Medical Coder Overview
Start a rewarding career in healthcare with the new Medical Coder program. Learn the skills critical to keeping medical facilities running efficiently and earn a degree that can help you move up the ladder in your organization.
This one-year technical diploma prepares you for the fast-paced, technology-focused work environment of a Medical Coder. In this essential position, you will learn to review medical documentation provided by doctors and medical professionals and translate it into the codes that are essential for billing and reimbursement. You may also earn certification from the American Health Information Management Association and the American Academy of Professional Coders.
Throughout the program, students will learn to:
- Collect health data
- Review clinical documentation to ensure accurate diagnostic and procedural coding
- Assign diagnosis and procedure codes for billing, quality improvement, statistical reporting, and medical research
- Use electronic applications to support coding and data collection
- Apply coding and reimbursement systems
The availability of jobs is expected to increase in the coming years, but many job openings are already available for people with this degree. You can choose to work directly in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, or indirectly with businesses including insurance, government, and computer software. Many Medical Coding professionals can work from home in a remote environment. And with the program offered in a MyChoice delivery, there is nothing stopping you from getting started in this rewarding career today!
Part of a career pathway, the Medical Coder technical diploma credits apply toward the Health Information Management & Technology associate degree if you choose to continue your education. Call us at 715-833-6300 to learn more.
Earn credit for prior learning! Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning. |
Just the Facts
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Medical Coder |
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Financial Aid Eligible |
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Students in this program should be aware of the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens. Learn more.
Estimated Program Cost
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
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Term 1 |
$ |
1,151 |
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Term 2 |
$ |
2,255 |
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Term 3 |
$ |
1,130 |
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Books |
$ |
1,330 |
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License, Certificate, or Credential |
$ |
299 |
What are estimated program costs? Estimated Total: $6,165
Program Outcomes
CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking several questions related to employment. Here are the program outcomes and job data.
// Program Scorecard$48K*
Yearly Salary
Medical Coder professionals make an average starting salary of $47,907.
100%
Continuing Their Education
100% of recent Medical Coder graduates have continued their education beyond this degree.
13
Regional Jobs
There are 13 job openings in the CVTC district for the Medical Coder industry.
* This wage is not specific to CVTC graduates. Wage estimates are based on entry-level positions and are gathered from Lightcast which is an economic modeling software that blends historical and projected industry and occupation trends within CVTC's 11-county district. Wage estimates are based on Occupational Employment Statistics and the American Community Survey.
Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions
Should you choose to continue your education after you leave CVTC, we have agreements in place with several institutions to ensure an easy transfer.
Program Courses
These are a few of the courses you will take in this program. Courses and the recommended sequence change from year to year; once you are enrolled in a program at CVTC you will be given a recommended course sequence that outlines what courses you should take and the order in which to take them.
You may search for available courses. If you are ever unsure of what courses to take, talk to your academic advisor. If you are looking for course information for previous years, check out our past catalogs.
Here are a few of the courses you can take in the Medical Coder program.
Sample Courses
Medical Terminology
This course focuses on the component parts of medical terms: prefixes, suffixes, and word roots. Students practice formation, analysis, and reconstruction of terms. Emphasis on spelling, definition, and pronunciation. Introduction to operative, diagnostic, therapeutic, and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, as well as systemic and surgical terminology.
HIMT Fundamentals
This course provides learners a firm foundation in the knowledge and skills essential to the field of Health Information Management & Technology. Includes: healthcare delivery systems and organization; health record content, organization, and storage; information technology in healthcare; electronic health records; healthcare data sets and data standards; data and information governance; accreditation, and licensing documentation requirements; confidentiality, privacy, and security issues; the HIM profession and HIMT functions; and ethical issues in health information management and technology.
Healthcare Revenue Management
Prepares learners to compare and contrast health care payers, illustrate the reimbursement cycle, and to comply with regulations related to fraud and abuse. Learners assign payment classifications with entry level proficiency using computerized encoding and grouping software.
Request More Information
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Earn Credentials Along the Way
Career Pathways What is a career pathway?
Career Pathways are a clear, manageable way to access education that provides employer-recognized, stackable credentials tied to specific jobs, education, and career progression. Career Pathways are beneficial to high school students and teachers, parents, adult students, and employers.
Technical Diplomas
Associate Degree
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Apply NowRelated Programs & Certificates
Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.
Degrees & Diplomas
Health Information Management & Technology, Associate Degree
Certificates
Continue Your Learning
CVTC can help you achieve your learning goals whether you are looking to advance your career or enrich your personal life.
// Explore Continuing Ed OpportunitiesUnsure of which program you'd like to go into? Learn more about our Career Assessment to help narrow down your options.
Additional Admissions Resources
Admission Requirements
Each program requires specific requirements a student must meet to be considered for admissions to this program.
// View Admission RequirementsAdvising Tips
We have compiled helpful tips and general information for students in this program.
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