Medical Coding Specialist Part II

Program Description:
Medical Coders work in hospitals, and physician offices and read patient records containing medical terminology, medical procedures, disease diagnosis, and insurance information. Medical coding is a rigorous program, requiring meticulous attention to detail. Coding is a complex learning program, similar to learning a foreign language. There is much reading and learning policies, regulations, and understanding insurance policies, Medicare and Medicaid. 

All five coding courses in Part 2 run consecutively. Learning online is not for every student. Of the TTC students that start the coding specialist program 73% of students are successful in completing it.

• 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.
•  There are many rules for accurate coding and it takes a great deal of practice, research, and expertise to master. Codes change on a yearly basis and staying up to date and detail oriented is important. 
• Employers will test coders during the interview process.
• See this short video that offers insights into the career: http://youtu.be/qlXKdUV_eRE  This video is a must-see!
• The schedule is tightly scheduled to reduce the program length of time. Asynchronous learning allows students to learn on their own schedule, within a certain timeframe; the start date, and the end date. 
• The curriculum teaches toward two national certifications either one is recognized as the gold standard and 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 entering Part II are first required to have successfully completed Part 1, the 3 prerequisite courses taken recently, within the past 12 months; medical terminology, pathopharmacology, and Healthcare Data & EHR. If not taken at TTC students must provide a transcript.
• Students must have daily access to a computer with high-speed internet access, a webcam, and microphone. Using a phone or any mobile device to complete a course is not recommended or reliable.
• Students must purchase a 12-month access to Cengage unlimited, the online e-books. See below for approximate costs as they change yearly.

How to register for Coding Part II courses:

1. Students must provide documentation of the three prerequisite courses taken, (within the past 12 months). 
2. Apply for the SC Wins Scholarship Application here:
   •   https://www.tridenttech.edu/ce/funding/workforce-pathways-scholarship.htm Please read the form carefully. Page down and select the 'desired program'. Please apply only once and then attach ID when prompted. Applications without identification will not be considered. Failure to successfully complete a program on Scholarship eliminates future Scholarship eligibility. Scholarship applicants may not be eligible for funding if they did not successfully complete or attend the first day of class for previously awarded programs.
     If an applicant has a financial debt with TTC, that will have to be reconciled before receiving scholarship funds.
   • Once applied ConEd Registration will notify students of acceptance with an email confirmation of enrollment in all 5 courses in Part 2. This can take several weeks, contact ce.reg@tridenttech.edu if needed to check status.
3. If the student is a registered nurse or paramedic, the prerequisites are not needed, simply include a copy of a current RN or Paramedic license with the Scholarship application and State identification. This is only available for currently licensed Registered Nurses & Paramedics.
4. The 5 courses in Part 2 below must be taken in the order listed, see schedule below. Scholarships pay tuition only, students must purchase books. Email: ce.reg@tridenttech.edu 

Coding Specialist Part II Online e-books & costs, please read carefully:

1. e-Textbooks:     Cengage Unlimited 12-month access subscription, students must purchase unless the access card used in Part 1 is still date current, check your expiration date. Available at the TTC Bookstore, $307., bldg 950, or online at Cengage.com, approx $200. Do not activate until the course start date.
2. e-Coding manuals:  Optum Encoder Pro 12-month subscription. Students must purchase the Encoder Pro 12-month subscription, needed for the 2nd thru the 5th courses in Part II. This will take students through all 4 core coding courses in Part II below. Encoder is available at the TTC Bookstore, $136, bldg 950. Do not activate until the course start date for ICD10-CM.                    

Coding Specialist Part II schedule for FALL 2026:

Health Insurance xhim508>	8/17-10/2/26
I-10-CM coding xhim502>	10/6-11/24/26
I-10-PCS coding xhim503>	1/12-3/5/27
CPT 1 coding xhim509>	3/9-4/27/27
CPT 2 Coding Advd Part II & test prep,    xhim 510>	5/3-6/20/27