Medical coding is the assignment of letters and numbers to specific medical and diagnostic
phrases; each combination representing an individual diagnosis (E11.36 - Diabetes
with cataract) or procedure (0DJD8ZZ - Colonoscopy).
These codes enable the health care industry to collect, process, and send information
more effectively.
This organized system of codes is a language used by health care providers and insurance
companies to tell the story of why a patient was seen and what treatments the patient
received.
Contact Us
Laurie Vilord, Program Advisor
Email: lvilord@berkshirecc.edu
Phone: 413-236-4682
Medical coders may become inpatient or outpatient coders, auditors, clinical documentation
specialists, insurance evaluators, case reviewers, teachers or compliance officers.
They work in the public and private sectors for physician offices, laboratories, hospitals,
nursing homes, insurance companies, and government agencies. Many coders work remotely
from home for all or part of their work schedule.
Medical coding technicians have financial security working in the healthcare industry
and earn an average annual salary of $60,917 with an annual growth rate of 9%.
Becoming a medical coder doesn't require a four-year college education — or even a
two-year college education. You can apply for positions in this profitable and well-respected
field after earning a Certificate and passing a credential exam.
The need for medical coders continues to increase with our aging population. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% rise
in jobs by 2028 — "much faster than the average for all occupations."
The Medical Coding and Health Information Management Department is designed to meet
the needs of students at different stages of their careers; whether just starting
out, returning to school for a second career, studying part-time at night to enhance
a full- time job during the day, or looking toward promotion in the field. The Medical
Coding and Health Information Management Certificates are designed to stack one on
the other to facilitate a pathway in these careers. Each certificate can be completed
in two semesters.
Browse the BCC Medical Coding College Catalog
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- Medical Coding is among the 20 fastest growing occupations with a national anticipated
growth of 18.2% by year 2028. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Medical Coders average $54,890. in annual salary; 14.9 % over the median salary of
all US occupations. (AAPC survey)
- On average, HIM professionals earn $46,590. per year. (https://www.herzing.edu)
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Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the human body;
- Show proficiency in the application of medical terminology;
- Demonstrate proficiency in use of ICD-10-CM and CPT coding systems;
- Demonstrate strong computer skills; and
- Be eligible to take the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) offered by American Academy
of professional Coders (AAPC) credentialing exam which will qualify a student for
entry level coding positions in health care facilities and/or provider clinics and
offices.
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88% of Health Care Facilities surveyed recently had immediate openings in their Health
Information Management Departments.
67% of these facilities anticipated openings in their Health Information Departments
in the coming year.
78% of Hiring Managers anticipated openings within the next two to five years.
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- Baystate Health Systems
- Berkshire Health Systems
- Columbia Memorial Hospital
- Ellis Medicine
- Holyoke Hospital
- St. Peter's Health Hospital
- Saratoga Hospital
- Veteran's Affair Medical Center; Leeds, MA
- Stratton VA Medical Center; Albany, NY
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From Our Berkshire County Partner
We have had a successful partnership with BCC for more than eight years that allowed
us to recruit successful coding staff members. The CAHIIM/AHIMA credential affiliation
would be beneficial in the future given our growth in new Revenue Cycle positions;
auditors and Chargemaster analysts. Additional feedback as an effort to help BCC:
offering online course work would be helpful to recruit candidates and instructors.
The profession of HIM in the current environment requires individuals with higher
learning, credentials and degrees more now than ever before. Many experienced professionals
at BHS alone that are moving toward retirement age within the next three to five years
will leave a gap.
Judy Jansen
Director of Health Information Management
Berkshire Health Systems
