Medical Coding Course Descriptions
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MC 201: MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
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This course is focused on the building blocks
of medical terminology: word roots, combining forms, suffixes,
and prefixes. Word building, word defining, and pronunciation are
key aspects of this course. Common pathology, common diagnostic
tests and procedures, and abbreviations will be discussed. This
course is a foundation for the medical coding
profession.
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MC 202: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR CODING
PROFESSIONALS
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The structure and function of the human body
are the main focuses of this course. Living matter including cell
physiology, organ function, and body system composition and
interaction will be discussed. This will be done in a systemic,
body system approach. Students will have a solid foundation and
familiarity with the terms used to identify anatomical organs
having completed the Medical Terminology course required for the
Medical Coding Certificate.
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MC 203: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOTHERAPY
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The pathophysiology portion of this course is
focused on common disease processes, identifying signs and
symptoms, common diagnostic testing, risk factors, common medical
treatments, common surgical treatments, and alternative
treatments. The pharmacotherapy portion of this course is focused
on drug classification, drug action and interaction, metabolism,
excretion, and the methods of drug delivery. Common side effects,
challenges for delivery, and patient compliance will also be
discussed.
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MC 204: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR HEALTH CARE
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This course is an introduction to common
software used in the field of health information management
(HIM). Topics include coding encoder software, health record
tracking systems, and information processing and tracking
software, such as e-HIM, electronic health record (EHR), and
electronic medical record (EMR).
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MC 205: HEALTH CARE DATA
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This course will examine the concept of taking
health data typically gathered from a health record and
presenting it as information. Focus will be on the concepts of
data elements, data sets, data dictionaries, data presentation,
data quality management, and the uses of health data.
Governmental requirements for data reporting will be reviewed.
Data recovery, data warehousing, data security, HIPAA
regulations, privacy, and confidentiality are additional topics
in this course. Case studies will be used to explore the current
legal impact for health data collection and
usage.
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MC 206: HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEMS
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The current U.S. health care environment and
the various types of medical facilities will be discussed
throughout this course. Acute care, ambulatory care, public
health facilities, extended care facilities, and behavioral
health will be examined by discussion of payment systems,
governmental regulations, industry standards, accreditation
bodies, and health care facility
organization.
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MC 207: INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES (ICD)
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The current U.S. system of ICD-9-CM will be introduced, discussed, and analyzed in this course. This classification coding system will be compared and contrasted to the Healthcare Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS). For the introductory portion, background and history of the ICD system will be discussed. Additional course topics will include ICD coding guidelines, ICD coding conventions, DSM, ICD-O, and SNOMED. Discussion will also be focused on introducing the updated version of ICD: ICD-10. Students will receive information on this revision to the US coding classification system which will include definitions related to ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS. Students will be required to build practical application skills in code assignment from one-line diagnosis statements to more complex coding scenarios and case studies. This course will include diagnostic and procedural coding utilizing encoder software for ICD code assignment and Medicare Severity Diagnostic-related group (MS DRG) assignment.
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MC 208: HCPCS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
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The course will explore the Healthcare Common
Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) used for physician coding and
reporting of other medical care and equipment. Course topics will
include HCPCS background and history, HCPCS coding guidelines,
unique components of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and
HCPCS level-two code assignment. Students will be required to
build practical application skills in code assignment from
one-line procedural statements to more complex coding scenarios
and case studies. This course will include procedural coding
encoder software usage for HCPCS code and ambulatory payment
classification (APC) assignment.
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MC 209: REIMBURSEMENT METHODS
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Topics for this course will include
prospective payment systems, the DRG system, the APR-DRG system,
ambulatory payment systems, physician payment systems, billing
procedures, the managed care system, HMO models, the charge
master, superbills, coding compliance, coding auditing, the claim
process cycle, and claims management processes. Governmental
regulations of false claims, fraud and abuse guidelines, and
Stark I and II will also be discussed.
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MC 210: CODING EXTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE*
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This course will require the student to apply all concepts covered in the Medical Coding Certificate program to the actual coding of various types of health records. Extensive use of coding classification manuals and reference materials will be required. Use of the coding encoder software to assign MS DRGs will be required. The determination and coding of principal diagnosis and principal procedure will be emphasized for acute care inpatient health records. The reporting of first-listed diagnosis and codes to identify history of illnesses will be emphasized for ambulatory health records. Case studies will be focused on the application of coding compliance concepts and coding auditing knowledge. Students will be required to demonstrate an entry-level knowledge and application of ICD-9-CM and HCPCS coding guidelines. This course requires the completion of coding assignments with individual feedback from the instructor to the student.