Online Class: Introduction to Medical Coding

The Introduction to Medical Coding course offers a flexible, self-paced learning experience designed to equip you with essential skills in translating medical diagnoses and procedures into standardized codes, preparing you for a rewarding career in healthcare.

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  • 14
    Lessons
  • 14
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 6,213
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 20
    Hours
    average time
  • 2.0
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of healthcare, accurate communication is critical to ensuring quality patient care and efficient administrative processes. One of the most crucial, yet often overlooked, components of this system is medical coding. Medical coding acts as the bridge between clinical care and the administrative world, enabling healthcare providers, insurance companies, and government agencies to communicate seamlessly and accurately. Our Introduction to Medical Coding course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to become proficient in this essential field, transforming you into a vital player in the healthcare industry.

This self-paced, online course allows you to learn at your own convenience, making it perfect for busy professionals, students, or anyone looking to enter the healthcare field. With more than 6,000 students already enrolled and benefiting from the course, this program has proven to be highly effective and accessible. The average course rating of 4.28 stars speaks to its quality and relevance, helping individuals achieve real-world skills that are in demand in today’s healthcare environment.

The core of medical coding lies in translating complex medical diagnoses and procedures into universal codes. These codes not only standardize communication across the healthcare industry but also play a vital role in the reimbursement process, ensuring that healthcare providers are compensated for their services. By mastering medical coding, you are not just learning a skill—you’re becoming an essential link in the healthcare chain, helping ensure patients receive proper care, providers are accurately reimbursed, and medical records are efficiently managed.

Medical coding requires meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and healthcare procedures. Our course is designed to guide you through this intricate subject matter in an engaging and approachable way. Whether you are a newcomer with no prior experience or a seasoned professional looking to refresh your skills, this course provides you with all the tools you need to succeed.

With 14 comprehensive lessons covering topics such as diagnosis coding, procedural coding (CPT), and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), you will gain a solid understanding of how to code for everything from routine medical checkups to complex surgical procedures. The course also delves into specialized areas of coding, such as anesthesia and radiology, ensuring you are well-versed in a broad spectrum of medical scenarios. You’ll also explore the critical ethical aspects of medical coding, with lessons addressing issues like fraud and abuse, ensuring you are not only skilled but also conscientious in your professional practice.

The flexibility of this online course means you can learn at your own pace, making it easy to fit into your busy schedule. The estimated completion time is approximately 20 hours, but you can adjust the learning experience to meet your needs. Each lesson builds on the previous one, allowing you to gradually develop your coding expertise without feeling overwhelmed.

As you progress through the course, you’ll have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned through interactive assignments and exams, designed to reinforce your knowledge and ensure you are well-prepared for real-world coding scenarios. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to confidently navigate the medical coding landscape, from selecting the correct codes to understanding the impact they have on patient care and healthcare reimbursement.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which are recognized by professional organizations and employers across the healthcare industry. This official certification can be displayed on your resume, shared via social media, or used to advance your career in medical coding, billing, or healthcare administration.

Medical coding is more than just a technical skill—it’s a gateway to a rewarding and in-demand career in healthcare. As healthcare systems around the world continue to evolve, the need for qualified medical coders grows, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting an above-average growth rate for jobs in medical records and health information management. By enrolling in this course, you are positioning yourself at the forefront of this dynamic field, gaining the expertise needed to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare ecosystem.

Join thousands of other students who have already taken this vital step toward a brighter future. By mastering medical coding, you will not only open the door to numerous career opportunities but also play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare systems globally. Dive into the world of medical coding today, and become an indispensable part of the healthcare team.

Course Motivation

Medical coding is like learning a new language, and mastering it requires dedication and effort—but the rewards are immense. While many programs charge thousands of dollars, this self-paced, online course offers an affordable alternative without sacrificing quality. In-demand and vital to the healthcare industry, medical coders are essential for translating patient records into a universal language used by doctors, administrators, and insurance companies. Whether you’re looking to start a new career or boost job security, this course prepares you for the complex yet rewarding field of medical coding, all on your own schedule.

  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.3 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(6,889 votes)

Lesson 1: Introduction to Medical Coding

51 Points
The healthcare industry, complex and rigorous even for the most knowledgeable and thorough of professionals, requires that paperwork be submitted both in a highly accurate and very timely manner.
  • Lesson discussions: Medical Billing Class; Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: Course Introduction and Goals
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 1

Lesson 2: Introduction to Diagnosis Coding

91 Points
"Act or process of identifying of determining the nature and cause of a disease or injury through the evaluation and examination of a patient history's and the review of subsequent laboratory data." Additional lesson topics: AMA Relative-Value Units; Practice Management and RVUs; RVU flashcards
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 2: Introduction to Diagnosis Coding
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 2

Lesson 3: ICD-10-CM - What is it?

8 Points
Introduction to ICD-10-CM coding.
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 4: ICD-CM - What is it?
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 3

Lesson 4: Reimbursement

90 Points
One of the primary purposes of medical coding, and subsequent billing, is to obtain a reimbursement from the third-party biller.
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 5: Reimbursement
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 4

Lesson 5: Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)

40 Points
What is CPT? Please purchase a the CPT 2021 Professional Edition published by the American Medical Association.
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 6: Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 5

Lesson 6: CPT Coding and Structure

100 Points
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) as officially stated encompasses a set of codes, descriptions and guidelines used to distinguish medical procedures performed by physicians and additional healthcare providers.
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 8: CPT Coding and Structure
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 6

Lesson 7: Evaluation and Management (E/M) Coding

80 Points
In this lesson we'll be exploring E/M coding.
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 8: Evaluation and Management (E/M) Coding
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 7

Lesson 8: Surgery and Integumentary System Coding

110 Points
In this lesson we'll explore surgery and Integumentary System coding. Additional lesson topics: CPT Integumentary Section Guidelines and How To Code Part 1; Surgery Guidelines in CPT; Coding for Skin Tags
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 9: Surgery and Integumentary System Coding
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 8
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 - Let's Code!

Lesson 9: Anesthesia CPT Codes

100 Points
Let's explore the anesthesia CPT codes. Additional lesson topics: Anesthesia Coding Tips
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 10: Anesthesia CPT Codes
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 9

Lesson 10: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal Systems

0 Points
Cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal are distinct in terms of their unique terminologies and special cases, they all share the commonality of having a range of codes correlative to anatomical surgeries.
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 11: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal Systems

Lesson 11: Radiology and Pathology Coding

100 Points
We will now turn our attention to the two remaining CPT Manual subsections (outside of medicine and the appendices), those of radiology and pathology.
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 12: Radiology and Pathology Coding
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 11

Lesson 12: Introduction to Documentation (Medical History)

11 Points
Health Information Management and Documentation occupies a titanic area within the medical world.
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 14: Introduction to Documentation (Medical History)
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 12

Lesson 13: Medical Examination, Decision Making, Selecting the Correct Code

0 Points
As a medical coder, your job will be select the most appropriate diagnostic and/or procedural code in order to report encounters, services, tests, treatments, supplies and procedures provided to a patient.
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 15: Medical Examination, Decision Making, Selecting the Correct Code

Lesson 14: Issues with Fraud and Abuse

10 Points
Within the US, hundreds upon hundreds of cases of medical coding/billing fraud and abuse annually amount to billions of dollars lost to government programs, public and private healthcare companies, and third-party billers.
  • Lesson discussions: What is your opinion of this course?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 14
791
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Define medical coding.
  • Summarize diagnosis coding.
  • Define ICD-9-CM and summarize its coding and structure.
  • Describe the reimbursement process.
  • Demonstrate solving ICD-9-CM coding practice problems.
  • Define Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and summarize its coding and structure.
  • Demonstrate Evaluation and Management (E/M) Coding.
  • Demonstrate Surgery and Integumentary System Coding.
  • Demonstrate using Anesthesia CPT Codes.
  • Demonstrate coding for Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal Systems.
  • Demonstrate Radiology and Pathology Coding.
  • Solve CPT Coding Practice Problems.
  • Summarize documentation procedures.
  • Summarize issues with fraud and abuse.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Introduction to Medical Coding
Course Number: 31868
Lessons Rating: 4.3 / 5 Stars (6,889 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: You can take this course online in every U.S. state including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. International availability includes English-speaking countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, and South Africa.
Last Updated: January 2024
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 2.0 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $170.00 U.S. dollars

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