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. Part II consists of 5 courses; in insurance and the core coding contents. Students will learn a great deal of information in a short period of time. 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:

• Part II registration and enrollment is held in June & July for the Fall semester. Apply early, registration closes Aug 1st.
• Students entering Part II are first required to have successfully completed Part 1, 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. 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). 
2. If a registered nurse, the prerequisites are not needed, simply include a copy of a current RN license with their Scholarship application and identification.
3. Scholarship applications are available 2 months before the start date, and close 2 weeks before the start date. The 5 courses below must be taken in the order listed. Scholarships pay tuition only, students must purchase e-books. Email ConEd registration: ce.reg@tridenttech.edu 
4. Apply for the SC Wins Scholarship Application, and attach your ID:
   •   https://www.tridenttech.edu/ce/funding/workforce-pathways-scholarship.htm Please read the page carefully. Page down and select the desired program. Please apply only once and attach ID. Applications without identification will not be considered.

Coding Specialist Part II Online e-book costs:

1. e-Textbooks:  Students must purchase Cengage Unlimited 12-month access subscription, used for all courses in the program, and are available at the TTC Bookstore, bldg 950, or online at Cengage.com. Do not activate until the course start date.
2. e-Coding manuals:  Students must purchase the Optum Encoder Pro 12-month subscription, 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. Encoder Pro is needed FOR THE 2ND COURSE.

Coding Specialist Part II schedule:
 

Part 2--           FALL 2025     XHIM-600-17998
Health Insurance xhim508>	8/11-9/29/25
I-10-CM coding xhim502>	9/30-11/21/25
I-10-PCS coding xhim503>	1/12-2/27/26
CPT 1 coding xhim509>	3/3-4/22/26
CPT 2 Coding Advd Part II  xhim 510>	4/27-6/21/26

 

Part 2           Spring 2026   Xhim-600-18254

1/20-3/4/26

3/9-4/24/26

4/28-6/19/26

6/23-8/12/26

8/17-10/11/26