Due to the shortage of certified medical coders, medical coding school information is a hot commodity. Entrepreneurs nationwide see the potential security in an industry that continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Medical coders are a critical piece of the health information industry. Without this crucial service, healthcare providers could not get paid. This leaves an opportunity for savvy entrepreneurs to fill the void by establishing their own medical coding company.
Various educational opportunities exist to obtain medical coding training. Taking the next step and obtaining a medical coding certification will increase potential market as medical facilities prefer to work with certified coders who have invested the additional time and effort. A certification will also increase your income. The American Academy of Professional Coders offers a number of nationally-recognized certification credentials:
1. CPC or Certified Professional Coder: completed medical coding training for physician services
2. CPC-H: concentrated medical coding training for outpatient facilities
3. CPC-P: medical coding certification for payer services such as private insurance and Medicare
4. CIRCC: medical coding certification for interventional radiology and cardiovascular services
5. Specialty: certification in a specialty field to demonstrate superior knowledge and expertise
Find a medical coding seminar at a traditional college or university
Many traditional colleges now offer a medical coding course as part of their curriculum. Over 200 colleges nationwide offer an associate or bachelor's degree in health information management that includes the necessary medical coding school training. Some universities also have a master's program.
Boise State University provides an associate and bachelor's program in Health Information Management. The associate program qualifies the student to take the certification exam.
DeVry University offers a health information technology degree that follows the American Health Information Management Association industry standards. The bachelor's program allows students to take their training to the next level.
Check out coding certificate programs at a school of medical coding
Some institutions offer certificate programs or a medical coding seminar that have met peer review specifications for medical coding training. This makes it possible for some academic organizations, healthcare firms and private companies to offer approved training.
CODEMED School of Professional Medical Coding offers medical coding school training that combines a state-of-the-art curriculum with professional practice experience. Ladera Career Paths embraces a core curriculum that includes professional seminars and job fairs, followed up with the specialized medical coder program.
Take advantage of distance learning in a medical coding course
Online medical coding seminars offer a great deal of flexibility by letting you learn on your own schedule. For busy entrepreneurs looking to increase their market share through additional training distance learning programs are the way to go. These flexible programs can involve self-paced study, online courses or web-based training.
American Health Information Management Association developed a self-paced distance education program that teaches the skills necessary to become a medical coder. The unique design of the program allows you to move through the courses as slowly or as quickly as you like. Allied Medical School has online medical coding training that prepares you to take the CPC certification exam. You also receive a one-year membership to the American Academy of Professional Coders.
- AHIMA, the premier association of health information management professionals, is an excellent source for medical coding school advice including approved schools, available certifications and continuing education.
- Make sure the medical coding school you select has a curriculum approved by AHIMA or the AAPC.
