Medical coding specialists play an essential role in the business of healthcare. Using alphanumeric diagnosis and procedure codes, they communicate critical information about medical conditions and treatments. Correct coding ensures proper recording of a patient’s medical conditions, verification of the provider’s services, and appropriate reimbursement by payers for those services.
Additionally, codes are used to monitor public health threats, such as diabetes or measles outbreaks, to track provider performance and to identify potential areas of financial or medical fraud or abuse within the healthcare industry. Medical coding specialists must review a patient’s medical record and will, at times, talk to the patient’s healthcare provider or research payer policies to uncover missing information. When coding is done properly, patients, providers, and payers all benefit.
AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) offers a certification: the entry-level Certified Coding Associate (CCA), for which a student would be eligible to take the exam upon completion of the Medical Coding Certificate.
Enrollment in this program is limited. See Selective Admissions requirements in the Admission section of this Catalog. Contact program coordinator for details.
Marketable skills for this award include: analytical/quantitative skills, critical thinking, meeting deadlines and written communication skills.
Certificate of Proficiency
TSI Reading & Writing Complete
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