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Introducing Online Medical Coding at United Career Institute!

Content Updated 10/25/23

Are you looking for a healthcare career where you can make a difference without the responsibility of direct patient care? Perhaps you want a position that allows you to provide behind-the-scenes support to doctors and healthcare facilities; if this sounds like you, a degree in Medical Coding from UCI Online could be a great path for you!

Read on to learn more about UCI Online’s new online Medical Coding program, what you can expect to learn, and the benefits of earning professional certifications* through your online medical coding training program!

Introducing Online Medical Coding at United Career Institute!Why A Degree in Medical Coding?

Medical billing and coding professionals are valued and essential healthcare team members. These professionals serve as a connection between healthcare providers, their patients, and insurance companies. Medical coders play a key behind-the-scenes role in ensuring that accurate patient documentation is achieved by acting as a liaison between insurance providers and healthcare facilities. 

In addition, earning an online associate degree in medical coding can provide United Career Institute graduates with career opportunities in a flexible and expanding field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of medical record management professionals is expected to increase by 7% from 2021 to 2031. Please note that these local needs may differ from national averages. The need for qualified medical coding professionals is partly due to the aging baby boomer population requiring additional medical care and the need for communication between medical facilities and insurance companies. 

What You’ll Learn in United Career Institute’s Online Medical Coding Program

The curriculum in UCI Online’s Medical Coding program prepares students to perform various medical billing and coding tasks they may encounter in their careers. As a result, students in this program will gain the valuable knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their future careers. 

The skills that medical billing and coding professionals learn in their education allow them to be versatile members of the healthcare team. Because they act as a segway between insurance companies and medical facilities, they can expect to be trained in various medical billing and coding functions. Some of the skills students in the UCI Online Medical Coding program can expect to learn include CPT and ICD-10-CM coding, electronic health records management, medical terminology, the use of alphanumeric codes, and more. 

United Career Institute’s goal is to provide medical coding students with a well-rounded education to prepare them to be successful in the workforce. In the 18-month program, students will complete online instruction and customized simulation labs to practice their coding skills. Toward the end of the program, the UCI career management team will assist students in obtaining a medical coding externship, where they will gain real-world experience with a local healthcare employer. 

Benefits of Earning Professional Certifications

As a result of completing the UCI Online’s Medical Coding program, the Institution will pay for the cost of two attempts for an American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) certification* exam to earn the Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice (CPC-A) credential. The “-A” will remain attached to the credential until further AAPC requirements are fulfilled to expand the level of coding experience. Upon submitting proof of completion, the apprenticeship status will be revised, and credentials will be updated to Certified Professional Coder.

Earning industry-specific certifications can prove to potential employers that you possess the knowledge and skills to do the job effectively. Additionally, it can prove to employers that you are committed to your career and take pride in your work, which are positive qualities many employers may look for.

Get Started at UCI Online Today!

Do you see yourself working as a medical coder? Then, take the first step in the process of starting the online Medical Coding program at United Career Institute! Contact our admissions team today by calling 866-UCIONLINE or Requesting Information!

 

*Certification is contingent upon passing the corresponding industry certification exam. The Institution does not have a reportable recent pass rate (2022-2023 academic year) for the Certified Professional Coders exam because this is a new program with no graduates prior to July 1, 2023.  See catalog for details.