Essential Guide to CCBC Medical Coding Programs and Opportunities


What is Medical Coding?

Medical coding is the process of assigning standardized codes to medical diagnoses and procedures for billing and insurance purposes.

Medical coders use federal diagnostic and procedure codes to express medical services provided, and the role of a medical coder is critical in ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Accurate medical coding is essential for quality healthcare and efficient healthcare administration.

ccbc medical coding

Overview of Medical Coding

CCBC Medical Coding Programs

The Community College of Beaver County offers a one-semester program in medical coding and billing, consisting of 9 credits.

The program includes three courses: HSCI 205 Patient Billing/Medical Insurance, HSCI 206 Medical Coding, and OFFT 140 Medical Terminology. The program equips students with the skills needed to confidently work as a medical coder in diverse medical settings, including doctors' offices and hospitals.

Students can choose from online medical coding courses or on-campus programs.

ccbc medical coding

CCBC Program Details

Certification and Accreditation

The Community College of Beaver County’s Medical Coding and Billing Program is proudly accredited by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). This accreditation ensures that our program meets the highest standards of quality and rigor in the field of medical coding and billing. Our curriculum is meticulously designed to prepare students for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification exam, a credential offered by the AAPC that is highly regarded in the industry. Additionally, our comprehensive medical terminology course and medical coding courses are accredited by AHIMA, providing students with a robust foundation in medical terminology and coding practices.

ccbc medical coding

Certification and Accreditation

Medical Billing and Coding Training

  • Medical billing and coding training covers legal, ethical, and regulatory concepts, including HIPAA compliance, official coding guidelines, and third-party payer requirements.

  • Students learn all phases of the revenue cycle, from patient registration to medical coding, claims submission, reimbursement, and collections.

  • Comprehensive medical terminology courses introduce key concepts of medical language and human anatomy.

Online Learning Options

Online medical coding courses offer flexibility and convenience for students. These online courses are designed to provide the comprehensive training needed to become a skilled medical coder. Students can access online medical terminology courses, medical coding certification online, and comprehensive medical terminology courses.

Online learning options include self-paced courses, instructor-led courses, and interactive simulations.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

We recognize that pursuing a career in medical coding and billing is a significant investment, and we are committed to making our program accessible to all students. The Community College of Beaver County offers a variety of financial aid options and scholarships to help ease the financial burden. Our dedicated financial aid office is here to assist students in navigating the financial aid process, ensuring they find the resources they need to succeed. Among the scholarships available are the AAPC Scholarship and the AHIMA Scholarship, both specifically aimed at students pursuing careers in medical coding and billing.

Student Support Services

At the Community College of Beaver County, we are dedicated to providing our students with the support they need to thrive. Our comprehensive student support services include academic advising, career counseling, and tutoring. Our academic advisors work closely with students to ensure they are meeting program requirements and staying on track for graduation. Career counselors offer guidance on job market preparation and help students find employment opportunities in the medical coding and billing field. For those needing extra help with coursework or certification exams, our tutors are available to provide additional support and resources.

ccbc medical coding

Student Support and Resources

Industry Partnerships and Internships

We have forged strong partnerships with local healthcare organizations and medical coding and billing companies to offer our students valuable internship opportunities. These internships provide hands-on experience in medical coding and billing, allowing students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Additionally, these internships offer excellent networking opportunities with professionals in the field. Our industry partners also play a crucial role in shaping our curriculum, ensuring that it remains relevant and up-to-date with the latest industry standards and practices.

Career Opportunities and Job Outlook

Medical billing and coding positions, including roles as a medical coder, are available in medical facilities, health insurance companies, specialty pharmacies, medical suppliers, consulting firms, and national medical coding and billing companies.

Certified medical records specialists earn 15% more than their non-certified colleagues, according to the AAPC 2023 Salary Survey results.

Students can choose a voucher for the professional medical billing and coding certification exam that best aligns with their interests and career goals.

ccbc medical coding

Career Opportunities

Alumni Success Stories

Our alumni have achieved remarkable success in their careers, working for top healthcare organizations and medical coding and billing companies. Many have even started their own medical coding and billing businesses, leveraging the skills and knowledge they gained from our program. We take great pride in the accomplishments of our alumni and are committed to helping our current students achieve similar success. Their stories serve as a testament to the quality of education and training provided by the Community College of Beaver County’s Medical Coding and Billing Program.

Getting Started

Students can start by taking a comprehensive medical terminology course or an online medical terminology course. These courses are designed to provide the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to become a proficient medical coder.

Prerequisites for medical coding courses may include medical terminology for health occupations and anatomy & physiology for health occupations.

Students can explore medical coding certification options, such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification, and learn about the importance of documentation medical necessity auditing.

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