Certificate Program
Spring 2009
February 4 - May 27, 2009
Classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
Program Fee: $1,395.00
Program Overview
UNC Charlotte’s Medical Coding Specialist Certificate Program offers in-depth training that will equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to pursue a new career, re-enter the workforce, or refresh and broaden current skills. Properly trained medical coding specialists perform the coding tasks that support the processing of medical billings, implement proper reporting of transactions, and support secure health information management.
It is the goal of UNC Charlotte’s Medical Coding Specialist Certificate Program to provide the necessary training to produce highly valued medical coding professionals. For those currently in the medical coding field, the program will provide the knowledge to become a more effective and productive coding specialist. The curriculum emphasizes familiarity with the medical office administration profession along with basic medical office procedures that focus on code identification and the ability to perform coding functions. Coding specialists work in hospitals, clinics, medical clinics, long-term and home health care facilities. Medical Coding Specialists are also employed by consulting firms, coding and billing services, insurance companies, and governmental agencies.
Course work will include Introduction to Medical Coding / Healthcare Information Documentation, Diagnosis Coding, Procedure Coding, and Coding Guidelines and Processes for Out-Patient / In-Patient Services.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Have the ability to analyze health records and assign codes for diseases, diagnosis, and procedures.
- Have the ability to abstract key information from health records for reimbursement, statistics, and research purposes.
- Have an understanding of the ethical and professional standards expected of Medical Coding professionals.
- Have an understanding of the importance of maintaining a high level of accuracy and accountability when performing medical coding documentation.
- Understanding of processes and procedures of medical record administration and documentation.
- Have the necessary education that will qualify students to sit for numerous national “certification” exams (see Certifications).
This is an intensive, yet comprehensive program. Many students are unable to take two or more years to change professions. Many are looking for a professional development opportunity to assist with advancement in a current position; a two year program is simply not an option. UNC Charlotte’s Medical Coding Specialist program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to become a competent and well trained medical coding professional.
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Who Should Attend?
The Medical Coding Specialist Certificate program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing medical coding employment, changing job skills to move into a medical office records environment, or pursuing the skills necessary to become a Certified Medical Coder.
Who should attend?
- Individuals wanting to make a career change or pursue employment in the healthcare industry and a medical records environment
- Individuals working in the healthcare industry
- Individuals working for insurance companies
- Individuals working for third-party administrator and self-insured organizations
- Existing insurance claims processors
- Individuals from the healthcare field that have the desire to increase their medical coding knowledge and skills
- Individuals with the desire to prepare and become a Certified Medical Coder
Class Schedule and Location
Classes meet on Monday & Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location information will be posted as soon as it is available
.
The certificate program consists of four segments totaling 82.5 instructional hours that includes the following segments:
- Introduction to Medical Coding / Healthcare Information Documentation
- Diagnosis Coding
- Procedure Coding/HCPCS Coding
- Medical Coding Guidelines and Reporting Procedures for Out-Patient / In-Patient Services
Class Schedule
February 4, 9, 11, 16, 18 (Introduction to Medical Coding / Healthcare Information Documentation)
February 23, 25, March 2, 4, 9, 11, (Diagnosis Coding)
March 16 18, 23, 25, 30, April 1, 6, 8, 20, 22, 27, 29, May 4, 6 (Procedure Coding)
May 11, 13 (HCPCS Coding)
May 18, 20, 27 (Coding Guidelines and Reporting Procedures for Out-Patient / In-Patient Services)
April 13, 15 (No Class – Break)
May 25 (No Class – Memorial Day)
Certificate Requirements
UNC Charlotte’s Medical Coding Specialist Certificate program is an exam and attendance based program. In order to receive a certificate, participants must attend 70% of all instructional clock hours and must attend 70% of each individual course segment. In addition, students must earn a grade of 70% or above on all exams.
Participants who attend 100% of the instructional clock hours will be awarded 8.25 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The CEUs awarded will be adjusted for those who do not attend all 82.5 clock hours of instruction.
Prerequisites for Entry into Program
A high school diploma (or equivalent) is required for entry into the Medical Coding Administration Specialist Certificate program.
Although not required, it is highly recommended that participants have experience / background (educational or professional) with Medical Terminology and knowledge of basic Computer Applications. Prospective students lacking the background in these areas should consider enrolling and completing UNC Charlotte’s Medical Office Administration Specialist Certificate program prior to entering the Medical Coding Specialist Certificate program. Information regarding UNC Charlotte’s Medical Office Administration Specialist Certificate Program is available at http://www.continuinged.uncc.edu/moa/
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Instructors
Instructors are drawn from a carefully selected pool of qualified practitioners and field experts from the Charlotte region.
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Materials
Program participants will receive a copy of 2008 ICD-9-CM and 2008 CPT coding textbooks as part of the registration fee. Additional materials will be provided based on the program curriculum and presentation of each individual instructor throughout the program.
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Certification
After successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take numerous national coding certification exams. Students pursuing certification must apply directly with the organization that governs the certification of interest.
- American Academy of Professional Coders (CPC, CPC-H, or CPC-P) Website: www.aapc.com
- American Health Information Management Association (CCS or CCS-P) Website: www.ahima.org
Job prospects and career advancement in healthcare careers is outstanding. Employment of medical records, coding specialists, and health information technicians is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2014 because of rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures that will be increasingly scrutinized by health insurance companies, regulators, courts, and consumers. Also, technicians will be needed to enter patient information into computer databases to comply with Federal legislation mandating the use of electronic patient records.
Although employment growth in hospitals will not keep pace with growth in other health care industries, many new jobs will, nevertheless, be created. The majority of new jobs are expected in offices of physicians as a result of increasing demand for detailed records, especially in large group practices. Rapid growth also is expected in home health care services, outpatient care centers, and nursing and residential care facilities. Additional job openings will result from the need to replace technicians who retire or leave the occupation permanently.
Technicians with a strong background in medical coding will be in particularly high demand. Changing government regulations and the growth of managed care have increased the amount of paperwork involved in filing insurance claims. Additionally, health care facilities are having difficulty attracting qualified workers, primarily because of the lack of both formal training programs and sufficient resources to provide on-the-job training for coders. Job opportunities may be especially good for coders employed through temporary help agencies or by professional services firms.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
According to the 2004-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the United States Department of Labor, the number of medical records and health information technicians required in the United States is expected to grow by 30.3% through 2012. This represents approximately 44,541 new job openings for medical records and health information technicians during coming years.The Occupational Outlook Handbook further states:
"Job prospects should be very good. Employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, due to rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures that will be increasingly scrutinized by third-party payers, regulators, courts, and consumers."
Source: United States Department of Labor
> Back to topComments from Past Participants
“The instructors were all very knowledgeable. Their real-world experience was very helpful.”
Program Participant
Spring, 2008
“Excellent learning environment. I really liked the amount of information I absorbed. I am taking a lot of great experience from this class”
Program Participant
Spring, 2008
“The program helped me to remember things I had forgotten and I learned things I did not know. I also enjoyed having a variety of instructors.”
Program Participant
Spring, 2008
“I loved the instructors!”
Program Participant
Spring, 2008
“I really enjoyed the fact that all the instructors were actually working in the field of coding”
Program Participant
Spring, 2008
“Teachers were knowledgeable and kept the class interesting”
Program Participant
Spring, 2008
“I took a similar course at another area college and the instructors at UNCC were by far more knowledgeable and interested in you succeeding”
Program Participant
Spring, 2008
“I think the program is great.”
Program Participant
Spring, 2008
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Registration Fee / Payment Options
Fee
The cost of the entire UNC Charlotte Medical Coding Specialist certificate program is $1,395 and includes instruction, materials, parking, certificate upon completion, and documentation of the CEUs earned.
Note: An individual may be able to claim a tax deduction or a tax credit for the cost of attending this continuing education program. Please consult your tax advisor to see if you would meet the regulations that apply to tax deductions and tax credits.
Registrants may pay the entire $1,395 fee in full at the time of registration or they may choose to participate in a multi-payment plan.
Under the multi-payment plan, a participant must remit an initial payment (Payment #1) of $395 at the time he or she registers for the program in order to reserve a seat in the program. UNC Charlotte will then send the registrant a Payment Plan Agreement Form, which outlines payment amounts and due dates, as well as key refund/cancellation deadlines. Payment reminders will be sent out to those using the payment plan approximately two weeks before the next payment is due.
Additional payments will be due as follows:
- Payment #2. Amount Due: $500. Due Date: December 22, 2008 (received no later than 5:00 p.m.)
- Payment #3. Amount Due: $500. Due Date: January 21, 2009 received no later than 5:00 p.m.)
- Total amount paid in three separate payments: $1,395
Anyone who registers on or after the Payment #2 due date will pay the total of the first two payments upon registration, with the final balance due according to the posted dates. The Payment Plan will no longer be offered on or after the Payment # 3 due date. At that point, all registrations will be taken at the full registration fee, as long as there is space available in the class.
We will cancel the registration of individuals who fail to meet the payment deadlines under the multi-payment plan. Those people will forfeit their seats in the program. UNC Charlotte will refund any money we have received to that point.
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Cancellation/Refund Policy
Registrants choosing the "multi-payment plan" will be subject to the same cancellation/refund policy as participants paying the entire $1,395 fee at the time of registration. Under the terms of this policy:
- Registrants withdrawing from the program/canceling their registration prior to 5:00 p.m. on January 21, 2009 will receive a full refund of any money they have paid.
- Registrants withdrawing from the program/canceling their registration between 5:00 p.m. on January 21, 2009 and 5:00 p.m. on February 2, 2009 will receive a refund of any money they have paid minus a $250 late-cancellation charge.
- Registrants withdrawing from the program/canceling their registration after 5:00 p.m. on February 2, 2009 will not receive a refund of any money they have paid. An individual who must withdraw or cancel his or her registration, and is not entitled to a refund and owes the entire registration fee, may send a qualified substitute in his or her place, provided the substitute is identified to UNC Charlotte prior to the start of the program.
Reservation of Rights
UNC Charlotte reserves the right to substitute instructors, change the day a program meets, change the location of a program, or cancel programs due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If UNC Charlotte must cancel a program, participants will be given a full refund of the registration fee. The University is not responsible for non-refundable plane fares, hotel and car deposits, or any other expenses incurred by registrants in programs.
For questions, comments, or concerns about our refund and cancellation policies, or other matters related to this program, please contact UNC Charlotte Continuing Education by calling 704-687-8900 or by emailing CEregistration@uncc.edu.
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Registration Options
We encourage you to register at least two weeks prior to each course. If you are registering after this, please call 704-687-8900 to inquire about availability of space.
- Online Registration with MasterCard, Diners Club, Visa, or American Express
- Full Payment
- Deposit Only (will be sent multi-payment plan)
- Telephone with Master Card, Diners Club, Visa, American Express or company purchase order: 704-687-8900
- Fax completed registration form (pdf) with MasterCard/Diners Club/Visa/American Express information or company purchase order number to: 704-687-8691
- Mail completed registration form (pdf) and include payment (make checks payable to UNC Charlotte Continuing Education), credit card or purchase order information to:
The UNC Charlotte Ben Craig Center
Office of Continuing Education
8701 Mallard Creek Rd., Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28262
Confirmation
The program fee is payable in advance. Registration is not complete and will not be confirmed until we receive full payment, a deposit and signed multi-payment plan, or company billing information, which will be acknowledged with a receipt, confirmation letter, map and parking information.
Accessibility
Reasonable and appropriate accommodations will be made available upon request for persons with disabilities. Accommodation requests must be specifically relayed at least two weeks prior to the start of the program. You must notify both the Office of Continuing Education and the UNC Charlotte Office of Disability Services with accommodation requests.
Continuing Education Contact: The Registration Center
Email: ceregistration@uncc.edu
Phone: 704-687-8900
Disability Services Contact: Kristin Kolin
Email: kjkolin@uncc.edu
Phone: 704-687-3136
When calling the Office of Disability Services, please indicate the continuing education course you are taking.
Equality of Opportunity
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability.
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Program & Registration Questions
For Program Specific Questions:
Please email medicalcoder@uncc.edu or call 704-687-8925.
For Registration Questions:
Please call the Registration Center at 704-687-8900 or 1-877-741-0134 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email CEregistration@uncc.edu.
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704-687-8900 or send us an email.
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