Continually changing regulations for reimbursement of health care services have created a demand for qualified medical coders. This valuable member of the health information team is responsible for translating diagnostic and procedural phrases into coded form for reimbursement purposes, analysis of patient outcomes and research.

You learn third-party reimbursement methodologies, along with a thorough understanding of medical coding guidelines, anatomy and physiology and disease processes. You’ll also get a thorough understanding of the medical record content, legal and ethical issues and information systems.

The 36-credit-hour medical coding certificate program is a morning or night track to prepare you for entry-level employment. A new group of students begins each fall semester, with a rigorous schedule that includes highly accelerated summer semester courses.

Prospective students must meet criteria as outlined in program pre-application requirements, but fulfilling the criteria does not guarantee admission to the program.

Graduates are eligible to sit for medical coding certification exams, such as the the certified coding associate exam. See the American Health Information Management Association website ahima.org for more information.

According to various sections of the Ohio Law and Regulations for Certification and Licensure Boards, persons convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor may not be able to be accepted into a health program at Stark State College, may not be able to take the licensure or certification examinations, may be refused acceptance of placement by the clinical/practicum sites, or may have restrictions placed on their ability to practice. For more information, contact the dean of student services and the applicable licensure/certification board.