Course Syllabus

 

COURSE IDENTIFICATION

Course Prefix/Number:                                               ALHT 150                                                                      

Course Title:                                                                Billing and Insurance                                                                                   

Division:                                                                      Outreach and Workforce Development                                                                                     

Program:                                                                      Health Information Technology                                                                   

Credit Hours:                                                              3.0                                                                              

Initiation/Revised Date:                                              Fall 2007   

 

CLASSIFICATION OF INSTRUCTION

Vocational

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course involves the study of the principles and practice of insurance and reimbursement processing.  It includes the assignment and reporting of codes for diagnoses and procedures/services; completion of CMS-1450 and CMS-1500 claims for inpatient, outpatient, emergency department, and physician office encounters; and the review of inpatient and outpatient cases to identify issues of fraud and abuse.  Textbook cases and redacted patient records will be used to code diagnoses/services/procedures and complete claims.  Inpatient and outpatient reimbursement will be determined and source documents interpreted (e.g., explanation of benefits, Medicare Summary Notices, and so on).

 

PREREQUISITIES AND/OR COREQUISITES:
Health Information Technology, Health Information Technology Lab, BIOL 257 Human Anatomy & Physiology, BIOL 258 Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab, ALHE 122 Introduction to Pharmacology or Instructor consent,  and ALHT 160 Billing Insurance Lab


REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

Green, Michelle A and J, Rowell. Understanding Health Insurance: A guide to billing and reimbursement. Thomas Delmar Learning, Current year edition.

 

Buck, Carol J. ICD-9-CM and HCPCS Coding Manual.  Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, current edition

 

CPT, Current Procedural Terminologies, Chicago, IL: American Medical Association, current edition

 

Principles of Healthcare Reimbursement, Castro & Layman, AHIMA, 2nd edition

 

COURSE OUTCOMES/COMPETENCIES (as Required)

  1. Understand and apply policies and procedures for the use of clinical data required in reimbursement and prospective payment systems (PPS) in healthcare delivery.

a.       Monitor coding and revenue cycle processes.

b.      Explain insurance terms, including deductible, copay, and other applicable terms.

c.       Calculate case mix of selected patients

d.      Prepare a case mix report

  1. Demonstrate accuracy of billing through coding, chargemaster, claims management, and bill reconciliation processes.

a.       Code accurately for billing and reimbursement procedures

b.      Code for billing procedures in an outpatient facility, including the RBRVS and RVUs, the completing of the UB92 forms, explanation of insurance terms, and submission of bills; and correction and resubmission of corrected information (appealing denials)

c.       Accurately assign DRGs to Medicare inpatient discharges.

d.      Explain the effect modifiers have on reimbursement in an outpatient facility.

  1. Demonstrate the use established guidelines to comply with reimbursement and reporting requirements such as the National Correct Coding Initiative.

a.       Explain the necessity of correct information both for the patient and the facility

 

AHIMA DOMAINS

Domain 1: Health Data Management

     Subdomain A: Health Data Structure, Content and Standards

6.  Verify timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness of data and data sources

     (e.g., patient care; management; billing reports and/or databases)

     Subdomain D: Reimbursement Methodologies

1.      Apply policies and procedures for the use of clinical data required in reimbursement and prospective payment systems (PPS) in healthcare delivery (e.g., APC; DRG; RVU; RBRVS)

3.   Use established guidelines to comply with reimbursement and reporting requirements

      (e.g., National Correct Coding Initiative [NCCI]; Local Medical Review Policies

      [LMRP])

Domain 3: Health Services Organization and Delivery

     Subdomain A: Healthcare Delivery Systems

2.      Apply policies and procedures to comply with the changing regulations among various payment systems for healthcare services such as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), managed care.

Domain 4: Information Technology and Systems

     Subdomain A: Information and Communication Technologies

1.      Use technology, including hardware and software, to ensure data collection, storage, analysis, retrieval and reporting of information.

Domain 5: Organizational Resources

     Subdomain B: Financial and Physical Resources

            3.  Monitor coding and revenue cycle processes.

 

COURSE OUTLINE

I.        Introduction Health Insurance Processing

a.        Health Insurance Specialist – Roles and Responsibilities

b.      Managed Health Care

c.       Life Cycle of an Insurance Claim

d.      Legal and Regulatory Considerations

II.    ICD-9-CM

III. HCPCS Coding

a.        CPT coding

b.      National Level II coding

IV. Federal Reimbursement Issues

a.       Inpatient reimbursement – DRGs

b.      Outpatient reimbursement – APGs

c.       Physician office reimbursement – RBRVS

d.      Long term care reimbursement – RUG-III

e.       Home health care reimbursement – OASIS

f.       Fraud and abuse issues

V.    Coding From Source Documents for Reimbursement Purposes

a.       Coding case studies

b.      Coding redacted patient records

VI. CMS-1500 Claims Processing

a.       Essential HCFA-1500 claim form instructions

b.      Filing commercial claims

c.       Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans

d.      Medicare

e.       Medicaid

f.       TRICARE

g.      Workers’ Compensation

VII.          UB-04 (CMS-1450) Claims Processing

a.       Inpatient basis

b.      Outpatient basis

c.       Emergency department basis

 

SCHEDULE

This class meets online for weekly learning units.  The class materials for each unit will be available for a minimum of eight days, starting ___________________ and ending _____________________.

 

Week

Topic/Exam

Readings/Activities

1

Introduction Health Insurance Processing

Assignments

2

ICD-9-CM

Assignments

3

HCPCS Coding

Assignments

4

CPT coding

Assignments

5

National Level II coding

Assignments

6

Inpatient reimbursement – DRGs

Assignments

7

Outpatient reimbursement – APGs

Assignments

8

Physician office reimbursement – RBRVS

Assignments

9

Long term care reimbursement – RUG-III

Assignments

10

Home health care reimbursement – OASIS

Assignments

11

Fraud and abuse issues

Assignments

12

Coding From Source Documents for Reimbursement Purposes

Coding case studies

Coding redacted

    patient records

13

CMS-1500 Claims Processing

Assignments

14

CMS-1500 Claims Processing

Assignments

15

UB-04 (CMS-1450) Claims Processing

 

16

Final

Final

 

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

The instructional methods used include internet lecture, CD Activities, workbook completion, group assignments, and collaborative projects. Students will be required to complete reading assignments, chapter reviews, and case studies, participate in threaded discussions with other classmates on topics determined by instructor, complete assignments and examinations of knowledge, and demonstrate skill competency using a specific internet platform. Students must participate in all activities, as well as accurately complete assignments and examinations within the internet platform in a timely manner. Therefore it is imperative that students have a reliable internet provider, computer hardware, and email address to succeed in this course.

 

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS AND METHOD OF EVALUATION

Evaluation is directly related to the performance objectives.

 

Performance is measured by examination, assignments, and/or quizzes.

 

The letter grade is based on the percentage of the total weighted points earned throughout the semester based on the following scale:

 

A = 90 to 100%

B = 80 to 89%

C = 70 to 79%

D = 60 to 69%

F = 59% and below

Seventy-five percent of the final grade is based on chapter tests that evaluate knowledge of the text information and ability to code patient services. Ten percent or five points (which is the greater) will be deducted from each examination score that is not completed by its due date. This rule reinforces the need for on-time performance. Any make-up examination must be completed within 7 days of the scheduled examination or no points will be awarded for the examination.


Twenty-five percent of the final grade is based on comprehensive final examination scheduled during the semester’s designated finals week.  Further details and information will be provided closer to time of exam.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Absences that occur due to students participating in official college activities are excused except in those cases where outside bodies, such as the State Board of Nursing, have requirements for minimum class minutes for each student. Students who are excused will be given reasonable opportunity to make up any missed work or receive substitute assignments from the instructor and should not be penalized for the absence.  Proper procedure should be followed in notifying faculty in advance of the student’s planned participation in the event.  Ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor in advance of the planned absence.

 

Unless students are participating in a school activity or are excused by the instructor, they are expected to attend class.  If a student’s absences exceed one-hundred (100) minutes per credit hour for the course or, in the case of on-line or other non-traditional courses, the student is inactive for one-eighth of the total course duration; the instructor has the right, but is not required, to withdraw a student from the course.  Once the student has been dropped for excessive absences, the registrar’s office will send a letter to the student, stating that he or she has been dropped.  A student may petition the chief academic officer for reinstatement by submitting a letter stating valid reasons for the absences within one week of the registrar’s notification.  If the student is reinstated into the class, the instructor and the registrar will be notified. 

 

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT GAIN

Student gain will be determined by student improvement in each of the areas of student competencies.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
NCCC expects every student to demonstrate ethical behavior with regard to academic pursuits.  Academic integrity in coursework is a specific requirement.  Definitions, examples, and possible consequences for violations of Academic Integrity, as well as the appeals process, can be found in the College Catalog, Student Handbook, and/or Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.

 

CELL PHONE POLICY:

Student cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class times. Faculty may approve an exception for special circumstances.

 

NOTE: If you are a student with a disability who may need accommodation(s) under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please notify the Dean of Student Development, Chanute Campus, Student Union, 620-431-2820, Ext. 213.,  or the  Dean, Ottawa Campus, 785-242-2607 ext 312, as soon as possible.  You will need to bring your documentation for review in order to determine reasonable accommodations, and then we can assist you in arranging any necessary accommodations.

 


Note:  Information and statements in this document are subject to change at the discretion of NCCC.  Changes will be published in writing and made available to students.