Medical Coding

The Medical Coding certificate is designed around the national American Academy of Professional Coder's (AAPC) Certified Professional Coder (CPC) curriculum. The program covers Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-CM) coding. It assures a broad knowledge in reviewing and assigning the correct procedure and diagnosis codes for professional(physician) services. This program is recommended for anyone who is preparing for a career in a medical coding department at a physician's office, clinic, or similar positions. CPC certification represents excellence in medical coding.Potential employers recognized that the CPC credential equates with proven mastery of all code sets (CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS), evaluation and management(E/M) principles, surgical coding, and adherence to documentation and coding guidelines. Each course for this certificate must be completed with a grade of“C” or better.

It has been estimated that there would be 30 to 45 completers every year at four different Cerro Coso Community College sites.  

The Medical Coding certification is an adjunct to the Administrative Medical Assistant Program. It allows the student to further his education in medical coding needed in the doctor's office and advance in his profession.This certificate prepares the student to take the national Certified Professional Coding (CPC) examination through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The student is likely to receive higher wages if certified. The students will utilize software in the completion of Health Information Management (HIM) processes for billing, data collection, and data reporting.

The student will evaluate the accuracy of medical coding and groupings in data mining of client data.

The student will apply medical coding conventions and coding guidelines to the use of healthcare reimbursement.

The student will apply the coding and sequencing principles to a wide variety of client services and procedures using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT),International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-CM), and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes.

The student will determine the levels of 'evaluation and management' (E/M)services.

The student will utilize software in the completion of Health Information Management (HIM) processes for coding, grouping, data collection, and data reporting.

The student will develop appropriate strategies to query physicians to resolve data and coding discrepancies.

The Medical Coding certificate is designed around the national American Academy of Professional Coder's (AAPC) Certified Professional Coder (CPC)curriculum. The program covers Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-CM) coding. It assures a broad knowledge in reviewing and assigning the correct procedure and diagnosis codes for professional(physician) services. This program is recommended for anyone who is preparing for a career in a medical coding department at a physician's office, clinic, or similar positions. CPC certification represents excellence in medical coding.Potential employers recognized that the CPC credential equates with proven mastery of all code sets (CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS), evaluation and management(E/M) principles, surgical coding, and adherence to documentation and coding guidelines. Each course for this certificate must be completed with a grade of“C” or better.