Antonelli College

Occupational Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology

Students achieve more in-depth knowledge of medical coding through intense, hands-on courses in addition to a medical coding externship. The financial aspects of the medical and health care provider is the one area where focus is shared. If the coders and billers are not reliable and efficient, healthcare providers cannot do good business.

Program Overview

The Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology - Medical Coding program will prepare students for careers in the ever-changing medical records professions. Students will obtain a more detailed knowledge of medical coding with classes that offer a thorough hands-on approach and include a medical coding externship. Once the program has been completed, graduates will be equipped with the skills needed to gain employment as a professional coder in a variety of environments, including hospitals, doctors' offices, public health departments, and more.

Medical Coding Career Outlook

According to procedures that have already been set forth, medical coders take different information from medical records and assign appropriate ICD 9 CM and/or CPT codes to patient records. The medical coding program offers confirmation on appropriate DRG assignments including entry and manipulation of databases. Knowledge in CPT-4 and ICD-9 coding is required. Additional requirements are an associate degree and a minimum of two years of hands-on experience handling medical records using the following coding systems: International Classification of Disease and the Current Procedural Terminology. Familiarity with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a medical specialty is also required. In order to plan well and succeed in one's goals, it is imperative to use the best of your judgement with the purpose of utilizing limited experience. Students will be able to omplete a variety of tasks and be able to work when supervised. A certain amount of freedom and imagination are necessary. Employees in this position usually serve under a manager or supervisor in a chain of command.