Medical Coding Course with Job-Oriented Training & Placement Assistance

Coding is considerably less complex when you have a firm grasp of anatomy. This subject deals with the major body systems and other systems that are important to medical coding, including the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular and digestive systems.

Commonly used medical terminology, including the use of anatomical terms in medical records, will also be covered. The focus is on learning the basic skills needed to read medical records and identify the data needed for accurate coding.

This session introduces the diagnosis coding method used in medical coding, ICD-10-CM. Students are taught the organization of the code set, the structure of the chapters and the use of the Alphabetic Index and the Tabular List.

Participants will also learn how to select diagnosis codes from documentation and why accurate diagnosis coding is important to the patient record, reimbursement and healthcare claims.

Coding guidelines are some of the most important aspects of being a good medical coder. This subject provides students with the necessary abilities and knowledge to review medical records as required by ICD-10-CM.

Topics include sequencing, chapter-specific directions, laterality, combination codes and documentation requirements. Students are taught how to apply these rules in practice and in coding scenarios, rather than just memorizing them.

This topic takes you from the fundamentals to practical diagnosis coding. Students select ICD-10-CM codes based on knowledge of patient cases and medical documentation.

The training includes common coding errors, lack or poor documentation, and appropriate use of coding rules. With practice, students get more comfortable reviewing documentation and picking the right diagnosis codes.

Diagnosis codes describe the patient's condition, while procedure codes describe the services and operations performed. This session provides the learner with an introduction to CPT® coding, HCPCS Level II, and modifiers.

Students learn about CPT® codes, HCPCS Level II codes for equipment, supplies and other medical services, and how modifiers provide additional information about procedures and services.

Students get real-world examples to learn when and why different modifiers are used.

This subject is concerned with the coding of skin, wounds and soft tissues. Students are taught procedures such as lesion excision, wound treatment, skin grafts, debridement, and reconstructive surgeries.

Training emphasizes the details — location, size, depth, and complexity of a procedure — that determine code selection. Students learn to look for these details in medical records and apply them to coding.

Bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and the spine are all part of the musculoskeletal system. This subject teaches students how to code standard orthopedic conditions and surgery.

Training includes fracture treatment, orthopedic procedures, arthroscopy, joint replacement and spinal surgeries. Students gain experience reviewing surgical records and determining what information is needed to select the appropriate CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes.

This session focuses on coding for the respiratory system, from the nose and sinuses to the lungs. Students will be exposed to bronchoscopy, thoracic surgery, pulmonary testing and diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.

Understanding the various surgical techniques is emphasized, with special focus on finding information in the documentation that might affect the selection of the procedure code.

Understanding anatomy, procedures and coding guidelines is important in cardiovascular coding. This module includes codes for procedures and treatments for cardiac and vascular conditions.

Students learn about cardiac catheterization, angiography, pacemaker implantation, bypass surgery, and vascular treatments, with training on documentation review and proper application of coding principles.

This session covers the mediastinum, diaphragm, hemic, and lymphatic systems.

Students learn coding concepts for procedures including diaphragm repairs, splenectomy, mediastinoscopy, bone marrow procedures and lymph node biopsies. This subject also builds the anatomy knowledge required to understand these processes and choose the right codes.

The digestive system is a complex system that includes many organs and functions. These include the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and rectum.

Students practice coding procedures such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, bariatric surgery, appendectomy, and hernia repair. Real-world examples help learners better understand the details of documentation that influence the choice of code.

In this module you'll learn how to code for the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, prostate and male reproductive organs.

Students are taught the most common urological treatments, including cystoscopy, lithotripsy, prostate surgery, vasectomy, and circumcision. The course also covers what documentation is needed to assign the right codes.

This topic introduces students to the codes for gynecology and obstetrics. It includes pregnancy-related services, obstetric coding guidelines, and principles of maternal care.

Students are trained on pregnancy-related issues, cesarean and vaginal deliveries and global maternity packages. The focus is on understanding the documentation, and the reasons behind each code selection.

This section covers two critical components of medical coding: the endocrine and neurological systems.

Students are trained in neurosurgery, spinal procedures, peripheral nerve surgery, nerve blocks and treatments of the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands. Anatomy and documentation drive coding decisions here.

This module contains coding for services related to the eye and ear, such as ophthalmology and otolaryngology.

Students are taught about cochlear implants, hearing tests, cataract surgery, retinal surgery and ear surgery. The course also covers the anatomy that helps identify the correct code.

Anesthesia coding follows its own set of rules and reporting requirements. The objective of this module is to acquaint students with the basic principles of anesthesia coding.

Topics include time-based reporting, base units, physical status modifiers and qualifying circumstances. Students also learn the relationship between anesthesia services and the surgical procedures they support, and how proper coding is accomplished through documentation.

This module deals with coding of diagnostic imaging and radiological services such as x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, fluoroscopy, and nuclear medicine.

Students are instructed on the professional and technical components and how these might affect coding and modifier usage. Training also includes reviewing documentation to determine whether a service was performed, interpreted, or both.

Pathology and laboratory services must be carefully categorized based on the type of test or service rendered. This module covers laboratory testing, surgical pathology, cytology, microbiology and molecular diagnostics.

Students evaluate lab and pathology reports to determine when services should be billed separately and when coding guidelines require them to be bundled.

Evaluation and Management coding is an important part of daily medical coding and CPC preparation. This session reviews current coding guidelines to determine the correct E/M level.

Through examples of office visits, hospital visits, consultations and preventive care, students explore concepts related to medical decision making and total time.

The goal is to make students comfortable reading documentation and correctly applying E/M coding guidelines.

The Medicine section covers a broad range of non-surgical medical services. Students will learn coding topics that include immunizations, mental health services, dialysis, chemotherapy, infusion treatment, allergy testing, cardiovascular diagnostics, pulmonary function tests, and rehabilitation services.

Since Medicine is a wide area of healthcare, this module broadens students' understanding of procedure coding and how it applies across different clinical settings.

The final module brings together the concepts covered throughout the CPC training program.

Students practice with a full mock exam of 100 questions and timed practice, following the format of the AAPC CPC exam. The results are analyzed to identify areas needing further attention.

RACE also covers time management, exam technique and revision to help students feel more prepared and confident going into the certification exam.

During the preparation period, students also receive individual guidance on the areas they need to practice further.