Basic Medical Coding Course

Lesson 1 • Medical Coding Systems Introduction

Surveys the major coding classification systems used in clinical settings. Distinguishes diagnosis codes, procedure codes, and supply codes by function.

Lesson 2 • Medical Terminology for Coders

Builds anatomical and clinical vocabulary essential for interpreting provider documentation. Focuses on root words, prefixes, and suffixes used in coding contexts.

Lesson 3 • Healthcare Revenue Cycle Overview

Introduces the end-to-end revenue cycle from patient encounter to payment. Grounds coding's function within billing, claims, and reimbursement processes.

Lesson 4 • Healthcare Documentation Basics

Explains how clinical documentation drives code selection and claim accuracy. Covers record types coders encounter and documentation quality standards.

Lesson 1 • Principal and Additional Diagnoses

Teaches sequencing rules for selecting the principal diagnosis and reporting additional codes. Directly applies official guidelines to inpatient and outpatient scenarios.

Lesson 2 • External Cause and Z Codes

Introduces supplementary codes for injury causes, health status, and encounter reasons. Completes diagnosis coding skill set needed before moving to procedure coding.

Lesson 3 • ICD Code Book Structure

Explains the tabular list and alphabetic index organisation of the diagnosis code book. Students learn to navigate both sections efficiently before assigning any code.

Lesson 4 • Official Coding Guidelines

Covers the authoritative guidelines that govern diagnosis code selection and sequencing. Applies general rules before introducing condition-specific guidance in later sections.

Lesson 1 • Surgery Section Fundamentals

Introduces surgical package concepts and global period rules governing operative procedure codes. Prepares students to distinguish separately reportable services from bundled components.

Lesson 2 • Ancillary Service Code Sections

Covers radiology, pathology, laboratory, and medicine section coding principles. Expands coding scope beyond surgery to services common in outpatient and diagnostic settings.

Lesson 3 • CPT Modifiers

Explains how two-digit modifiers alter code meaning without changing the code itself. Covers the most clinically significant modifiers and their correct application scenarios.

Lesson 4 • CPT Code Book Organisation

Orients students to the structure of the CPT manual including sections, subsections, and guidelines. Establishes navigation skills required before any code assignment begins.

Lesson 1 • HCPCS Modifiers

Introduces HCPCS-specific modifiers that indicate laterality, service location, and provider type. Complements CPT modifier knowledge with payer-specific modifier requirements.

Lesson 2 • Drug and Injection Codes

Covers J-code and Q-code assignment for injectable and infused medications. Teaches unit-based dosage coding and route-of-administration distinctions.

Lesson 3 • HCPCS Level II Code Structure

Describes the alphanumeric format and section organisation of the HCPCS Level II code set. Distinguishes it from CPT and explains when each system applies.

Lesson 1 • Inpatient vs. Outpatient Coding Rules

Contrasts the distinct guidelines governing inpatient and outpatient code assignment. Prevents common errors caused by applying outpatient rules to inpatient records.

Lesson 2 • Inpatient Procedure Coding

Introduces the procedure classification system used exclusively for inpatient hospital reporting. Covers code structure, body system sections, and root operation definitions.

Lesson 3 • Complication and Comorbidity Coding

Teaches identification and coding of conditions that elevate DRG complexity and reimbursement. Applies official guidelines to distinguish hospital-acquired from pre-existing conditions.

Lesson 4 • Diagnosis-Related Group Fundamentals

Explains how coded diagnoses and procedures are grouped into reimbursement categories. Demonstrates the financial impact of accurate principal diagnosis and complication coding.

Lesson 1 • Ambulatory Payment Classification

Introduces the outpatient prospective payment system and its relationship to coded services. Explains how APC grouping affects facility reimbursement for outpatient claims.

Lesson 2 • Specialty-Specific Coding Scenarios

Introduces coding patterns unique to high-volume specialties including orthopaedics, cardiology, and gastroenterology. Prepares students for specialty-focused employment settings.

Lesson 3 • Physician Office Encounter Coding

Applies E/M and procedure coding to common office visit scenarios across primary care and specialties. Builds speed and accuracy in selecting codes from brief clinical notes.

Lesson 4 • Outpatient Facility Coding Rules

Covers the distinct guidelines for coding outpatient hospital services versus physician services. Establishes the regulatory framework before applying codes to outpatient encounters.

Lesson 1 • Claim Edits and Bundling Rules

Explains automated edit systems that flag unbundling, duplicate billing, and medically unlikely edits. Teaches how to resolve edits through modifier use and documentation support.

Lesson 2 • Denial Management and Appeals

Covers the process for appealing denied claims with corrected coding and supporting documentation. Builds skills that directly reduce revenue loss from preventable coding denials.

Lesson 3 • Claim Form Fundamentals

Introduces the standard claim forms used for professional and institutional billing. Maps coded data fields to the correct claim form sections for accurate submission.

Lesson 4 • Remittance Advice Interpretation

Teaches how to read payer remittance documents to identify payment, denial, and adjustment reasons. Connects claim outcome analysis to coding correction and resubmission decisions.

Lesson 1 • Coding Audit Fundamentals

Defines the purpose, types, and scope of coding audits in compliance and quality programmes. Establishes audit vocabulary and methodology before students perform audit exercises.

Lesson 2 • Corrective Action and Education

Covers how audit findings translate into targeted coder education and process improvements. Prepares students to participate in or lead post-audit feedback and remediation sessions.

Lesson 3 • Common Coding Error Patterns

Identifies the most frequent error categories found in coding audits across practice settings. Connects error patterns to root causes in documentation, training, or workflow gaps.

Lesson 4 • Coding Quality Metrics and Reporting

Introduces key performance indicators used to measure and report coding quality over time. Enables students to interpret quality dashboards and communicate findings to management.