Medical Coding is a fast-growing occupation that combines business and healthcare. If you are interested in a job in healthcare without direct patient contact, this is an excellent option for you. These high-demand positions may allow for remote work.
If you need to discuss the curriculum, total costs, or how the 12-month online format works, reach out to the program coordinator for guidance in deciding if this career path fits your goals.
Wendy Dunbar
Program Coordinator
Phone: 252-493-7528
Email: wwdunbar973@my.pittcc.edu
All new students begin with the same foundational core. Registration for the first semester requires enrolling in the classes Medical Billing & Coding I & II simultaneously.
Once you have the foundations, you must choose one of three specialized paths to continue your training. Each leads to a different professional credential. Select one to learn more!
Not sure which specialty to choose? Use the chart below to compare.
| Feature | CPC (AAPC) | CCS-P (AHIMA) | CCS (AHIMA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Physician Offices | Clinics/Specialty Centers | Hospitals/Inpatient |
| Industry Rank | Gold Standard for Outpatient | Advanced Professional | High-Level Inpatient |
| Average Salary | ~$58,895 | ~$45,010+ | ~$66,370 |
Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is designed for individuals pursuing a career in outpatient medical coding or transitioning from administrative or clinical healthcare roles into coding. The CPC is widely recognized by employers as the “gold standard” credential for physician-based coding. More information about the exam is available at aapc.com.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Contact Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | OST 3150A | Medical Billing and Coding I | 128 |
| OST 3150B | Medical Billing and Coding II | 128 | |
| Semester 2 | AMC 3015A | Medical Coding – Outpatient Services I (ICD-10-CM) | 128 |
| AMC 3015A | Medical Coding – Outpatient Services II (CPT/HCPCS) | 128 | |
| Semester 3 | OSC 3030 | Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam Review | 80 |
| Total Contact Hours | 592 | ||
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician Based (CCS-P) is most appropriate for individuals with a health information technology/management degree, coding experience, or significant clinical experience who want to advance or transition into outpatient medical coding or clinical documentation improvement. See ahima.org for the most up-to-date eligibility requirements.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Contact Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | OST 3150A | Medical Billing and Coding I | 128 |
| OST 3150B | Medical Billing and Coding II | 128 | |
| Semester 2 | AMC 3015A | Medical Coding – Outpatient Services I (ICD-10-CM) | 128 |
| AMC 3015A | Medical Coding – Outpatient Services II (CPT/HCPCS) | 128 | |
| Semester 3 | OSC 3030 | Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-Based Coder Exam Review | 60 |
| Total Contact Hours | 572 | ||
The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) is designed for individuals with coding experience, typically in hospital settings, who want to advance their careers. It is also suitable for experienced clinical professionals transitioning into coding or clinical documentation improvement. CCS is a natural next step for those working with inpatient and outpatient records. See ahima.org for current eligibility requirements. The required course, Medical Coding – Inpatient Services, may not be offered each semester due to enrollment minimums.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Contact Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | OST 3150A | Medical Billing and Coding I | 128 |
| OST 3150B | Medical Billing and Coding II | 128 | |
| Semester 2 | AMC 3015A | Medical Coding – Outpatient Services I (ICD-10-CM) | 128 |
| AMC 3015A | Medical Coding – Outpatient Services II (CPT/HCPCS) | 128 | |
| AMC 3010 | Medical Coding – Inpatient Services (ICD-10-PCS) *This class can be taken in a later semester, but total time to gain certification will be longer than 12 months. | 128 | |
| Semester 3 | OSC 3030 | Certified Coding Specialist Coder Exam Review | 60 |
| Total Contact Hours | 700 | ||
These “finishing” classes are intensive reviews designed specifically to help you pass the national certification tests (AAPC or AHIMA).
Requirement: Completion of Semester 1 and 2 (or equivalent transfer credit).
The Medical Coding program is 100% online via Moodle with no scheduled meeting times. The program may be completed in 12 months when following the recommended sequence. Any deviation from the recommended schedule will extend the time it takes to complete.
These valuable healthcare team members and are responsible for reviewing healthcare documentation from providers’ notes about which procedures took place and what was diagnosed. Using knowledge of codes from CPT, HCPCS, ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS, payer policies, and government regulations, coders use medical records to assign codes for billing and insurance purposes.
Contact Wendy Dunbar, Program Coordinator, at 252-493-7528 or wwdunbar973@my.pittcc.edu.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of medical coders will grow 7% to 9% between 2020 and 2030 which is greater than the average for all professions. This strong job outlook can make it easier for qualified, credentialed coders to find work.
According to the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) with a CPC (Certified Professional Coder) credential, the median yearly salary is approximately $58,895.
According to AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association), with a CCS-P credential, the average salary starts at $45,010. The average salary for a CCS credentialed coder is $66,370.
The medical coding program prepares you for entry into a healthcare position based on the combination of your previous education and/or work experience. You may seek roles such as:
Medical coders work in hospitals, physician’s offices, ambulatory surgery centers, healthcare consulting companies, health insurance agencies, and even remote contract coding companies.
You will need a high school diploma or equivalent to become a credentialed medical coder. Students should have a basic understanding of Microsoft® Office (Word & Excel) and be proficient in keyboarding and English grammar and punctuation.
This career requires knowledge of medical terminology and healthcare billing. Knowledge and proficiency in ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and HCPCS coding are also required.
Code books (ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS) are updated once each year. Current year code books are required for the certification exam, so students may have to purchase a second set of code books depending on when they complete the courses and sit for the exam. Students will purchase books as a bundle and a one-year subscription from Cengage. Students taking longer than one year to complete will need to purchase additional access. Instructors will be using the current year code books.
Students must pass each course with an 80% or better to move forward in this program.
The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam Review course is not optional and will be taken to prepare students for the certification examination administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders.
The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS-P and/or CCS) Exam Review course is not optional and will be taken to prepare for the certification examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association.
*Interested students who have earned a healthcare-related degree may be awarded credit for Medical Billing and Coding I. Students must notify Ashleigh Walker at abwalker360@my.pittcc.edu or 252-493-7649 for permission and provide supporting documentation prior to enrolling in the remaining courses.
Medical Billing and Coding AAS Degree
View Curriculum Sheet
Medical Billing and Coding Diploma
View Curriculum Sheet
*Transfer option to ECU for a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (HIM). PCC has an articulation agreement with ECU, allowing students who complete an AAS degree in HIT at PCC to enter ECU as a junior upon acceptance to the ECU HIM Program. Admission to the Health Information Management program is competitive. A completed application does not guarantee admission to the program.