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Medical Coding Specialist
- Credits: 60
- Degree Type: A.A.S.
- Campus: , Online
Program Description
The Medical Coding Specialist program prepares students in many of the procedures associated with billing for medical services. Students receive training in medical billing processes including patient account management, diagnosis and procedure coding and medical insurance claim processing.
Thorough understanding of medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology and human disease conditions is necessary for anyone working in this field. Medical coding involves using nationally-recognized coding systems to classify procedures and diagnoses related to medical treatment. These codes provide information that is used in insurance claims processing.
Many different types of insurance programs are handled in the medical office. Students will examine insurance programs/plans such as Medicare, Medicaid & TRICARE, profit and non-profit third-party payers, workers' compensation packages and disability coverage.
Graduates of the program may be eligible to take one of the national coding certification exams.
Employment
Graduates of the medical secretary, medical administrative secretary and emphasis area programs have employment opportunities in a variety of health care settings including, but not limited to, hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, government agencies, public health, home health agencies, long-term care facilities, and dental offices.
According to CAREERwise, the median hourly pay as a Medical Records and Health Information Technicians in the state of Minnesota is $21.41 per hour. The employment outlook through 2024 is expected to grow approximately 9.8%, a very high-growth career.
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Get started today by talking to an NCTC admissions representative about connecting your educational goals to a Medical Coding Specialist career path.
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Program Course Listings
View semester order by campus: Distance Education
Required Courses |
||
| Course # | Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|---|
| ADMM 1110 | Intro to Hlth Info Mgmt | 3 |
| ADMM 1135 | Medical Language Applic | 4 |
| ADMM 1150 | Medical Billing/Insurance | 3 |
| ADMM 1160 | CPT/HCPCS Coding | 3 |
| ADMM 1165 | ICD Coding | 3 |
| ADMM 2240 | Medical Coding Ethics | 3 |
| ADMM 2250 | Inpatient Billing | 3 |
| ADMM 2260 | Interm CPT/HCPCS Coding | 3 |
| ADMM 2265 | Interm ICD Coding | 3 |
| ADMM 2285 | Certification Review | 3 |
| CPTR 1104 | Intro to Computer Tech | 3 |
| HLTH 1106 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| HLTH 1108 | Cultural Diversity | 1 |
| HLTH 1140 | Electronic Health Records | 3 |
| HLTH 2002 | Pharmacology | 2 |
| HLTH 2208 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| BIOL 2252 | Anatomy & Phys I | 3 |
| BIOL 2254 | Anatomy & Phys II | 3 |
| ENGL 1111 | Composition I | 3 |
| G1: Communication Elec ( *See Elective Options Listed Below ) | 3 | |
| G5: History/Social Elec ( *See Elective Options Listed Below ) | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS: | 60 | |
Area of Interest Elective Course Options |
||
 For this particular pathway, NCTC recommends a student explore further coursework in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum areas listed below. Need help? Schedule an appointment with a Northland Academic Advisor for assistance in selecting courses. |
||
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| G1: Communications Electives | ||
| SPCH 1101 | Intro to Public Speaking | 3 |
| SPCH 1103 | Interpersonal Communicati | 3 |
| G5: History/Social Science Electives | ||
| PSYC 1105 | Intro to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 2201 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
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Program Specific Requirements
All required courses must be completed with a grade of C or better to graduate.
The program requires students to have current working knowledge of specific required technical courses. Courses older than 5 years will not be accepted for transfer into the program:
ADMM1110 Intro Hlth Info Mgmt
ADMM1120 Medical Office Procedures
ADMM1130 Medical Transcription
ADMM1135 Medical Language Applications
ADMM1150 Medical Billing/Insurance
ADMM1160 CPT/HCPCS Coding
ADMM1165 ICD Coding
ADMM2240 Medical Coding Ethics
ADMM2250 Hospital Billing
ADMM2260 Int CPT/HCPCS Coding
ADMM2265 Int ICD Coding
ADMM2285 Coding Certification Review
BIOL2252 Anatomy & Physiology I
BIOL2254 Anatomy & Physiology II
CPTR1104 Intro to Computers
HLTH1106 Medical Terminology
HLTH1140 Electronic Health Records
HLTH2002 Pharmacology
Computer required. Web cam and online proctoring fees may apply.
Students achieving assessment scores below the established minimums must register and successfully complete (with a grade of "C" or better) the required developmental courses in order to meet graduation requirements.
The college minimum scores for the Accuplacer Assessment test are as follows:
Reading Comprehension: 78
Arithmetic: 50
Program Accreditation
Northland Community & Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
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Program Faculty
- Lori Anderson
- Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor
- Campus: East Grand Forks
- Tel: (218) 793-2559
- Toll Free: 1.800.959.6282
- Lori.Anderson@northlandcollege.edu
