Graduate Experiences
Career Step graduates get jobs! Read what some of our graduates are saying:
(Penny, Commerce City, CO) - I have to give the course the credit. The AAPC test was tough, but not as tough as the final test of the course. When I was called in to test for a position, I was very well qualified to take [their pre-employment] test and did get the first job I was called in for. My employers are very satisfied with my level of knowledge, especially considering, I had never been a "coder" before. I learned so much in the course and all of it has served me well. I tell anyone that is interested in becoming a coder to check into the course!
(Rachel, Stilesville, IN) - I currently work for a national healthcare consulting company and thanks to the Career Step program my career is advancing very rapidly... I am taking the AAPC exam in the next few weeks and I feel very comfortable thanks to the Career Step program. Without Career Step I never would have been ready for the national exam. The setup of the program was very user friendly and if I ever had a question it was answered in a very prompt manner. I have referred others to the program... THANK YOU CAREER STEP!!!!
(Nancy, Arvada, CO) - I was very fortunate to be hired as a coder just as I was finishing up the course and before I passed my certification exam. I have worked for Ameripath, a pathology lab for almost 18 months now as a medical coder.
(Stephen, Smithfield, RI) - I am working as a Coding Tech at Rhode Island Hospital. The experience with Career Step was a wonderful one. I was working two jobs and raising my newborn son while taking these courses, and the program is so convenient that even I was able to find the appropriate time. [My questions] always received a prompt response from Randy Johnson and [the rest of the staff], and I'd like to thank them for that.
(Sadie, Arvada, CO) - I appreciate all that Career Step did for me to accomplish my goal [to become] a coder.
Chris Foster, a Manager for EGOS, a Career Step Academic Partner that offers our Medical Coding Program through their school related this information about his students and graduates:
"I am getting VERY positive feedback... Grads from other programs are unable to sit for the certification test and are told by their schools to go out and TRY to get a job, work for a year or two, and then take the test. Their programs are 6 months, in classrooms, and cost between $9,500 and $10,000. SHAME ON THEM!! My grads have said that those students don't have a clue about what to do on the job and are frustrated and unhappy. My [Career Step] grads feel good about the education they got and are happy with their jobs!
More excellent news! Kaiser Medical visited EGOS in the Spring to do some mock interviewing. They kept resumes for all our students they interviewed with and called to offer ALL of them jobs.
Employers Hire Our Graduates
Inpatient Coding & Billing Course Overview
Career Step's Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing program has been developed in collaboration with top industry experts and employers to help you develop the skills necessary to be an inpatient medical coding and billing professional of the highest quality. To see what sets Career Step's program above the rest, be sure to check out our interactive online demo!
The demo will allow you to take an in-depth look at each of the program modules, or subjects, and experience the ease of navigation and the interactive learning environment Career Step's program provides.
Training Details:
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Benefits of online study
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Gain practical experience
Train hands-on using medical reports taken from real patient records and industry-standard encoding software, preparing you for the workplace.
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Receive instantaneous feedback and grading
Don't wait on slow instructors or other students' disruptions. With instant feedback on all of your work, you can quickly master each skill and progress through the course.
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Network with other students and make new friends
Access a vibrant online community of students, graduates, employers, and industry experts through online forums and chat rooms.
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Train at home or on the go, and set your own pace
With 24/7 access to course materials, gain the freedom and flexibility to train whenever or wherever is convenient for you, learning at your own pace.
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Online skill assessments that reflect employer hiring exams
Be better prepared for the post-graduation job market. The Career Step skill assessment tests are similar to those used by employers to hire new employees, so you'll be prepared for your job search.
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Online learning tools
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Intuitive navigation
Simple, intuitive navigation is quick and easy to learn, so you'll be able to start making real progress from day one.
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Images & visual enhancements
Photos, illustrations, as well as many coding and billing specific forms, documents, charts, and references enhance your learning experience.
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Interactive coursework exercises
Coursework contains hundreds of exercises that help you review concepts and simulate the professional inpatient coding and billing experience, giving you a chance to reflect on your progress.
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Games & flashcards
Crossword puzzles, word searches, and flashcards are scattered throughout, so you learn important terminology, concepts, and definitions while having fun!
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Coding & billing practice tools
You'll train on industry-standard encoding software and with online tools built into the course that will allow you to practice coding and billing procedures on hundreds of authentic medical records using real-world resources. Note: The hands-on training with the 3M encoding software is only compatible with PCs and the Internet Explorer browser. Even without this training, students will be prepared to find a job after graduation.
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Study planner, grade book, & enhanced security
The program offers tools to help you set and track study goals, chart your progress, see results from all exercises and tests, and monitor account access to safeguard your private information.
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Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing curriculum
Career Step's curriculum prepares you to work in inpatient medical facilities (primarily hospitals) as an inpatient medical coder. You'll be fully trained to accurately code inpatient diagnosis and procedures from medical records and complete the billing and reimbursement process. The curriculum is designed by industry experts and incorporates the feedback and suggestions of employers, instructors, and industry associations.
Visit our Inpatient/Outpatient: Curriculum Details page for in-depth descriptions of the content and purpose of each module, or course subject.
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Reference books and resources
Your enrollment in Career Step's Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing program provides you access to resources you'll be using not only in the learning process, but also in the workplace. The hands-on experience you'll gain using industry-standard 3M encoding software will prepare you for a smooth transition into your new career and also provide you with many electronic resources to enhance the learning process. You'll also receive three industry codebooks for reference. You'll have access to the following key resources:
3M Encoding Software Reference and Reference Plus Software
- AHA Coding Clinic
- AMA CPT Assistant
- Clinical Pharmacology Drug Reference
- Dorland's Medical Dictionary and Elsevier's Anatomy Plates
- AHA Coding Clinics for HCPCS
- Coders' Desk Reference from Ingenix
- Faye Brown's ICD-9-CM Coding Handbook
- The Merck Manual
- Dictionary of medical acronyms and abbreviations
- Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test References
- Dr. Z's Interventional Radiology Coding Reference
Industry Standard Codebooks
- CPT Professional — Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology book (CPT ®) is prepared and copyrighted by the AMA (American Medical Association). You will learn to use this comprehensive medical coding reference manual during Medical Procedural Coding modules, blocks one and two. The CPT Professional is the United States standard for procedural coding and is the reference book used by employers and for the medical coding certification exam.
- HCPCS Level II Expert — The HCPCS Level II Expert manual is published by Ingenix and is the handbook for accurate procedural coding. You will learn to reference the hundreds of pages of coding material included in the HCPCS as you work through the Medical Procedural Coding modules.
- ICD-9-CM Expert — The ICD-9-CM is the United States standard for diagnostic coding (also published by Ingenix). You will learn every detail of effectively using your ICD-9-CM manual. This preparation will help you be an invaluable asset to your employer. This manual is one of the few reference books allowed into medical coding certification exams.
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Student and technical support
Career Step has support teams dedicated to student success. They also have the reputation for providing a personal touch to your online learning experience, offering a little boost or pep talk when you need it most. The student support team has professional experience in inpatient and outpatient coding and can answer questions about the curriculum and the industry. The technical support team will help with any technical or computer issues students may encounter with the program. Both support teams are accessible during extended business hours and are quick to respond to student questions and concerns.
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Timeline for course completion
The Career Step Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing program can be completed in 640 hours, or 4 months of full-time study. Enrollment includes 4 months of access to the curriculum and online learning tools, and by enrolling today you can use this complimentary 8 month extension voucher and have a full year to complete the program! Additional extensions are also available for purchase, should you need more time.
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Recommended computer system specifications
Minimum computer system specifications
Hardware:
- 56 Kbps modem (Broadband: DSL or cable modem recommended) with active internet access
- Super VGA (1024x768) or higher resolution adapter and monitor
- Sound card and speakers (headphone port recommended)
Software:
- Adobe Flash version 10 or higher recommended
- Windows Media Player or Quicktime Player
- PDF reader
Browser:
- Internet Explorer 7.x/8.x
- Javascript and cookies must be enabled
Operating System:
- Windows XP®, Vista®, 7 (with latest service pack) OR
- Mac OS X 10.4.11 or greater/10.5/10.6.x*
*Note: The Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing course includes hands-on training with 3M® encoding software, which is only compatible with Internet Explorer 7.x or 8.x. Students using the noted operating systems and/or browsers can access all other program material, and students can complete the practical sections of the course with the included industry-standard codebooks.
