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Online Classes: Medical Coding Certificate

Medical Coding Certificate

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Become an integral tech member of the health information industry

Mercy College's medical coding certificate program is designed to provide clear pathways to professional advancement.

Online lecture and laboratory components are specifically designed for entry into professional practice as medical coders and to prepare students to sit for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The CCA is the only HIM credential worldwide currently accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Students who successfully complete the program will benefit from not only the credibility of college-level coursework but also be better equipped to pass the exam.

The program requires 26 credit hours spanning three semesters. Individuals who earn their medical coding certificate will be able to easily transition to the HIT program at the College, allowing them to earn an Associate Degree in approximately three years and qualifying them for advanced opportunities and earnings. For those who do not wish to continue their education, the CCA credential signifies the necessary knowledge to enter into the medical coding field and adds further qualifications for some medical secretarial positions.

The Medical Coding Certificate program courses begin in the fall semester (August).

Program Overview

Mercy College's online medical coding courses prepare students to work as part of the healthcare team as integral members of the health information industry. Medical coding specialists are responsible for selecting the appropriate diagnostic and procedural codes of various medical services for data analysis and reimbursement. The program will include didactic and simulated laboratory components specifically designed to prepare students for entry into professional practice as medical coders and prepare them to sit for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Program Handbook

Overview

The Medical Coding certificate program prepares students to work as part of the healthcare team as integral members in the health information industry. Medical coders are responsible for selecting the appropriate diagnostic and procedural codes of various medical services for data analysis and reimbursement.

The program includes didactic and simulated laboratory components designed to educate students for entry into professional practice as medical coders and prepare them for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The Medical Coding certificate program is offered over three semesters. Program content includes several courses that are part of the Associate of Applied Science degree program in Health Information Technology (HIT). The credit certificate program in Medical Coding allows students to seamlessly transition into the Associate degree program in HIT.

Mission Statement

To provide an educational experience that includes the professional and technical skills necessary for entry-level positions in the field of medical coding.

Philosophy

Consistent with the College mission statement, the philosophy of the Medical Coding program is to provide a certificate-level education based on Christian values. It is a belief that the education of medical coders is responsive to national and community needs.

Course goals and objectives are based on the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) standards. The goal is to prepare competent practitioners who can function in a rapidly changing healthcare environment as well as pass the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam.

Education is a continual process whereby learners develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes resulting in cognitive, affective, and psychological changes. The faculty facilitates the teaching/learning process through the sequential presentation of concepts, theories, and experimental activities within an environment that promotes mutual trust, critical thinking, and self-development.

Program Learning Outcomes

At the end of the certificate program, students will be able to:

  1. Apply diagnostic and procedural codes and groupings per current guidelines and evaluate for accuracy.
  2. Apply legal policies, regulations, principles and standards for the control, disclosure, retention, and destruction of protected health information.
  3. Analyze, compile, and report healthcare data for statistical, planning, research, and health information exchange purposes.
  4. Apply policies and procedures for the use of data required in healthcare reimbursement and the revenue cycle management processes.
  5. Apply policies, procedures, and processes as they relate to the collection, maintenance, appropriateness, integrity and presentation of health data.
  6. Demonstrate evidence of knowledge in the supporting content areas (pathophysiology, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology).

Admission Requirements

See College Admission Requirements.

Progression

Once enrolled in the program students are required to:

  1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0
  2. Maintain a “C” grade or higher, in all courses of the Medical Coding program.

Any grade lower than a “C” is considered a failure. Students who fail a Medical Coding program course or withdraw failing (WF) from a Medical Coding course may repeat the course only one time. However, if students fail two Medical Coding program courses, the program director reserves the right to dismiss students from the Medical Coding program.

To complete the Medical Coding Certificate students must fulfill all of the following:

Required Program Courses

Complete All of the Following Courses:

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BIO 105 Human Structure and Function 5
BIO 290 Pathophysiology 3
HIT 104 Introduction to Medical Coding Systems 1
HIT 105 Medical Terminology 3
HIT 110 Pharmacology for Health Information Technology 2
HIT 114 Foundations in Health Information Technology 3
HIT 126 Clinical Coding/Classification Systems I 3
HIT 150 Professional Practice Lab 1
HIT 234 Clinical Coding/Classification Systems II 3
HIT 235 Medical Reimbursement 2
Printable Version

Semester I

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BIO 105 Human Structure and Function 5
HIT 104 Introduction to Medical Coding Systems 1
HIT 105 Medical Terminology 3
HIT 114 Foundations in Health Information Technology 3

Semester II

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BIO 290 Pathophysiology 3
HIT 110 Pharmacology for Health Information Technology 2
HIT 126 Clinical Coding/Classification Systems I 3

Semester III

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
HIT 150 Professional Practice Lab 1
HIT 234 Clinical Coding/Classification Systems II 3
HIT 235 Medical Reimbursement 2

Sample program of study for Medical Coding Certificate.

Curriculum effective Fall 2021. For students enrolled prior to Fall 2021, please reference the Mercy College catalog.

Mercy College Medical Coding Certificate program provides:

  • Incorporation of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10) coding system, nationally mandated in October 2015
  • Preparation for the CCA Certification exam
  • Option of applying college credit earned in certificate program toward advanced degrees in related healthcare fields
  • Eligibility for Financial Aid

At the end of the certificate program, students will be able to:

  1. Review health records for timeliness, accuracy, appropriateness and completeness of healthcare documentation
  2. Perform processes related to collection, storage and retrieval of healthcare data/records.
  3. Code, abstract, classify and index diagnoses and procedures for the purpose of reimbursement, standardization, retrieval and statistical analysis.
  4. Review, abstract, and compile health data for reimbursement, patient care research, clinical registries and other informational needs.

Program Outcomes

  • Document .pdfMedical Coding Program Information Data


    View job placement and program completion rates specific to the Medical Coding Credit Certificate program

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Career Outlook

Employment Growth

According to Ohio’s labor management information system, the northwest Ohio economic region, including the Lucas County metropolitan area, will experience job growth through 2018 for health information technicians from anywhere between 9.1 and 11.6%.

Further, job opportunities for medical secretaries are cited as one of the fastest growing occupations at 13.5%, putting it on the list of jobs with the most annual openings for this area.

Salary Range

Medical records and health information technicians estimated salary: $34,160

Medical secretaries estimated salary: $31,350

Admission Requirements

Applicants must be a high school graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.0, or a general equivalency (GED) recipient with a score of 500 (score of 50 prior to 2002). If an applicant’s GPA or GED score is below the minimum, he/she may be eligible for admission under transfer credit guidelines.

A transfer student must be a high school graduate or a GED recipient and have earned a minimum of 15 credit hours of college coursework from a regionally accredited college, with a GPA of at least 2.0. For applicants who have attended more than one regionally accredited college, GPAs from all colleges must combine to equal at least a 2.0.