Medical Coding (certificate)

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Special Admission Requirements - Program Application Deadline: July 15*

Official Title of Certificate: Medical Coding, Certificate

Award: Certificate

Code: CRT.IHE.MED-CODE

Total Credit Hours: 40-44

Learn more about the Medical Coding Certificate program

Purpose: To provide eligibility status to sit for the Certified Professional Coder Examination (CPC) offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders or the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association.

Range of Occupations

Certified Coding Specialists and Certified Professional Coders work in physicians’ offices, managed care organizations, ambulatory care centers or hospitals.

Additional Program Requirements

All Medical Coding students must receive a minimum grade of C in each medical coding course. Students who receive a final grade below a C in any medical coding course will be awarded a grade of F in that course.

Special Conditions

Health Manpower Shortage: This program of study may be designated a Health Manpower Shortage Tuition Reduction Program. This means that some residents of Maryland (see the Tuition, Fees and Payments section of this catalog) enrolled in this program of study by the first day of the term may be eligible for in-county tuition rates for courses required for program completion. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that this program still maintains a Health Manpower Shortage Program status before enrolling. Please refer to the college’s Accounts Receivable Office to confirm this designation.

*If application deadline falls on a weekend then applications will be accepted until the close of business on the next business day.

Anne Arundel Community College and/or the School of Health Sciences reserves the right to revise requirements for admission into the Health Sciences programs, the selection criteria and procedures, and the required courses for programs of study as deemed necessary without prior notification.

Entrance/Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

To view all entrance/admission details, please go to Medical Coding Admissions Requirements.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening

This program requires the satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and possible drug screening. For complete details, see the Health Sciences section of this catalog.

Certificate Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a certificate, students must have demonstrated eligibility for ENG 101 , ENG 101A , or ENG 111 . Refer to Academic Regulations on Graduation Requirements .

Program Requirements

Prerequisites

BIO 231 - Human Biology 1 4 credit hours AND
BIO 232 - Human Biology 2 4 credit hours
OR
BIO 233 - Anatomy and Physiology 1 4 credit hours AND
*BIO 101 (4 credits) is a prerequisite for BIO 233 .
BIO 234 - Anatomy and Physiology 2 4 credit hours
CTP 103 - Theories and Applications of Digital Technology 3 credit hours
MDA 113 - Medical Terminology 3 credit hours

Total credit hours: 14-18

Term 1

HIT 111 - Introduction to Health Information Technology 1 3 credit hours
HIT 217 - Introduction to ICD Coding 3 credit hours
HIT 218 - Introduction to CPT/HCPCS Coding 3 credit hours
MDA 112 - Pharmacology for Health Professions 3 credit hours

Total credit hours: 12

Term 2

HIT 222 - Reimbursement Methodologies 3 credit hours
MDA 114 - Diseases of the Human Body 3 credit hours
MDA 116 - Fundamentals of Health Care Delivery Systems 3 credit hours
HIT 221 - Advanced Coding 3 credit hours

Total credit hours: 12

Term 3

HIT 275 - Medical Coding Practicum 2 credit hours

Total credits: 40-44

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Utilize technical, critical thinking and problem solving skills in their coding performance.
Practice their profession based on sound ethical values.
Promote and maintain cooperative and successful relationships between patients, physicians and other health care providers, and external and internal stakeholders.
Promote advocacy of the profession through affiliations with professional organizations, marketing of professional skills, and by becoming vital members of the health care delivery system.
Obtain eligibility to sit for certification examination.
Practice the profession of medical coding with the recognition of and sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic differences.
Demonstrate effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication with patients and their families, colleagues, other health care providers, and the public.
Participate in continuing education and the development of new knowledge and skills.
Make a substantial contribution to the quality of health care in the United States and globally.

This program aligns with the college’s core competencies.

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