Course Syllabus

 

COURSE IDENTIFICATION

Course Prefix/Number:                                   ALHT 235

Course Title:                                                    Ambulatory/Emergency Room Coding Lab                                                                                     

Division:                                                          Outreach and Workforce Development                            

Program:                                                          Health Information Technology                                 

Credit Hours:                                                  3                                                                     

Initiation/Revised Date:                                  Fall 2007

 

CLASSIFICATION OF INSTRUCTION

Vocational

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 This course provides hands on/skill application in abstracting and collecting medical information for reimbursement and registries using manual and computer methods.  This lab covers the study and practice of the principles of classification systems utilized in alternate health care facilities, pathology/laboratory settings, hospital outpatient and ED departments, physician offices, and stand-alone ambulatory care centers.  The classification systems studied include:  DSM, SNOMED, CPT, and HCPCS Level II. 

 

PREREQUISITES AND/OR COREQUISITES

BIOL 257 Human Anatomy & Physiology, BIOL 258 Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab, NURS 230 Pathophysiology, ALHE 105 Medical Terminology, ALHE 122  Introduction to Pharmacology, Introduction to Medical Coding or Instructor consent and ALHT 230 Ambulatory Emergency Room Coding.

 

TEXT/WEBSITE/RESOURCES

Johns, Merida L., PhD, RHIA, ed. Health Information Management Technology: An Applied Approach. Chicago:  American Health Information Management Association, 2007.

 

Kuehn, Lynn.  CPT/HCPCS Coding and Reimbursement for Physician Services.  Chicago: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), current edition.

 

American Medical Association (AMA), CPT (Current Procedural Terminology), current edition, Washington, DC: AMA

 

Jones, Lolita M.  Coding & Reimbursement for Hospital Outpatient Services.  Chicago: AHIMA

 

COURSE OUTCOMES/COMPETENCIES (as Required)

1. Use and maintain applications and processes to support other clinical classification

    and nomenclature systems (e.g., DSM, SNOMED, and so on).

2.  Determine discrepancies between coded data and supporting documentation during coding

     of medical records.

3.  Interpret accurate billing through coding, charge master, claims management, and bill

      reconciliation processes.

4.  Using ICD-9-CM, CPT/HCPCS and Evaluation & Management Coding:

a.       Correctly identify and apply the diagnosis codes to inpatient/outpatient records.

b.      Correctly identify and apply the procedure codes to inpatient/outpatient records.

c.       Correctly identify and apply the Evaluation & Management (E&M) codes to emergency room records.

d.      Correctly identify and apply V codes when necessary to inpatient/outpatient/emergency room records.

 

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

OPPS & Claims Processing

Jones Chapters 1 & 2

2

Review Guidelines, Sections, Notes, & Rules

Online reading assignment and cases

3

Anesthesia & Integumentary System

Jones chapter 3 & online cases

4

Musculoskeletal & Respiratory Systems

Jones Chapters 4 & 5, online cases

5

Cardiovascular & Digestive Systems

Jones Chapters 6 & 7, online cases

6

Urinary & Male Genital System

Jones Chapter 8, online cases

7

Female Genital System

Jones Chapter 9, online cases

8

Nervous System

Jones Chapter 10, online cases

9

Eye & Auditory System

Jones Chapter 11, online cases

10

Ancillary Services, Radiology, Pathology, and Laboratory

Jones Chapter 12, online

11

E/M coding, Medicine

Online Reading and case studies

12

Modifiers and coding  with incomplete data

Jones Chapter 14 and online reading assignment,  online cases

13

APC’s and Data quality

Jones Chapter 13 & 15, online assignment

14

Final Examination

 

 

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS/GRADING/STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

AND METHODS OF EVALUATION

A cumulative point system is used.  Your class assignments will include reading, review questions, written reports, case studies, Website research, projects, practice exercises, discussion questions, chapter quizzes and examinations.  The chapter examinations will be a part of each learning unit and are completed after the unit assignments, and prior to starting the next unit.  Possible points for written reports, case studies, projects, and exams will vary and tracking of your total points for each assignment or exam will be available on the course Website.  Class assignments will be evaluated for accuracy, content, form, knowledge of subject matter, application of knowledge and ability to communicate effectively.

 

Class participation is an essential element to your success in this course.  You are expected to complete practice exercises and respond to the discussion questions with at least one posting (5 points).

 

Complete assignments by the due date.  Late assignments will be docked 10% and only accepted 1 day past due date.  Make-ups for exams or assignments are only permitted under special circumstances and with prior approval by the instructor.  Borderline grades will be viewed in terms of timely completion of assignments and class participation.

 

Total points accumulated during the semester will be calculated into a percent and graded on the scale below.

 

 

Letter grades will be given using the following scale:

           

            A = 90-100%

            B = 80-89%

            C = 70-79%

            D = 60-69%

            F = 59% and below

 

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. 

 

It is the responsibility of the student to properly drop the course.  Students, who are still enrolled in this class after the final drop date, but fail to participate in class, are at risk for a failing grade.  Your grade will be based on the total points accumulated through the last date of participation.

 

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.

 

This online class allows you to work independently or with other students in the class.  For your own benefit, you need to complete all assignments on your own unless otherwise indicated.  Do not use the work of others and submit it as your own.  You may refer to the textbook and resources when taking tests online, however the tests are timed and you may lose points if you exceed the time limit.  The true test of what you learn in this class will be demonstrated when you take the AHIMA certification exam to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).  The expectation for this class is for you to be professional and ethical – do your own work.

 

CELL PHONE POLICY:

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

 

 

DISCLAIMER:

This syllabus is a broad outline of subject matter intended to be covered.  It does not mean that everything herein will be covered, nor does it limit the content of the class to the material described.  Information and statements in this document are subject to change at the discretion of NCCC.  Because Introduction to Health Information is basic to understanding many of the other courses in the Health Information Technology program, a grade of C or better is required to continue the program

 

 

 

NOTE:  If you are a student with a disability who may need accommodation(s) under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please notify the Director of Advising and Counseling, Chanute Campus, Student Union 620-431-2820 ext 280 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.