Medical Coding Specialist Part II

Program Description:
Medical Coders work for hospitals, and physician offices in records and reimbursement. Coders read patient records containing medical terminology, procedures, disease diagnosis, and insurance information. Coders analyze, research and audit health records in order to code for reimbursement. This is a complex and fast-paced learning program, students will learn a great deal of information in a short period of time. Over the past 5 semesters 62% of students that start the coding program are successful in completing it. Learning online is not for every student. All courses run consecutively.
Coders must have a good understanding of the basic sciences. See Part I: https://tridenttech.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=17658&int_category_id=2&int_sub_category_id=9&int_catalog_id=0   

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.

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 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 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 Coding Part I within the past 12 months; medical terminology, pathopharmacology, and Healthcare Data & EHR. If student is a current RN, registered nurse, prerequisites are not needed.
• 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 not recommended or reliable.
• Students must purchase the online e-books. See below for costs.

How to register for Coding Part II courses:

1. Students must provide documentation of the three prerequisite courses taken, (within the past 12 months), or if you are a registered nurse, provide a copy of their current RN license and identification with the scholarship application.
2. To be eligible for the Scholarship students must be SC residents and have completed Part I prerequisites. Apply only once and attach identification, the Registration office will email students within 2 weeks to process. Workforce Pathways Scholarship Application:  https://www.tridenttech.edu/ce/funding/workforce-pathways-scholarship.htm  
   Scholarships pay tuition for all 5 courses in Part II listed below. Students must purchase books.

Coding Specialist Part II Online e-book costs:

1. e-Textbooks:  Students must purchase Cengage Unlimited 12-month access subscription, $222, needed and used for all courses, and McGraw Hill Medical Insurance, $100. Both are available at the TTC Bookstore, bldg 950.   
2. e-Coding manuals:  Students must purchase the Optum Encoder Pro 12-month subscription, $120 needed for all 4 coding courses below; the 2nd thru the 5th courses in Part II. Available at the TTC Bookstore, bldg 950. Do not activate until the course start date. 

Coding Specialist Part II:

PART II	FALL 2024
Health Insurance xhim508>	8/12-9/27/24
I-10-CM coding xhim502>	9/30-11/15/24
I-10-PCS coding xhim503>	11/18-1/24/25
CPT 1 coding xhim509>	1/27/25-3/14/25
CPT 2 coding  xhim 510>	3/17-5/04/25