Associate of Occupational Science in Health Information Management
What is Medical Coding?
Medical Coding is the practice of assigning codes to diagnosis and procedures which help in financial reimbursement from insurance companies, government agencies and private companies. Observations, medical interventions and treatment outcomes are assigned a code, recorded and stored, often digitally. Medical coders are tasked with interpreting and recording this data in an accurate and detailed manner, so that it may be used in filing insurance claims and medical billing. Health Information Management encompasses many technical processes and devices all geared toward digitizing medical data accurately so that it can be distributed to organizations such as insurance agencies, medical research facilities, pharmacies and other doctors.
Why pursue a career in Medical Coding?
The advancement of medical technologies has promoted the number of medical tests, treatments and procedures performed by healthcare providers. Scrutiny of these medical records by regulators, insurance companies, consumers and courts continues to increase. Trained coding specialists help patients and physicians get their claims filed though accurately by applying detailed records management skills. The Federal government has set a goal for all Americans to have electronic health records by 2013, which will create nearly 5 million new health care jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Demand for Medical Coding Specialists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for Medical Coding Specialists is expected to grow much faster than the average. Job prospects should be very good, particularly for technicians with strong computer software skills.
Overview
The Associate of Occupational Science in Health Information Management with a concentration in Medical Coding is a comprehensive, undergraduate associate degree program. It provides 60 semester credit hours of instruction, 20 of which are devoted to laboratory work. Computer based training is used each semester to enhance learning. Day and evening students receive 20 hours of instruction per week for 4 semesters (60 weeks).Degree Award
Students completing this program will earn an Associate of Occupational Science in Health Information Management with a concentration in Medical Coding.
Outline
Typical Course Outline
Associate of Occupational Science in Health Information Management: Medical Coding
| MC201 | Info & Comm Tech for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| MC202 | Professionalism in the Medical Environment | 3 |
| MC208 | Reimbursement Methodologies | 3 |
| MC209 | Health Info Systems & Data Content | 3 |
| MC210 | Medical Law, Standards & Ethics | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours 15 | ||
| MC206 | Basic ICD Coding | 3 |
| MC202 | Basic CPT & HCPCS Coding | 3 |
| MC208 | Applied Anatomy & Physiology | 3 |
| MC209 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MC210 | Introduction to Coding | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours 15 | ||
| CO301 | Diagnosis Coding | 3 |
| CO302 | Procedure Coding | 3 |
| CO303 | Reimbursement Methods & Regulatory Guidelines | 3 |
| CO304 | Healthcare Compliance, Legal & Ethical Issues | 3 |
| CO305 | Data Quality & Management | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours 15 | ||
| CO306 | Heath Information Documentation | 3 |
| CO307 | Guidelines & Reporting for Acute Care (Inpatient) | 3 |
| CO308 | Guidelines & Reporting for Outpatient Services | 3 |
| CO309 | ICD Coding for Physician Offices | 3 |
| CO310 | CPT & HCPCS Coding for Physician Offices | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours 15 | ||
Totals:
Lecture: 40 Semester Credit Hours
Lab: 20 Semester Credit Hours
Needed to Graduate: 60 Semester Credit Hours
Semesters may be offered out of the sequence shown.
Objectives
Medical Coding is the practice of assigning codes to diagnoses and procedures which help in financial reimbursement from insurance companies, government agencies and private companies. Every time a patient receives health care, the observations, medical interventions and treatment outcomes are recorded and stored, often digitally. Medical Coders are tasked with interpreting and recording data, filing insurance claims, medical billing for insurance purposes, and ensuring coding accuracy through audit.This program is designed to provide quality training in the essentials of Health Information Management with an emphasis on Medical Coding. Coursework includes Diagnosis & Procedure Coding, Reimbursement Methods and Regulatory Guidelines, Healthcare Compliance, Legal, & Ethical Issues, Data Quality & Management, Health Information Documentation, Coding (Inpatient), Coding (Outpatient), ICD Coding for Physician Offices, CPT & HCPCS Coding for Physician Offices, Data Guidelines for Reporting, and the skills needed to obtain entry-level employment and experience growth in the medical field.
Placement & Tuition
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Q. How much will this program cost me? A.
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Q. What are my financing options to pay for this program? A. In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible:
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Q. How long will it take me to complete this program? A. This program is designed to take 16 months to complete. |
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Q. What are the chances of getting a job when I graduate? A. Job placement rates for graduates of Fountainhead College's Medical Coding program for 2009-2010 have not yet been determined. Fountainhead College actively pursues 100% placement of its graduates, however, employment is not guaranteed. |
* Based on average of 4 semesters
** Estimated Supply Cost
Complete 
Cost & Expenditures Chart
- Changes to an Enrollment Agreement may require a $100 fee.
- Student receives a receipt for all funds paid to the college.
- Student receives invoices for all supply, textbook and fee charges.
- Student must purchase all required equipment and supplies from the College.
- Preexisting credit may be transferred which would change the total tuition.
- Online programs require the student to visit the campus at the end of each semester.
- Online students are not required to purchase a laptop from the College.
- Other than the laptop, online students pay the same tuition and fees as residential students.
Faculty
Get to know your Health Information Management Instructors.
Dixie Bradbury
Department Head & Instructor: Health Information Management Program
Dixie BradburyDixie Bradbury has worked in most every capacity in the medical field for over 15 years. She worked at MedAssurance as a Medical Chart Reviewer where she reviewed and maintained policies, procedures, and training materials which related to NCQA, JCAHO, URAC, and related regulatory policies. She was an adjunct instructor at Tennessee Technology Center where she taught Medical Office Information and Business Technology, Medical Billing and Coding. She has also taught at National College of Business & Technology in Nashville where she served as the Regional Director of Allied Health Programs for Tennessee and Virginia (Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician and Health Information Technology - Medical Billing and Coding). In this position she audited programs and healthcare program directors around the state.
Ms. Bradbury was the Clinical Trials Associate and Patient Recruiter at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in their Pediatric Clinical Research Office. And she served as the Clinical Research Study Coordinator at the Asthma Sinus Allergy Program. She processed patient demographic information at the Children's Hospital Pediatric Critical Care Unit as a Medical Receptionist and later worked as the Family Liaison and Medical Receptionists. She has managed multiple accounts and payrolls, processed insurance claims and conducted and managed audits. She currently serves on the Knoxville Chapter of the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) as a Member Development Officer.
Courses Taught
- HIM1 MC201: Info & Comm Tech for Healthcare Professionals
- HIM1 MC202: Professionalism in the Medical Environment
- HIM1 MC208: Reimbursement Methodologies
- HIM1 MC209: Health Info Systems & Data Content
- HIM1 MC210: Medical Law, Standards & Ethics
Education
- Master of Science: Education in Health Promotion (Curriculum and Instruction), Virginia Tech University
- Bachelor of Science: Health Education (Community and Public Health) with a minor in Physical Education, Middle Tennessee State University
- Diploma and National Certification: Medical Assistant, Iowa Western Community College
- Graduate Certification in Health Care Management, Middle Tennessee State University (forthcoming)
Educational Honors
- 2007-2008: (Nomination): National Honors Society
- 2007-2008: (Nomination): Who’s Who in American Education
- 2005: (Nomination): Who’s Who of American Women
- 2004-2001: Pinnacle National Honor Society
- 2004-2001: The National Dean’s List
- 2004-2001: Middle Tennessee State University Dean’s List
- 2004-2002: National Collegiate Scholarship Award Academic Achievement
- 2003: Nancy Hill Robertson Scholarship Award
- 2003: Jane Nickell Taylor Scholarship Award
Certifications
- CCA – Certified Coding Associate – AHIMA
- CMA – Certified Medical Assistant --AAMA
- CPR – Certified with the National Safety Council
- CPR – Certified for BLS for Healthcare Providers (American Heart Association)
Professional Associations
- AHIMA-American Health Information Management Association
- AAPC-American Professional Coders
- AAMA-American Associations of Medical Assisting
- NHA—National Healthcare Association
