With the rising numbers of medical tests, treatments, and procedures, insurance companies require accuracy and efficiency in entering claims. Medical Coders ensure proper data retrieval, analysis, and claims processing to maintain compliance with federal legislation mandating the use of electronic record-keeping.
The Medical Coding certificate program program is designed to help you examine and understand health care delivery systems, medical health care information terminologies, and classification systems for diseases. Attention to detail and strong time-management skills are a given. But you won’t be tied to the screen – communicating with physicians’ offices, hospitals, and other health care providers also comes with the territory.
Enter The Medical Field
Understand health care delivery systems, terminologies, and disease classification systems.
Utilize Computer Software
Enter patient information into computer databases for insurance purposes and categorize by “diagnosis-related groups” (DRGs).
Review and Evaluate
Abstract clinical information from a variety of medical records and assign appropriate diagnostic and procedural codes to patient records.
Become Certified
Prepare for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam.*
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Imagine Where You Can Apply:
Medical coders enjoy careers in physicians’ offices, hospitals, health care services, outpatient care centers, and nursing and residential care facilities.
The average salary for medical coders in various employment settings is $43,9951
This program is intended for individuals who possess a high school diploma or GED and who wish to enter the allied health field in a data-management setting.
Students enrolling in the Medical Coding Certificate program must demonstrate basic computer skills through successful completion of a challenge exam or submission of a transcript reflecting completion of a college-level computer course. Students unable to satisfy this requirement must complete the Medical Coding Certificate program's Introduction to Computer Skills course. There will be no charge to the student for either the challenge exam or the Introduction to Computer Skills course.
Click here to view the program comparison guide.
Courses Include
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology for Coding Professionals
- Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapy
- Information Technology for Health Care
- Health Care Data
- Health Care Delivery Systems
- International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
- Healthcare Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) Classification System
- Reimbursement Methods
- Coding Externship Experience**
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For complete course descriptions, click here.
Take the First Step
In 12 months or less, you could be on your way to a more rewarding career. Take the first step by calling 866.542.4042 (Toll Free) or click here for more information.
1Lifeworks, National Institutes of Health (NIH) website, http://science.education.nih.gov/LifeWorks.nsf/Alphabetical+List/Certified+Coding+Associate?OpenDocument&ShowTab=All&
* Individual state requirements concerning practice as a medical coder may vary. These requirements may change at the discretion of the state. Kaplan University makes no representations or warranties as to whether the Medical Coding Certificate meets specific state licensure or regulatory requirements. It is the student’s sole responsibility to contact the appropriate state agency for information concerning the licensure and regulation of medical coders within that state.
**This virtual externship (completed online in the same manner as other courses) provides students with the opportunity to apply the concepts covered in the Medical Coding Certificate program. It does not require students to seek a position. As part of the externship, students will utilize coding encoder software. This kind of hands-on experience is preferred by many employers.
