Medical Coding Classes
Our online medical coding classes prepare you to sit for the CPC, CCS-P, or CCS coding credentials. Click below to start your new career path!
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Medical coding is a fast-growing occupation that combines business and health care. If you are interested in a job in health care without direct patient contact, this is an excellent option for you. These high-demand positions may also allow for remote work. The medical coding training program provides students with the knowledge and skills to become competent credentialed coders in the inpatient or outpatient setting. Students may be eligible to sit for the CPC, CCS-P, or CCS coding credentials.
To complete the medical coding program, students must take five or six courses depending on the chosen pathway (CPC, CCS-P, or CCS).
For more information, contact Wendy Dunbar at 252-493-7528 or wwdunbar973@my.pittcc.edu.
Victoria Letteriello
Medical Coding Pathways
Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is most appropriate for those who would like to start a career in outpatient medical coding OR would like to transition from their current administrative or clinical healthcare position into an outpatient medical coding role. This credential is most widely recognized by employers as the “gold standard” in physician-based coding. See www.aapc.com for more information about the CPC exam.
Coursework
Contact Hours: 592 Hours
- SEMESTER 1
- OST 3150A Medical Billing and Coding I (128 hours)
- OST 3150B Medical Billing and Coding II (128 hours)
- SEMESTER 2
- AMC 3015A Medical Coding-Outpatient Services I (ICD-10-CM) (128 hours)
- AMC 3015B Medical Coding-Outpatient Services II (CPT/HCPCS) (128 hours)
- SEMESTER 3
- OSC 3030 Certified Professional Coder Exam Review (80 hours)
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician Based (CCS-P) is most appropriate for those who already hold a degree in health information technology/management and wish to advance their knowledge and skills in medical coding in an outpatient setting; OR for those with some coding experience who wish to advance in their current role; OR for individuals with significant clinical experience who want to transition to roles in medical coding or clinical documentation improvement. See AHIMA.org for the most up-to-date eligibility requirements.
Coursework
Contact Hours: 572 Hours
- SEMESTER 1
- OST 3150A Medical Billing and Coding I (128 hours)
- OST 3150B Medical Billing and Coding II (128 hours)
- SEMESTER 2
- AMC 3015A Medical Coding-Outpatient Services I (ICD-10-CM) (128 hours)
- AMC 3015B Medical Coding-Outpatient Services II (CPT/HCPCS) (128 hours)
- SEMESTER 3
- OSC 3030 Certified Coding Specialist –Physician-Based Coder Exam Review (60 hours)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) is most appropriate for those with some coding experience who wish to advance in their current role, most often in the hospital setting. It may also be appropriate for individuals with significant clinical experience who want to transition to roles in medical coding or clinical documentation improvement. The CCS certification is a natural progression for professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records. See AHIMA.org for the most up-to-date eligibility requirements. The class “Medical Coding – Inpatient Services” (required) may not be offered every semester if it does not meet the minimum enrollment numbers.
Coursework
Contact Hours: 700 Hours
- SEMESTER 1
- OST 3150A Medical Billing and Coding I (128 hours)
- OST 3150B Medical Billing and Coding II (128 hours)
- SEMESTER 2
- AMC 3015A Medical Coding-Outpatient Services I (ICD-10-CM) (128 hours)
- AMC 3015B Medical Coding-Outpatient Services II (CPT/HCPCS) (128 hours)
- AMC 3010 Medical Coding-Inpatient Services (ICD-10-PCS) (128 hours) *This class can be taken in a later semester, but total time to gain certification will be longer than 12 months.
- SEMESTER 3
- OSC 3030 Certified Coding Specialist Coder Exam Review (60 hours)
Course Descriptions
Medical Billing and Coding I
This course prepares students for a medical coding career by covering basic human anatomy and physiology for all body systems. Course content will focus on major diseases, lab medicine, common procedures, pharmacology, and terms used in physical exams, outpatient and operative procedures, and diagnoses. Upon completion, students will have the required knowledge of medical terminology to become a medical coder. Note: Students should also register for Medical Billing and Coding II. Textbooks are an additional cost and are required. 128 hours. Cost: $185.
Medical Billing and Coding II
This course prepares students for entry-level medical billing and coding positions. Course topics can include but are not limited to ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding, electronic health records, managed health care, legal and regulatory considerations, claim form instructions, and insurance plans (Medicare, Medicaid, BlueCross BlueShield, Tricare and Workers’ Compensation). Upon completion, students will have the required knowledge of medical billing and coding necessary to become a medical coder. Note: Students should also register for Medical Billing and Coding I. Textbooks are an additional cost and are required. 128 hours. Cost: $185.
Medical Coding-Inpatient Services (Summer Semester only)
(for students pursuing the CCS credential only) This course is offered in the Summer Term. Students enrolled in the Medical Coding Inpatient Services course will be able to take the CCS Exam Prep course immediately after completing the Medical Coding Inpatient Services course. This course will focus on advanced medical coding and billing for Inpatient Services. Students will learn to apply ICD procedure coding conventions and guidelines, Procedure Coding System (PCS) Table navigation, and application of codes. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationship between anatomy and physiology and the application of procedure codes by reviewing clinical documentation to determine procedure intent and extent. Upon completion, the student will have the knowledge to sit for industry-recognized certifications. Textbooks are an additional cost and are required. 128 hours. Cost: $185. After completing this course, students will be able to take the CCS Exam Prep course immediately.
Medical Coding – Outpatient Services I (ICD-10-CM Coding)
This course provides an in-depth study of diagnostic coding using the ICD-10-CM coding system. Students will learn the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting and how to apply these guidelines when assigning diagnosis codes to all chapters of the ICD-10-CM code book. Upon completion, students will have the required knowledge to accurately code diagnoses. Note: Students should also register for Medical Coding – Outpatient Services II. Textbooks are an additional cost and are required. 128 hours. Cost: $185.
Medical Coding – Outpatient Services II (CPT/HCPCS Coding)
This course provides an in-depth study of procedural coding using the CPT and HCPCS coding systems. Students will learn and apply the guidelines for assigning correct procedure codes. Upon completion, students will have the required knowledge to accurately code procedures. Note: Students should also register for Medical Coding – Outpatient Services I. Textbooks are an additional cost and are required. 128 hours. Cost: $185.
Certified Coding Specialist Coder (CCS) Exam Review
This course prepares students to sit for the inpatient, hospital-based CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) certification exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The course will review the four domains covered on the CCS certification exam (coding knowledge and skills, coding documentation, provider queries, and regulatory compliance) and provide opportunities for review, coding practice, and test-taking strategies. Upon completion, students should be prepared to register and sit for the CCS credentialing exam. Textbooks are an additional cost and are required. 60 hours. Cost: $185.
Certified Coding Specialist –Physician-Based Coder (CCS-P) Exam Review
This course prepares students to sit for the outpatient, physician-based CCS-P (Certified Coding Specialist-Physician Based) certification exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The course will review the five domains covered on the CCS-P certification exam (diagnosis coding, procedure coding, research, compliance, and revenue cycle) and provide opportunities for review, coding practice, and test-taking strategies. Upon completion, students should be prepared to register and sit for the CCS-P credentialing exam. Textbooks are an additional cost and are required. 60 hours. Cost: $185.
Certified Professional Coder Exam Review
This course provides instruction that will prepare students to sit for the certified professional coder (CPC) exam. Students will apply guidelines learned in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS to accurately code outpatient encounters to be submitted for insurance reimbursement. Upon completion, students will have the required knowledge to successfully sit for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). 80 hours. Cost: $185.
For more information, contact Wendy Dunbar at 252-493-7528 or wwdunbar973@my.pittcc.edu.