The Advanced Certificate in Medical Coding is intended to provide the student with the necessary education and hands-on skills required for entry-level positions as medical coders for a variety of healthcare settings. The students learn ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT/HCPCS Level II guidelines and apply them while coding various coding scenarios including inpatient records, outpatient visits, operative reports, and other healthcare records. Students utilize 3M encoder software in both basic and advanced coding courses in order to master their coding skills and smoothly transition to their entry-level healthcare careers. In addition, the students participate in the planned and supervised clinical affiliations in medical facilities. Our stackable degree path allows students to apply all credits earned in the Medical Billing Basic Certificate program to the Medical Coding Advanced Certificate program. Upon the completion of the Medical Coding Advanced Certificate, students can then pursue an Associate in Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology.

Note: In order to sit for the Medical Coding Certification exam, students must provide proof of high school completion or HSE.

For more information on the Medical Coding program at Malcolm X College, visit the program webpage.

Related Degrees and Certificates

• Medical Billing, Basic Certificate
• Medical Coding, Advanced Certificate
• Health Information Technology, Associate in Applied Science

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Program Core
BIOLOGY 116	Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology 1	4
or BIOLOGY 226 & BIOLOGY 227	Human Structure and Function I and Human Structure and Function II
CIS 120	Introduction to Computer Applications	3
HIT 101	Foundations of HIT	3
HIT 102	Medical Billing	4
HIT 103	Basic ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding	3
HIT 104	Basic CPT Coding	3
HIT 105	Pharmacology for HIT Professionals	2
HIT 108	Advanced ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding	3
HIT 109	Advanced CPT Coding	3
HIT 110	Medical Terms for HIT Professionals	3
HIT 201	Fundamentals of Medical Science	3
HIT 203	Reimbursement Methodologies	3
Required Work-Based Learning Courses
HIT 221	Professional Practice I	3
Total Hours		40

¹

Effective Spring 2024, BIOLOGY 226 & 227 may be taken in place of BIOLOGY 116.

Pathway

This is an example course sequence for students interested in earning a degree in Health Information Technology. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If this pathway is followed as outlined, you will earn a Basic Certificate (BC) in Medical Billing and an Advanced Certificate (AC) in Medical Coding.

Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Full-Time Students

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding more semesters.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
BIOLOGY 116	Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology 1,2	4
CIS 120	Introduction to Computer Applications 1	3
HIT 101	Foundations of HIT 1	3
HIT 102	Medical Billing 1	4
HIT 110	Medical Terms for HIT Professionals 1	3
	Hours	17
Semester 2
HIT 103	Basic ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding	3
HIT 104	Basic CPT Coding	3
HIT 105	Pharmacology for HIT Professionals	2
HIT 201	Fundamentals of Medical Science	3
	Hours	11
Semester 3
HIT 108	Advanced ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding	3
HIT 109	Advanced CPT Coding	3
HIT 203	Reimbursement Methodologies	3
HIT 221	Professional Practice I	3
	Hours	12
	Total Hours	40

¹

Program prerequisites. Students earn the Medical Billing Basic Certificate (BC) after Semester 1 prior to applying for admission to the Medical Coding Advanced Certificate (AC).

²

BIOLOGY 226 Human Structure and Function I & BIOLOGY 227 Human Structure and Function II can substitute for this requirement, effective Spring 2024.

Choose your courses with your College Advisor.

Program Admission Requirements 

• • Completion of the Malcolm X College Medical Billing [BC]. 
  • Currently enrolled in Malcolm X College Medical Billing program are eligible to apply. 
  • Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended outside of City Colleges of Chicago to the Malcolm X College Office of Registrar Services. 
  • On-campus, in-person interview; this will occur in late October 
  • Submit one Letter of Recommendation at the interview 
  • Once accepted to the program and prior to registration; students must complete the following: 
    • Background check 
    • Drug screen 
    • Provide proof of health insurance 
    • Provide current immunization records
  • Students need to have transportation to and from their clinical sites

Careers

This program can prepare students for the jobs listed below. Click on each one to learn more, including average earnings, annual job openings, and how much education people in that field have. For additional guidance and resources on career options, current City Colleges students and alumni can contact the Career Services Office.

Medical Records Specialists

Job Description

Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. Classify medical and healthcare concepts, including diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment, into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system. Includes medical coders.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

• View Annual Wages
• View Hourly Wages

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$33,379
Median 50th Percentile	$47,147
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$73,204

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$16
Median 50th Percentile	$23
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$35

Annual Job Openings

181 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program	% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less	48.06%
A certificate	10.94%
Some college	20.57%
An Associate degree	19.93%
A Bachelor's degree	0.50%
A Master's or Professional degree	0.00%
A Doctoral degree or more	0.00%

0.50% continue their education beyond an associate degree

Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

Job Description

Apply knowledge of healthcare and information systems to assist in the design, development, and continued modification and analysis of computerized healthcare systems. Abstract, collect, and analyze treatment and followup information of patients. May educate staff and assist in problem solving to promote the implementation of the healthcare information system. May design, develop, test, and implement databases with complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status to help monitor diseases.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

• View Annual Wages
• View Hourly Wages

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$32,133
Median 50th Percentile	$47,461
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$100,078

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$15
Median 50th Percentile	$23
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$48

Annual Job Openings

38 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program	% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less	48.06%
A certificate	10.94%
Some college	20.57%
An Associate degree	19.93%
A Bachelor's degree	0.50%
A Master's or Professional degree	0.00%
A Doctoral degree or more	0.00%

0.50% continue their education beyond an associate degree