The Medical Coding Specialist Technical Diploma is a 29–30 credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

Please note: This program is subject to the Clock-to-Credit Hour Conversion and some courses listed will not be eligible for full financial aid funding based on the program’s credit hours.

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Credit for Prior Learning Available

College 101 (10890165)

1.00

Examines proven strategies designed to help learners achieve greater personal, academic, and professional success. Learners will apply personal responsibility thinking and behaviors; self- management, awareness, and motivation strategies; as well as interdependence skills to develop a proactive life plan.

NTC Assessments Offered:

Medical Terminology (10501101)

3.00

Focuses on the component parts of medical terms: prefixes, suffixes and word roots. Students practice formation, analysis and reconstruction of terms. Emphasis on spelling, definition and pronunciation. Introduction to operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, as well as systemic and surgical terminology.

NTC Assessments Offered:

Digital Literacy for Healthcare (10501107)

2.00

Focuses on the use of technology in healthcare. Learners use common business software applications, including word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and databases. Communication methods using technology are addressed. Learners gain experience with using the electronic health record (EHR). Healthcare EHR security issues, social media use, and digital healthcare resources are examined.

NTC Assessments Offered:

Human Diseases for Hlth Profes (10530182)

3.00

Prepares learners to interpret clinical documentation that they will encounter in a variety of healthcare settings. Emphasis is placed on understanding the common disorders and diseases of each body system to include the etiology (cause), signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests and results, and medical treatments and surgical procedures.

Conditions

Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing all of the following course(s): HLTH 10501101 - Medical Terminology] And Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing any of the following course(s): SCIENCE 10806110 - Body, Structure & Function, SCIENCE 10806177 - Gen Anatomy & Physiology]

NTC Assessments Offered:

Gen Anatomy & Physiology (10806177)

4.00

Examines basic concepts of human anatomy and physiology as they relate to health sciences. Using a body systems approach, the course emphasizes the interrelationships between structure and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization. Intended to prepare health care professionals who need to apply basic concepts of anatomy and physiology to informed decision-making and professional communication in the clinical setting.Student is highly recommended to have completed two semesters of high school chemistry or one semester of college chemistry with a "C" or better. All third attempts for enrollment require Dean/Assoc. Dean approval.

NTC Assessments Offered:

Body, Structure & Function (10806110)

3.00

Introduces structures and functions of normal human anatomy using a body systems approach. Learners will have the opportunity to demonstrate competency of select course objectives with the online simulated laboratory software. Provides a flexible, online introduction to the concepts of General Anatomy and Physiology.

Intro to Health Information (10530180)

2.00

Investigates the external forces shaping the healthcare delivery system, differentiating between types of organizations across the continuum of care. Learners will explore the roles and responsibilities of various healthcare providers and the interrelationships among them, as well as the specific duties of health information professionals. Additionally, learners will demonstrate professional ethical standards and examine both paper and electronic health records.

Conditions

Student has completed or is in process of completing all of the following course(s): HLTH 10501107 - Digital Literacy for Healthcare

CPT Coding (10530184)

3.00

Prepares learners to assign CPT codes, supported by medical documentation, with entry-level proficiency. Learners apply CPT instructional notations, conventions, rules and official coding guidelines when assigning CPT codes to case studies and actual medical record documentation.

Conditions

Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing any of the following course(s): SCIENCE 10806110 - Body, Structure & Function, SCIENCE 10806177 - Gen Anatomy & Physiology] And Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing all of the following course(s): HLTH 10501101 - Medical Terminology, MEDREC 10530182 - Human Diseases for Hlth Profes] And Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing any of the following course(s): MEDREC 10530162 - Foundations of HIM, MEDREC 10530180 - Intro to Health Information with grade greater than or equal to C (Post Secondary Grading Scheme).]

NTC Assessments Offered:

ICD Diagnosis Coding (10530197)

3.00

Prepares students to assign ICD diagnosis codes supported by medical documentation with entry level proficiency. Students apply instructional notations, conventions, rules and official coding guidelines when assigning ICD diagnosis codes to case studies and actual medical record documentation.

Conditions

Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing any of the following course(s): MEDREC 10530162 - Foundations of HIM, MEDREC 10530180 - Intro to Health Information with grade greater than or equal to C (Post Secondary Grading Scheme).] And Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing all of the following course(s): HLTH 10501101 - Medical Terminology, MEDREC 10530182 - Human Diseases for Hlth Profes] And Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing any of the following course(s): SCIENCE 10806110 - Body, Structure & Function, SCIENCE 10806177 - Gen Anatomy & Physiology]

NTC Assessments Offered:

Intro to Medical Reimbursement (10530120)

2.00

Investigates key trends that impact healthcare costs and reimbursement systems, including prospective payment methods and value-based purchasing. Learners compare government and non-government payers, explore payment methods, and apply systems to maximize reimbursement. Additionally, learners will gain skills in managing claim processes and advocating for patients navigating healthcare services.

Conditions

Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing any of the following course(s): MEDREC 10530162 - Foundations of HIM, MEDREC 10530180 - Intro to Health Information with grade greater than or equal to C (Post Secondary Grading Scheme).] And Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing all of the following course(s): MEDREC 10530184 - CPT Coding, MEDREC 10530197 - ICD Diagnosis Coding, MEDREC 10530199 - ICD Procedure Coding with grade greater than or equal to C (Post Secondary Grading Scheme).]

Revenue Cycle Management (10530157)

2.00

Develops skills in managing the revenue cycle by collaborating with teams, ensuring compliance, and applying measures to improve efficiency. Learners will evaluate coding practices for fraud and abuse, conduct audits, and handle appeals. Additionally, learners will analyze utilization data, manage the charge description master (CDM), and conduct clinical documentation improvement (CDI) activities to enhance documentation and reimbursement accuracy.

Conditions

Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing all of the following course(s): MEDREC 10530180 - Intro to Health Information with grade greater than or equal to C (Post Secondary Grading Scheme).] And Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing all of the following course(s): MEDREC 10530120 - Intro to Medical Reimbursement, MEDREC 10530184 - CPT Coding, MEDREC 10530197 - ICD Diagnosis Coding, MEDREC 10530199 - ICD Procedure Coding with grade greater than or equal to C (Post Secondary Grading Scheme).]

Intermediate Coding (10530165)

3.00

Prepares students to assign ICD and CPT/HCPCS codes supported by medical documentation and official coding guidance to support appropriate reimbursement. Students will participate in CDI activities, including preparation of appropriate physician queries in accordance with compliance guidelines.

Conditions

Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing all of the following course(s): MEDREC 10530120 - Intro to Medical Reimbursement, MEDREC 10530184 - CPT Coding, MEDREC 10530197 - ICD Diagnosis Coding, MEDREC 10530199 - ICD Procedure Coding with grade greater than or equal to C (Post Secondary Grading Scheme).] And Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing any of the following course(s): MEDREC 10530157 - Revenue Cycle Management, MEDREC 10530159 - Healthcare Revenue Management with grade greater than or equal to C (Post Secondary Grading Scheme).]

ICD Procedure Coding (10530199)

2.00

Prepares students to assign ICD procedure codes supported by medical documentation with entry-level proficiency. Students apply instructional notations, conventions, rules and official coding guidelines when assigning ICD procedure codes to case studies and actual medical record documentation.

Conditions

Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing all of the following course(s): HLTH 10501101 - Medical Terminology, MEDREC 10530182 - Human Diseases for Hlth Profes] And Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing any of the following course(s): MEDREC 10530162 - Foundations of HIM, MEDREC 10530180 - Intro to Health Information with grade greater than or equal to C (Post Secondary Grading Scheme).] And Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed or is in process of completing any of the following course(s): SCIENCE 10806110 - Body, Structure & Function, SCIENCE 10806177 - Gen Anatomy & Physiology]

NTC Assessments Offered:

Test-Out Option Term Definitions

Test

An exam that is scored by faculty or staff in NTC’s Testing Center.

Skill Demonstration

A performance of your expertise that is evaluated by faculty.

Combination: Test & Skill Demonstration

A combination of both a test and a skill demonstration.

Portfolio

A collection and explanation of your past learning through work or life experience.

Have Questions?

If you have questions about this program, please contact our Career Coaches at 715.803.1645.

If you have further questions regarding our Credit for Prior Learning options, please contact Student Records at studentrecords@ntc.edu or 715.803.1796.