Advanced Medical Coding Specialist
Program Number:
315301
One-Year Technical Diploma
Program Courses offered at the following Campuses:
About
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.
Admissions
Requirements for Program Application
The following is required to process your application:
- Official High School transcripts OR official HSED/GED transcripts (this requirement is waived for applicants who have transcripts on file documenting the achievement of an Associate Degree or higher from an institution other than Madison College)
- COMPASS, ASSET, ACT or SAT test scores
For program waitlist information, refer to the Admission Information and Next Steps below.
Admission Processing Deadlines:
Fall 2011
Madison College begins collecting applications for the following year's fall semester on September 1, 2010. For this program applications and credentials must be received by July 1, 2011, to be considered for the fall semester.
Spring 2012
Madison College begins collecting applications for the following year's spring semester on January 16, 2011. For this program applications and credentials must be received by July 1, 2011, to be considered for the spring semester.
Admission information and Next Steps:
Program Outcomes
Program Outcomes:
- Assign diagnostic and procedure codes using ICD coding system.
- Assign procedure codes using HCPCS/CPT coding system.
- Adhere to security, privacy, and confidentiality policies.
- Use computers to process information.
- Support data collection and reimbursement system.
- Communicate in a professional manner.
- Model professional behaviors, ethics, and appearance.
- Prepare for national coding certification.
- Apply skills used in effective management of coding services.
Employment
Career Potential:
View Gainful Employment information.
- 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
Additional Info
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.
Review the Program Handbook (PDF 147.61KB)
Estimated Fees for Medical Coding Specialist and Advanced Medical Coding Specialist (PDF 8.94KB)
Computer Assessment Skills Form (PDF 39.06KB)
Last Modified: November 17, 2011