At Akron Institute we are focused on providing our students with marketable skills that will help them attain their career objectives. Our programs are designed to ensure that the skills and knowledge we teach our students parallel those in demand in the workplace. The best way to get more information about our programs is to visit our campus to meet with one of our admissions representatives.
Program Description
The goal of the medical billing and insurance coding program is to provide the student with a thorough understanding of the content of the medical record as well as extensive training in anatomy, physiology, disease processes, and medical terminology. This program will provide the student with the knowledge and understanding to analyze medical records and assign codes to classify diagnoses and procedures while applying the principles of professional and ethical conduct. The program will prepare the student for an entry-level position as a medical coder in a hospital, clinic or other health care facility.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of their program, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate ability to use knowledge attained to create clerical documents used in medical facilities.
2. Read and understand medical documentation, identify diagnoses and procedures and insure that documentation supports the diagnosis and procedures performed.
3. Apply knowledge of medical terminology, disease process, anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology.
4. Apply knowledge of ICD and CPT format, instructional notations, conventions, in-patient and out-patient guidelines.
5. Apply knowledge of payor billing and reimbursement, the prospective payment system and fraud and abuse issues.
6. Select appropriate diagnosis and procedures.
7. Think critically both conceptually and by using mathematical analysis; write and speak effectively; use basic computer applications; and understand human behavior in the context of the greater society.
Potential Job Position Titles
Potential entry-level job position titles include: Medical Coding Specialist, Health Information Specialist, Abstractor, and Medical Clerk.
Program Length
The average length of time for a student taking a full course load is 4.5 semesters.
Program Content
A minimum of 65 semester credit hours are required for graduation.
Required Courses
All courses, 39 semester credit hours, are required.
MC 171 Basic Diagnosis Coding
Basic Diagnosis Coding is an introduction to the ICD-9-CM data set used for reporting diagnoses. This course will also include instruction on how to classify and index diagnosis in the health care setting. The various uses for diagnosis codes will be discussed, as well. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: SC 245 Anatomy and Physiology II, MS 144 Medical Terminology, and MS 146 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology.
MC 172 Basic Procedure Coding
Basic Procedure Coding helps students describe all types of health care services, treatments, and procedures provided to patients in both inpatient and outpatient facilities, as well as ancillary departments such as imaging centers and pathology/laboratories. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: SC 245 Anatomy and Physiology II, MS 144 Medical Terminology, and MS 146 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology.
MC 173 Intermediate Diagnosis Coding
Intermediate Diagnosis Coding is a continuation of Basic Diagnosis Coding with advanced instruction on ICD-9-CM chapter-specific guidelines (specialty coding). Abstracting skills will continue to be reinforced. An overview of ICD-10-CM will be included to provide an introduction to this new code set. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: MC 171 Basic Diagnosis Coding.
MC 174 Intermediate Procedure Coding
Intermediate Procedure Coding continues to teach students how to identify all types of health care services, treatments, and procedures provided to patients in both inpatient and outpatient facilities, as well as ancillary departments such as imaging centers and pathology/ laboratories. In addition, how to properly apply HCPCS level II codes, as well as ICD-9-CM volume 3 procedure codes will be covered. An introduction to ICD-10-PCS will be provided. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: MC 172 Basic Procedure Coding.
MO 110 Keyboarding
This course includes the development of keyboarding skills through touch, mastery of the keyboard, speed building, and preparation of office documents. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
MO 113 Medical Business Operations
This course introduces the student to the administrative portion of the health care environment as well as important legal and ethical guidelines. Students will become familiar with health information systems including interpersonal communication and customer service techniques, and appointment scheduling. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
MO 129 Medical Office Procedures
This course provides an overview of administrative tasks performed in a medical office. Students will learn about office financial management including accounting concepts, about the types of medical recordkeeping, accepting and entering payments, and human resource management. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
MO 144 Medical Terminology
This course introduces the foundations of the language of medicine and develops medical vocabulary through the study of the structures, functions, diagnostic procedures, pathology, and treatment procedures of the body systems. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
MO 146 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
This course provides instruction in the study of human diseases with focus on the symptoms, signs, causes, and diagnosis of disease. Additionally, students will learn about pharmacology, drug categories, and pharmacological treatment related to human diseases. 2.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
MO 161 Medical Billing and Insurance Procedures
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the basic types of medical insurance programs available in today's health care system. It also acquaints students with billing formats using the universal claim form and provides the skills necessary to master the basic aspects of medical insurance billing. Current reimbursement methodologies (i.e., RBRVS, APC's) and compliance will also be covered. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
MS 207 Program Review
The directed practice seminar is a class in which the student will participate in seminars to prepare for certification examinations. The certified coding specialist certification is a nationally recognized credential that enables employers to have confidence in a potential employee's ability. Students will also attend meetings to discuss their experience in the seminar. Students will be required to complete cover letters, resumes, and referenced lists to use in job placement. This course aids the students in combining their didactic training with the seminar experience. Prerequisites for this class include successful completion of all didactic training. 2.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: All didactic course work with a GPA of 2.0.
MC 295 Internship
During the internship phase of training, the student will experience various aspects of working in the coding field. The internship will provide the student with the opportunity to experience and participate in the duties of a medical coder in a working environment. Areas such as abstracting from medical records, CPT-4, and ICD-9-CM coding schemes will also be used. Other aspects of medical coding and billing will be experienced. Experienced coding personnel provide the instruction. 4.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: All didactic course work with a GPA of 2.0 and CPR.
Elective Courses
A minimum of three semester credit hours of open electives is required.
General Education Requirements
Students enrolled in associate degrees must complete a minimum of 21 semester credit hours in general education.
EN 104 English Composition I
This course introduces the principles and practices of developing effective communications by using reflective critical thinking in the writing and reading processes. Topics include understanding the writing process; applying essay development patterns; using research techniques; and writing essays, summaries, reports, and research papers. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
EN 106 Information Literacy
This course introduces the principles and practices of information literacy by using reflective critical thinking in the research and writing processes. Topics include understanding the research process; evaluating resources; using research techniques; outlining, providing in-text citations; understanding APA style, and using appropriate voice in writing formal research papers. 1.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
EN 116 Speech
The course is designed to provide the student the opportunity to develop speaking and presentation skills in a variety of situations. Topics include the elements and structure of speeches, researching topics and developing presentation materials, analyzing and responding to audience characteristics, learning effective speech techniques, and delivering different types of speeches. Microsoft PowerPoint is used as a presentation tool. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
IS 102 Computers and Application Software
This course provides an introduction to operating systems, browsers, and email as well as word processing, presentation, spreadsheets, and database applications. 4.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
MA 107 College Algebra
This course focuses on the concepts and applications of algebra. Topics include an arithmetic review; operations with algebraic expressions; solving linear and quadratic equations; factoring algebraic expressions; and using exponents, powers, roots, ratios, and proportions to solve problems. 4.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
PS 101 Psychology
This course introduces psychology that focuses on understanding human behavior. Topics include the scope of psychology; biological foundations and the brain; the concepts of sensation, perception, conditioning, and learning; the nature of memory; motivation and emotion; states of consciousness; personality theories; dealing with health and stress; developing coping strategies; and social psychology. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
HU 101 Critical Thinking
This course is designed to introduce the theories and application of critical analysis with emphasis on developing sequential reasoning skills. Topics include the foundations of arguments, value assumptions and ethical decision making, reality assumptions and deductive arguments, inductive arguments and generalizations, reasoning errors, the power of language, the impact of media power, and persuasive speaking. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
Personal Development Courses
A minimum of two semester credit hours is required in addition to PD 212.
PD 100 Student Success Skills
This course provides instruction in the both theory and practice of personal growth that lead to successful life experience. Topics include research in critical self-analysis of student habits and attitudes; and psychological impediments to successfully setting and achieving personal goals. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 120 Personal Financial Management
This course deals with the concepts of personal financial planning and financial control. Topics center on critical self examination of student planning techniques through analysis and research of personal financial legal documents, checking accounts and banking services; income tax procedures; savings methods; investment planning; risk management and insurance; and credit records, credit law, and the cost of credit. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 150 Client Services
This course provides a critical examination of issues embedded in the practice of providing client service. Topics include research about best practice in customer service and communication techniques; psychologically based methods for dealing with the management of customer complaints; and the roles of a customer service employee and supervisor within ethical boundaries and common business practice. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 200 Career Development Seminar
This seminar provides an opportunity for the student to apply critical self-examination techniques and processes for developing a career path and an awareness of the need to embed life-long learning into career management. Topics include career planning research, job searching, developing career search documents, and refining interview and communication skills within an awareness of psychological boundaries implicit in this process. Successful completion of this course requires the creation of a professional resume suitable for e-mail. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 212 Medical Billing and Insurance Coding Internship Preparation
This course will assist students in finding and securing the required internship experience for credit. Students must pass this course in order to be cleared to start working at their internship site. Students will discover ways to approach a facility about an internship, assess the tools the will need to successfully get your internship approved and successfully and an internship in the medical field.