Medical Office Administration Medical Coding Certificate

The Medical Coding Certificate program will prepare individuals for entry-level employment opportunities in the allied health specialty of medical coding. This is an introductory program that may, with experience and additional training, lead to national certification.

The Medical Coding Certificate is offered 100% online.

Specific Requirements

Courses requiring a grade of "C" or better: OST

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
BIO-161		3
This course provides a basic survey of human biology. Emphasis is placed on the basic structure and function of body systems and the medical terminology used to describe normal and pathological states. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of normal anatomy and physiology and the appropriate use of medical terminology. View course details for Intro to Human Biology ‌‌
OST-141		3
This course uses a language-structure approach to present the terminology and vocabulary that will be encountered in medical office settings. Topics include word parts that relate to systemic components, conditions, pathology, and disorder remediation in approximately one-half of the systems of the human body. Upon completion, students should be able to relate words to systems, pluralize, define, pronounce, and construct sentences with the included terms. View course details for Med Office Terms I ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
OST-142		3
This course is a continuation of OST-141 and continues the study, using a language-structure approach, of medical office terminology and vocabulary. Topics include word parts that relate to systemic components, conditions, pathology, and disorder remediation in the remaining systems of the human body. Upon completion, students should be able to relate words to systems, pluralize, define, pronounce, and construct sentences with the included terms. View course details for Med Office Terms II ‌‌
OST-148		3
This course introduces the fundamentals of medical insurance and billing. Emphasis is placed on the medical billing cycle to include third party payers, coding concepts, and form preparation. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the life cycle of and accurately complete a medical insurance claim. View course details for Med Ins & Billing ‌‌

OST-247 and OST-248 are offered in the Summer semester only.

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
OST-247		3
This course provides in-depth coverage of procedural coding. Emphasis is placed on CPT and HCPCS coding systems. Upon completion, students should be able to properly code procedures and services performed in a medical facility. View course details for Procedure Coding ‌‌
OST-248		3
This course provides an in-depth study of diagnostic coding. Emphasis is placed on ICD coding system. Upon completion, students should be able to properly code diagnoses in a medical facility. View course details for Diagnostic Coding ‌‌

Total Credit Hours Required:

Curriculum is based on the 2023-24 catalog.

Why General Education?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to take (course name) when it is not directly related to my major?”

General Education courses will help you develop skills necessary to be successful in your major and in life. General Education can teach you how to talk to your employer, write a paper in a major course, understand interest rates on your car, and much more. General Education can also give you the skills to be a better member of society and a more informed citizen. Critical thinking, global understanding, and appreciation for the human experience are hallmarks of a well-rounded education.

How many hours of General Education do I have to take?

If you are enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Degree program, a minimum of 15 general education hours are required in the following categories:

Six hours from Communication
Three hours from Humanities & Fine Arts
Three hours from Social & Behavioral Science
Three hours from Natural Science & Mathematics

General Education courses have been pre-selected for you by your faculty from the following list:

Communication	Humanities & Fine Arts	Social & Behavioral Science	Natural Science & Mathematics
COM-110	ART-111	ECO-251	BIO-161
COM-120	ART-114	ECO-252	BIO-163
COM-231	ART-115	HIS-111	BIO-168
ENG-110	HUM-110	HIS-112	MAT-110
ENG-111	HUM-115	HIS-131	MAT-121
ENG-112	MUS-110	HIS-132	MAT-143
ENG-114	MUS-112	POL-120	MAT-152
	PHI-215	PSY-150	MAT-171
	PHI-240	SOC-210	PHY-110/110A
		SOC-225	PHY-121

Degrees designed to transfer to universities require more general education hours. If you are enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science, you are required to take 45 hours of General Education from the following categories:

Six hours in English Composition
Six to nine hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
Six to nine hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Three to eight hours in Mathematics
Four to eight hours in Natural Sciences
11 to 14 additional General Education hours

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Engineering, you are required to take 42 general education hours from the following:

Six hours in English Composition
Six hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
Six work hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
12 hours in Mathematics
12 hours in Natural Sciences

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, you are required to take 25 general education hours from the following:

Six hours in English Composition
Six hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
Six hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Three to four hours in Mathematics
Four hours in Natural Sciences

Additional information about General Education for transfer degrees, including courses that satisfy each category, may be found in the current College Catalog.

What will I learn in General Education?

At A-B Tech, our faculty have designed a general education core so that A-B Tech graduates will
learn the following:

Students will critically evaluate information:

Students will demonstrate information literacy.
Students will critique works of human expression.
Students will analyze scientific literature.

Students will solve problems:

Students will identify processes.
Students will analyze problems.
Students will interpret the results.
Students will recommend appropriate strategies or solutions.

Students will effectively communicate.

Students will communicate appropriately about the subject.
Students will communicate appropriately with the audience.
Students will communicate appropriately for the medium.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.