text: Medical Coding Specialist | School of Health | WCTC
  27-Credit Technical Diploma
  Medical coders work in a variety of healthcare areas such as hospitals, physician's offices and insurance companies. They review the physician documentation in records in order to assign diagnoses and procedure codes that are used for reimbursement and data purposes. Billing forms are then filed based on the codes assigned; strict federal guidelines are in place that must be followed when assigning codes. In the Medical Coding Specialist program, learn to use two different systems in order to assign codes to the reimbursement systems for patient and outpatient coding.
  Prepare for jobs such as medical coding specialist, revenue cycle analyst, medical billing specialist or medical coder.
  Incoming students may earn credit for prior learning for specific high school health courses.
  Graduates can become eligible to write the CCA, which is a certification exam through AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association).
  Wages of recent graduates per Graduate Follow-up Report
  Three-year Avg. Salary for Full-time Related Employment: $34,294
  Review gainful employment information.
  Medical Coding Specialist is only offered as a Blended Options program.
  In the Blended Options format, programs are organized into short, manageable segments (e.g. one class meeting each week for six or eight weeks) that meets during evening hours. This format is designed primarily for working adults with some college experience, or for those who have been employed in the health information industry for years, but do not have their degree. The Blended Options program is a hybrid program, meaning that students spend roughly 50 percent of their time in the classroom and 50 percent of their time in an online classroom environment. Learn how to become a Blended Options student.
  Program Code 31-530-2
  530-182 Human Diseases for Hlth Profes 3
  501-101 Medical Terminology 3 *
  806-189 Basic Anatomy 3 *
  530-184 CPT Coding 3
  530-162 Foundations of HIM 3 *
  501-107 Digital Literacy Healthcare 2 *
  530-197 ICD Diagnosis Coding 3 *
  530-185 Healthcare Reimbursement 2
  530-199 ICD Procedure Coding 2
  530-165 Intermediate Coding 3 *
  530-182 Human Diseases for Hlth Profes
  Become familiar with the common diseases encountered in all types of healthcare settings by health information professionals. Examine the causes, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests and treatment of each disease.
  501-101 Medical Terminology
  Develop an understanding of medical terminology by breaking related words into prefixes, root words, and suffixes. Practice the formation, analysis, and reconstruction of terms, and learn correct spellings, definitions and pronunciations. Become familiar with the operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, and systemic and surgical terminology.
  Approved Substitutes: 501-150 Exploring Medical Language 1; and 501-151 Exploring Medical Language 2; or 510-314 Language of Anatomy
  806-189 Basic Anatomy
  Examine concepts of anatomy and physiology as they relate to health careers. Correlate anatomical and physiological terminology to all body systems.
  Approved Substitutes: 806-177 Gen Anatomy & Physiology
  530-184 CPT Coding
  Learn how to assign Current Procedural Terminology – CPT codes – supported by medical documentation, with entry-level proficiency. Apply CPT instructional notations, conventions, rules and official coding guidelines when assigning CPT codes to case studies and actual medical record documentation.
  530-162 Foundations of HIM
  Introduces learners to the healthcare delivery system, and the external forces that influence healthcare delivery. Sets an understanding for the expectations and standards related to professional ethics, confidentiality and security of health information. Differentiates the use and structure of healthcare data elements, data standards, and the relationships between them. Prepares learners to collect and maintain health data to ensure a complete and accurate health record.
  Approved Substitutes: 530-176 Health Data Management; and 530-181 Intro to the Health Record
  501-107 Digital Literacy Healthcare
  The focus of this course is the use of technology in healthcare. Learners use common business software applications, including word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and databases. Communication methods using technology are addressed. Learners gain experience with using the electronic health record (EHR). Healthcare EHR security issues, social media use, and digital healthcare resources are examined.
  Approved Substitutes: 530-190 Healthcare Information Systems; or 106-110 Intro to Software Applications; or 106-122 Intermediate Software Apps
  530-197 ICD Diagnosis Coding
  Learn to assign ICD diagnosis codes supported by medical documentation with entry-level proficiency. Apply instructional notations, conventions, rules and official coding guidelines when assigning ICD diagnosis codes to case studies and actual medical record documentation.
  Approved Substitutes: 530-183 ICD Coding
  530-185 Healthcare Reimbursement
  Prepares learners to compare and contrast health care payers, illustrate the reimbursement cycle, and to comply with regulations related to fraud and abuse. Learners assign payment classifications with entry level proficiency using computerized encoding and grouping software.
  530-199 ICD Procedure Coding
  Learn to assign ICD procedure codes supported by medical documentation with entry-level proficiency. Apply instructional notations, conventions, rules and official coding guidelines when assigning procedure codes to ease case studies and actual medical record documentation.
  530-165 Intermediate Coding
  Prepares students to assign ICD and CPT/HCPCS codes supported by medical documentation and official coding guidance to support appropriate reimbursement. Students will participate in CDI activities, including preparation of appropriate physician queries in accordance with compliance guidelines.
  Approved Substitutes: 530-195 Applied Coding
  Phone: 262.691.5113
  BS – Health Information Administration, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
  "I believe that each student has the ability to succeed in their education, given the right tools and support and I am privileged to be one of the many individuals helping our students realize their personal success."
  AS – Health Information Technology, University of Illinois
  AS – Science, University of Wisconsin Center – Barron County
  Certified ICD-10 Trainer – AHIMA Academy
  Certified Teacher of Medical Records -- WTCS
  "My philosophy is to facilitate a positive learning environment to spark engagement and enthusiasm where students can share their ideas, apply their knowledge and build their foundation for lifelong learning."
  Rahsaan Dunn
  Trish Wittig
  262.691.5375
  Complete placement assessment. (Reading and Writing)
  Scientific Literacy Lab
  The Scientific Literacy Lab, located in Building H, Room H-218, is designed for School of Health student use. It is a resource for program students to enhance their learning in a variety of ways specifically related to body systems and medical terminology. Students will be able to assess areas of weakness and review specific body systems along with their physiology.
  Includes 14 computer stations and new curriculum software, which consists of self-study modules based on human body systems and medical terminology.
  Is staffed by faculty to help students in the learning process.
  Provides a collaboration corner for students to congregate and study.
  Functions as a lab available for coursework and tutoring assistance.
  Features a reference library to enhance student learning.
  The lab is available for School of Health students at no charge. If you are interested in using the lab just stop in and learn how to register.