What is an Inpatient Coder?
Certified Inpatient Coders are experts in reviewing inpatient medical records. They translate a patient’s hospital stay, including their diagnoses, treatments, and procedures, into standardized numerical codes. These codes help ensure accurate billing and reimbursement.
About the Program
During the program, apprentices will build a baseline of knowledge in:
- Medical coding system hospitals use to classify diagnoses, procedures, and patient care for billing, insurance, and medical records
- How hospital stays are coded and grouped for reimbursement and reporting purposes
- How to review patient charts and medical documentation to identify important details accurately
- How coders communicate with healthcare providers when documentation needs clarification
- How to prepare records for quality reviews and coding audits
You’ll also complete on-the-job supervised training while embedding with the coding team.
Prerequisites
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Experience in medical terminology and anatomy/physiology preferred
- Driver’s license
- Must be 18 years of age or older
Outcomes
Upon successful completion, participants are prepared to:
- Complete the program and proceed toward CIC exam readiness
- Transition into inpatient coding roles as openings are available
