What skills do I need?
- Medical Coding specialists must be able to:
- Demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail
- Understand technical reading material
- Work at computer monitors for prolonged periods
- Communicate effectively in English
Is there an associate’s degree program for Medical Coding?
- Yes, there is an associate degree program for medical coding. It was implemented in Fall 2009 under the name Health Information Technology program. Please check the website at www.austincc.edu/health/hitt for additional information.
What are the requirements for admission into the Medical Coding certificate program and Health Information Technology associate program?
- You must complete the testing requirement
- Complete the Prerequisites
- Documentation of immunizations
What assessments do I have to take for Medical Coding?
- Students must have one of the following:
- Passing scores on a placement test for Reading, Writing, and Math.
- Complete or Exempt status on the Reading, Writing, and Math portions of the TSI requirement
Visit a campus advisor to determine status.
I am a Continuing Education student. Do I still have to take an assessment test?
- Yes, all applicants must have one of the following:
- Passing scores on a placement test for Reading, Writing, and Math
- Complete or Exempt status on the Reading, Writing, and Math portions of the TSI requirement
Visit a campus advisor to determine status.
What are the prerequisites before I can sign up for the Medical Coding certificate classes?
- A student must complete Medical Terminology (3-hour class), Anatomy and Physiology, and Health Data Content and Structure.
Can I substitute BIOL 2404 for MDCA 1409, Anatomy & Physiology?
- Yes, if taken within five years of application date.
Are there any challenge exams for any of the courses?
- Yes. There are two classes you can challenge:
- Health Data Content and Structure
How many classes are in the program?
- There are 10 classes in the Medical Coding certificate program and 24 classes in the Health Information Technology associate program (refer to curriculum plan).
How quickly can I complete the program?
- It depends on the student and how many hours they work. Students that work usually take 2 classes per semester. Students that are not working take approximately 3-4 classes per semester.
Can I take continuing education or credit classes?
- This depends on each individual student. Classes are integrated, meaning that both continuing education and credit students take classes together; however, there may not be compatible CE classes for the AAS degree program.
Why are class sizes so small for Medical Coding?
- Due to limited clinical practicum sites.
What are challenge exams?
- Challenge exams afford students the opportunity to take the final exam for a course without having to attend class; an A or B is required (on student transcript) to pass. There is a $10 per credit-hour fee for challenge exams.
What can I expect to earn?
- Salaries for graduates of ACC’s Medical Coding program may earn between $20,000 and $35,000 a year.
What is the starting salary for this profession?
- We recently conducted a salary survey, and the starting salary is $12.00+ an hour.
What is the coding practicum?
- The coding practicum is a clinical coding experience that takes place in a work/clinical setting. The coding practicum is 224 hours and is usually done one day per week at a clinical site and one day per week internally (in lab, online or via Blackboard). During the summer students are required to go to their clinical sites for 24 hours per week (12 at a clinical site, 12 internally) for 10 weeks.
Can I find my own coding practicum site?
- No. The ACC faculty schedules the coding practicum and there are various rules and regulations that we must follow. ACC faculty must have an affiliation agreement with the facility prior to going to the clinical affiliation.
If I work at Seton or St. David’s Medical Record Department, can I do my coding practicum at that site?
- No. Working at any of the 32 Seton or St. David's affiliates would cause a conflict of interest regarding when the student was working for salary or working on a grade assignment.
Can I get paid for my coding practicum?
- No, you may not get paid for the coding practicum due to the fact if you were to get paid you would be placing ACC in jeopardy of not getting Accredited by the national association (AHIMA).
How many hours is the coding practicum?
- 224 hours per semester. The practicum is done one day per week at a clinical site and one day per week internally (in lab, online or via Blackboard) during the Fall and Spring semesters. During the summer, the student will attend their clinical sites approximately 24 hours per week (12 at a clinical site, 12 internally) for 10 weeks.
Is the coding practicum during the day?
- Yes. The practicum is held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. during the week only; it is not held on weekends, evenings, or holidays.
What is credentialing?
- A process by which a non-governmental agency or association recognizes the competence of individuals who have met certain qualifications as determined by agency or association. To achieve certification from the American Health Information Association, individuals must meet the eligibility requirements for certification and successfully complete the certificate examination.
Why become credentialed?
- Certification is important because it:
- Demonstrates to colleagues and superiors a dedication to the healthcare field.
- Sets a person apart from non-certified job candidates.
- Sets the individual as professional that strives to achieve excellence.
- Adds recognition to a candidate’s capability while ensuring expertise with every signature.
Where do I become credentialed?
- Check with:
- American Health Information Management Association
- Radiology Coding Certification Board
What are the credentials?
- The following certifications are currently offered by AHIMA. If you are interested in taking a certification exam, please visit this website for more information on the following:
- CCA Certified Coding Associate
- CCS Certified Coding Specialist
- CCS-P Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based
- CHP Certified in Healthcare Privacy
- CHS Certified in Healthcare Security
- CHPS Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security
- RHIA Registered Health Information Administrator
- RHIT Registered Health Information Technician
How many graduation ceremonies does ACC have?
- ACC has one general graduation ceremony that is held in May of each year.
If I graduate in August or December is there any ceremony available?
- Yes. Health Sciences has their own completion ceremony that is held in the Multipurpose Conference Room at the Eastview Campus (Building 8000).
What is the cost of a cap and gown?
- The cost is approximately $32.
What is the color of our tassel?
- The color should be golden yellow.
When do I need to apply for Graduation?
- You need to apply before the second Friday in October for December graduation, before the second Friday in February for May graduation, and before the Friday before the 4th of July for August graduation. You can access the form from any admissions office or online
When is a background check completed?
- A background check is conducted at the request of the Health Sciences program. ACC has contracted with an outside agency to perform the screenings. Health Sciences program applicants are charged a nonrefundable fee to cover the cost of the screening.
What backgrounds result in ineligibility?
- The following disqualify an applicant from ACC Health Sciences program admissions:
- Registered sex offenders
- Felony convictions
- Felony deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons (physical or sexual abuse) Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General list of excluded individuals, U.S. General Services Administration excluded parties list, Employee Misconduct Registry, U.S. Treasury - Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN), Texas Health and Human Services Commission, excluded providers in Medicaid and Title XX provider exclusion data
Why should something that may have happened 20 years ago affect a student’s eligibility for a Health Sciences program?
- Clinical agencies are required to protect the safety of patients in their facilities. Students who wish to pursue a Health Sciences education have the option to appeal their ineligibility to the appropriate licensing/credentialing organizations by way of a declaratory order process.
