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Medical Coder
Technical Diploma
Why choose Medical Coder?
- The future of medical records is electronic—coded and processed into a secure digital format.
- Get the training needed for employment as an entry-level medical coder, where you will assign diagnosis and procedure codes for billing, quality improvement, statistical reporting, and medical research.
- Graduate into many great careers, or advance your education in the Health Information Management associate in applied science (AAS).
- Interested in earning a bachelor’s degree? For transfer opportunities, visit mstc.edu/transfer.
At one time, patient medical histories had to be pieced together by tracking down isolated paper records from different providers. Today they are increasingly coded and processed into a secure digital format that authorized medical personnel can access. These electronic health records (EHR) allow physicians and other caregivers to make informed decisions quickly, drastically improving quality of care and efficiency.
Program Locations
Online
Delivery:
Online (anytime, anywhere)
Full-Time or Part-Time
16-Week Classes
Length of Program: One Year
Credits: 30
Start Dates: Fall or Spring
Start at any time or campus by taking general education courses.
What You'll Learn
The Medical Coder program at Mid-State prepares students for entry-level work as medical coders in health care settings, such as hospitals, physician offices, long-term care facilities, and more. Medical coders review medical documentation and assign diagnosis and procedure codes for the purposes of billing, quality improvement, statistical reporting, and medical research.
In this program, you’ll be introduced to reimbursement principles and build proficiency in assigning codes across all settings. After program completion, graduates may qualify to take the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) credentialing exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Outcomes
- Apply clinical documentation and diagnostic results to ensure accurate diagnostic and procedural coding.
- Validate completeness and accuracy of health data for coding, billing, and statistical purposes.
- Evaluate components of revenue cycle management and clinical documentation improvement.
Employability Skills
- Behave Responsibly: Ethical Behavior, Self-Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Collaboration
- Communicate Effectively: Writing, Technical Documentation, Listening, Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Reading
- Critical & Creative Thinking: Inquiry, Evidence Collection, Analysis, Reasoning, Reflection (Metacognition)
- Cultural, Social, & Global Awareness: Global Awareness, Social & Cultural Awareness, Social Responsibility
- Use Appropriate Technology: Use of Technology, Confidentiality, Security, Digital Civility
Learn more about employability skills at Mid-State.
Estimated Entire Program Cost
Cost based on the 2024/25 academic year.
- Tuition & Fees: $4,849.10
- Books: $2,027.42
- Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $0
- Total Estimated Cost: $6,876.52
Financial Aid Eligibility
This program is eligible for full Financial Aid
Cost of Attendance
Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending.
This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10501101 | Medical Terminology | 3 | |
| 10806189 | Basic Anatomy | 3 | |
| 10530123 | Introduction to Digital Information in Healthcare | 3 | |
| 10103106 | Microsoft Office-Introduction | 3 | |
| Term Total | 12 Credits | ||
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10530144 | CPT Coding | 3 | |
| 10530117 | Human Disease for the Health Professions | 3 | |
| 10530197 | ICD Diagnosis Coding | 3 | |
| Term Total | 9 Credits | ||
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10530115 | Inpatient Procedure Coding | 3 | |
| 10530146 | Private and Government Reimbursement | 3 | |
| 10530147 | HIM Advanced Coding | 3 | |
| Term Total | 9 Credits | ||
| Program Total | 30 Credits |
Instructors
KARI BJORGE, BS, RHIA, CCS
Kari Bjorge holds a BS in health information management from Herzing University as well as RHIA and CCS certifications. With over a decade of experience as a medical coder, Kari has worked in most areas of coding, including inpatient, professional fee, and physician education. To keep her professional skills current, she serves as a volunteer on the Wisconsin Health Information Management Association (WHIMA) board of directors and many WHIMA teams.
“I have a deep passion for health information (HI) and I want to share my passion with our future HI professionals!”
ANGELA VOIGHT, AAS, BS
Angie Voight is a highly skilled healthcare professional with a diverse educational and professional background. She holds an AAS in biomedical informatics, also known as health information management, from Mid-State Technical College and a BS in career and technical education and training from UW-Stout. With her extensive knowledge and expertise, Angie is a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) with numerous years of experience in medical coding for local hospitals. Angie prioritizes her continuing education credits to help students stay updated with the latest developments and trends in the field. She understands that the healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and it is crucial for professionals to keep themselves informed and knowledgeable. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as an educator and is committed to helping her students.
“I love teaching because of the satisfaction of witnessing students have those ‘aha’ moments.”
Careers
- Medical Coder
- Medical Claims Reviewer
- Financial Services Specialist
- Coding Support Specialist
Fast-Track
High school students are eligible to enroll in this program and all courses required. Learn more about Mid-State Fast-Track.
- Additional Resources
Take the Next Step
“Earning a degree at Mid-State allowed me to widen my employment possibilities outside my limited geographical area and elevate my earning potential. I was even able to take required courses online and continue with ‘life as usual.’”
LORINDA LEACH
GRADUATE
Choose Your Path
Career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. Earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. Continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree. Explore this program’s pathway in the graphic below. For an even quicker first step to a degree or diploma, check out our short-term certificates.
Transfer • Dual Credit • Credit for Prior Learning
