Medical Billing & Coding Course Descriptions

This course presents the importance of quality in the delivery of health care, describing the various methods of evaluating and improving the quality of care rendered in today’s health care systems. The core focus is the crucial role of HIS in the quality assessment process. This course will also introduce students to the history of the American health care system, government regulations in health care, methods of reimbursement, legal issues and professional ethics. Prerequisite: None

This course will introduce students to how reimbursement is accomplished in the health care industry, who is involved in the reimbursement process, the methodologies that are used to calculate reimbursement and how health information technology professionals are involved in the process. Prerequisite: None

This course provides the student with the basic fundamentals of reporting medical services and procedures with standard, recognized guidelines. Using this coding system provides a uniform language that will thereby provide an effective means for reliable nationwide communication among physicians and third parties. Prerequisite: None

This course provides students with essential tools to transform verbal descriptions of diseases, injuries and conditions into alpha-numerical designations by utilizing standard, recognized guidelines. Using this coding system provides a uniform language that will thereby provide an effective means for reliable nationwide communication among physicians and third parties. Prerequisite: None

This is a course designed to introduce the fundamentals of a health insurance specialist’s role in the medical profession. Laws and regulations will be explored as well as becoming familiarized with insurance terminology and the basics of coding for reimbursement to third-party payers. Prerequisite: None

This course is a practical application course in which various insurance plans such as group insurance, third-party plans, Medicare and Workers Compensation are explored. Students will be involved in the coding and completion of the standardized CMS-1500 claim form. Prerequisite: None

This course is directed toward assisting students as they enter the health information field with help in understanding the legal principles that govern this particular area of health care. There will be a strong emphasis placed on compliance issues concerning HIPAA, OSHA, fraud and abuse violations. Prerequisite: None

This course guides students through the employment process by learning to complete applications, prepare cover letters and write effective resumes and follow-up letters. Other topics include interview skills, networking, continuing education, resigning a position, career advancement and a general orientation to the ever-changing dynamics of the health care delivery system. Prerequisite: None

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of administrative medical assisting including professional telephone techniques, patient appointment scheduling, written communication, electronic applications and quality customer service. Students will explore an overview of medical law and ethics of the health care profession. Prerequisite: None

Coordination and regulation of the body systems are discussed in this course. Students learn how the nervous system and the endocrine system work together to control the functions of the body. Cellular reproduction, body systems and directional terms are addressed. Prerequisite: None

In this course, students will examine the structure, function and conduction of the heart and the pathway of circulation. Students will also explore the physiology of respiration, which includes the structures and disorders of the respiratory system and treatment options. Included in the course are blood composition, typing and disorders. The course also examines the lymphatic system to include the organs and their functions and discusses immunity. Prerequisite: None

This course focuses on construction, pronunciation and application of medical words including prefixes, suffixes and word roots. A basic level of organization within the human body is presented. An overview of the major body systems is provided and terms related to the systems are learned. Abbreviations and pharmacology concepts and introductory legalities related to documentation in the health care industry are included. Prerequisite: None

A 200-hour, full-time externship in an approved facility under the supervision of a qualified professional. p Prerequisite: Successful completion of all classroom courses in the program.