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Professional Certificate in Medical Coding

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STACKABLE FOR COURSE CREDIT

Earn academic credits that can be applied to a degree program.

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100% ONLINE

Flexible learning to balance family, work, and school.

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SELF-PACED

On-demand learning with interactive learning assessments.

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Join the Growing Medical Field as a Medical Coder

Medical coding is an integral part of the healthcare field because it is directly responsible for the financial health of a medical hospital, clinic, or private practice. Medical coding specialists are responsible for accurately coding the procedures and services performed to obtain the highest possible reimbursement for the facility.

National University’s online medical coding program teaches the skills needed to become a certified medical coder. In this six-module online program, you’ll learn the principles of diagnosis and procedure medical coding and prepare to take the AAPC (American Association of Professional Coders) CPC-A, CPC-P examination. Medical employers and insurance payors seek certification from AAPC to ensure medical coders have extensive knowledge of coding procedures, guidelines, and conventions.

NU’s career-focused curriculum consists of self-paced modules, which you can start any time. There are no prerequisites, but it’s recommended that students without previous medical experience complete the program in its entirety. The Professional Certificate in Medical Coding fee is $2,995 and the program can be completed within 6 months.

National University Professional Certificates do not qualify for federal financial aid

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this industry-current certificate program, you’ll have the knowledge and experience to:

  • Define the fundamental medical terms and word formations using prefixes, suffixes, and root components of medical terms.
  • Identify fundamental medical abbreviations and meanings.
  • Identify common medical terms used in medical coding.
  • Identify common terms for medical settings, medications, and specialties.
  • Identify common medical procedures, exams, treatments, and practices.
  • Describe HIPAA requirements as they pertain to Patient Health Information and Electronic Health Information.
  • Identify the human body systems, organs, location of organs, and their functions.
  • Understand the physiological functions of body system organs.
  • Understand anatomical and physiological terminology.
  • Understand the proper use of the ICD-10-CM coding manual.
  • Understand the proper use of the Guidelines, Tabular List, and Conventions.
  • Understand the proper methods of establishing the correct code or codes.
  • Understand how to correctly locate the codes for conditions, illnesses, diseases, symptoms, external causes, fractures, neoplasms, and mental health conditions.
  • Understand the proper use of medical information and documentation procedures for establishing a medical diagnosis code.
  • Understand the correct utilization of the HCPCS Level II Expert Manual.
  • Identify correct DME, Medicare/Medicaid/Medication, Medical and Surgical procedure codes.
    • Identify correct modifiers for coding and billing. Learn how to use the Tabular Index of the HCPCS Level II Manual as a quick reference for coding.
    • Understand AAPC Certification Exam strategies.
  • Successfully complete two practice medical coding exams.

Learning Modules

This professional medical coding certificate program consists of 6 self-paced modules. Courses are 100% online, and you can start any time after registration is completed. There are no prerequisites.

  • Medical Terminology – Introduction to the fundamentals of medical terminology
  • Anatomy and Physiology – Focus on the human body, body systems, and body organs
  • ICD-10-CM Medical Coding – Focus on coding principles, guidelines, and conventions to code medical diagnoses using the ICD-10-CM Coding Manual
  • CPT Classification Systems – Focus on learning the correct use of the CPT coding manual
  • HCPCS/Medicare Requirements/HIPAA Basics – Focus on the use of the HCPCS Level II Coding Manual
  • Coding Certification Review – Focus on practice exams and preparation for the AACP Medical Coding Certification Exam

National University Professional Certificates do not qualify for federal financial aid

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FLEXIBLE COURSES
Our course structure is built to make earning your certificate accessible and achievable so you can start sooner and finish faster.

Industry Certification

This six-module, online certificate program is designed to teach students the principles of diagnosis and procedures in medical coding and to prepare them to take the AAPC (American Association of Professional Coders) CPC-A, CPC-P examination.

Medical employers and insurance payors seek certification from AAPC to ensure that the medical coder has extensive knowledge of coding procedures, guidelines, and conventions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will be about 14,900 openings for medical records specialists each year over the next decade.

Degree Pathway

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The Medical Coding Professional Certificate serves as a valuable credential that complements your educational path, offering the potential to earn up to 2 courses of prior learning credit toward the Bachelors in Healthcare Administration. For more information about prior learning credit, email [email protected].

Why Choose National University

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We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 230,000 alumni worldwide.

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“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”

-Francisco R., Class of 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

Students can register and start the certificate anytime. Click here to register.

The Medical Coding Professional Certificate serves as a valuable credential that complements your educational path, offering the potential to earn up to 2 courses of Prior Learning Credit toward the Bachelors in Healthcare Administration. For more information about prior learning credit, email [email protected].

There are no specific admissions requirements. For assistance with registration, email [email protected] or call 805.200.2332

The Medical Coding Certificate program is self-paced and can be completed in 6 months.

The course modules are 100% online and self-paced.

The Certificate registration fee is $2,995. Students can register here and checkout with a credit card or contact [email protected] to discuss direct bill options using your employer tuition assistance.

Students can enroll anytime by clicking here and completing the registration steps.