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Medical Billing and Coding

Medical Coding Training

Classes Start Every 8 Weeks

Whether you know exactly where you're heading, or you're still planning your next steps, it all starts with a simple conversation. Let’s talk.

If you are thinking about a future in medical coding, there are a lot of reasons why it can be a great career choice for you.

A career in medical billing and coding can provide flexibility, depending on your employer, and your skills may be transferable to other healthcare settings, such as hospitals or physicians’ offices, that have similar roles. Whether you are interested in working part-time, full-time or remotely, there may be options you can pursue.

If you’re looking to get started in this field, exploring a medical coding training program is a good first step. It’s also a field where the projected job growth looks promising.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for medical records specialists to maintain steady growth at 7% from 2021 to 2031. This amounts to a projected 14,900 job openings per year, on average, over this period.1 This growth is projected on a national level and local growth will vary by location. This projection is not specific to DeVry graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers.

The BLS attributes this projected growth to an aging population that will demand more healthcare services and the widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) by healthcare providers.

Medical Coding Training
What is Medical Coding Training?

What Is Medical Coding Training?

Medical coding training provides the knowledge you need to pursue a career as a certified medical coder in the healthcare industry.

You will learn the proper coding terminology and processes needed to keep healthcare organizations running smoothly.

You will also be able to provide private insurers and other payers, such as Medicaid and Medicare with the information required for efficient insurance claim processing, accurate reimbursement to healthcare providers and billing to patients.

Medical Coding Courses

At DeVry, we offer medical coding training through certificate programs in Medical Billing and Coding (MBC) and Medical Billing and Coding – Health Information Coding (MBC-HIC). Here’s a sampling of the courses you will take during your training with us.

International Classification of Diseases Coding - HIT203 & HIT205

This two-course sequence addresses the principles, guidelines, definitions and coding conventions of the International Classification of Diseases 10-Procedureal Coding System (ICD-10-PCS). Coursework is designed to help students gain experience needed to accurately dissect operative reports of inpatient and outpatient procedures and build codes in ICD-10-PCS. The primary course examines anatomy and code structure for each of the body systems, health records, coding methods and references.

The secondary course introduces clinical vocabularies and classification systems, and guidelines for using the ICD-10 Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) system. Students experience coding and sequencing diagnoses and procedures by working with patient data and conducting exercises using coding manuals and software tools. Coding ethics, data quality and the application of coding principles to electronic medical records systems are also explored.

Current Procedural Terminology Coding with Lab - HIT211

This course is intended to expand students’ knowledge of clinical classification systems through the presentation of principles of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT-4 or the most current version) used to code the procedures performed by healthcare providers. In practice exercises, students assign procedural codes and apply guidelines for assignment of Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes and modifiers. The purpose and use of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) are also reviewed.

Health Insurance and Reimbursement - HIT230

While exploring reimbursement and payment methodologies applicable to healthcare provided in various settings in the United States, students are exposed to the forms, processes, practices and roles of health information professionals. Concepts related to insurance products, third-party and prospective payment and managed care organizations are also covered, and analyzes issues of data exchange among patient, provider and insurer in terms of organizational policy, regulatory issues and information technology operating systems.

Coding Practicum and Review (CCA Exam) - HIT253

This course is intended to help students prepare for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification exam. The exam measures aptitude in 6 domains of competency, including clinical classification systems, reimbursement methodologies, health records and data content, compliance, information technologies, and confidentiality and privacy. 

What You Will Learn in Medical Coding Training

As a student in our Undergraduate Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program, your medical coding training will include a mixture of classification courses and hands-on virtual labs to help you gain skills in:

  • Health insurance and reimbursement: Explore the various reimbursement and payment methodologies that apply to healthcare provided in hospitals, physicians’ offices and other settings in the United States.

  • Classifying medical data: Learn to abstract, classify and code medical information while ensuring data quality and integrity.

  • Processing information: This skill comprises compilation of codes, categories, calculations, tabulations and audits, or verification of medical information.

  • Current procedural terminology: Study the principles and guidelines used in the Current Procedural Terminology system for reporting healthcare services.

  • Health services and information systems: Explore the history and organization of the healthcare delivery system in the United States, along with the current issues confronting healthcare providers. 

  • Documentation and record information: Learn to enter, transcribe, store and maintain medical information, in written or electronic form.

  • International Classification of Diseases coding: Study the principles and guidelines involved in using the International Classification of Diseases system to code medical diagnoses and procedures.

Is Medical Coding Hard?

If you are a detail-oriented person, medical coding training can help you learn the language of coding and prepare you for industry certification.

There are three types of codes you will need to learn. These codes represent the universal language that medical service providers use to talk to insurance companies. While each medical practice may call it something a little different, these standardized codes ensure everyone knows the exact diagnosis, treatments, supplies and services given.

  1. International Classification of Diseases (ICD Codes)

    ICD codes are used to detail patient conditions and diagnoses.

  2. Current Procedure Terminology (CPT Codes)

    CPT codes detail the procedures and treatments performed.

  3. Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS Codes) 

    HCPCS codes are used for identifying other treatments and services that are not included in CPT codes.

You do not need to memorize tens of thousands of codes, however. Coders typically reference books and software programs to make sure the codes they use are accurate.

If this all seems complex, there’s no reason to worry. When you pursue your Medical Billing and Coding Certificate at DeVry, we will work with you to learn what you need to know so you are prepared to pursue your career. We utilize industry standard coding manuals throughout our courses and exams and provide opportunities to gain experience with the 3M Encoder which you will use throughout your career. 

What Do I Need to Become a Medical Coder?

While some jobs may only require a high school diploma, others may require some college education as well as industry certifications. To become a medical coder, consider starting your medical coding training online with an undergraduate certificate in medical billing and coding.

DeVry offers certificate programs in Medical Billing and Coding (MBC) and Medical Billing and Coding – Health Information Coding (MBC-HIC). Both of these undergraduate certificate programs include built-in exam preparation for industry-recognized exams, so you can hit the ground running after graduation.

How Long Does Medical Coding Training Take?

As a full-time student, you can earn your medical billing and coding certificate, including hands-on training in a virtual lab environment, in as little as 1 year.2 At DeVry, new class sessions begin every 8 weeks.

Our medical billing and coding course curriculum includes instruction on:

  • Medical terminology

  • Health and information systems

  • International classification of disease coding

  • Health insurance and reimbursement

  • Claims processing

  • Document and record information

  • Current procedural terminology

  • Classification of medical data

What is Medical Coding Training?

How to Pursue Medical Coding Certification?

If you’d like to become certified in the medical billing and coding field, consider starting by earning an undergraduate certificate.

DeVry’s MBC program is designed to prepare you for the entry-level Certified Coding Associate (CCA®) exam offered by The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Our MBC-HIC program provides study and preparation for the more advanced Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) exam. These exams help show employers that you are proficient in key knowledge and skill areas.

Benefits for Medical Coding Training

Depending on the program you choose, an undergraduate medical coding training certificate may offer benefits including:

  • Preparation for the CCA or CCS industry certification exams.

  • A thorough understanding of medical coding terminology and processes, health insurance practices and healthcare ethics.

  • Ability to pursue job opportunities requiring education beyond the high school level.

At DeVry, you can complete your medical coding classes and earn your undergraduate certificate in as little as 1 year.2 Also check out the medical billing training courses.

Can You Do Medical Coding from Home?

It depends. Not all healthcare providers will allow you to work from home, but some do hire remote workers. As more people continue to work remotely, many healthcare providers have followed suit to let their medical coding and billing teams work at home. Others outsource their medical billing and coding processes to independent contractors that can work from anywhere.

Medical coders are typically not patient-facing – meaning that you'll likely work behind the scenes in a more traditional office environment – but still be able to play an important role in helping people with their healthcare needs.

Prepare for a Career in Medical Coding

If you’re ready to take the next step toward your healthcare career, DeVry can help. Our Medical Billing and Coding certificate programs are designed to prepare you to pursue a career in medical billing and coding. Online, tech-empowered learning with DeVry allows you to balance your commitment to education with work, family and other elements of your busy life.

Classes start soon. 

Medical Billing and Coding Blog: Explore Trends and Insights

Get up to speed on today’s industry trends, career paths and education options with our latest medical billing and coding articles.

Industry Insights       7 min read

Industry Insights       7 min read

Industry Insights       7 min read

1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
2Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment.