Medical Coding Specialist

Program Description

The Medical Coding Specialist 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 specialists are also employed in consulting firms, coding and billing services, insurance companies, governmental agencies and computer software companies. The medical coding specialist reviews medical documentation provided by physicians and other health care providers and translates this into numeric codes. The coding specialist assigns and sequences diagnostic and procedural codes using universally recognized coding systems. Several uses of coded data are for payment of health care claims, statistics and medical research.

The courses are directly transferable into Moraine Park’s Health Information Technology associate of applied science degree if students wish to further their education in this field. This diploma can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

Major areas of study in this program include:

• Health Information Science
• Health Care Delivery Systems
• Reimbursement
• Coding

Graduates are eligible to take the national Clinical Coding Associate (CCA) certification examination through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). They may also take AHIMA’s national Clinical Coding Specialist (CCS) examination; however, two years of coding experience are recommended before taking the CCS examination.

Statewide Salary Range for Recent Graduates

$23,190 $39,388

Approximate Costs

• $111.85 per credit (resident)
• $167.80 per credit (out-of-state resident)
• *Online students are not charged out-of-state fees.

Program Outcomes

• Evaluate documentation to support diagnoses, tests
• Adhere to Security/Privacy/Confidentiality policies
• Use computers to process information
• Support data collection and reimbursement system
• Model professional behaviors, ethics and appearance
• Communicate in a professional manner
• Assign diagnostic and procedural codes
• Assign diagnostic and procedure codes using the ICD coding system
• Assign procedure codes using the HCPCS/CPT coding system

Career Opportunities

• Clinical Coding Specialist
• Biller/Coder
• Insurance Claims Clerk
• Acute Care Coder
• Ambulatory Coder
• Physician Specialty Coder
• Coder
• Charge Master Auditor
• Other positions with an emphasis on coding/data analysis

Program Applications

Applications are not currently being accepted to this program due to large wait lists and capacity limitations.  Please check our Application Deadlines for periodic updates on the next application opportunity.

Entrance Scores

Admission Process

• Submit the college admission application.
• Submit the $30 one-time fee.
• Submit high school and other official college transcripts.
• Take the college assessment test (ACCUPLACER, ACT or other). The ACCUPLACER assessment can be taken at MPTC.
• Meet with Admissions to discuss order of courses and prerequisites (strongly encouraged).
• Health Requirements need to be met and a Criminal Background Check is required.
• Check with Admissions if any additional steps are required.