Allied Health Care Certificate: Medical Coding Emphasis
48.5 Total Credits
Medical coders are employed by hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, HMOs, mental health care facilities, nursing homes, insurance companies, consulting firms, health data organizations and information system vendors. The more education you have, the more employment options open. Log onto www.codernet.com for specific information on medical coding.
First Semester15.5 Credits
This course introduces the field of healthcare for people interested in the field. Topics include an introduction to the healthcare delivery system, a brief historical overview of U.S. healthcare, healthcare settings and programs,members of the healthcare delivery team, roles of healthcare professionals, legal and professional ethics, healthcare organizations and agencies,medical record content, risk management, continuous quality improvement, epidemiology (morbidity and mortality), and interpersonal communication skills.
This course covers the structure and function of the human organism and the regulatory processes that operate within a living system. It introduces general anatomical, physiological, and chemical organization, and includes the integumentary (skin), skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry or equivalent preparation, or Life Science Department Head permission. Students enrolled in Health Services Department programs are recommended to complete this course before beginning their specialized program coursework.
This course concentrates on spelling, pronunciation, and the
meaning of medical word components, common terms used in
selected body systems, and medical abbreviations.
(Spring semester)
This course provides knowledge of relevant computer skills and a solid foundation in the terminology and concepts of computer technology. Experience is provided with a variety of microcomputer software applications, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, graphics, file management, and integrated software. Concepts and terms focus on preparing for a technologically oriented society and using the computer as a tool for productivity, research, and communication.
This course provides knowledge of the content of the health
record, healthcare data sets, the difference between primary versus secondary health records, legal/ethical issues such as confidentiality, release of information (ROI), and professional ethics. Topics include healthcare accreditation standards, state licensure, and regulatory agencies. (Fall semester)
Second Semester16.5 Credits
This course, which is a continuation of BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, involves the study of structure, function, and regulation in the human organism. Topics include blood, peripheral nerves, the cardiovascular system, lymphatics, the respiratory system, the excretory system, the endocrine system, the reproductive systems, the digestive system, and metabolism. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, or Life Science Department Head permission. Students enrolled in Health Services Department programs are recommended to complete this course before beginning their specialized program coursework. Students with transfer credit for BI106 Anatomy and Physiology 1 must complete a three-hour orientation to the use of prosected human cadavers before participating in the BI107 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 laboratory. Transfer students must meet with the Life Science Department Head thirty days before beginning this course.
This course examines the physiological consequences of various disease states. Diseases are treated as threats to homeostasis. The effects of pathology on normal bodily processes are discussed at various organizational levels, including biochemical, cellular, histological, and organ systems. This course is designed for allied health students. Prerequisites: BI106 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 or Department Head. Corequisite: BI107 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2.
This course introduces indexing conditions and procedures using the Current Procedural Terminology. It covers how to code from actual medical records and introduces the current prospective payment system(s). Prerequisites:MR101 Health Information Introductory Concepts (Health Information Technology majors only),MR103 Medical Terminology. (Spring semester)
This course introduces indexing diseases and operations using the International Classification of Disease. It covers how to code from actual medical records and introduces DRGs and the Prospective Payment System. Prerequisites:MR101 Health Information Introductory Concepts,MR103 Medical Terminology, BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1. (Health Information Technology majors only) (Spring semester)
This course covers the pharmacological, pathophysiological, therapeutic, and diagnostic aspects of medicine. It includes the concepts and medical word components for body systems and disorders encountered in healthcare.Discussions include pharmacological agents and the diagnostics test(s) used for disease processes, the selection of a particular pharmacological intervention, how its effectiveness is monitored using diagnostic interventions, and the value of laboratory tests. Prerequisite:MR103 Medical Terminology. (Spring semester)
Summer Session1 Credit
This course provides practical experience in applying knowledge of ICD-9-CM (International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision-Clinical Modification) and CPT Procedural Coding in inpatient and outpatient medical records in a clinical setting. Prerequisites:MR104 CPT Procedural Coding and MR105 International Classification Systems. (Summer semester)
Third Semester15.5 Credits
The course introduces medical insurance billing, and credit and collection procedures. It provides an understanding of the insurance options and the laws governing the payors/insurers.Topics include preparing and reviewing claims forms, the significance of coding, electronic and computerized billing, and fraud and abuse. Prerequisites:HC100 Introduction to Health Care,MR103 Medical Terminology, IS101 Computer Applications & Concepts 1, BI103 Human Life Science 1. Corequisites:MR104 CPT Procedural Coding,MR105 International Classification Systems. (Spring semester)
This course provides practical experience in applying knowledge of Advanced ICD-9-CM and Advanced CPT Procedural Coding of any type of medical record in an appropriate health-related setting. It builds on the first professional practice experience by adding more complex diagnoses and procedures. Prerequisite: MR214 Advanced CPT Procedural Coding. Corequisite: AH110 Professional Practice Experience 1 MC. (Spring semester)
Students employ existing coding skills to enhance their clinical and coding knowledge using the current versions of CPT Procedural Coding and HCPCS. Students review and code clinical scenarios related to various body systems. Prerequisites: MR104 CPT Procedural Coding, MR105 International Classification Systems, AH110 Professional Practice Experience 1 MC. Corequisites: MR215 Advanced ICD-9-CM Coding and AH111 Professional Practice Experience 2 MC. (Spring semester only)
Students employ existing coding skills to enhance their clinical and coding knowledge using the International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision. Students review and code medical scenarios related to various body systems. Prerequisites: MR105 International Classification Systems and MR104 CPT Procedural Coding. Corequisites: MR214 Advanced CPT Procedural Coding and AH111 Professional Practice Experience 2 MC. (Spring semester only)
This course introduces students to the administrative role of medical assistants. Topics include appointment scheduling, telephone procedures, receptionist duties, drug and prescription records, medical records, filing procedures, bookkeeping, insurance forms, banking, collections, processing mail, telecommunications, professional reports, and payroll. Corequisites: MR103 Medical Terminology and IS101 Computer Applications & Concepts 1.
This course enhances knowledge of database concepts with a
focus on designing and structuring databases to meet the objectives of management.Database management systems are used, along with query capabilities and report generation. Prerequisite: IS101 Computer Applications & Concepts 1 or
IS102 Computer Applications & Concepts 2.
Prerequisites
- High School Math Course A or its equivalent (Regents score 70 or High School score 75).
- High School Chemistry or its equivalent (Regents score 70 or High School score 75).
- High School Biology or its equivalent (Regents score 70 or High School score 75).
- We will accept you at your current level of readiness and provide opportunities for you to be successful at the
college.
