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Foundations of Medical Coding and ICD-10-CM

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Foundations of Medical Coding and ICD-10-CM

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

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.

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Recently updated!

June 2026

Assessments

12 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

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This course is part of the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam Preparation Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

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 videosTotal 17 minutes
  • Course Introduction3 minutes
  • Understanding Word Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes4 minutes
  • Navigating Clinical Terms in Physician Reports5 minutes
  • Deciphering Standard Medical Abbreviations5 minutes
6 readingsTotal 45 minutes
  • Course Overview4 minutes
  • How to Make the Most of This Course10 minutes
  • Essential Affixes in Medical Coding5 minutes
  • Lab: Medical Terminology Deconstruction20 minutes
  • Impact of Terminology on Coding Specificity4 minutes
  • Module Summary: Medical Terminology for Coders2 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 33 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Building Blocks of Medical Language6 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Interpreting Clinical Documentation6 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Medical Terminology for Coders21 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 videosTotal 21 minutes
  • Integumentary and Musculoskeletal Anatomy 6 minutes
  • Cardiovascular and Respiratory Foundations5 minutes
  • How Disease States Impact Diagnosis Coding5 minutes
  • Clinical Case Study: Lesions and Tumors 5 minutes
3 readingsTotal 11 minutes
  • Anatomical Positioning and Directions for Coders4 minutes
  • Common Pathological Conditions in Outpatient Scenarios4 minutes
  • Module Summary: Basics of Anatomy, Body Systems, and Pathophysiology3 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 33 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Overview of Major Body Systems6 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Pathophysiology and Code Selection6 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Basics of Anatomy, Body Systems, and Pathophysiology21 minutes
2 pluginsTotal 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 videosTotal 29 minutes
  • Structure of Physician Reports and Their Types5 minutes
  • Navigating Operative Reports for Coding Facts5 minutes
  • Overview of ICD-10-CM Guidelines5 minutes
  • Introduction to CPT® and HCPCS5 minutes
  • Implementing the 10-Step Process5 minutes
  • Essential Instructional Notations5 minutes
5 readingsTotal 37 minutes
  • Components of Comprehensive Clinical Documentation6 minutes
  • Comparing Procedure, Diagnosis, and Supply Code Sets4 minutes
  • Lab: Code Book Navigation20 minutes
  • ICD-10-CM General Coding Guidelines4 minutes
  • Module Summary: Healthcare Documentation and Medical Coding Systems3 minutes
4 assignmentsTotal 39 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: The Anatomy of a Medical Record6 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Introduction to Code Sets6 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: ICD-10-CM 10-Step Coding Process6 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Healthcare Documentation and Medical Coding Systems21 minutes
1 pluginTotal 15 minutes
  • Activity: Documentation Gap Finder15 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 videoTotal 4 minutes
  • Course Summary4 minutes
4 readingsTotal 10 minutes
  • Final Project Overview: Navigating Clinical Documentation for Accurate Coding3 minutes
  • Course Glossary: Foundations of Medical Coding and ICD-10-CM4 minutes
  • Congratulations and Next Steps2 minutes
  • Thanks from the Course Team1 minute
2 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes
  • Final Project: Navigating Clinical Documentation for Accurate Coding60 minutes
  • Final Exam: Foundations of Medical Coding and ICD-10-CM30 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.

This course supports entry-level roles such as Medical Coder, Coding Specialist, Medical Billing and Coding Professional, and provides a foundation for advancing toward CPC® certification and outpatient coding careers.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial aid available,

¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.