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Health Information Management

Coding Specialist

Degree | Academic Features  |  Course Sequence  | Program Special Features | Faculty | Accreditation | Career | Admissions

DEGREE: Certificate in Coding Technology

ACADEMIC FEATURES:

Changing regulations for payment of health services issued by the government and other third-party payers continue to create a sharp growth in the demand for qualified coders.  This growing career field calls for specialized training in areas related to coding and classification of information.  To ensure that quality training is available to persons interested in this field, Indiana University Northwest offers a special traininig program that combines an understanding of medical terminology and the disease process with ICD-9-CM and CPT coding principles and guidelines.

COURSE SEQUENCE:
 

*In order to enroll in Pathology, R200, the student must choose the P261-P262 science sequence. The course of study is coordinated by the Health Information Technology Program and consists of two semesters of course work. The number of required credit hours depend upon the specific individual courses chosen by the student.

PROGRAM SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Program may be completed on part-time basis.
• Program is set up for easy transition into the Health Information Technology Associate Degree Program.
• Certificate program in the related field of medical transcription is available.
• Excellent job market for graduates in this field.

FACULTY:
, M.S., R.H.I.A., C.C.S., FAHIMA, Professor and Program Director
Linda Galocy, M.S., R.H.I.A., Clinical Coordinator
, R.H.I.A., Instructor

Shelly Callahan, R.H.I.T., Instructor
Nancy Reed, R.H.I.T., Instructor
Dana Schmelter, MPH, R.H.I.A., Instructor
Laura Summers, R.H.I.T., Instructor

Have questions about salary, employment opportunities, the profession, or the curriculum? Call the faculty at:

Margaret Skurka Linda Galocy Patricia Wilson

219-980-6654  219-980-6925 219-980-6924

CAREER OPTIONS:

Coders are employed in hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, insurance companies, and other settings where diagnostic and procedural data are coded in ICD-9-CM and CPT for reimbursement purposes. Program graduates are eligible to take the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association. Three exams are offered - one for the hospital-based coders at the advanced level and one for the physician-based coders at the advanced leel and the entry level CCA exam referenced above. Work experience before taking the national exam is strongly recommended.

PROGRAM ADMISSION PROCESS:

1.  Apply and be admitted to Indiana University Northwest.
2.  Complete letter of intent for College of Health and Human Services indicating intent to complete the program.