Campus News

Medical Coding Program Earned Approval

4/28/16

Minnesota West's Medical Coding program is approved by the AHIMA Foundation’s Professional Certificate Approval Program. This designation acknowledges the coding program as having been evaluated by a peer review process against a national minimum set of standards for entry-level coding professionals. This process allows academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and private companies to be acknowledged as offering an approved coding certificate program.

Genevieve Velde, Minnesota West Medical Occupations instructor and advisor, comments, “I am proud to have been a part of the team that worked towards bringing the Medical Coding Specialist program to the national standards set by AHIMA. This process has solidified the high program standards that we have followed throughout each course.”

Terri Petersen, Minnesota West Medical Coding instructor comments, "I am excited that Minnesota West Community and Technical College has an accredited medical coding program to offer current and future students. It is a sign that Minnesota West ascribes to, believes in-and has met-an external set of basic criteria for its medical coding program. It indicates that threshold standards are adhered to in a way that provides a base of academic strength, operational integrity and quality education in medical coding. It will open doors for our students to become certified coders and have more opportunities for employment and for furthering their education."

Dr. Terry Gaalswyk, Minnesota West Community & Technical College President, also notes, “Approval of a Program is a hallmark of quality, our faculty’s dedication in assuring our Medical Coding Program meets these standards is evidence of our continue commitment to providing the highest quality, most affordable educational pathways for our students and industry partners”

Medical Coding Specialists work closely with other health care professionals in coding diagnosis and procedures on patient medical records, analyzing medical records for completeness of documentation, working with insurance companies, and reimbursement procedures.

For more information visit the Medical Coding program or 800-658-2330.

The AHIMA Foundation’s Professional Certification Approval Program designation:

1. Identifies specialized programs that meet established coding educational standards.
2. Stimulates improvement of educational standards through faculty development opportunities, and by involving faculty and staff in program evaluation and planning.
3. Promotes a better understanding of the goals of professional coding education.
4. Provides reasonable assurance that practitioners possess the necessary job skills upon entry into the profession.