Coding Specialist/Physician-Based Certificate
Can be completed in online format.
CCS-Ps are coding practitioners who specialize in physician-based settings such as physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics, or specialty centers. They review patient records and possess in-depth knowledge of the CPT coding system and familiarity with the ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II coding systems. They are experts in health information documentation, data integrity, and quality and play a critical role in a health provider’s business operations for data submitted to insurance companies or the government for expense reimbursement. This program offers the knowledge and skills to sit for both the Certified Coding Specialist-Physician Office – CCS-P and/or the Certified Coding Specialist- CCS credentialing exams offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and meets the education eligibility requirements as outlined by that association.
Employment Information
Coding specialists compile, process and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients. They are familiar with coding systems and stay up-to-date on health care documentation. Day-to-day responsibilities include reviewing patient records for accuracy and completeness, and tracking patient outcomes for quality, organization and maintenance of data for clinical databases and
registries. Coding specialists are familiar with classification software and assign clinical codes for reimbursement and data analysis. Most health information technicians work in hospitals or physicians’ offices. The median annual wage for health information technicians was $45,240 per year or $21.75 per hour in 2020. Overall employment of medical records and health information specialists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Credentialing
The Coding Specialist program offers the knowledge and skills to sit for both the Certified Coding Specialist-Physician Office (CCS-P) and/or the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credentialing exams offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and meets the education eligibility requirements as outlined by that association.
Is this for me?
Medical records are stored electronically so those choosing this profession will need to be comfortable with using software programs and working with different databases. Patient health information is protected by law, and confidentiality is required of medical records and
data security.
Employment Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 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 and should lead to an increased need for technicians to organize and manage the associated medical records.
- Register for admission to the college.
- Declare Medical Coding Specialist—Physician Based (CCS-P) Program interest and register for all required Fall semester courses.
- Meet placement criteria in basic math and English criteria:
- If course placement criteria not met, student may enroll in appropriate remedial course/s to bring skill level up to criteria.
- Meet with Director of Allied Health to discuss the guided pathway for successful completion of the program.
The Medical Coding Specialist—Physician Based (CCS-P) Program may becompleted in three semesters beginning in the fall
Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework | ||
| ALH-111 | DIAGNOSTIC CODING 1 | 3.00 |
| ALH-210 | PROCEDURAL CODING 1 | 3.00 |
| ALH-218 | MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY | 3.00 |
| ALH-225 | SURVEY OF BODY SYSTEMS & DISEASE COND | 3.00 |
| ALH-240 | INSURANCE CLAIMS PROCESSING 1 | 3.00 |
| ALH-252 | ETHICAL & LEGAL PRAC IN ALLIED HEALTH | 2.00 |
| ALH-280 | CODING SPECIALIST PRACTICUM 1 | 3.00 |
| BUS-104 | INTRO TO BUSINESS | 4.00 |
| Total Credits | 24.00 | |
- 1
Course has prerequisite(s)
- The student must achieve a 2.5 GPA in all ALH curriculum courses.
- Qualifications for the practicum require that students have all course work completed and an overall 2.5 GPA or above.
Tuition is calculated by contact hours per semester.
Current/Updated: 08/14/2019
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Credits | |
| Fall 1 (7.5 weeks) | ||
| ALH-218 | MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY | 3.00 |
| ALH-225 | SURVEY OF BODY SYSTEMS & DISEASE COND | 3.00 |
| Fall 2 (7.5 weeks) | ||
| ALH-111 | DIAGNOSTIC CODING | 3.00 |
| ALH-252 | ETHICAL & LEGAL PRAC IN ALLIED HEALTH | 2.00 |
| Credits | 11.00 | |
| Winter 1 | ||
| Winter 1 (7.5 weeks) | ||
| ALH-210 | PROCEDURAL CODING | 3.00 |
| Winter 2 (7.5 weeks) | ||
| ALH-240 | INSURANCE CLAIMS PROCESSING | 3.00 |
| BUS-104 | INTRO TO BUSINESS (Full semester course) | 4.00 |
| Credits | 10.00 | |
| Summer 1 | ||
| (7.5 weeks) | ||
| ALH-280 | CODING SPECIALIST PRACTICUM | 3.00 |
| Credits | 3.00 | |
| Total Credits | 24.00 | |