Medical Coding

Medical coding is necessary to ensure accurate, accessible and secure accounts of a patient’s medical office visits and the related healthcare diagnosis and procedures that occur there. These medical codes are used to capture, categorize and file clinical data for disease management, billing, insurance reimbursement, and various administrative purposes.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of health information technicians, such as those working in the medical coding field, is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026—faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for healthcare services—and the medical coding needs that accompany this demand—is expected to increase as the population ages. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) states that the average salary in California for a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is $65,119 per year.

CPIE's Medical Coding program is a modular series of courses that provide students with the necessary skills to become successful in professions that involve outpatient coding only. Delivered fully online, students can take each course in the program to build the skills necessary to pursue careers in this profession. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be eligible to sit for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A) exam.

This Program Is Ideal For

Anyone who wants to learn medical coding for the outpatient environment only. This course will not teach any inpatient coding. No previous medical or healthcare industry knowledge or work experience is necessary as a prerequisite for this program.

Any individual who needs to understand medical coding
Anyone who may want to obtain new skills to generate additional revenue—while working another job or during retirement

In This Program You'll Learn

To understand medical terminology and acronyms commonly used in the healthcare industry
Foundational knowledge in the following areas for 11 organ systems:

Anatomy
Physiology
Diseases
Therapies

How to read and decipher clinical documentation from various providers
Three coding systems: ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS, and how to properly apply them in various outpatient coding scenarios
Healthcare compliance and regulations
To navigate basic encoder software

How to Complete the Program

Students will receive a certificate of completion upon successfully mastering the following:

Completing all the learning modules for this certificate program
Demonstrating competency of all course learning objectives

I have been a hairstylist for over 20 years, and after struggling through the pandemic, I decided to change careers. Medical coding has been fun, interesting and challenging. I look forward to my new life path and retiring with a company who values my hard work and new skills.

Katrice Troncoso Medical Coding

Program Outline

The Medical Coding program consists of the following four courses:

Health Sciences

This course will provide students with foundational knowledge in medical terminology. Students will practice the application of these concepts via reading and dissection of real-world clinical documentation from various healthcare providers.

Topics Include:

Anatomy and physiology
Diseases
Diagnostic testing
Various treatment therapies

Coding - ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS

This course will teach students the coding guidelines for the three major outpatient coding systems. Students will practice the application of these coding guidelines on real-world coding case scenarios.

Topics include:

ICD-10-CM
CPT
HCPCS

Encoder - Software

This course will teach students how to navigate Encoder, the standard software that is used in healthcare organizations to code electronic medical records (EMR). This course includes 30-day access to the Encoder software

Topics include:

Functions of Encoder software
Coding electronic medical records (EMR)

Test Preparation for CPC Exam

This course includes a short mock CPC exam. Students will have the opportunity to apply the test-taking skills and strategies they have learned during this mock exam. As part of student’s enrollment, they are allowed to come back one time only, free of charge to participate in the one-week test preparation and mock CPC exam simulation after the completion of their program.

*CSULB does not guarantee the success of any student on the CPC exam. Exam results will vary by student and their individual performance. The CPC exam fee is not included as part of the fees for this course. This course only covers outpatient coding. It does not cover inpatient coding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the enrollment requirements for this program? Are there any prerequisites?

This is a non-credit, certificate program. There are no application requirements. You must have a high school diploma.

Do I have to be a CSULB student to take this course?

No, you do not need to be a matriculated student to register for the course.

Are there financial aid or payment plan options available?

Unfortunately, we do not offer financial aid or payment plans for this course. Full payment is due prior to the 1st day of class.

Is this course available in-person?

No, this course is offered completely online.

Does the registration fee include textbooks?

The following eBooks are included with the registration free:

Comprehensive Medical Terminology for Health Professionals
Understanding ICD-10-CM & ICD-10-PCS: A Worktext
Understanding Current Procedural Terminology and HCPCS Coding System

The following hard copy coding books are also included with the registration fee:

2023 ICD-10-CM for Physicians
2023 CPT Professional
2023 HCPCS

Students will also have an online companion application with additional exercises and study aids to assist with re-enforcing the course concepts.

Is there an externship available with this course?

No, this program does not include an externship.

Does this course provide assistance for any job placement opportunities?

We do not assist with job placement upon successful completion of the course. Although we will forward any job opportunities that are sent to us from various companies, we cannot secure or guarantee employment for our students.

How often is this course offered?

This program is offered 3 times per year: in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

Is my high school diploma from another country valid?

Yes, we accept high school diplomas from countries outside the U.S.

Do I get academic credit for enrolling in this program at CSULB?

Currently, no CSULB academic credit is awarded for enrolling in this non-credit program.

Who is the Medical Coding program designed for?

Any individual who needs to understand medical coding
Anyone who may want to obtain new skills to generate additional revenue while working another job or during retirement

Who should attend this program?

This course is for anyone who wants to learn medical coding for the outpatient environment only. This course will not teach any inpatient coding. No previous medical or healthcare industry knowledge or work experience is necessary as a prerequisite for this program.

Who teaches this course?

This program is taught by an industry expert with over 20 years’ experience in the Medical Coding field.

When is the enrollment deadline?

There is no enrollment deadline, but you should enroll as soon as you know you want to join the program. Class size is limited, so enroll early. If the program fills up, you can ask to be placed on a waiting list or enroll in a subsequent semester.

How do I enroll?

Click the "Add to Cart" button on the right-hand side of the page to enroll. If the program has already started, email cpace-info@csulb.edu.

What does CPC-A mean? Is it different than CPC?

CPC-A is Certified Professional Coder - Apprentice, meaning a person with less than two years of coding experience. The "apprentice" designation can be removed with a letter stating that one has had two years of coding experience. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) also has a coding practice/application program that one can purchase and complete to remove the "A."

I see many jobs that require a CPC or CPC-P, but not CPC-A. Why isn't CPC-A listed?

There are job listings which state that they will hire a CPC-A, but the goal is for newly credentialed coders to obtain the necessary experience to get the "A" removed, which can be accomplished via AAPC's coding practice/application.

Does the Medical Coding program include the registration to take a CPC exam on a specific scheduled date?

The CPC exam fee is not included in the cost of the course. The instructor will review with students when, where, and how to register for the CPC exam.

How are classes conducted?

The schedule is set to ensure that the class covers all required coursework.

All class sessions are recorded and posted for students to review.

Information Sessions

Potential students interested in learning more about the Medical Coding program are encouraged to attend a free information session. The information sessions include short presentations by a program representative, designed to provide you with an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the program's benefits.

Upcoming online-only Information Sessions are below. Click on each date to register for the Zoom meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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Medical Coding

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Medical Coding