Medical Coding Certificate (MOC)
2020-2021
Type: Career, Certificate (C1)
Open Admissions
Division: Career & Technical Education and Business
Medical Coding Certificate is a one-year comprehensive training program that will prepare students for entry-level coding positions in physician's office, hospitals, nursing homes, or other health agencies. The program emphasizes a science background as well as a working knowledge of ICD-10 and CPT-4 basic coding principles so that students may assign diagnostic and procedural codes to specific diagnoses, diseases, and procedures. Students will recognize the importance of a coder's position to ensure a successful medical practice. The capstone to this program is an exam review course which will assist students in preparing to take a national medical coding certification exam.
Students interested in participating in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly, or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship, or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider, may be required to undergo criminal background checks, including a national as well as local check (i.e. Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI)). Depending on the contents of these criminal background check(s), a student's participation in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider may not be allowed, and therefore may impact a student's ability to complete program requirements. Furthermore, please note that eligibility to participate in the program and/or clinical affiliation, internship or field placement as a result of screening requirements, such as criminal background checks, is not a guarantee of eligibility to sit for professional credentialing examination(s) or employment upon graduation.
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
First Year
Fall
| ALH186 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HLS102 | Anatomy & Physiology for Allied Health | 4 |
| OFT134 | ICD Coding | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Spring
| ALH161 | Basics of Pharmacology | 1 |
| BIO206 | Human Diseases and Conditions | 3 |
| OFT136 | CPT-4 Coding | 3 |
| OFT142 | Third Party Reimbursement | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Summer
| OFT203 | CCA Exam Review | 1 |
| OFT234 | Advanced Diagnosis and Procedure Coding | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Requirement Notes
HLS102: This requirement may be fulfilled by substituting BIO211 and BIO212 with grades of C (73%) or better.
Program Note
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 24
Program Student Learner Outcomes
-
Communicate effectively in a business environment both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrate ability to work as a member of the health care team to analyze, evaluate, compile, and code health records utilizing current software applications.
- Follow legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines of the health information management profession.
- Prepare for national certification exam.
Occupational Skills Required
-
Medical coding software
- Database software
- Understanding of medical terminology
Most Common Linked Occupation Title - All Education Levels
- Medical Insurance Coding Specialist
Most Common Linked Occupation Title - Associate's or Less
- Medical Insurance Coding Specialist
Average Annual Growth (10-Year Projection)
• Boston MSA - 1.3%
• Boston MSA Average Entry-Level Wages (2016) - $35,000
• Boston MSA Median Wages (2016) - $52,000