Online Class: Introduction to Medical Coding

This course offers a deep dive into medical coding—an indispensable skill for ensuring precise healthcare communication and effective administrative management. With interactive lessons and industry-recognized certification, it paves the way for both novice and experienced professionals to excel in a growing field.

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  • 17
    Lessons
  • 28
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 162
    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:
4.28 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(6,906 votes)

Lesson 1. The Dynamic World of Medical Coding: Opportunities and Growth in Healthcare

Artificial intelligence and technology enhancements are revolutionizing medical coding by improving accuracy, efficiency, and fraud detection, while big data analytics are transforming how coding data is utilized. Coders are increasingly part of multidisciplinary teams, emphasizing the importance of continual learning to adapt to technological and regulatory changes. 71 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: 31868rz38703.png
  • Lesson discussions: Medical Billing Class; Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: Course Introduction and Goals
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 1
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Review Exam

Lesson 2. Breaking Down Diagnosis Coding: Its Role and Importance in Healthcare

Standardized diagnosis codes transform complex medical information into universal language, alleviating discrepancies in billing and promoting consistency across healthcare facilities. This uniformity aids research and facilitates seamless communication, boosting efficiency and accuracy in patient care. Additional lesson topics: RVU flashcards; Practice Management and RVUs; AMA Relative-Value Units 111 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 2: Introduction to Diagnosis Coding
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 2
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Review Exam

Lesson 3. Medical Coding Simplified

ICD-10-CM codes diagnose medical conditions, while CPT codes specify healthcare procedures, both crucial for justifying insurance claims and understanding a patient's medical journey. Over time, ICD's evolution has provided ever greater specificity, enhancing healthcare communication and epidemiological research. 28 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 4: ICD-CM - What is it?
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 3
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Review Exam

Lesson 4. Optimizing Billing for Practice Success

Accurate medical coding and billing are vital to securing correct payments, with coders translating medical procedures into standardized codes. To avoid claim denials, practitioners must stay updated on coding regulations while also ensuring comprehensive documentation. 110 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 5: Reimbursement
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 4
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Review Exam

Lesson 5. Understanding CPT: The Language of Medical Procedures

The introduction of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) has revolutionized medical coding, providing a universal language that enhances billing accuracy and improves healthcare efficiency. By standardizing documentation across global and national settings, CPT facilitates smoother interactions between medical entities and insurance providers. 60 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 6: Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 5
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Review Exam

Lesson 5. Understanding CPT: The Language of Medical Procedures

The introduction of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) has revolutionized medical coding, providing a universal language that enhances billing accuracy and improves healthcare efficiency. By standardizing documentation across global and national settings, CPT facilitates smoother interactions between medical entities and insurance providers. 0 Total Points

Lesson 6. Exploring the Essentials of CPT Coding

The interplay of CPT coding categories allows for comprehensive documentation across routine procedures and innovative treatments, enhancing clarity in communication with insurers. Guideline compliance, attention to modifiers, and active engagement with updates are vital to optimizing patient care and billing accuracy. 120 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 8: CPT Coding and Structure
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 6
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Review Exam

Lesson 7. Streamlined Steps for Effective Evaluation and Management Coding

Key E/M terminology includes distinguishing new and established patients, identifying the chief complaint, understanding concurrent care processes, and integrating counseling into patient care discussions. Mastery of this language enables precision in reporting and billing, fostering better patient management. 100 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 8: Evaluation and Management (E/M) Coding
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 7
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Review Exam

Lesson 8. CPT Coding Essentials for Surgical Procedures

Integumentary system surgeries demand precise coding for accurate representation of procedures, from simple lacerations to complex skin grafts. Coding precision anchors healthcare practices, aligning detailed coding with patient care to enhance outcomes. Additional lesson topics: Surgery Guidelines in CPT; Coding for Skin Tags; CPT Integumentary Section Guidelines and How To Code Part 1 130 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 9: Surgery and Integumentary System Coding
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 8
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 - Let's Code!
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Review Exam

Lesson 8. CPT Coding Essentials for Surgical Procedures

Integumentary system surgeries demand precise coding for accurate representation of procedures, from simple lacerations to complex skin grafts. Coding precision anchors healthcare practices, aligning detailed coding with patient care to enhance outcomes. 0 Total Points

Lesson 9. Coding Anesthesia: A Guide to Precision and Documentation

Anesthesia, a critical component of modern medicine, enables pain-free surgeries by employing diverse methods such as topical, general, local, and regional anesthesia, each tailored to patient needs. Meticulous documentation and coding of anesthesia services ensure accuracy in medical records and reimbursement, highlighting its evolving role and significance in healthcare. Additional lesson topics: Anesthesia Coding Tips 120 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 10: Anesthesia CPT Codes
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 9
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Review Exam

Lesson 9. Coding Anesthesia: A Guide to Precision and Documentation

Anesthesia, a critical component of modern medicine, enables pain-free surgeries by employing diverse methods such as topical, general, local, and regional anesthesia, each tailored to patient needs. Meticulous documentation and coding of anesthesia services ensure accuracy in medical records and reimbursement, highlighting its evolving role and significance in healthcare. 0 Total Points

Lesson 10. Breath and Vitality: Depths of the Respiratory System

The cardiovascular system circulates vital elements throughout the body, with procedures coded meticulously from 33016 to 39599 in CPT terms. Understanding catheterization and pacemaker intricacies requires detailed attention to accurately translate medical interventions into codes. 20 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 11: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal Systems
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Review Exam

Lesson 11. Coding Essentials: Radiology and Pathology

Diving into the dual worlds of radiology and pathology, the lesson provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the use of imaging technologies alongside nuanced microscopic analyses in disease diagnostics and treatment strategies. It highlights the critical role these fields play in early detection, accurate diagnostics, and effective personalized therapy management. 120 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 12: Radiology and Pathology Coding
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 11
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Review Exam

Lesson 12. Medical Records: Essential Elements of Patient History

Digital transformation through EHR systems enhances the efficiency and accessibility of medical documentation, improving care decision-making and patient engagement. With secure, integrated records, healthcare becomes more informed and adaptive, fostering collaboration and communication between providers and patients. 31 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 14: Introduction to Documentation (Medical History)
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 12
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Review Exam

Lesson 13. Navigating the Medical Coding Maze: Essential Strategies for Success

The precision in medical coding involves understanding several factors, from patient medical history to specific procedures conducted, to accurately label physician-patient encounters. These factors support insightful data analysis and prudent healthcare planning, ensuring quality control across the medical industry. 20 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Please rate Lesson 15: Medical Examination, Decision Making, Selecting the Correct Code
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Review Exam

Lesson 14. Healthcare Fraud: Understanding the Hidden Epidemic

Healthcare fraud and abuse in the U.S. contribute significantly to rising healthcare costs and affect government and private sectors, highlighting the need for rigorous scrutiny and regulatory action. Fraud involves deliberate deception for personal gain, while abuse includes improper use of healthcare benefits, both resulting in errors and overcharges that undermine the integrity of medical services. 30 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: 31868rz38719.png
  • Lesson discussions: What is your opinion of this course?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Assessment: Lesson Exam 14
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Review Exam
1071
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: 4.28 / 5 Stars (6,906 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: Accessible from any state in the U.S., this course covers key areas such as California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also offered in English-speaking nations like Australia, Canada, 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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