Foundations of Medical Coding and ICD-10-CM
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Foundations of Medical Coding and ICD-10-CM
This course is part of Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam Preparation Specialization
Instructors: SkillUp
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What you'll learn
Build foundational skills for entry-level medical coding roles and CPC® exam preparation, including documentation and coding basics.
Explain core medical terminology and basic human anatomy concepts essential for accurate outpatient code selection.
Interpret and analyze healthcare documentation to extract coding-relevant details from medical records.
Apply the ICD-10-CM 10-Step coding process to accurately locate, verify, and assign diagnosis codes using standardized code sets.
Skills you'll gain
- Medical Billing
- Pathology
- Revenue Cycle Management
- Anatomy
- Health Care
- Medical Terminology
- ICD Coding (ICD-9/ICD-10)
- Health Assessment
- Medical Support
- Health Technology
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Health Care Administration
- Medical Coding
- CPT Coding
- Health Informatics
- Health Education
- Clinical Documentation
- Medical Records
Details to know
June 2026
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There are 4 modules in this course
Build job-ready skills for entry-level medical coding roles and begin preparation for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC)® certification. This beginner-level course introduces the essential knowledge and analytical skills required to interpret clinical documentation and translate healthcare services and diagnoses into standardized medical codes.
You will develop a strong foundation in medical terminology, basic human anatomy, and common disease processes, enabling you to understand how clinical information is documented in outpatient healthcare settings. The course explores the structure of medical records, including physician notes and reports, and explains how accurate documentation supports coding and revenue cycle management. You are introduced to the three primary outpatient coding systems—CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II—and learn how these code sets are used to represent clinical services and diagnoses. A key focus is applying the ICD-10-CM 10-Step coding process to accurately locate, verify, and assign diagnosis codes. Through videos, readings, interactive exercises, and hands-on practice, this course helps you build confidence in recognizing coding-relevant details and prepares you for advanced medical coding coursework.
In this module, you will get an introduction to the language of medicine as the foundation for medical coding. You’ll build skills to break down medical terms, understand how providers document clinical information, and recognize how terminology affects coding accuracy. Emphasis is placed on interpreting physician notes with the level of certainty required for outpatient coding.
What's included
4 videos6 readings3 assignments
4 videos•Total 17 minutes
- Course Introduction•3 minutes
- Understanding Word Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes•4 minutes
- Navigating Clinical Terms in Physician Reports•5 minutes
- Deciphering Standard Medical Abbreviations•5 minutes
6 readings•Total 45 minutes
- Course Overview•4 minutes
- How to Make the Most of This Course•10 minutes
- Essential Affixes in Medical Coding•5 minutes
- Lab: Medical Terminology Deconstruction•20 minutes
- Impact of Terminology on Coding Specificity•4 minutes
- Module Summary: Medical Terminology for Coders•2 minutes
3 assignments•Total 33 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Building Blocks of Medical Language•6 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Interpreting Clinical Documentation•6 minutes
- Graded Quiz: Medical Terminology for Coders•21 minutes
In this module, you will learn about the essential human anatomy, body systems, and basic pathophysiology concepts that medical coders need to understand in clinical services. The module focuses on anatomical structures commonly referenced in outpatient coding and how disease processes influence diagnosis and procedure selection.
What's included
4 videos3 readings3 assignments2 plugins
4 videos•Total 21 minutes
- Integumentary and Musculoskeletal Anatomy •6 minutes
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Foundations•5 minutes
- How Disease States Impact Diagnosis Coding•5 minutes
- Clinical Case Study: Lesions and Tumors •5 minutes
3 readings•Total 11 minutes
- Anatomical Positioning and Directions for Coders•4 minutes
- Common Pathological Conditions in Outpatient Scenarios•4 minutes
- Module Summary: Basics of Anatomy, Body Systems, and Pathophysiology•3 minutes
3 assignments•Total 33 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Overview of Major Body Systems•6 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Pathophysiology and Code Selection•6 minutes
- Graded Quiz: Basics of Anatomy, Body Systems, and Pathophysiology•21 minutes
2 plugins•Total 25 minutes
- Activity: Virtual Anatomy Explorer •10 minutes
- Activity: Pathophysiology Logic Challenge •15 minutes
In this module, you will learn how healthcare documentation is structured and how it supports medical coding. Learners explore the components of medical records and gain an introductory understanding of the CPT®, ICD‑10‑CM, and HCPCS Level II code sets used in outpatient settings.
What's included
6 videos5 readings4 assignments1 plugin
6 videos•Total 29 minutes
- Structure of Physician Reports and Their Types•5 minutes
- Navigating Operative Reports for Coding Facts•5 minutes
- Overview of ICD-10-CM Guidelines•5 minutes
- Introduction to CPT® and HCPCS•5 minutes
- Implementing the 10-Step Process•5 minutes
- Essential Instructional Notations•5 minutes
5 readings•Total 37 minutes
- Components of Comprehensive Clinical Documentation•6 minutes
- Comparing Procedure, Diagnosis, and Supply Code Sets•4 minutes
- Lab: Code Book Navigation•20 minutes
- ICD-10-CM General Coding Guidelines•4 minutes
- Module Summary: Healthcare Documentation and Medical Coding Systems•3 minutes
4 assignments•Total 39 minutes
- Practice Quiz: The Anatomy of a Medical Record•6 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Introduction to Code Sets•6 minutes
- Practice Quiz: ICD-10-CM 10-Step Coding Process•6 minutes
- Graded Quiz: Healthcare Documentation and Medical Coding Systems•21 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
- Activity: Documentation Gap Finder•15 minutes
In this module, you will apply foundational knowledge through a guided project and comprehensive assessment. The module reinforces key terminology, anatomy, and documentation concepts while preparing learners for continued study in the CPC® certification pathway.
What's included
1 video4 readings2 assignments
1 video•Total 4 minutes
- Course Summary•4 minutes
4 readings•Total 10 minutes
- Final Project Overview: Navigating Clinical Documentation for Accurate Coding•3 minutes
- Course Glossary: Foundations of Medical Coding and ICD-10-CM•4 minutes
- Congratulations and Next Steps•2 minutes
- Thanks from the Course Team•1 minute
2 assignments•Total 90 minutes
- Final Project: Navigating Clinical Documentation for Accurate Coding•60 minutes
- Final Exam: Foundations of Medical Coding and ICD-10-CM•30 minutes
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Frequently asked questions
No prior coding experience is required. This beginner-level course introduces medical terminology, anatomy, and coding fundamentals, making it ideal for aspiring medical coders and career changers.
Yes. The course builds foundational knowledge aligned with the Certified Professional Coder (CPC)® exam, including medical terminology, anatomy, healthcare documentation, and ICD-10-CM basics, to support your certification preparation journey.
You’ll be introduced to CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code sets and learn how diagnoses and services are translated into standardized codes used in outpatient settings.
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