Medical Coding Specialist Certificate

Certificate Completers will be able to

. Understand and apply coding principles using brief diagnostic and procedure statements, medical records, and case scenarios.
. Code diagnoses and surgical procedures using ICD and/or CPT/HCPCS.
. Apply anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology to obtain correct codes.
. Use a computerized encoder and the traditional coding manuals.
. Apply various reimbursement methodologies and insurance principles as they relate to coding.
. Gain an appreciation of other classification systems.
. Differentiate coding principles in different types of health care settings (hospital, clinic, long-term, insurance companies, etc.).
. Experience coding work life prior to program completion.
. Adhere to security/privacy/confidentiality policies.
. Model professional behaviors, ethics and appearance.

Completers will be able to apply credits toward the following programs:

. 105301, Health Information Technology

Requirements for Certificate Entry:

. High school graduate.
. Students are expected to have entry-level computer and keyboarding skills. It is recommended that students complete basic computer and keyboarding skills coursework if deficient in this area.

Wisconsin Caregiver Law

NWTC is required to comply with the Wisconsin Caregiver Law (1997 WISCONSIN ACT 27). The completion of a caregiver background check includes the review of criminal records for convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behavior. Students accepted into this program must complete a background information form disclosing any acts, crimes, or convictions prior to program entry. The information provided in the background information form must be truthful and match any findings on the criminal record check. Students with a criminal history may be denied access to placement at the discretion of the clinical or practicum site. Consequently, should a student have a history of convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behaviors, NWTC cannot guarantee clinical/practicum placement or guarantee graduation within typical program timing.

Note

. No final grade lower than a "C" is acceptable in any of the courses. A student must repeat the particular course to achieve a "C" or better final grade in order to continue in or complete the certificate.
The following requirements must be met prior to taking course 10-530-125 Medical Coding-Clinical:
. Submit Caregiver Background Check paperwork.
. Complete physical examination within 3 months before entering certificate and maintain current immunization information.

Curriculum

Catalog No. Description Credits

Course Descriptions

10-530-195 Applied Coding ...assign ICD and CPT/HCPCS codes supported by medical documentation at intermediate level. Prepare appropriate physician queries in accordance with compliance guidelines and assign codes to optimize appropriate reimbursement. (Prerequisites: 10-530-184, CPT Coding; 10-530-185, Healthcare Reimbursement; 10-530-197, ICD Diagnosis Coding; 10-530-199, ICD Procedure Coding)

10-806-189 Basic Anatomy ...examines concepts of anatomy and physiology as they relate to health careers. Learners correlate anatomical and physiological terminology to all body systems. (Prerequisite: Recommendation: High School Chemistry or High School Biology with a "C" or better OR College Chemistry or College Biology or College General Anatomy transfer credit with a grade of "C" or better)

10-530-184 CPT Coding ...assign CPT codes supported by medical documentation at entry level; apply CPT instructional notations, conventions, rules, and official coding guidelines; case studies and actual medical record documentation. (Prerequisites: 10-501-101, Medical Terminology; 10-806-189, Basic Anatomy; Corequisites: 10-530-181, Intro to Health Records; 10-530-182, Human Diseases for Health Professions)

10-530-176 Health Data Management ...introduces the use and structure of health care data elements, data sets, data standards, their relationships to primary and secondary record systems and health information processing. (Corequisites: 10-530-181, Intro to Health Record; 10-530-172, Healthcare Delivery Systems)

10-530-172 Healthcare Delivery Systems ...examines the organization, financing, regulation, and delivery of health care services. Includes the study of healthcare professionals.

10-530-185 Healthcare Reimbursement ...compare and contrast health care payers, illustrate the reimbursement cycle, comply with regulations for fraud and abuse. Assign Diagnosis Related Groups, Ambulatory Payment Classifications, and Resource Utilization Groups at entry-level. (Prerequisites: 10-501-101, Medical Terminology; 10-530-182, Human Diseases for Health Professions; 10-806-189, Basic Anatomy; Corequisites: 10-530-181, Intro to Health Records; 10-530-197, ICD Diagnosis Coding; 10-530-199, ICD Procedure Coding; 10-530-184, CPT Coding)

10-530-182 Human Diseases for Hlth Prof ...this course focuses on the common diseases of each body system as encountered in all types of health care settings by health information professionals. Emphasis is placed on understanding the etiology (cause), signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment (including pharmacologic) of each disease. (Prerequisites: 10-501-101, Medical Terminology; 10-806-189, Basic Anatomy)

10-530-197 ICD Diagnosis Coding ...prepares students to assign ICD diagnosis codes supported by medical documentation with entry level proficiency. Students apply instructional notations, conventions, rules, and official coding guidelines when assigning ICD diagnosis codes to case studies and actual medical record documentation. (Prerequisites: 10-501-101, Medical Terminology; 10-806-189, Basic Anatomy; Corequisites: 10-530-181, Intro to Health Records; 10-530-182, Human Diseases for Health Professions)

10-530-199 ICD Procedure Coding ...prepares students to assign ICD procedure codes supported by medical documentation with entry level proficiency. Students apply instructional notations, conventions, rules, and official coding guidelines when assigning ICD procedure codes to case studies and actual medical record documentation. (Prerequisites: 10-501-101, Medical Terminology; 10-806-189, Basic Anatomy; 10-530-182, Human Diseases for Health Professions; Corequisite: 10-530-181, Intro to Health Records)

10-530-181 Intro to Health Record ...illustrate the flow of health information in various health care delivery systems and within the health information department; retrieve data from health records; professional ethics; confidentiality and security of information.

10-530-125 Medical Code-Clinical ...application of coding knowledge and procedures in two clinical environments, acute care and ambulatory, practicing ICD-9-CM and CPT/HCPCS coding, under supervision of an experienced clinical coder. (Prerequisites: 10-530-172, Healthcare Delivery Systems; 10-530-176, Health Data Management; 10-530-195, Applied Coding)

10-501-101 Medical Terminology ...focuses on the component parts of medical terms: Prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Students practice formation, analysis and reconstruction of terms. Emphasis on spelling, definition and pronunciation. Introduction to operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, as well as systemic and surgical terminology.

For more information, please contact: The Health Sciences Department,(920) 498-5543 or (800) 422-NWTC, extension 5543, or contact Enrollment Services at (888) 385-NWTC.