Certificate in Medical Record Coding (MRCO)
39 Semester Hours
Medical Record Coders are broadly defined as health information professionals who focus on medical record management with an emphasis on procedural and diagnostic coding for reimbursement of professional services performed in healthcare facilities. The program includes medical terminology, human disease process, pharmacology, medical billing, procedural and diagnostic coding and medical records regulations.
Upon successful completion of the Medical Record Coder Certificate program, the student may be eligible to take the certification examinations administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and/or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Admission Requirements
- Must meet the general admission requirements and graduation requirements for all Health Sciences students listed at the beginning of the Health Sciences program section of this catalog
- Must meet computer competency required for placement in online courses.
Progression Standard - After Program Entry
Failure to meet progression standards results in suspension from the program.
- After admission, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 program GPA on program curriculum courses at Central Carolina Technical College in order to progress.
- Must earn a minimum of "C" or higher in each required curriculum course for the program. Students may retake courses completed with less than a "C" one time only
- Must successfully complete all components of a course (theory, clinical) in order to pass the course. Students who fail to complete a component will receive a grade of "F" for the course regardless of the time in the semester and are not eligible to receive a "W" through the withdrawal process
- Students are limited to two attempts at successful completion of any medical coding program (including Central Carolina Technical College). A withdrawal “W” constitutes an attempt at a HIM course and will count as one attempt to complete the program.
- Students must submit completed physical examination forms provided by the Health Sciences Division and an annual tuberculosis test (PPD) to remain in the program.
- Students must submit information and fees for background checks conducted through Verified Credentials.
- Students must purchase and maintain professional liability insurance with the college.
Following is a list of courses required to complete this program. Since some courses are offered once a year, courses should be taken in the following sequence in order to complete the program in a timely manner:
| Class | *Lab | Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | |||
| AHS 102 Medical Terminology | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| BIO 112 Basic Anatomy and Physiology | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| HIM 103 Intro to Health Information & Coding | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HIM 135 Medical Pathology | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HIM 266 Computers in Health Care | 3 | 0 | 3 |
|
|
|||
| Total Semester Credits | 15 | 3 | 16 |
| Spring Semester | |||
| HIM 110 Health Information Science I** | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HIM 130 Billing and Reimbursement** | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HIM 137 Pharmacology for Coders*** | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| HIM 216 Coding and Classification I** | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HIM 225 Coding and Classification II*** | 3 | 0 | 3 |
|
|
|||
| Total Semester Credits | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| Summer Semester | |||
| HIM 105 Medical Office Communication and Practices | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HIM 115 Medical Records and the Law | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| HIM 150 Coding Practicum I | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| HIM 228 Coding Seminar | 2 | 0 | 2 |
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|
|||
| Total Semester Credits | 7 | 9 | 10 |
* 3 Lab hour equals 1 credit hour
** Course offered in Minimester I
*** Course offered in Minimester II