Health Information Coding Specialist Program

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Delivery Options:
Online
Degree Type:
Certificate of Applied Science
Program Length Once Accepted To Program:
3 Semesters

Why Pursue Health Information Coding Specialist?

The Great Falls College medical coding program, which is accredited by the American Health Information Management Association, prepares you to pass the Certified Coding Associate credential exam, which distinguishes coders across all settings and is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.  Specialists in this field are called health information coders, medical record coders, coders/abstractors or coding specialists.

Graduates are prepared to:

  • Care for patients by accurately coding for health care billing and data management.
  • Analyze health records and assign appropriate codes for diagnoses and procedures.
  • Follow national and international guidelines for coding.
  • Research and use their knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and disease processes.
  • Use software to assign patients to diagnosis-related groups or ambulatory payment classifications.
  • Ensure compliance with coding standards and regulations.
HICS Students

Types of courses

AHMS 108 Health Data Content & Structure
HTH 180 Pharmaceuticals for Health Care Providers
AHMS 164 Beginning Diagnosis Coding: ICD-10
AHMS 285 HICS/Coding Professional Practice Experience

Career Opportunities

HICS student reading textbook

Additional Program Information

  • Certification/Accreditation

    Professional Certificate Approval Program LogoOur Health Information Coding Specialist program at Great Falls College is approved by the AHIMA Foundation’s Professional Certificate Approval Program. This designation acknowledges the coding program as having been evaluated by a peer review process against a national minimum set of standards for entry-level coding professionals. The approval time frame started March 31, 2022, and expires on March 31, 2025, with annual interim approval during these years.

    The program is accredited by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) .

    The successful completion of the Health Information Coding Specialist Certificate will assist the student in qualifying for the Certified Coding Associate credential national exam; sponsored by AHIMA.

  • Continuing Your Education

    Students that complete the Health Information Coding Specialist Certificate can easily transfer into the Health Information Technology two-year degree program at Great Falls College.

  • Health Information Coding Specialist Program Handbook

  • Curriculum Map & Assessment Plan

Get to Know the Health Information Coding Specialist Faculty

Kristine Hancke

HICS Program Director

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