Coding Specialist Certificate (COC)

This is an archived copy of the 2013-14 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.cincinnatistate.edu.

Coding Specialist Certificate (COC)

The Coding Specialist certificate prepares students for entry-level coding positions in outpatient clinics, physician group practices, billing companies, and insurance companies. Students learn to accurately determine code assignments using ICD-10-CM and CPT code sets. In many instances, financial reimbursement for healthcare services is tied to these numeric coding assignments.

Coding Specialist Certificate (COC)

All certificate seeking students must complete a First Year Experience (FYE) course as part of the first 12 credit hours taken at Cincinnati State.

Program Prerequisite: IM 111 Computer Applications 1.

Semester 1Credits
HIM 100Introduction to Health Information Management 4
MCH 104Accelerated Medical Terminology 4
BIO 151Anatomy and Physiology 1 4
Semester 2
HIM 115Clinical Abstracting of Health Data 2
BIO 152Anatomy and Physiology 2 4
Semester 3
HIM 125CPT Coding 3
BIO 240Pathophysiology 3
Semester 4
HIM 205International Classification of Diseases (ICD) Coding 4
HIM 210Healthcare Reimbursement Methodologies 3
Semester 5
HIM 215Advanced Medical Coding 4
Total Credits:  35

Courses

HIM 100 Introduction to Health Information Management
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on key concepts of the health information management profession and health care documentation. Topics include: function, maintenance, storage and processing of health records; and accreditation/regulatory requirements for health record documentation in acute and specialized care settings.
Prerequisites: BIO 111, CHE 100 or CHE 110, IM 111 (minimum grade C for all)

HIM 105 Legal Aspects of Health Information Management
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on the health record as a legal document. Topics include: HIPAA regulations, release of information procedures, legal requirements for health record documentation, risk management, and physician credentialing.
Prerequisites: BIO 111, CHE 100 or CHE 110, IM 111 (minimum grade C for all)

HIM 110 Health Data Analysis and Presentation
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on common health care statistical formulas. Topics include: analysis of health care data, and data presentation methods.
Prerequisites: HIM 100 (minimum grade C)

HIM 115 Clinical Abstracting of Health Data
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on abstracting supportive data used to validate diagnoses and applying procedures used to create clinical databases. Topics include: analyzing and interpreting documentation, pharmacotherapy, establishing medical necessity for common laboratory and radiology tests, and UHDDS guidelines.
Prerequisites: BIO 151, HIM 100, and MCH 101 or MCH 104 (minimum grade C for all)

HIM 120 Health Information Technology Systems
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on fundamentals of hardware and software systems commonly used in health care. Topics include: electronic health records, health information security, and data exchange standards.
Prerequisites: HIM 105 (minimum grade C)

HIM 125 CPT Coding
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on principles of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system used to identify medical services and procedures performed by physicians. Topics include: coding for surgical procedures, radiology, pathology, laboratory, evaluation and management services, and anesthesiology; and modifiers and HCPCS Level II codes.
Prerequisites: BIO 152, HIM 115 (minimum grade C for both)

HIM 191 Part-Time Cooperative Education 1: Health Information Management
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.

Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their first part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: HIM 100 (minimum grade C)

HIM 198 First Year Special Topics in Health Information Management
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on selected topics related to Health Information Management, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: None

HIM 199 First Year Independent Project in Health Information Management
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A project related to Health Information Management that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Health Information Management faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: Vary by section

HIM 200 Quality Assessment and Department Management for Health Information Management
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on fundamental principles of quality improvement and management in healthcare. Topics include: quality improvement activities and processes, managerial functions, roles of teams and committees, department budgets, and effective management skills in relation to HIM concepts.
Prerequisites: HIM 110 (minimum grade C)

HIM 205 International Classification of Diseases (ICD) Coding
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on principles of the ICD classification system for disease and procedure coding, including revision of ICD required to meet federal regulations and prepare students for entry level certification exams. Topics include: coding for diseases and procedures associated with all body systems; and coding to identify external causes of morbidity, health status factors, and contact with health services.
Prerequisites: BIO 240, HIM 115 (minimum grade C for both)

HIM 210 Healthcare Reimbursement Methodologies
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on reimbursement systems for healthcare services. Topics include: CMS 1500, UB-04, inpatient and outpatient prospective payment systems, Resource Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS), and compliance monitoring.
Prerequisites: HIM 125 (minimum grade C)

HIM 215 Advanced Medical Coding
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on advanced principles of medical coding. Topics include: medical documentation concepts, code assignment, Diagnostic Related Groups (DRGs), and Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APC).
Prerequisites: HIM 205, HIM 210 (minimum grade C for both)

HIM 220 Health Information Management Certification Exam Review
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

Students review theory and practice in health information management to prepare for national certification examinations.
Prerequisites: HIM 200, HIM 215, HIM 280 (minimum grade C for all)

HIM 280 Health Information Management Professional Practice
2 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 4 Lab Hours.

Students observe and participate in the operational functions of a community health information management department or specialized HIM work setting.
Prerequisites: HIM 120, HIM 205, HIM 210 (minimum grade C for all)

HIM 291 Full-time Cooperative Education 1: Health Information Management
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 40 Lab Hours.

Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their first full-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: HIM 100 (minimum grade C)

HIM 298 Second Year Special Topics in Health Information Management
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on selected topics related to Health Information Management, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: None

HIM 299 Second Year Independent Project in Health Information Management
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A project related to Health Information Management that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Health Information Management faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: None

Faculty

Program Chair

Cindy Kneip
RHIA