Associate of Science/Associate of Applied Science in Medical Coding

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Program Description

The goal of this associate’s program in medical coding is to provide the student with a thorough understanding of the content of 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. Basic and advanced coding methods will be employed. Student will gain an understanding of the importance of patient privacy 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, physician’s office, or other healthcare facility.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student should be able to:

Build a fundamental understanding of medical terminology, disease process, anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology related to medical coding.
Examine medical documentation to assign appropriate basic and advanced coding using the appropriate coding system (CPT, ICD-10 CM/PCS, HCPCS), conventions, guidelines, and instructional notes as used in various settings.
Understand necessary medical billing and reimbursement methodologies pertaining to insurance and billing guidelines
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of patient privacy, healthcare laws and regulations, and the importance of professionalism and ethical conduct in the healthcare industry.

Program Content

A minimum of 60.00 semester credit hours is required for graduation.

Required Courses

All courses, 34.00 semester credit hours, are required.

HC 101 - Medical Terminology Semester Credit Hours: 1.00
MC 120 - Patient Privacy Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
MC 165 - Current Procedural Terminology Coding I Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
MC 175 - International Classification of Diseases 10 CM Coding I Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
MC 210 - Certification Review Semester Credit Hours: 1.00
MC 265 - Current Procedural Terminology Coding II Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
MC 275 - International Classification of Diseases 10 CM Coding II Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
MC 280 - International Classification of Diseases 10 PCS Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
MC 285 - Advanced Coding Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
MO 160 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
MO 185 - Ethics and Professionalism Semester Credit Hours: 1.00
MO 205 - Insurance Claims, Processing and Adjudication Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
SC 144 - Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Semester Credit Hours: 4.00

Required Capstone or Internship

4.00 semester credit hours are required.

MC 291 - Insurance Billing and Coding Capstone Semester Credit Hours: 4.00
** MC 294 - Insurance Billing and Coding Internship Semester Credit Hours: 4.00
** Enrollment in a student readiness training is required two terms prior to internship course. Successful completion of training is required prior to internship course enrollment.

Personal and Professional Development Courses

1.00 semester credit hours are required.

PD 202 - Professional Development II Semester Credit Hours: 1.00

General Education Requirements - Associate

Students enrolled in this program must complete a minimum of 24.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines.

9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications

EN 104 – English Composition I
EN 111- Information Literacy
EN 116 – Speech

6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities

HU 140 – Cultural Diversity
HU 240 – Introduction to Humanities

3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics

MA 109 – College Algebra

3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science

SC 144 – Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology*

3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences

PS 101 – Psychology

*This requirement is being met by the programmatic science course requirement, SC 144, above.