An online certified professional coder (CPC)
program prepares students for the national American Academy of
Professional Coders exam that allows them to become certified in the
medical coding field. Medical coders work in health care settings and
record the medical information needed for payment from
government-related and private insurance institutions.
Overview of an Online Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Certificate Program
Online CPC certificate programs teach how to analyze medical
information and assign codes according to the medical standards.
Participants also learn skills in organizing records and insurance data,
reporting information and communicating with health care professionals.
There are typically no prerequisites to enroll in the certificate
program; however, a background in the medical field is helpful.
Depending on the school, these programs consist of a minimum of six
courses, and they can require up to 35 hours of college credit when
taken in pursuit of a certificate. Online programs are delivered via the
Internet, and some schools use a special course management system
(CMS), such as Moodle, to deliver course materials to distance learners.
Some programs include an internship in a health care setting in the
student's local area to gain practical skills.
Students also need access to an e-mail account for communication with
instructors and peers. A specific word processing program may also be
required for submitting assignments. Most schools provide a technical
support system to help students with any issues via e-mail, chat or
phone.
List of Common Online Professional Coder Courses
Coursework in CPC certificate programs focuses on the
medical coding
specialty and includes classes in coding, billing, reimbursement and
medical terminology. Biology and basic medical science courses may also
be a part of the curriculum.
Medical Terminology Course
This class concentrates on the spelling, definitions, pronunciation,
roots and suffixes related to terms used in medicine. Students gain
knowledge in medical vocabulary and skills in communicating effectively
with health care professionals.
These classes introduce coding procedures and outcomes for successful
reimbursement using current classification guidelines and systems.
Human anatomy, physiology and clinical statements are also emphasized in
relation to specific guidelines in medical coding.
Medical Billing and Reimbursement Course
The methods used to ensure payment in processing medical claims are
the concentration of this class. The course also emphasizes knowledge of
insurance provider requirements, regulations, auditing, Medicare
billing, patient records and forms related to coding and reimbursement.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that
medical records
and health information technicians earned a median annual wage of
$31,290 as of May 2009. The increase in health-related issues and
resulting medical tests, procedures and treatment performed was expected
to provide increasing employment opportunities in the field (
www.bls.gov).
Upon completion of the certificate program, graduates are eligible to
sit for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) exam to gain
CPC status. Medical coders desiring to advance further in the field can
pursue advanced specialty certification through the AAPC and
Professional Association of Health Care Coding Specialists (PAHCS).
Experience, rigorous testing and additional education are normal
requirements for advanced designations through both organizations.
Medical coding specialists can also pursue undergraduate and graduate
degrees in different areas in health care, such as health care
administration, depending on their personal career goals.
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