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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, 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.

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Catalog Term Year: 2025 Summer

View As:

First Year
First Semester

CORECIS-160

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREMCS-040

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREAHE-044

Credit Hours: 3.00

GENBIO-050

Credit Hours: 4.00

First Year
Second Semester

COREAHE-057

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREMCS-041

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREMCS-050

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREMCS-055

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREBUS-063

Credit Hours: 1.00

COREBUS-084

Credit Hours: 1.00

First Year
Summer Term

COREMCS-060

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREMCS-065

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREMCS-070

Credit Hours: 3.00

COREMCS-075

-OR-
Credit Hours: 1.00

COREMCS-080

-OR-
Credit Hours: 1.00

GENBUS-141

Credit Hours: 3.00

FIRST YEAR
First Semester			Hours
CORE	CIS-160	Practical Software Applications CIS-160 Practical Software Applications Provides an opportunity for students to learn computer concepts and to use word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and presentation software. (Repeatable 3 Times) Course Outline	3.0
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	3.0
GEN	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	AHE-044	Pathophysiology AHE-044 Pathophysiology This course provides basic concepts of both structural and functional changes caused by disease in tissues and organs as a basis for understanding clinical manifestations and principles of treatment. Course Outline	3.0
	Semester Totals		13.0
Second Semester
CORE	AHE-057	Pharmacology for Coders AHE-057 Pharmacology for Coders This course provides an overview of pharmacology and assists the medical coder to recognize medication forms; identify administration routes and therapeutic uses; read the prescription; identify medication categories, generic names and trade names; and associate drugs with clinical applications. Course Outline	3.0
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	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	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	BUS-063	Medical Transcription BUS-063 Medical Transcription Designed to develop skills in transcribing recorded medical dictation in an efficient manner using proper formats, grammar, spelling, and medical terminology. Course Outline *	1.0
CORE	BUS-084	Adv Medical Transcription BUS-084 Adv Medical Transcription Designed to develop skills with realistic dictation with comprehensive terminology in 13 specialties by medical professionals from various ethnic groups. Course Outline *	1.0
	Semester Totals		14.0
Third Semester
CORE	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
GEN	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-065	Adv CPT Coding and Modifiers MCS-065 Adv CPT Coding and Modifiers An advanced course that explores the different subsections of the CPT and correct coding of procedures. Students will familiarize themselves with CPT coding by coding case studies and scenarios. Course Outline *	3.0
CORE	MCS-070	Advanced ICD-10-CM Coding MCS-070 Advanced ICD-10-CM Coding An advanced course specializing in all aspects of ICD-10-CM coding. This course will focus on specific body systems and not the overall aspect of ICD-10-CM coding. Course Outline *	3.0
CORE	MCS-075	Hospital-Med Coding Internship MCS-075 Hospital-Med Coding Internship This course provides students with the opportunity to intern in a hospital setting. It provides supervised work experience coordinated with a healthcare systems related employer. A minimum of 62.5 hours of internship time is required for one credit hour. Course Outline * OR
CORE	MCS-085	Hospital Coding Certification Prep MCS-085 Hospital Coding Certification Prep An exam preparation course that will provide students with a comprehensive review for the CPC-H and CCS exams. Course Outline *	1.0
CORE	MCS-080	Clinic-Med Coding Internship MCS-080 Clinic-Med Coding Internship This course provides students with the opportunity to intern in a clinic setting. It provides supervised work experience coordinated with a healthcare systems related employer. A minimum of 62.5 hours of internship time is required for one credit hour. Course Outline * OR
CORE	MCS-090	Clinic Coding Certification Prep MCS-090 Clinic Coding Certification Prep An exam preparation course that will provide students with a comprehensive review for the CPC and CCS-P exams. Course Outline *	1.0
	Semester Totals		14.0

Total Program Hours

41.0

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

Faculty Contact: Sarah M. Wright
Faculty Email: swright2756@lakelandcollege.edu
Faculty Phone: 217-234-5355

* 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 Summer

First YearFirst Semester

First YearSecond Semester

First YearSummer Term

CIS-160Practical Software Applications

MCS-040Health Information for Professionals

BIO-050Basic Anatomy & Physiology

AHE-044Pathophysiology

Semester Totals

AHE-057Pharmacology for Coders

MCS-041Medical Office Terminology

MCS-050Principles of CPT Coding

MCS-055Principles of ICD-10-CM Coding

BUS-063Medical Transcription

BUS-084Adv Medical Transcription

Semester Totals

MCS-060Medical Ins Reimbursement

BUS-141Business Communications

MCS-065Adv CPT Coding and Modifiers

MCS-070Advanced ICD-10-CM Coding

MCS-075Hospital-Med Coding Internship

MCS-085Hospital Coding Certification Prep

MCS-080Clinic-Med Coding Internship

MCS-090Clinic Coding Certification Prep

Semester Totals

Total Program Hours

First Year
First Semester

First Year
Second Semester

First Year
Summer Term

CIS-160
Practical Software Applications

MCS-040
Health Information for Professionals

BIO-050
Basic Anatomy & Physiology

AHE-044
Pathophysiology

AHE-057
Pharmacology for Coders

MCS-041
Medical Office Terminology

MCS-050
Principles of CPT Coding

MCS-055
Principles of ICD-10-CM Coding

BUS-063
Medical Transcription

BUS-084
Adv Medical Transcription

MCS-060
Medical Ins Reimbursement

BUS-141
Business Communications

MCS-065
Adv CPT Coding and Modifiers

MCS-070
Advanced ICD-10-CM Coding

MCS-075
Hospital-Med Coding Internship

MCS-085
Hospital Coding Certification Prep

MCS-080
Clinic-Med Coding Internship

MCS-090
Clinic Coding Certification Prep