The Medical Reimbursement and Coding (MRC) Program prepares students to sit for the national coding exams, or begin working in the coding and billing field. This unique program is formatted to specifically address, through core courses, a means to facilitate uniformity of terms, the structure and organization of the body systems, common disease processes, and common pharmacological treatments. The core courses provide students with a foundation on which they will complete the coding portion of this comprehensive program. After completing the mandatory core courses, students will have a choice of studying for Physician coding or Hospital/inpatient coding. While some coding professionals choose one type of coding based on their own interest and style, many coders are cross-credentialed and able to work in both arenas. The MRC Program prepares students with the information needed to choose one or both coding paths. Students will study and practice the skills that will help them gain national coding certification from either The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The comprehensive nature of the MRC Program fulfills all hourly criteria for both AHIMA and AAPC national certifying bodies. Students who successfully complete the MRC Program will be equipped to participate in the field of medical coding and reimbursement.
Program Objectives
At the completion of the program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a professional-level understanding of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology
- Define the professional goals, career paths, and practical strategies that will advance them in the healthcare field
- Become a member of a professional coding organization and participate in professional networking
- Make career choices based on the area(s) of coding best suited for them
- Create a medical practice compliance plan based on national standards, and have a thorough understanding of coding, documentation, and reimbursement ethics
- Assign CPT codes to medical documentation for medical services, procedures, and diagnostics
- Correctly assign CPT E/M codes to services, utilizing the CPT metrics, including the 1995 and 1997 CMS Documentation Guidelines
- Correctly assign HCPCS codes to durable medical equipment, drugs, supplies, and Medicare screening services, according to CMS guidelines
- Assign ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes, according to the American Hospital Association's standards and sequencing rules, for inpatient and outpatient medical services
- Assign ICD-9-CM Volume 3 procedure codes, according to the American Hospital Association's standards and sequencing rules, for inpatient services.
- Compete for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential from the American Academy of Professional Coders
- Compete for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Coding Specialist- Physician (CCS-P), credential from the American Health Information Management Association
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