Online Medical Coding Curriculum and Classes

Our curriculum is developed specifically for the distance education learner by instructional designers who specialize in how to develop content for adults and well-qualified subject matter experts that include certified professional coders and a registered health information administrator to ensure quality content. The current subject matter expert has a Master's of Public Health Informatics. In addition, USCI works with a program advisory council of non-USCI employee who is a registered health information administrator and certified professional auditor working in the field to review content annually to ensure students receive content that is up-to-date, relevant and accurate.

The coursework trains students to:

Demonstrate professionalism through attire, attitude, organization and time management skills as appropriate to a healthcare setting.

Use verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills applied to medical coding tasks in a healthcare setting.

Employ legal and ethical standards related to patient confidentiality within the healthcare community environment.

Define terms showing a fundamental understanding of the human body, medical terminology and parts of a medical record as they apply to medical coding.

Classify and assign diagnostic and procedure codes to medical records using ICD-10-CM and CPT coding systems as used in variety of settings.

Program Curriculum Breakdown

Your Online Medical Coding Classes are broken down into 5 units.

Instruction Pack I: Introduction to Medical Coding

In Pack 1, students explore the roles of various healthcare professionals. Additionally, students discover the role medical records play in a coding and billing specialist’s job, and gain a basic understanding of electronic records. They learn medical terminology using a unique word-building system to help them interpret new terms. Students wrap up by examining important ethical and legal issues that they may encounter.

Instruction Pack II: Anatomy and Diagnostic Coding

Here, students build on their medical terminology knowledge within each body system. Then, students will learn the basics of anatomy before diving into the specifics of the ICD-10-CM coding manual. Students examine the structure of the ICD-10-CM coding manual and the guidelines and rules for ICD-10-CM coding. Additionally, students integrate diagnosis coding processes with physiology knowledge—from infections to mental disorders to diseases of the eye. Students use an ICD-10-CM coding manual to complete the program.

Instruction Pack III: Diagnostic Coding and Surgical Procedures

Students continue their journey through the ICD-10-CM. Students learn about and code conditions of the ear. They examine the anatomy and coding process for the circulatory, respiratory, digestive and musculoskeletal systems. They also explore the skin and subcutaneous tissue. After exploring genitourinary, pregnancy, perinatal and congenital conditions and codes, students begin coding symptoms, ill-defined conditions, injuries and poisonings. After finishing the ICD-10-CM, students focus on the CPT. Students are introduced to coding rules and to the surgical sections of the CPT. Students use the CPT coding manual to complete the program.

Instruction Pack IV: Procedure Coding and Code Integration

After exploring the radiology, pathology, anesthesia and medicine sections, students focus on the final coding manual, the HCPCS Level II. Then they learn to integrate diagnostic and procedure codes, and have plenty of hands-on practice applying their knowledge. Finally, students learn how and when to use evaluation and management codes. After examining the associations and credentials available to this field, the final quiz gives students an opportunity to apply their outpatient coding skills. Students use the HCPCS coding manual to complete the program.

Instruction Pack V: Evaluation and Management Services and Final Exam

Students learn how and when to use evaluation and management codes in their final pack. They complete a Final Exam, giving them an opportunity to apply outpatient coding skills.