Coding Specialist
Certificate
Curriculum code 1431
Course Requirements                    Health Sciences Web site

The Coding Specialist Program prepares you for a career as a medical coder. Coders classify diagnoses and procedures into ICD-9-CM and CPT formats used for reimbursement, data quality and medical research.

Coders work in physicians’ offices, billing companies, insurance companies, ambulatory care centers and hospitals. Moraine Valley’s 22-credit-hour Coding Specialist Program can prepare you to become a medical coding specialist. You will gain a working knowledge of ICD-9-CM and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II classification systems, as well as basic health information management, insurance reimbursement and computer applications skills.

Upon completion of the Coding Specialist Program, you will have the skills needed for entry-level coding positions and be eligible to sit for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam given by the American Health Information Management Association.

After a few years of experience, as recommended by the American Health Information Management Association, you also may choose to sit for the Certified Coding Specialist—Physician-Based (CCS-P) exam or the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam.

If you decide to continue your education, all coding courses apply toward Moraine Valley’s Associate in Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology.

Nature of Work—Coders are employed in clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, insurance companies, hospitals and other settings where diagnostic and procedural data are reported in ICD-9-CM CPT, and HCPCS coded format for reimbursement purposes.

Related Programs—Health Information Technology A.A.S. (69 credit hours), Medical Transcription (19 credit hours), Medical Assistant (41 credit hours)

Job Related Titles—Coder, biller, patient accounts representative, reimbursement specialist.

Employment Outlook—There is a future for medical coding specialists because of the increased scrutiny over medical records by the government and insurance companies. In an effort to control costs, complete and accurate records are becoming a necessity in order for hospitals and clinics to receive money from Medicare and Medicaid. As a coding specialist, you possess skills that open career opportunities in ambulatory care, managed care, physician practices and hospitals. Job openings for persons seeking work as coding specialists are expected to be numerous through the year 2014. There are many demands for accurately coded data from the medical record. In addition to their use on claims for reimbursement, codes are included on data sets used to evaluate the processes and outcomes of healthcare. Coded data are also used internally by institutions for quality management activities, case-mix management, planning, marketing, and other administrative and research activities. Median annual earnings were $25,590 in 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,650 and $32,990. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,720, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $41,760. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical records and health information technicians in 2004 were as follows: General medical and surgical hospitals $26,640 Nursing care facilities 26,330 Outpatient care centers 23,870 Offices of physicians 22,130 Resources: Bureau of Labor Statistics However earnings vary considerably dependent upon the size of the organization in which one is employed.

For job and internship listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Placement Center, T904, (708) 974-5737, www.morainevalley.edu/jpc.

Program Approval—The Coding Specialist Program is approved by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).