This Medical Coder/Billing Specialist Certificate prepares students for employment in hospitals, physicians' offices, and other health care settings as medical coders, abstractors, and medical billers of clinical patient information using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) as modified for use in the United States and the HCPCS/CPT coding systems. In addition, students will learn about other related classification systems, clinical documentation requirements, prospective payment systems, e.g., diagnosis related groups (DRGs), reimbursement strategies, and the processing of medical claims. The program incorporates classroom instruction and a practicum covering a wide variety of medical specialties in both ambulatory and inpatient care.

Graduates are prepared to take national certifying examinations administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the national certifying examinations administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Please refer to organizations' website for further details.

Coding Specialists are specifically trained in the coding of medical/health records. By assigning the proper codes to diagnoses and procedures, accurate financial reimbursement may be made by insurance companies and government agencies. Upon successfully completing RCTC’s online Coding Specialist program, you are eligible to take the national examination sponsored by AAPC and earn the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential.

This completely online certificate program prepares students for a position as a medical coder in an acute care hospital, clinic or physician’s office, long-term care facility, or other health care settings. Coders ensure that valid codes are applied to medical diagnoses and procedures to facilitate reimbursement, analysis of patient outcomes, and research. The Medical Coding Specialist Certificate of Achievement prepares students to sit for the national certification examination to become a Certified Coding Associate (CCA). Students in this program must receive a grade of C or better in all courses to be eligible to graduate with this certificate of achievement. The program is approved by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).