Health: Coding Specialist Certificate

Schoolcraft program code # 1YC.00240

The coding specialist program will prepare a student to review and analyze health records to identify relevant diagnoses and procedures for patient services in the inpatient, ambulatory and/or ancillary setting. The student will practice translating diagnostic and procedural phrases utilized by healthcare providers into coded form. In the program, students apply the following skills:

• Coding of inpatient diagnoses using International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and inpatient procedures using the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS).
• Coding of ambulatory setting procedures and services using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT).
• Reading and interpreting health record documentation to identify all diagnoses and procedures that affect the current inpatient stay/outpatient encounter visit
• Applying approved coding guidelines to assign and sequence the correct diagnosis; applying procedure codes for hospital inpatient and outpatient services.

A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for progression to the next health information technology course. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for the basic science course and basic computer course.

The coder can be employed in hospital departments such as health information services (medical records), quality management, professional fee services, radiology, emergency room, outpatient/ambulatory surgery, ancillary services and specialty physician clinics. Coding specialists also work as independent contractors, consultants and trainers as well as for insurance companies, government agencies, health maintenance organizations and other facilities involved with the healthcare reimbursement process. The curriculum in the coding specialist program will allow the student to select the health information technology associate degree program as a career path. The coding specialist certificate may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

Students who satisfactorily complete the program requirements qualify for a certificate of program completion.

This program requires a special admissions process. Contact the Admissions and Welcome Center at 734-462-4426/admissions@schoolcraft.edu or the Advising Departments at 734-462-4429 (option 4)/eadvise@schoolcraft.edu to complete an application.

Not all courses are offered each semester. Students should work with an academic advisor to develop a schedule that will work for them. Students planning to transfer should check the transfer institution’s requirements/guides or discuss their options with an academic advisor. Number of credits may vary depending on the course selection.