Health Information Coding Specialist Program
Delivery Options:
Online
Delivery Type:
Certificate of Applied Science
Program Length:
3 Semesters
Why the Health Information Coding Specialist Program?
The Great Falls College medical coding program, which is accredited by the American Health Information Management Association, prepares you to pass the Certified Coding Associate credential exam, which distinguishes coders across all settings and is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Specialists in this field are called health information coders, medical record coders, coders/abstractors or coding specialists.
Graduates are Prepared to:
- Care for patients by accurately coding for health care billing and data management.
- Analyze health records and assign appropriate codes for diagnoses and procedures.
- Follow national and international guidelines for coding.
- Research and use their knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and disease processes.
- Use software to assign patients to diagnosis-related groups or ambulatory payment classifications.
- Ensure compliance with coding standards and regulations.
Types of Courses
| AHMS 108 | Health Data Content & Structure |
| HTH 180 | Pharmaceuticals for Health Care Providers |
| AHMS 164 | Beginning Diagnosis Coding: ICD-10 |
| AHMS 285 | HICS/Coding Professional Practice Experience |
Career Opportunities
Students who achieve the Health Information Coding Specialist Certificate can expect to obtain jobs in inpatient facilities, outpatient clinics, physician offices or insurance companies as entry-level coders. For more information related to career opportunities in this field, please visit https://www.AHIMA.org/careers.
The instructors have been very helpful. They have been very prompt answering questions. They do everything possible to help you succeed.
Additional Program Information
Certification/Accreditation
Our Health Information Coding Specialist program at Great Falls College is approved by the AHIMA Foundation’s Professional Certificate Approval Program. This designation acknowledges the coding program as having been evaluated by a peer review process against a national minimum set of standards for entry-level coding professionals. The approval time frame started March 31, 2022, and expires on March 31, 2025, with annual interim approval during these years.
The program is accredited by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) .
The successful completion of the Health Information Coding Specialist Certificate will assist the student in qualifying for the Certified Coding Associate credential national exam; sponsored by AHIMA.
Continuing your education
Students that complete the Health Information Coding Specialist Certificate can easily transfer into the Health Information Technology two-year degree program at Great Falls College
Health Information Coding Specialist Program Handbook
Curriculum Map & Assessment Plan
Health Information Coding Specialist/Health Information Technology Program Assessment Plan: Program directors will submit annual assessment in May using program summary document.
