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. This is a complex learning program, 73% of students who start the coding program are successful in completing it, and 27% of students are not successful. Students will learn a great deal of information in a short period. Learning online is not for every student. All courses run consecutively.

• 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. 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
• 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.

Requirements for Coding Part II:

• Students entering Part II must first complete Part I, the 3 prerequisite courses within the past 12 months; medical terminology, pathopharmacology, and Healthcare Data & EHR.
• 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 needed for each course. See below for costs.

How to apply for the SC tuition scholarship for Coding Part II courses:  

1. SC residents complete the Scholarship application and attach identification and provide documentation of the three prerequisite courses taken, (within the past 12 months), or if a registered nurse, a copy of their current RN license with their Scholarship application. See this link; https://www.tridenttech.edu/ce/funding/workforce-pathways-scholarship.htm?_ga=2.203692880.1391223937.1728305573-831736795.1696424034&_gl=1*15n4i31*_ga*ODMxNzM2Nzk1LjE2OTY0MjQwMzQ.*_ga_HLTN9MCKZ3*MTcyODMxMjc4MC41NDUuMS4xNzI4MzE0NDcyLjAuMC4w  Courses below must be taken in the order listed below. Scholarship pays tuition only, 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, used for all courses in the program, unless you still have access from Part 1.
2.  McGraw Hill Medical Insurance connect code; $152.75 for the first course; Connect Online Code For Medical Insurance: A Revenue Cycle Process. Available at the TTC Bookstore, bldg 950. Do not activate until the course start date. 
3. e-Coding manuals:  Students must purchase the Optum Encoder Pro 12-month subscription, $136 used for the 2nd thru the 5th  courses in Part II. This will take students through all 4 core coding courses in Part II below. Available at the TTC Bookstore, bldg 950. Do not activate until the course start date for ICD10-CM. NEEDED FOR THE 2ND COURSE.
4. Total ebook costs for Part 2 = $511, unless you still have Cengage access from taking Part 1. 

 

Part II Spring 2025	Part II, XHIM600-             Spring 2025
Health Insurance xhim508> book $152.75	1/13-2/28/25
I-10-CM coding xhim502>	3/5-4/25/25
I-10-PCS coding xhim503>	4/30-6/20/25
CPT 1 coding xhim509>	6/25-8/15/25
CPT 2 Coding Advd Part II & exam prep,   xhim 510>	8/20-10/12/25