Health Careers
Medical Coding Specialist
Professional Activities
Medical Coding Specialists are professionals skilled in classifying medical data from patient records in various health care settings such as physician offices, clinics, long term care and behavioral health facilities, and hospitals. These coding practitioners review patients’ records and assign numeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure. To perform this task, Medical Coding Specialists must possess expertise in the ICD-9 and CPT coding systems. In addition, Medical Coding Specialists have a medical science background (medical terminology, disease processes, pharmacology, and anatomy and physiology). Computer and communication skills are extremely important.
Health care facilities or medical providers report coded data to third party payors such as insurance companies or the government (in the case of Medicare and Medicaid recipients) for reimbursement of their expenses. Researchers and public health officials also use coded medical data to monitor patterns and explore new interventions. Coding accuracy is thus highly important to health care organizations because of its impact on revenues and for predicting health outcomes or the results of new therapies/drug interventions.
Medical coding specialists can be found in hospitals, medical clinics, veterinary hospitals, long term care facilities, and behavioral health facilities. Native health corporations also provide job opportunities.
Educational Requirements
- High school diploma or GED is required.
- Medical coding certification is often required by employers. At a minimum, employers expect completion of specific college courses.
- Some employers require national coding certification.
Academic Programs
Certifications:
The American Health Information Management Association now offers three credentials:
1) Certified Coding Assistant (CCA)
The CCA is an entry-level certification given upon successful completion of a national exam.
2) Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P)
The CCS-P is a coding practitioner with expertise in physician-based setting such as physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics, or specialty centers.
3) Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
The CCS is a professional skilled in classifying medical data from patient records, generally in the hospital setting.
While none of the credentialing exams require academic preparation, it is highly recommended that there be a minimum of one to two years experience prior to writing the AHIMA CCS-P and CCS exams.
The American Academy of Professional Coders offers two credentials:
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
For physician office coding.
Certified Professional Coder-Hospital (CPC-H)
For facility or hospital coding.
HIM Coding Specialist Certificate (Board of Regents approved) offered at:
University of Alaska Southeast
1332 Seward Avenue
Sitka, AK 99835-9498
Contact: Leslie Gordon
Phone: (907) 747-9474
Toll free: (800) 478-6653 ext. 9474
Email:
Web site: http://www.uas.alaska.edu/sitka/programs/coding.html
UAS also offers a distance delivered Certificate in Healthcare Privacy which prepares students for employment in data access and disclosure. Courses from either certificate can be transferred to the Health Information Management (HIM) degree.
Healthcare Reimbursement Certificate of Completion offered at:
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Tanana Valley Campus
604 Barnette Street
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Contact: Christa Bartlett, Coordinator
Phone: (907) 455-2887
Email:
Web site: http://www.tvc.uaf.edu/programs/health/health-reim.html
Occupational Endorsement Certificate, Medical Office Coding offered at:
University of Alaska Anchorage
Allied Health Programs
Medical Assisting Department
3211 Providence Drive - AHS 161
Anchorage, AK 99508
Contact: Pam Ventgen
Phone: (907) 786-6927
Email:
Web site: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/ctc/programs/alliedhealth/ma/
Certificate in Medical Coding and Billing offered at:
Charter College
2221 East Northern Lights Boulevard, Suite 120
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Phone: 907-277-1000
Toll-Free: 888-463-7001
Fax: 907-274-3342
Email:
Web site: http://www.chartercollege.edu/
Contacts
Inquiries Regarding Careers and Certification:
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
233 N. Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60601-5800
Phone: (312) 233-1100
Fax: (312) 233-1090
Email:
Web site: http://www.ahima.org
American Academy of Professional Coders
2480 South 3850 West, Suite B
Salt Lake City, UT 84120
Toll free: (800) 626-CODE (2633)
Phone: (801) 236-2200
Fax: (801) 236-2258
E-mail:
Web site: http://www.aapc.com/
This page was last updated by Janice Troyer on June 30, 2008
