Is This Program for You?

If you are analytical, detail-oriented, enjoy working with data, and have an interest in the health care field, a career as a Medical Coding Specialist could be an excellent choice.

Students entering the Medical Coding Specialist program should:

• be able to work independently.
• have a strong knowledge of medical terminology.
• employ good critical thinking and communication skills.

Program Basics

• Technical Diploma.
• May take the program in modified plan.
• All courses offered online.
• Medical Coding students must achieve a grade of C or better in each course of the program curriculum to be eligible to progress.
• Financial aid available.

Related Degrees

• Health Information Technician

Cost of Attendance (COA) 25-26

Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

Based on Wisconsin Residents.

Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

Admission and Program Requirements

• Submit Application
  
Admissions Preference Policy
Most programs admit students as applications are completed. For certain high-enrollment programs with limited space, applications are reviewed in order of residency and review dates. Programs currently in this category include Radiography, Electrical Power Distribution, Midwifery, Cosmetology, and Nail Technician. Learn more about our Admissions and Wait List Policy.

Academic Preparedness Requirements

Log in to your MySWTC account, go to My Profile → Document Center → All Programs to complete the following:


• Send your transcripts and scores to Southwest Tech: While not required, sending your transcripts and test scores helps us make sure your classes are the right fit. We consider any previous college credit you’ve earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit your high school transcripts, college transcripts, and test scores by emailing admissions@swtc.edu, or mailing them to Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
• Career Assessment Plan
  Start your Student Success Plan by exploring your career interests, talking through your program choice, and confirming your path feels like the right fit. This step can be completed either by setting up a One-on-One Career Assessment Meeting with a recruiter or as part of your Student Success Plan Meeting with an advisor. Schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.
• Academic Map + Supports & Services Plan
  Continue building your Student Success Plan by planning your courses, reviewing funding options, and connecting with resources. To complete this step, schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

• Collect health data
• Model professional behaviors and ethics
• Use electronic applications to support coding and data collection
• Apply coding and reimbursement systems

Job security is available nationwide: there is a critical shortage of qualified medical coders. This program prepares students for employment as entry-level coding specialists in health care facilities such as: hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, surgery centers, insurance companies, consulting companies, government agencies, computer software companies and other health care settings. Possible employment for program graduates may include:

• Outpatient Coder
• Inpatient Coder
• Medical Coding Specialist
• Coding Analyst
• Claims Analyst

Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

Credit for Prior Learning

Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

Medical Coding Specialist Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

Course #	Course Title	Challenge Exam (Demonstration)	Challenge Exam (Standard)	CLEP	Credential	Portfolio
10-501-101	Medical Terminology
	Available online
10-501-107	Digital Literacy for Healthcare
10-530-162	Foundations of HIM
	Challenge exam not available for Cancer Information Management program.
10-530-165	Intermediate Coding
10-530-178	Healthcare Law & Ethics
10-530-182	Human Diseases for Hlth Profes
10-530-184	CPT Coding
	Current Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or Certified Coding Specialist - Physician Based (CCS-P)
10-530-197	ICD Diagnosis Coding
	Current International Classification of Diseases - 10 (ICD-10), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
10-530-199	ICD Procedure Coding
	International Classification of Diseases - 10 (ICD-10) or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
10-801-196	Oral/Interpersonal Communication