Healthcare Coding Specialist Certificate
ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM WITH CERTIFICATION PREPARATIONPROGRAM DESCRIPTION
York College is pleased to offer an exciting program which prepares students for careers in the rapidly growing field of healthcare coding. High earnings potential in a variety of healthcare organizations and locations makes the program particularly attractive.
Assignment of code numbers to all inpatient and outpatient diagnoses and procedures is required for all healthcare billing. Regulations for payment of health services issued by the government and other third party payers have created a shortage of qualified healthcare coders nationwide. This evolving career calls for specialized training in areas related to healthcare and insurance.
The Healthcare Coding program will prepare students to be employed in hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, insurance companies, and other settings where diagnostic and procedural data are coded for reimbursement purposes. Graduates will be qualified to take certified coding exams offered by the American Health Information Management Association.
The Healthcare Coding curriculum combines an understanding of medical terminology and disease processes with healthcare reimbursement and ICD-9-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding principles.
Students who successfully complete these two semesters may earn the Associate of Science degree in Healthcare Coding by completing the remaining course requirements.
PROGRAM SPECIAL FEATURES
- Program may be completed on a part-time basis.
- Eligible to take certified coding exams.
- Associate degree awarded after successful completion of all requirements.
- Excellent job market for students in this field.
- Entry-level positions with high earning potential.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Coders are employed in hospitals, managed care companies, clinics, physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, insurance companies, and other healthcare settings where diagnoses and procedures are coded for reimbursement purposes. Students completing the program are eligible to take the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association. Work experience before taking the national exam is recommended.
PROGRAM ADMISSION PROCESS
Submit to the Admission Department of York College of Pennsylvania:
- A completed application form.
- A $10 nonrefundable application fee.
- Official high school and/or official college transcripts.
- SAT or ACT scores (not required of applicants who completed high school more than 2 years ago)
- Two academic or professional letters of recommendation.
QUESTIONS
Any questions about salary, employment opportunities, the profession, or the curriculum?
| Contact: | Connie L. Werner, MS, RHIA 717-815-1913 cwerner@ycp.edu |
| or | |
| Department of Biological Sciences 717-815-1335 York College of Pennsylvania |
CURRICULUM
| 1ST SEMESTER | |
| WRT101 English Composition | 3 |
| MAT111 Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | 3 |
| IFL101 Information Literacy | 2 |
| BIO106 Introduction to Body Structure & Function | 3 |
| HCC215 Medical Terminology | 3 |
| 14 credits | |
| 2ND SEMESTER | |
| HCC220 HCPCS Coding | 1 |
| HCC225 Healthcare Insurance Reimbursement | 3 |
| HCC245 Coding Practicum | 3 |
| HCC235 Pathophysiology | 4 |
| HCC222 Health Classifications (ICD-9-CM) | 3 |
| HCC230 Concepts in Pharmacology | 1 |
| HCC221 CPT Coding | 1 |
| 16 credits |
Students who complete the certification preparation program are eligible for the Associate Degree Program as outlined below.
| 3RD SEMESTER | |
| WRT200 Writing About Literature | 3 |
| IFS105 Personal Computing | 3 |
| Physical Education | 1 |
| Area I: Arts & Humanities | 3 |
| Area III: Laboratory Science | 3-4 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| 16-17 credits | |
| 4TH SEMESTER | |
| CM104 Human Communication | 3 |
| Physical Education | 1 |
| Area II: Social & Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Area IV: American Civilization | 3 |
| Area V: Foreign Language/Intercultural Studies | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| 16 credits |
APPLICATION
