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Medical Coding Specialist (CRT.MCS)

Medical Coding Specialist certificate presents a comprehensive study of both diagnostic and procedural medical coding using nationally recognized ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding. It prepares the student for employment as a coding specialist in hospitals, clinics, surgery centers and long-term and home health care facilities. Coding specialists are also employed by consulting firms, coding and billing services, insurance companies and governmental agencies. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to pass coding exams available through national organizations such as the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

Program requirements may change over time. Specific degree/graduation requirements are determined by a degree audit. Not all courses are offered every semester. Please see your advisor for course sequence.

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Catalog Term Year: 2025 Fall

View As:

First Year
First Semester

COREMCS-041

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREBIO-050

Credit Hours: 4.00

COREMCS-050

-OR-
Credit Hours: 3.00

First Year
Second Semester

COREBUS-141

Credit Hours: 3.00

CORE--- ---

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREMCS-055

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREMCS-051

Credit Hours: 2.00

First Year
Summer Term

COREMCS-040

-OR-
Credit Hours: 3.00

COREMCS-050

-OR-
Credit Hours: 3.00

COREMCS-043

Credit Hours: 2.00

COREMCS-098

Credit Hours: 1.00

FIRST YEAR
First Semester			Hours
CORE	MCS-041	Medical Office Terminology MCS-041 Medical Office Terminology A medical professional's course in medical terminology. Students will receive word parts going over primary terms, then review structure, and functions of the body systems, so they can relate those to medical specialists, pathology, diagnostics and treatment procedures. Course Outline	3.0
CORE	BIO-050	Basic Anatomy & Physiology BIO-050 Basic Anatomy & Physiology This course provides an understanding of anatomical structures and functions of the human body. Course Outline	4.0
CORE	MCS-050	Principles of CPT Coding MCS-050 Principles of CPT Coding A beginner's course for the CPT coding system. This class will provide students with a general understanding of the format and guidelines necessary for CPT coding. Course Outline OR
CORE	MCS-070	Principles ICD10PCS Coding MCS-070 Principles ICD10PCS Coding This course teaches healthcare professionals how to accurately code medical procedures using the ICD-10-PCS coding system. Participants will learn the structure, rules and applications of ICD-10-PCS to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement. Course Outline	3.0
	Semester Totals		10.0
Second Semester
CORE	BUS-141	Business Communications BUS-141 Business Communications Provides students with practical strategies for improving written and oral communication, including employment communication, in business settings. Course Outline	3.0
CORE	MCS ---	Medical Coding Elective MCS --- Medical Coding Elective	3.0
CORE	MCS-055	Principles of ICD-10-CM Coding MCS-055 Principles of ICD-10-CM Coding A beginner's course in ICD-10-CM coding and guidelines. Students will be introduced to a wide variety of coding segments and body systems. Course Outline	3.0
CORE	MCS-051	Math for Medical Coders MCS-051 Math for Medical Coders This course equips students with essential mathematical skills needed to code medical procedures and diagnoses accurately. This course will cover a range of mathematical concepts, from basic arithmetic to more complex calculations, specifically tailored to the needs of medical coders. Course Outline	2.0
	Semester Totals		11.0
Third Semester
CORE	MCS-040	Health Information for Professionals MCS-040 Health Information for Professionals An introduction and overview to health information management. The course will cover the history and the many applicable fields available to a health information management specialist. Students will explore the different areas of health information. Course Outline OR
CORE	MCS-042	HIT Applications I MCS-042 HIT Applications I Foundational course designed to equip students with essential skills needed to navigate and utilize practice management and electronic health record software. Using MOSS 4.0 software, students will gain hands-on experience in a simulated medical office environment. (Repeatable 3 Times) Course Outline	3.0
CORE	MCS-050	Principles of CPT Coding MCS-050 Principles of CPT Coding A beginner's course for the CPT coding system. This class will provide students with a general understanding of the format and guidelines necessary for CPT coding. Course Outline OR
CORE	MCS-070	Principles ICD10PCS Coding MCS-070 Principles ICD10PCS Coding This course teaches healthcare professionals how to accurately code medical procedures using the ICD-10-PCS coding system. Participants will learn the structure, rules and applications of ICD-10-PCS to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement. Course Outline	3.0
CORE	MCS-043	HIT Applications II MCS-043 HIT Applications II This course is designed to equip students with essential technological skills for a successful career in medical coding. Utilizing the AHIMA Vlab software, students will gain hands-on experience with the coding systems and tools used in real-world healthcare settings. (Repeatable 3 Times) Course Outline	2.0
CORE	MCS-098	Medical Coding Capstone MCS-098 Medical Coding Capstone A capstone course concentrating on all areas of coding and health information offering exam preparation for AAPC and AHIMA exams. Course Outline	1.0
	Semester Totals		9.0

Total Program Hours

30.0

Suggested Electives
ELE	MCS-057	Quality Improvement in Healthcare MCS-057 Quality Improvement in Healthcare This course is designed to focus on quality improvement, information integrity, information governance and clinical documentation improvement in a variety of healthcare settings. Course Outline	3.0
ELE	MCS-060	Medical Ins Reimbursement MCS-060 Medical Ins Reimbursement An advanced course concerning medical insurance billing and reimbursement. This course will focus on insurance companies such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Medicare, and Medicaid. Course Outline	3.0
ELE	MCS-071	Inpatient Coding MCS-071 Inpatient Coding This is a comprehensive course designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to accurately code inpatient hospital services. Topics include reimbursement, coding and processed related to inpatient services. Repeatable 3 Times Course Outline	3.0
ELE	MCS-092	Health Information and the Law MCS-092 Health Information and the Law This is an advanced course focused on the American Legal System and the impact the law has in health information. Course Outline	3.0
ELE	MCS-093	Medical Record Documentation MCS-093 Medical Record Documentation This course is designed to provide healthcare professionals with a comprehensive understanding of medical record documentation principles and practices. Participants will learn about the legal, ethical and clinical implications of accurate and complete documentation. Course Outline	3.0

Call Counseling Services: 217-234-5232
Email: counsel@lakelandcollege.edu

Faculty Contact: Sarah M. Wright234-5355

* There are prerequisites, course requisites, or minimum placement test scores for this course.
** Electives must be approved by the Program Coordinator
+ Course only offered fall semester
++ Course only offered spring and summer semester
+++ Course only offered spring semester
++++ Course offered in summer term only
^ SOS 050 Human Relations and PSY 271 Introduction to Psychology cannot be used as a social science elective
^^ Consult Academic Advisor for appropriate course
^^^ Course requires a 30-hour practicum experience in addition to classroom lecture hours
^^^^ ECE 120 and ECE 125 must be taken the same semester

Medical Coding Specialist (CRT.MCS)

Extra Resources

Catalog Term Year: 2025 Fall

First YearFirst Semester

First YearSecond Semester

First YearSummer Term

MCS-041Medical Office Terminology

BIO-050Basic Anatomy & Physiology

MCS-050Principles of CPT Coding

MCS-070Principles ICD10PCS Coding

Semester Totals

BUS-141Business Communications

MCS ---Medical Coding Elective

MCS-055Principles of ICD-10-CM Coding

MCS-051Math for Medical Coders

Semester Totals

MCS-040Health Information for Professionals

MCS-042HIT Applications I

MCS-050Principles of CPT Coding

MCS-070Principles ICD10PCS Coding

MCS-043HIT Applications II

MCS-098Medical Coding Capstone

Semester Totals

Total Program Hours

MCS-057Quality Improvement in Healthcare

MCS-060Medical Ins Reimbursement

MCS-071Inpatient Coding

MCS-092Health Information and the Law

MCS-093Medical Record Documentation

MCS-057Quality Improvement in Healthcare

MCS-060Medical Ins Reimbursement

MCS-071Inpatient Coding

MCS-092Health Information and the Law

MCS-093Medical Record Documentation

MCS-057Quality Improvement in Healthcare

MCS-060Medical Ins Reimbursement

MCS-071Inpatient Coding

MCS-092Health Information and the Law

MCS-093Medical Record Documentation

First Year
First Semester

First Year
Second Semester

First Year
Summer Term

MCS-041
Medical Office Terminology

BIO-050
Basic Anatomy & Physiology

MCS-050
Principles of CPT Coding

MCS-070
Principles ICD10PCS Coding

BUS-141
Business Communications

MCS ---
Medical Coding Elective

MCS-055
Principles of ICD-10-CM Coding

MCS-051
Math for Medical Coders

MCS-040
Health Information for Professionals

MCS-042
HIT Applications I

MCS-050
Principles of CPT Coding

MCS-070
Principles ICD10PCS Coding

MCS-043
HIT Applications II

MCS-098
Medical Coding Capstone

MCS-057
Quality Improvement in Healthcare

MCS-060
Medical Ins Reimbursement

MCS-071
Inpatient Coding

MCS-092
Health Information and the Law

MCS-093
Medical Record Documentation

MCS-057
Quality Improvement in Healthcare

MCS-060
Medical Ins Reimbursement

MCS-071
Inpatient Coding

MCS-092
Health Information and the Law

MCS-093
Medical Record Documentation

MCS-057
Quality Improvement in Healthcare

MCS-060
Medical Ins Reimbursement

MCS-071
Inpatient Coding

MCS-092
Health Information and the Law

MCS-093
Medical Record Documentation