The Coding Specialist program starts twice per year, spring (January) and fall (August) terms and consists of five online coding courses, if you have first completed the three prerequisite courses. Students entering the online Coding Specialist program must first have taken the following prerequisite courses within the last 12 months in order to enter the Coding Specialist program:

• Medical Terminology, XAHS 522, 6 weeks, $75
• Pathopharmacology, XAHS 508, 6 weeks, $75
• Healthcare Data, XAHS 514, 5 weeks, $75

The prerequisite courses are "the" important foundation to accurately code. Having a high level of competence in them is the only way to read and understand patient medical records in order to accurately code. The prerequisite courses above are not Scholarship eligible, they have been discounted, and must be paid by the student as they take each one.

You can register and pay for multiple courses upfront or you can register and pay as you go. As a medical coder, you analyze patient electronic health records, and physician notes, and assign the proper codes to any medical procedure and diagnosis. You are responsible for translating medical procedures into a coded form for reimbursement payment from insurance companies. TTC’s curriculum teaches toward two national certifications: AAPC credential CPC (Certified Professional Coder) and AHIMA credential CCA or CCS (Certified Coding Associate or Certified Coding Specialist). Both are recognized by employers. Learn More >

Once you have successfully completed this program, you are also eligible to continue your education with TTC and complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Management.

If you currently work in health care and only need a few courses to prepare for a coding certification, you may enroll in just the courses you need. Contact the program manager, Judy Martin, for consultation or more information.

Health Care Data Content and Electronic Health Records for Coding

Study recordkeeping practices for electronic health records. Become familiar with patient record content and concepts regarding the use and maintenance of electronic health records. Explore procedures in the filing, numbering, and retention of patient records along with indexes and registers. Discover how to perform quantitative analysis. Learn the federal HIPAA guidelines for the release of patient information. Understand the regulatory and accrediting agencies associated with these records and the data contained within them. This prerequisite course is required for entering the Coding Specialist Part II program. It is not Scholarship eligible. To enroll in this course 'add to cart', pay and check out online, or contact the Registration office at: ce.reg@tridenttech.edu  843-574-6152.   Prerequisites: Successful completion of Medical Terminology and Pathopharmacology is required prior to taking this course. The Coding Specialist Program Part I consists of the 3 prerequisite courses needed to enter Part II of the Coding Specialist program. All courses run consecutively in the schedule. Coding Specialist Part I: medical terminology, pathopharmacology, healthcare data & EHR. Coding Specialist Part II: health insurance, I-10 coding, CPT coding.

COURSES AVAILABLE FOR REGISTRATION*

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Medical Coding Specialist Part II

Coding Specialist Part II (Scholarship eligible)  Program Description: Medical Coders work in hospitals, and physician offices, and read patient records containing medical terminology, medical procedures, disease diagnosis, and insurance information. There are many coding and insurance rules and policies for coding hundreds of thousands of codes. Medical coding is much like learning a foreign language.  Medical Coding is a difficult program to grasp. This is a complex learning program, 50% of students who start the coding program are successful in completing it. Students will learn a great deal of information in a short period of time. Coders must understand the basic sciences well, medical terminology, disease processes, and the Health Insurance industry including Medicare and Medicaid, in order to code accurately. These are prerequisites students must achieve first.  There are many rules for accurate coding and it takes a great deal of practice, research, and expertise to master. Coding instructors often state that learning medical coding is similar to learning a foreign language. The 32-week schedule is tightly scheduled to reduce the program length of time. All courses run consecutively. Asynchronous learning allows students to <u>learn on their own schedule, within a certain timeframe; the start date, and the end date.</u>  The curriculum teaches toward <u>two national certifications</u> required by employers: the AAPC credential CPC (Certified Professional Coder) www.aapc.com the AHIMA credential CCA or CCS (Certified Coding Associate or Certified Coding Specialist) www.ahima.org Requirements for Coding Part II: Students must have successfully completed 3 prerequisite courses within the past 12 months; medical terminology, pathopharmacology, and Healthcare Data & EHR, in order to enter Part II. Students must have daily access to a computer with high-speed internet access, a webcam, and microphone, Microsoft Office Suite, or equivalent, Adobe Flash Player and Acrobat Reader. Using a phone or any mobile device to complete a course is <u>not </u>recommended or reliable. Students must purchase the online e-books. See below for costs. To decide if medical coding is right for you please view these short videos from coding experts;   http://youtu.be/qlXKdUV_eRE  This video is a must-see!  https://youtu.be/tWBXte0RN8w  The difference between billing and coding. SC State Scholarship Application for Part II: <u>Only when Part I prerequisites are met,</u> or if a Registered Nurse<u>,</u> can SC residents apply for the tuition Scholarship for Part II. Scholarship Applications are available for the Spring (January) semester in the fall, 11/1-12/11/23. NO scholarship applications are available in January. The scholarship pays the tuition only, students must purchase all e-Books.   How to apply for Part II: SC residents must complete the scholarship application, attach their ID, and the Registration office to email you within 10 days to get your application processed. State Scholarship pays for tuition only. Students must purchase e-books. SC residents must apply for the State Scholarship 1-2 months before the start date. Scholarship applications for the January courses are available <u>only during these dates 11/1-12/11/23</u>. See this >link: <b><i><b><i><b><i><i><i><i><i><i><b><i><u><b><i><b><i><b><i><i><i><i><i><i><b><i>https://www.tridenttech.edu/ce/funding/workforce-pathways-scholarship.htm</i></b></i></i></i></i></i></i></b></i></b></i></b></u></i></b></i></i></i></i></i></i></b></i></b></i></b> Students must provide documentation of the three prerequisite courses taken within the past 12 months, or their RN license,  email to: <u>kayla.brunelle@tridenttech.edu</u> Coding Specialist Part II Online e-book costs: <u>e-Textbooks:</u>  Students must purchase Cengage Unlimited 12-month access subscription, $211, used for all courses in Part I and Part II. Available at the TTC Bookstore, bldg 950. Do not activate until the course start date.  <u>e-Coding manuals:</u>  Students must purchase the Optum Encoder Pro 12-month subscription, $120. This will take students through all 5 courses in Part II below. Available at the TTC Bookstore, bldg 950. Do not activate until the course start date. Coding Specialist Part II: Understd Health Insurance 1/8-2/23/24 ICD10-CM Coding 2/26-4/12/24 ICD10-PCS Coding 4/15-5/31/24 CPT 1 Coding 6/3-7/19/24 CPT 2 Coding Advanced Part II  7/22-9/8/24

COURSES AVAILABLE FOR REGISTRATION*

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Medical Terminology for Coding

Master the medical vocabulary and terms used in allied health and medical careers in this online course. Study word parts, root words, general application, abbreviations, medical terminology, and body systems. Medical terminology is the basic foundation needed for all proper coding. The 3 prerequisite courses must be taken in order as each course builds on to the next; Medical Terminology, Patho-pharmacology, and Healthcare Data & EHR. Learning medical terminology well is necessary to read patient records and for accurate medical coding. This course is a prerequisite in order to enter the Coding Specialist Part II program. It is not Scholarship eligible. Enrollment in this course is Nov 1 thru Dec 11, 'add to cart', check out and pay online. No enrollments in January. Notice - e-books: Online e-books are used in all courses in the Coding Specialist program; through the Cengage Unlimited 12-month access card, $211, and available at the TTC Bookstore, bldg 950. <u>This gives students access to all the e-textbooks needed in Medical Terminology, Pathopharmacology, Healthcare Data, and all the coding courses in Part II.</u>  DO NOT activate the access card until the first course starts.  The Coding Specialist Program Part I consists of the 3 prerequisite courses needed to enter Part II of the Coding Specialist program. All courses run consecutively in the schedule. Coding Specialist Part I: medical terminology, pathopharmacology, healthcare data & EHR. Coding Specialist Part II: health insurance, I-10 coding, CPT coding.

COURSES AVAILABLE FOR REGISTRATION*

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Pathopharmacology for Coding

Learn the diseases of the human body and the medications used to treat them. This is a prerequisite course required to enter the Coding Specialist Part II program. This course is not Scholarship eligible.To enroll in this course 'add to cart', pay and check out online, or contact the Registration office at ce.reg@tridenttech.edu 843-574-6152. Prerequisite: Medical Terminology must be taken prior to taking this Pathopharmacology course.  The Coding Specialist Program Part I consists of the 3 prerequisite courses needed to enter Part II of the Coding Specialist program. All courses run consecutively in the schedule. Coding Specialist Part I: medical terminology, pathopharmacology, healthcare data & EHR, are all required to enter Part II. Coding Specialist Part II: Consists of 5 courses health insurance, I-10 coding 1 & 2, CPT coding 1 & 2.

COURSES AVAILABLE FOR REGISTRATION*

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