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Medical Coding and Billing - Certificate
Program Requirements:
Admission Type:
General College Admission
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Contact:
Admissions
(843) 347-3186
The Medical Coding and Billing certificate prepares students for rewarding career opportunities in the fields of Health Information Management and Healthcare Professional Services. Because medicine is not always an exact science, codes were developed to identify all reasons for seeking healthcare. The code numbers are detailed in order to accurately describe the diagnoses and the procedures performed to test or correct these diagnoses. Students in HGTC's Medical Coding and Billing certificate program receive in-depth instruction on medical record coding and billing practices in the professional, facility, and payer healthcare industry. Hands-on coding practice takes place in a virtual setting. Courses are only available online.
The program prepares students for coding/billing certifications with NHA, AHIMA, and AAPC.
Admissions Information
Course Sequence and Progression Requirements
A minimum grade of "C" or better is required for all HIM-prefixed courses for progression and graduation.
Student Resources
For more information, contact:
Kris Gillespie - (843) 839-1062
Career Outlook & Employment Opportunities
Medical coding involves transforming descriptions of diseases, injuries, and healthcare procedures into code numbers. Coding health-related data allows health records to be accessed according to diagnoses and procedures for use in clinical care, research, and education. Common uses of medical codes in healthcare include:
- Reporting services performed for reimbursement.
- Identifying symptoms that must be evaluated.
- Helping with administrative functions, such as staffing, scheduling, and adding or decreasing healthcare services.
- Comparing facilities and planning for new services in underserved areas.
Medical coders and billers can find employment opportunities in the following settings:
- Physician offices
- Hospitals
- Outpatient care centers
- Nursing care facilities
For more information about careers, visit O*Net Online for an overview of South Carolina and National earnings statistics, and Career Services for more employment, career, and professional development resources.
Required Courses and Sample Schedules
Certificate Requirements: Medical Coding and Billing |
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| Component | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| AHS 102 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BIO 110 | General Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| ENG 155 | Communications I* | 3 |
| HIM 103 | Introduction to Health Information and Coding | 3 |
| HIM 130 | Billing and Reimbursement | 3 |
| HIM 135 | Medical Pathology | 3 |
| HIM 140 | Current Procedural Terminology I | 3 |
| HIM 141 | Current Procedural Terminology II | 3 |
| HIM 153 | Electronic Health Records Clinical Experience | 3 |
| HIM 216 | Coding and Classification I | 3 |
| HIM 225 | Coding and Classification II | 3 |
| HIM 264 | Clinical Practice IV | 4 |
| HIM 250 | Coding and Classification III | 3 |
| CREDITS | 40 | |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 40 | |
Sample Schedule: Medical Coding and Billing |
||
| First Semester | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| AHS 102 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BIO 110 | General Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| ENG 155 | Communications I* | 3 |
| HIM 103 | Introduction to Health Information Coding | 3 |
| CREDITS | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| HIM 130 | Billing and Reimbursement | 3 |
| HIM 135 | Medical Pathology | 3 |
| HIM 140 | Current Procedural Terminology I | 3 |
| HIM 216 | coding and Classification I | 3 |
| CREDITS | 12 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| HIM 141 | Current Procedure Terminology | 3 |
| HIM 225 | Coding and Classification II | 3 |
| HIM 250 | Coding and Classification III | 3 |
| CREDITS | 9 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| HIM 153 | Electronic Health Records Clinical Experience | 3 |
| HIM 264 | Clinical Practice IV | 4 |
| CREDITS | 7 | |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 40 | |
*ENG 101 may be taken in place of ENG 155.