Medical Coding, CPC

Return to: Programs by Department

This program is fully contained in the Health Information Management, AAS  degree

Total Program Credits: 39

Total Program Prerequisites: 24

Estimated Program Length: Three terms

• Health Information Management term-by-term course list  

Offered by the Health Professions  Division, 541.463.5617

Career Pathway Certificate of Completion Requirements  

Program Coordinator Shelley K. Williams, RN, RHIT, Bldg. 30, Room 210, 541.463.5182, williamSSK@lanecc.edu

Purpose This certificate can be earned completely online. A coding specialist is an individual who reviews and analyzes health records to identify relevant diagnoses and procedures for distinct patient encounters. The coding specialist is responsible for translating diagnostic and procedural phrases utilized by health care providers into coded form. The translation process requires interaction with the health care provider to ensure that the terms have been translated accurately. The coded information that is a product of the coding process is then utilized for reimbursement purposes, in the assessment of clinical care, to support medical research activity, and to support the identification of health care concerns critical to the public at large. A coding specialist must have a thorough understanding of the content of the medical record in order to be able to locate information to support or provide specificity for coding. The coding specialist must also be highly trained in anatomy and physiology of the human body and disease processes in order to understand the etiology, pathology, symptoms, signs, diagnostic studies, treatment modalities, and prognosis of diseases and procedures to be coded.

Learning Outcomes The student who successfully completes all Medical Coding requirements:

• Identifies career and lifelong learning opportunities.
• Applies principles of healthcare privacy, confidentiality, legal, ethical issues, and data security (HIPAA regulatory standards).
• Communicates both verbally and written form with others of the health care team in an effective, appropriate, and capable manner.
• Demonstrates understanding of the etiology, pathology, symptoms, signs, diagnostic studies, treatment modalities, and prognosis of diseases and procedures to be coded.
• Demonstrates knowledge of abstracting health records and assigning standardized codes to diagnoses and procedures to accurately meet reporting needs and processing claims for insurance reimbursement.
• Demonstrates the organization, analysis, and evaluation of health record content for completeness and accuracy.

Licensing & Certification Upon successful completion of this Medical Coding certificate students may choose to sit for AHIMA's coding exams (CCA or CCA-P) or AAPC's coding exams (CPC, COC, or CIC).

Admission Information Application and admission into the Health Information Management Program is required. Admission and Application information is found on the web at: lanecc.edu/hp/him

Advising Contact HIMProgram@lanecc.edu

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Co-op is required for students to earn their Medical Coding Certificate. Students must complete a minimum of 3 credit hours of on-the-job work experience related to their educational and career goals. Through Co-op, students connect theory and practice, develop skills, expand career knowledge, and make professional contacts for the future. Work schedules and work sites vary. Students are required to be admitted into the HIM Program, complete a minimum of two thirds of their program coursework, have their coop requirements met, and have instructor approval prior to registering. Contact the HIM Cooperative Education Coordinator, Shelley Williams, Room 210, Bldg. 30, 541.463.5182.

Job Openings and Wages Projected through 2022

Career Pathways Roadmap

Lane County: 9
Oregon: 130

Lane County hourly average - $20.28; annual average - $42,197
Oregon hourly average - $21.69; annual average - $45,115

Estimated Program Cost

*Course fees may change during the year. See the online credit class schedule for fees assigned to courses.

Program Notes

• Prerequisites are required for some courses. See Courses .
• If math is taken in the self-paced format through the Math Resource Center then all credits must be completed to meet the math requirement.
• Students can take all HIM Program courses prior to admission except COOP 206 , BT 206 , and HIM 280 .
• All program prerequisites with the subject prefix BT, CIS, CS, and HO must be completed no more than five years prior to HIM program acceptance.
• All program prerequisites can be completed online.
• Coding and Reimbursement classes (HIM 270 , HIM 271 , HIM 273 , and HIM 222 ) must be completed within five years of the start of the governing catalog.
• For students who complete the Medical Coding Pathway certificate, and are also pursing the HIM degree and/or certificate, HIM 114 - Introduction to Medical Coding  will be waived. 
• Completion of BI 231 , BI 232 , and BI 233  with a letter grade of C or better is an acceptable equivalent for HO 150  and HO 152 .