One-Year Technical Diploma
31-530-3
Medical Coders review medical documentation health care providers provide and translate it into an alphanumeric classification system. Using universally recognized coding systems, the coding specialist assigns and sequences diagnostic and procedural codes, which insurance companies use to process health care claims, as well as for data analysis, statistics, medical research, and more. This program prepares students to perform specialized medical coding in physician offices, medical clinics, and acute care facilities, plus record-keeping procedures related to medical diagnostic, treatment, billing and insurance documentation.
The Medical Coder is an embedded technical program offered by Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) that articulates to the shared Health Information Program (HIM, 10-530-4) with Mid-State Technical College. Taking this program will allow students to earn the Medical Coder Technical Diploma from BTC, to then transfer those credits to the shared HIM/AAS program with Mid-State Technical College. The Medical Coder program allows students the ability to sit for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) credential exam, through AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association).
Medical Coder graduates will be able to:
- Examine health documentation, and determine diagnoses and procedures.
- Assign medical codes to both diagnoses and procedures.
- Collect health data.
- Model professional behaviors and ethics
- Use electronic applications to support coding and data collection
- Apply coding and reimbursement systems.
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| 501-101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| 501-107 | Digital Literacy for Health Care | 2 |
| 530-162 | Foundations of Health Information Management | 3 |
| 806-177 | General Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 530-197 | International Classification of Disease (ICD) Diagnosis Coding (First 8 weeks) | 3 |
| 530-182 | Human Disease for Health Professionals | 3 |
| 530-184 | Current Procedural Terminology Coding (Second 8 weeks) | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| 530-159 | Healthcare Revenue Management | 3 |
| 530-165 | Intermediate Coding (Second 8 Weeks) | 3 |
| 530-199 | International Classification of Disease (ICD-PCS) Procedure Coding (First 8 weeks) | 2 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 29 | |
The Medical Coder program prepares individuals for employment as entry-level coding specialists in health care facilities such as hospitals, clinics, physician practice groups, surgery centers, long-term care facilities, and home health care agencies. Coding professionals are also employed by consulting firms, coding and billing services, insurance companies, governmental agencies and computer software companies.