Medical Coding Certificate Courses and Requirements→
MassBay Health Sciences | Medical Coding | Information →
NOTE: The Medical Coding curriculum is being revised AY22-23. We are restructuring the Medical Coding curriculum for admissions in Fall 2023. The new curriculum will be available online in April 2023.
What Medical Coders Do
Medical Coding Professionals organize and manage health information data. These individuals transform written descriptions of disease, injuries, and procedures into numerical designations. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories. These numerical medical codes provide accuracy and clarity for health care reimbursement, which is vital for the success and stability of the health care provider. Medical Coders code each medical diagnosis and procedure and may communicate with physicians to clarify diagnoses or obtain additional information. This information is then used for clinical decisions, reimbursement of insurance claims, and indexing statistics and research.
Why Medical Coders are Important in Healthcare
Vast amounts of medical information pass through every hospital, medical facility, and medical practice daily. The Medical Coding Specialist is responsible for translating and sequencing this medical documentation into formal standardized, numerical codes for diagnoses and procedures. The Medical Coding Specialist works closely with healthcare providers to ensure the accuracy of the translation. Medical coding is a vital behind-the-scenes activity that supports the billing process and quality patient care. Coders may help prevent delays in patient billing and provider payment.
What is MassBay’s Medical Coding Program?
This program is designed to prepare the student for entry level placement for medical records coding, in either an inpatient or outpatient setting. It offers training in medical terminology; inpatient and outpatient medical office administrative practice; pathophysiology and pharmacology for medical coding; medical records management; ICD-CM, CPT-4 and HCPCS coding; coding regulatory issues; medical legal and ethical issues; computer usage and medical data entry; and insurance and billing practices. It is appropriate for entry-level job candidates, as well as for those wishing to build on a current skill base in order to make a career change.
Upon completion of the Medical Coding Certificate, the student will be able to:
- Review health records for completeness and accuracy.
- Identify components of appropriate and adequate documentation of health care.
- Code, classify and index diagnosis and procedures for the purposes of reimbursement.
- Abstract information from patient records to complete a claim properly.
Graduates of the Medical Coding program will:
- Accurately code diagnoses and procedures in a variety of healthcare settings using currently accepted coding systems;
- Differentiate among the different reimbursement methodologies;
- Interpret health data content to support the assignment of correct medical codes and for reimbursement;
- Follow health information requirements and standards;
- Apply computer technology in the completion of health information processes;
- Model professional behavior and ethics in a diverse population;
- Comply with established legal and ethical standards of health information practice;
- Communicate effectively using appropriate terminology;
- Connect coding concepts to anatomy and pathophysiology.
Important Qualities/Attributes of a Medical Coder:
It is recommended that potential students have a good working knowledge of computers, are detail-oriented and analytical, and have excellent organization skills. Medical Coders often work with little supervision; therefore, candidates should also be self-starters who are able to work independently.
Analytical skills. Health information technicians must be able to understand and follow medical records and diagnoses, and then decide how best to code them in a patient’s medical records.
Detail oriented. Health information technicians must be accurate when recording and coding patient information.
Integrity. Health information technicians work with patient data that are required, by law, to be kept confidential. They must exercise caution and a strong sense of ethics when working with this information in order to protect patient confidentiality.
Interpersonal skills. Health information technicians need to be able to discuss patient information, discrepancies, and data requirements with other professionals such as physicians and finance personnel.
Technical skills. Health information technicians must be able to use coding and classification software and the electronic health record (EHR) system that their healthcare organization or physician practice has adopted. They must be competent in the use of EHR computer software, following EHR security and privacy practices, and analyzing electronic data to improve healthcare information.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Students who complete this course are eligible to sit for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) - Certified Professional Coder Exam (CPC) or Certified Professional Coder Apprentice Exam (CPC-A) and other National Certification Exams.
Work Environment
Medical Coders discuss patient information with other professionals such as physicians and finance personnel. Most Medical Coders work in hospitals or physicians’ offices. Medical Coders typically work in offices and may spend many hours in front of computer monitors. Some technicians may work from home. In healthcare facilities that are always open, such as hospitals, Medical Coders may work evening or overnight shifts.
Pay
The median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians in Massachusetts is $45,000. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned $32,810 (entry level) and the highest 10 percent earned $55,570.
Job Outlook
Graduates are eligible for careers in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, health maintenance organizations, nursing homes, and insurance companies.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of health information technicians is projected to grow 15 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages. An aging population will require more medical services and health information technicians will be needed to organize and manage the older generations’ health information data.
Medical Coders are employed by:
- Hospitals
- Medical Libraries
- Nursing and Rehabilitation facilities
- Insurance companies
- Health maintenance organizations
- Mental health facilities
- Independent organizations
- Research Facilities
QUESTIONS
Please attend an upcoming information session. Check out MassBay’s Info Session schedule and sign up today. Health Sciences programs have selective admissions requirements, you may want to attend a MassBay Health Sciences Info Session Or, contact Admissions at 508-279-4059 or admissions@massbay.edu.