Peirce College Launches Medical Coding Certificate Program

Program created in alignment with American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) certificate program guidelines

Peirce College Launches Medical Coding Certificate Program

Today, announced a new to help meet the growing demand for credentialed employees in area healthcare facilities. Graduates will be prepared to review patient medical records and assign numeric codes for diagnosis and procedures, ensuring providers will be reimbursed for healthcare services rendered.

With an aging population and changing government regulations, the demand for skilled, non-clinical healthcare professionals continues to expand rapidly, emphasizing the need for certificate programs like Medical Coding. According to a recent by the , the healthcare and social assistance sectors are expected to generate 5.6 million jobs by 2020, the largest number of jobs among all sectors. The Peirce Medical Coding Certificate program was established to help current and prospective medical professionals prepare for careers as medical coders in hospitals, physical and behavioral health rehabilitation centers, doctors’ offices, and insurance companies, thereby meeting the growing demands in the healthcare industry.

Peirce’s program was created using Professional Certificate Approval Program Manual criteria. This qualifies graduates to sit for the AHIMA Certified Coding Specialist certification exam, which denotes specialization in coding, and increases their appeal to employers.

“The launch of Peirce’s Medical Coding Certificate program allows the College to further meet the needs of adult learners in today’s ever-changing healthcare landscape,” said Stephanie Donovan, faculty chair of at Peirce College.

With classes beginning in the fall, students enrolled in the Medical Coding Certificate program will complete industry specific coursework in topics such as anatomy and physiology, healthcare delivery systems, and healthcare related legal and compliance issues; train in both ICD-9 and ICD-10; and receive hands on experience using AHIMA’s virtual lab. The curriculum also aligns with Peirce’s program, allowing students to earn over 30 credits toward an associate degree while completing the certificate program.

Students can apply for the Medical Coding Certificate program by completing the . For more information, visit ; call 888.467.347, ext. 9000; or email .

Peirce College offers bachelor’s and associate degree programs in the areas of Business, Healthcare, Information Technology, and Legal Studies, and in fall 2013, will offer a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership & Management. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Peirce is a non-profit institution that specializes in serving the unique needs of working adults, many of whom work full time and are raising families. Peirce College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104 (phone: 267-284-5000). The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accredits the College's Business Administration and Accounting programs; the Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association; and the Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.

For more information about Peirce College, call 888.467.3472, or visit .

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