Program Cluster
• Center for Health and Safety Education
• Program offered at the following campuses:
  • Truax, Madison
• For information call: (608) 246-6015 or (608)246-6065

About the Program

The Medical Coding Specialist program prepares individuals for employment as entry-level coding specialists in health care facilities such as hospitals, clinics, physician practice groups, surgery centers, long-term care facilities and home health care agencies. Coding specialists are also employed by consulting firms, coding and billing services, insurance companies, governmental agencies and computer software companies.

The coding specialist reviews medical documentation provided by physicians and other health care providers and translates this into numeric codes. The coding specialist assigns and sequences diagnostic and procedural codes using universally recognized coding systems. Several uses of coded data are for payment of health care claims, statistics and medical research.

Aptitudes and interests which may be helpful for success in this program include:

1. Ability to be precise, exact and detail-oriented;
2. Ability to adhere to standards and guidelines;
3. A passion for learning about the medical field;
4. Ability to communicate well with others;
5. Ability to accept challenges and problem-solve; and
6. Respect for confidential information

A copy of the essential functions necessary to successfully complete the program of study is available upon request from the program office.

Program outcomes state what a graduate needs to be able to do with the essential knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors acquired in a specific MATC program. The program outcomes communicate expectations to students, as well as other academic institutions and potential employers. The identification and assessment of program outcomes support MATC's efforts in documenting student learning and provide a context for the faculty's academic planning.

Clinical Laboratory Experience

An 18-hour, unpaid clinical laboratory experience is part of the CPT Coding course (10-530-184). This takes place during regular business hours at a regional health care facility, insurance company, consulting firm or governmental agency

Admissions Requirements for All Applications Submitted for the Current Academic Year

View detailed program admissions requirements for both the Basic and Advanced Medical Coding Specialist Programs. The checklist information sheet will assist you with required credentials for admissions into the program.

Career Potential

• Coder
• Coding Specialist
• Coding Technician

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:

• Certified Coding Specialist
• Certified Professional Coder
• Registered Health Information Technician
• Registered Health Information Administrator
• Reimbursement Specialist
• Supervisor
• Consultant
• Seminar Presenter/Speaker