Medical Coding

Distance Learning Career Training Course of 12 Lessons

Course Description
Instructor Biography
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Certificate Requirements
Start Dates
PDF Brochure
Who Should Attend
Requirements
Recommended Courses
Student Reviews
FAQ

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Take your first step toward a lucrative career as a medical coder! In this course, you'll learn how to use the CPT manual and the ICD-9-CM to find medical codes for any disease, condition, treatment, or surgical procedure. This knowledge will help prepare you to work almost anywhere in the medical field—doctors' offices, clinics, public health facilities, hospitals, labs, nursing homes, insurance agencies, or even the comfort of your own home.

We'll go through each of the main systems of the human body—integumentary (skin), musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and male and female genitourinary—outlining the medical terminology, conditions, diseases, injuries, treatments, and procedures you'll see most often in each of those systems.

Along the way, we'll go through lots of real-world examples and coding exercises to get you using your coding tools in conjunction with your analytical skills to come up with just the right codes to describe any medical situation. In the process, you'll get all the hands-on experience you'll need to code medical insurance claims with confidence.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Lesson 1

Learn the history of medical insurance and medical coding, get familiar with the coding books and tools medical coders use, and discuss patient privacy and confidentiality.

Lesson 2

Get to know the common forms medical coders use, explore the different types of medical codes you'll find in your coding books, and understand how the different types of codes come together on the claim form to tell the insurance company a complete story about any doctor-patient encounter.

Lesson 3

Take a detailed tour through the CPT manual; learn all about the CPT symbols, modifiers, and unlisted procedures; and start looking up your first codes.

Lesson 4

Take a detailed tour through the ICD-9-CM; learn all about its symbols, formatting, and other conventions; see where to find E-codes and V-codes; and practice coding diagnoses.

Lesson 5

Explore the integumentary system. Review the code categories for the most common skin conditions, infections, and injuries; and then learn how to code the procedures doctors use to treat common skin problems.

Lesson 6

Learn all about the musculoskeletal system and study some important musculoskeletal vocabulary. Review the code categories for the most common muscle and bone conditions and injuries, and then learn how to code the procedures doctors use to treat common muscle and bone problems.

Lesson 7

Review the respiratory system, learn how to code the most common respiratory conditions and injuries, and then learn how to code the most common respiratory procedures doctors use on their patients.

Lesson 8

Explore the cardiovascular system. Learn how to code common heart, vein, and artery conditions and diseases; and then learn how to code the procedures doctors use most often to treat these common diagnoses.

Lesson 9

Learn all about the digestive system and the endocrine system. Study some important vocabulary for both systems; then review the code categories for the most common conditions, diseases, and injuries; and then explore the procedures doctors perform to fix digestive and endocrine system problems.

Lesson 10

Review the male and female genitourinary systems; and learn how to code common conditions, diseases and procedures for both systems, as well as for maternity and childbirth.

Lesson 11

Get to know E/M codes, learn the three key components of any E/M service, and learn to use helpful charts to narrow down an E/M code range to a final E/M code.

Lesson 12

Find out what's included in a surgical package and what's not. Then learn how to use modifiers to let insurance companies know about special circumstances.

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CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

A 65% or better must be achieved in order to receive a Certificate of Completion.

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START DATES

---------------------------------------2010-------------------------------------------

Course Start Date

Final Exam Release

Final Exam Due Date

Extension Period Ends

To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:

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PDF BROCHURE

Please click here to download the PDF brochure for over 300 ed2go online courses offered by eLearn Canada.

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WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This course is recommended only for students residing in the United States, No prior medical experience is required, but knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy will be helpful.

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• STUDENTS REVIEWS

  • "Although at times it was difficult, I really enjoyed this class. Working with workers' compensation claims, I knew this class would benefit me. This morning I got a bill from a doctor's office. It contained the following entry: Office visit, established, Level 4 (99214)! Did I ever feel smug recognizing that this was an E/M code. Jennifer, everything we know and do has been taught to us. I think "Teacher" should be a hallowed word. I shall always remember you as a teacher who skillfully guided me through a course that was difficult on occasion, frustrating on others, but ultimately rewarding. It was with your words of encouragement that I prevailed and mastered the basics. My only regret is that we did not meet, but I feel as if I know you as you've communicated with me and the other students in a very special way. Thank you for setting me on a path to a new career."
  • "For me, it has been a difficult but nonetheless rewarding class. I found your course materials, assignments and supplemental references to be a great help and can't imagine my succeeding without Jen's personal assistance and words of encouragement."
  • "Hello Jen! I just want to take a second and tell you that I think your class is wonderful. I really enjoy doing this and you make it easy (as easy as it can be) to understand. It is so challenging and very much like a puzzle. I think I missed (and now have found) my calling. It really makes me think."
  • "I can't say enough good things about Jennifer and her ability to teach this class. I had absolutely no medical knowledge or experience and I was able to make 100% on my final exam because of the way she is able to convey the information in an easy to understand manner."
  • "I can't say enough good things about your class! The instruction was clear and methodical and I feel like I have received a very good overview of the world of medical coding. As I said before, I have never had any medical experience or education and I'm happy to say that I made 100% on the final. Thank you for the many hours you put into making the course available to us and for providing us with a quality education. I believe I am on my way to new employment opportunities. Best wishes to you."
  • "I found the class educational for the subject. It should be very helpful in my future endeavors. Thank you for helping me switch my lines of work later in life."
  • "I found the course very interesting and would like to continue to study medical coding. I found Jennifer very interactive with the class and on a personal note - I have found that to be a key component of an excellent online class."
  • "I found this course to be very interesting and informative. I have been working as a unit secretary on the surgical unit of a local community hospital for 5 years and being able to approach the kind of data I am used to dealing with in a completely different way was very interesting to me."
  • "If you are interested in learning about medical billing and coding, you will not find a better place to begin, nor a better person from whom to learn. Thanks to Jennifer I’ve found a new career. Her knowledge, gentle coaching and encouragement were key to building my confidence and my understanding of a complicated subject. Along with my highest recommendation and appreciation, I give Jennifer five stars!!"
  • "I have been a certified coder CPC with the AAPC for three years now. I have been a medical biller for 20+ years now; but, since I do not code per se, I felt a beginner’s course would help me keep up on coding. Thanks, the class did do this for me."

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  FAQ

  Q: How are your courses different from other online courses?

  A: Two words: customer satisfaction. A genuine ed2go course is more than just a collection of project-oriented lessons, stimulating quizzes, and hands-on assignments. Our instructors are famous for their ability to create warm and supportive communities of learners. It's no wonder that many long-lasting friendships have formed in our lively and intelligent discussion areas. Our satisfaction and completion rates are among the highest in our industry, with more than 95% of our students indicating that they'd like to take another ed2go online course. And we've served 750,000 students over the last eight years--far more than anyone else in our industry. But don't take our word for it--see for yourself. Browse our Course Catalog and read the fantastic things students have to say about our courses.

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  Q: How long are your courses?

  A: Unless otherwise specified, all courses run for six weeks. You will be granted access to two lessons each week for six weeks. Each lesson will be accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons may also include a hands-on assignment. You are expected to try and complete each quiz and assignment within two weeks from when the lesson is released. The course will conclude with a final exam. You will have two weeks from the day the final exam is released to complete your studies and submit the final exam for evaluation.

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  Q: What happens if I'll be away on business/vacation during part of the class?

  A: No problem! There's a two-week grace period built right into each of our quizzes and final exams. As long as you can live with that two week time frame, you can read each lesson at your leisure, and complete each assignment when it is convenient for you. That's the beauty of taking an online course--they're designed to fit your schedule--not your instructor's!

  If you start to fall behind, we can grant you a ten day extension at the end of the course. You are not required to attach a reason to your extension request, but we can grant no more than one extension per course. You will be given instructions on how to request an extension when your course begins.

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  Q: How will I receive my lessons, quizzes and assignments?

  A: Each course comes complete with an online classroom. You will be able to use your web browser to access the online classroom and obtain your course material and communicate with your instructor.

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  Q: What happens if I have a question?

  A: Each of your lessons is accompanied by an interactive discussion area. When you need help with a lesson, all you have to do is post your question or inquiry in the appropriate course discussion area, where the instructor , his or her teaching assistant, or one of your fellow students will respond.

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  Q: May I respond to other students' discussion area questions?

  A: We are firmly convinced that the best way to learn a new skill is to teach it to others. If you know the answer to a discussion area question, you are strongly encouraged to offer your assistance.

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  Q: When we miss a question on the quiz, you tell us why we missed it, but you don't tell us the right answer. Why not?

  A: Our quizzes use a diminishing multiple choice format. When you miss a question, you will receive an explanation as to why your answer was incorrect. You are then expected to do the research needed to find the correct answer. You will retain the material much better if you take the responsibility for answering our questions instead of relying on us to answer them for you.

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  Q: I'm a talented and dedicated instructor, and I'd like to develop an online course for you. Can you help?

  A: Most definitely. Here's some information for you to review.

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  Q: How is taking an Internet course different from reading a computer book?

  A: Like books, much of the information in our Internet courses will be conveyed to you in writing. But the similarities between books and our Internet workshops end there. In particular:

  • We believe that computer skills are best acquired by coupling hands-on experience with information and expert advice. Each of our lessons comes complete with a quiz that has been carefully designed to reinforce the material covered in your lesson. Each quiz will be evaluated instantly and returned to you with meaningful feedback. In addition, many of your lessons will be accompanied with meaningful assignments that have been expertly crafted to give you practical hands-on experience with the material covered in your course. After you complete each assignment, you will be provided with all the information you need to self-evaluate your work and assess your own strengths and weaknesses.
    
    
  • Whats more, our courses are crafted to exploit the interactive nature of the Internet, virtually ensuring that all of your course-related questions are answered. During the course, you will remain in constant contact with your instructor and your fellow students. Although most computer books are great at feeding you expert advice, none can give you the practical experience and level of interaction delivered by just one of our courses.
    
    
  • Since most books are written many months before they are published, much of the material you find in books is out-of-date by the time they hit the store shelves. The dynamic and interactive nature of our courses makes it easy for you to receive up-to-the-minute instructions and advice from your instructor and classmates whenever you want it. This makes our online courses as timely, topical, and relevant to your needs as today's newspaper.
    
    

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  Q: How is taking an Internet course different from classroom instruction?

  A: In todays fast-paced world, many of us find it difficult to take time away from work and family to attend school. One of the primary advantages of our Internet workshops is that you can "attend class" in the comfort and convenience of your own home and office. All you have to do is log into your online classroom when you are good and ready to read your lessons, complete your quizzes and assignments, or communicate with your instructor and fellow students. Our Internet courses fit into your schedule: you can take them before breakfast, during lunch, late at night, or at any other time you find convenient--the choice is yours!

   

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