Medical Coding and Billing (AAS) Curriculum

This course provides an overview of commonly available software tools used in healthcare, including an introduction to encoding tools and computer-assisted coding software used in healthcare data processing. Focus is placed specifically on healthcare software and its many uses, functions and applications in the medical office. Other processes such as medical office billing and information technology are also discussed.

This course introduces students to different types of healthcare delivery systems and how to analyze the organization, financing, regulatory issues, and delivery of different healthcare services. Topics covered include the "continuum of care" concept, and methods and theories in healthcare delivery systems and computer applications in healthcare. Focus is placed on evolution and trends in managed healthcare, including research, statistics, quality management, and integrating information technologies into medical office practices. Other processes such as staffing, productivity, and improving quality are also discussed.

Students are introduced to health information management in healthcare delivery settings in the U.S., including filing systems, storage, circulation and documentation issues. Topics also explored are the electronic health record (EHR), patient confidentiality, the impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) on medical practices and various career opportunities for health information management professionals. Students apply health information management concepts and skills to course exercises to demonstrate functional knowledge.

This course teaches the foundation of the language of healthcare. Students will learn how to pronounce medical terms and communicate medical information to both health professionals and patients. Students will also learn the principles of word-building needed for the extensive medical vocabulary used in healthcare. Students will utilize interactive technology to assist with learning, pronunciation and application in Anatomy and Physiology.

This course examines medical billing and coding in medical practice. All basic medical billing and coding issues are discussed, including coding diagnosis, the International Classification of Diseases Manual (ICD-10-CM), coding compliance and legal and ethical compliance. Students extrapolate coding information from the ICD-10-CM manual and examine usage guidelines for Volumes I, II and III.

This course provides the student with in-depth coverage of procedural coding utilizing the HCPCS coding system composed of Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) and national codes. The course includes detailed application of the CPT classification system for outpatient services. Emphasis includes Evaluation and Management, Anesthesia, Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, and Laboratory and Medicine codes, as well as the use of modifiers. Students will apply coding and billing principles through the use of coding exercises and coding simulation software.

This course provides students with a working knowledge of medical insurance and its applications. Emphasis is on understanding insurance essentials, including the role of the medical insurance billing specialist and legal and ethical requirements. Medical documents and coding diagnoses and procedures are discussed. Students comprehend the claims process, focusing on charges, methods of payments, billing and reimbursement. Other topics covered are private payers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Medicaid and Medicare, TRICARE and worker's compensation. Patient billing software is also explored.

This course covers an overview of medical assisting as a career. Students analyze job responsibilities of a medical assistant including patient interaction and communication, scheduling and maintaining accurate patient records. Processing insurance claims is described and students examine various bookkeeping systems. The importance of taking inventory is discussed, as well as the steps in making a purchasing decision. Students also explore specialized options for an administrative medical assistant.

Students in this course will gain practical experience applying advanced ICD-10-CM and CPT coding skills. Students will come from a variety of healthcare settings including hospital, physicians’ offices, and/or other healthcare settings. Intensive coding application will be achieved through the use of real medical records, case studies and scenarios. The training in this course integrates coding and the classification of diseases and treatment in preparation for certification and employment as a clinical coding specialist.

This course introduces students to the essential laws and regulations that govern the practice of healthcare professionals and the business of healthcare. Topics covered include regulatory practices, federal rules aimed at preventing fraud, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), regulations governing patient privacy, and electronic health record requirements. Student will learn the differences between negligence, criminal acts, and malpractice, with preventative course of actions. This course also introduces students to the framework for making ethical decisions and highlights some of the important ethical issues facing healthcare professionals.

This course examines the twelve major systems of the human body. These systems include: skeletal, integumentary, muscular, nervous, sensory, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive. In addition, students develop the use of appropriate medical terminology, examine cell and tissue structure, and review how body systems maintain health homeostasis.

This course covers the process and method of science applied to understanding biological concepts at the molecular, cellular, organismal and community levels. The emphasis of this course is on biological diversity in major groups of living organisms and ecology. This course includes a lab.

This course stresses human systems, with applications to contemporary issues in human health and the environment. The scientific method and social applications of scientific information related to human issues are emphasized. This course includes a lab.

This course emphasizes the writing process. Students will apply principles of good writing practice through various genre (narrative, persuasive, expository writings). Additionally, students will analyze reading material as part of the critical and creative thinking processes associated with written communication.

This course introduces students to terms, concepts, and documents related to Technical Writing (writing in the work environment). The concepts and skills presented in the course are intended to be a foundation for effective writing that combines content and format with knowledge of the target audience. Technical writing covers many document types; the course will provide an overview of documents used in the work place such as visual elements, instructions, reports, and presentations. Students will create a portfolio of technical writing documents including: a proposal, progress reports, feasibility and recommendation reports, visual elements, and descriptions of a mechanism and a process.

This course provides the fundamentals of data aptitude. Through this exploration of quantitative reasoning, emphasis will be placed on how to interpret graphs, charts, and pictorial representations of data, along with an understanding of the principles underlying statistics and financial information.

This course presents an introductory overview of psychology. The course includes topics such as the history of psychology, nature vs. nurture, biological psychology, sensation, perceptions, developmental theories, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, memory, cognition, personality, health, and social psychology.

Students are introduced to basic computer concepts as well as techniques and tools for folder and file navigation and manipulation. Students explore the fundamentals of an office productivity suite, developing skills in word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications.

This general education course is designed to introduce students to a variety of ethical principles. Ethical principles can be used to assist decision-making in a global society experiencing recurrent viral pandemics. During periods of potentially catastrophic health emergencies, autonomy and personal rights may be limited by utilitarian ethics which support the premise that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. In this course, students will develop a good working knowledge of ethical principles to assist with personal decision-making and overall conduct during periods of global stress.

This course introduces students to the University of Arkansas Grantham policies and staff, provides information about higher education funding resources, discusses important skills for success in the online learning environment, and provides information about University of Arkansas Grantham student support services. Students practice submitting assignments and navigating the Learning Management System (Blackboard). Students will be required to demonstrate fundamental skills necessary for success in the online learning environment at the University of Arkansas Grantham.