How to Learn Inpatient Medical Coding

by Stephanie Dube Dwilson

A medical coder takes narratives about injuries, illnesses and procedures in a healthcare setting and assigns them code numbers. These codes are used to keep accurate records and communicate billing information to insurance companies. A medical coder must pay close attention to detail, have patience to read through long lists of numbers and be interested in the medical field. Choose from several education paths to become a medical coder of inpatient information.

College Classes

You don't have to have a college degree to become a medical coder, but courses can teach you the ins and outs of inpatient medical coding. If you plan to pursue certification in the field, make sure you get a degree with classes that are approved by the organization that will be certifying you. Classes are the same whether you're doing inpatient or outpatient coding. You can get an associate degree all the way up to a doctorate in the coding field.

Online Programs

You can learn the basic entry-level skills of inpatient medical coding by taking specialized online courses. These programs allow you to learn at your own pace, rather than according to an instructor's or college's schedule. The programs also provide enough credentials for you to take a national certification exam, if you wish. For example, the American Health Information Management Association offers a 12-course program that teaches coding, both inpatient and outpatient, according to the national ICD-9-CM system, along with several other systems. At the end of the program, you'll have 33 college-level credits.

Learn on the Job

If you don't want to take classes in person or online, learn about inpatient coding through on-the-job training programs. Some entry-level medical positions offer on-the-job training in coding while you perform your other job duties. Some workplaces also offer more in-depth training in medical coding for people who already know the basics or already have a basic certification but want to learn more.


If you want to be hired as a full-time, inpatient medical coder, complete and pass a national certification exam to make yourself a more appealing job candidate. Certification is not required but gives you credentials that help you stand out from the competition. The American Association of Profession Coders, for example, offers a Certified Professional Coder credential for individuals who pass a five-hour, 150-question exam.

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