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Become an integral tech member of the health information industry
Mercy College's medical coding certificate program is designed to provide clear pathways to professional advancement.
Online lecture and laboratory components are specifically designed for entry into professional practice as medical coders and to prepare students to sit for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The CCA is the only HIM credential worldwide currently accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Students who successfully complete the program will benefit from not only the credibility of college-level coursework but also be better equipped to pass the exam.
The program requires 26 credit hours spanning three semesters. Individuals who earn their medical coding certificate will be able to easily transition to the HIT program at the College, allowing them to earn an Associate Degree in approximately three years and qualifying them for advanced opportunities and earnings. For those who do not wish to continue their education, the CCA credential signifies the necessary knowledge to enter into the medical coding field and adds further qualifications for some medical secretarial positions.
The Medical Coding Certificate program courses begin in the fall semester (August).
Program Overview
Mercy College's online medical coding courses prepare students to work as part of the healthcare team as integral members of the health information industry. Medical coding specialists are responsible for selecting the appropriate diagnostic and procedural codes of various medical services for data analysis and reimbursement. The program will include didactic and simulated laboratory components specifically designed to prepare students for entry into professional practice as medical coders and prepare them to sit for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Program At A Glance
Fully Online
Hands-on virtual coding simulation
26 credit hours
Three semesters
Full or part-time options
Flexibility for working professionals
Receive college credit
Continue seamlessly into HIT associate degree
Sample program of study for Medical Coding Certificate.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 105 | Human Structure and Function | 5 |
| HIT 104 | Introduction to Medical Coding Systems | 1 |
| HIT 105 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HIT 114 | Foundations in Health Information Technology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 290 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| HIT 110 | Pharmacology for Health Information Technology | 2 |
| HIT 126 | Clinical Coding/Classification Systems I | 3 |
| Total Hours | 8 | |
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIT 150 | Professional Practice Lab | 1 |
| HIT 234 | Clinical Coding/Classification Systems II | 3 |
| HIT 235 | Medical Reimbursement | 2 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Mercy College Medical Coding Certificate program provides:
- Incorporation of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10) coding system, nationally mandated in October 2015
- Preparation for the CCA Certification exam
- Option of applying college credit earned in certificate program toward advanced degrees in related healthcare fields
- Eligibility for Financial Aid
At the end of the certificate program, students will be able to:
- Apply diagnostic and procedural codes and groupings per current guidelines and evaluate for accuracy.
- Apply legal policies, regulations, principles and standards for the control, disclosure, retention, and destruction of protected health information.
- Analyze, compile, and report healthcare data for statistical, planning, research, and health information exchange purposes.
- Apply policies and procedures for the use of data required in healthcare reimbursement and the revenue cycle management processes.
- Apply policies, procedures, and processes as they relate to the collection, maintenance, appropriateness, integrity and presentation of health data.
- Demonstrate evidence of knowledge in the supporting content areas (pathophysiology, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology).
Program Outcomes
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Document .pdfMedical Coding Program Information Data
View job placement and program completion rates specific to the Medical Coding Credit Certificate program
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Attend a Medical Coding Program Online Information Session
part of Healthcare Worker Wednesday at Mercy College
Career Outlook
Employment Growth
According to Ohio’s labor management information system, the northwest Ohio economic region, including the Lucas County metropolitan area, will experience job growth through 2018 for health information technicians from anywhere between 9.1 and 11.6%.
Further, job opportunities for medical secretaries are cited as one of the fastest growing occupations at 13.5%, putting it on the list of jobs with the most annual openings for this area.
Salary Range
Medical records and health information technicians estimated salary: $34,160
Medical secretaries estimated salary: $31,350
Admission Requirements
Applicants must be a high school graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.0, or a general equivalency (GED) recipient with a score of 500 (score of 50 prior to 2002). If an applicant’s GPA or GED score is below the minimum, he/she may be eligible for admission under transfer credit guidelines.
A transfer student must be a high school graduate or a GED recipient and have earned a minimum of 15 credit hours of college coursework from a regionally accredited college, with a GPA of at least 2.0. For applicants who have attended more than one regionally accredited college, GPAs from all colleges must combine to equal at least a 2.0.