Program Outline
Here's how it works: Your program consists of courses designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll employ in your new career in Medical Coding and Billing. Your first course will be sent to you as soon as your enrollment has been accepted. Other courses will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer to complete this program. Penn Foster recommends the following as minimum specifications: Pentium® II or better processor, using Microsoft® Windows® XP or later. You will also need to have access to the Internet, an email account, and Microsoft® Office 2007 to complete portions of this program.
Note: Graduates of this program also earn 17 college credits toward an A.S. degree in Health Information Technology and 18 college credits toward an A.S. degree in Medical Assisting at Penn Foster College.
HIT100: Introduction to Allied Health
This course is designed to provide
a discussion of strategies for
completing the allied health programs
as an independent learner. In addition,
it gives an introduction to health
care and the role that medical
office assistants, medical coders,
and medical transcriptionists play
in that industry.
BUS090: Office Procedures
This course covers the typical duties
of the administrative assistant
in any business office: task management,
general business machines, telephone
call management, business letter
writing, electronic and print mail
processing, travel and meeting
planning, policy and procedures
manuals, facility care and maintenance.
HUM106: Interpersonal Communication
Developing more effective personal
communication skills to increase
chances for professional success;
increasing skill levels involving
the use and selection of words,
gestures, tone of voice, facial
expressions, listening skills,
as well as overall physical appearance.
ALH018: Law and Ethics in Allied Health
Legal and ethical issues in the delivery of health care are presented. A grounding in the parts of tort and contract law that affect health-care delivery is set forth along with broad ideas concerning the functioning of the legal system. Special attention is given to confidentiality, privileged communications, informed consent, the elements of and defenses against malpractice, legal and practical issues commonly encountered by medical office professionals, end-of-life and beginning-of-life legal and ethical issues, and the effect of managed care on ethical issues faced by health-care practitioners.
CSC102: Word and Excel
Computer and Internet basics; computer
hardware and software; digital
electronics and file management;
introduction to Windows®; PC
applications in word processing,
spreadsheets.
ENG010: Business English
Business letters, forms, client records,
and memos; organization, grammar,
punctuation, and sentence
and paragraph construction; coherent
paragraphs, well-organized documents,
and purpose-focused materials; accurate,
attractive, and effective final copies.
ALH016: Body Systems/Terminology 1
Introduction to medical terminology; chemistry/ laboratory; pharmacology; cells, tissues, and membranes; integumentary system; musculoskeletal system; blood and cardiovascular system; respiratory system; digestive system.
ALH017: Body Systems/Terminology 2
Sense organs; nervous system; endocrine system; urinary/excretory system; male and female reproductive systems; lymphatic system; oncology and radiation; surgery and pathology; genetics.
ALH019: Confidentiality in Allied Health
Ethical and legal rules concerning the confidentiality of health information is presented with particular emphasis on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Background material will include operation of the legal system and principles of legal liability.
MAT102: Mathematical Applications
Percentages; discounts; interest;
pricing; depreciation; insurance;
use of symbols and their applications;
equations and formulas; importance
of statistics.
HIT115: Reimbursement Methodologies
This course is designed to introduce
the allied health professional
to major reimbursement systems
in the United States. Focus is
on prospective payment system,
third party payers, and billing
and insurance procedures. This
course also covers additional information
including prepaid health plans,
fee-for-service methodologies,
chargemasters, fee schedules, and
managed care.
ALH021: Basic Pharmacology
An introduction to basic pharmacology, as well as the type of drugs by body systems. Includes the drug's generic and trade names, use, side effects and drug interactions.
HIT203: Medical Coding 1
The basics of coding, exploration
of the ICD-9-CM and CPT manuals,
examination of specialty areas
such as cardiology and obstetrics/gynecology,
radiology, pathology, and laboratory
work.
ALH015: Insurance Form Preparation
This course is an introduction to
the process of filing clean claims
using payer-specific rules, and
the importance of information collection
in the claim filing process.
HIT113: Medical Information Management
and Office Practice
The development of organization,
record storage, information management,
and office administration skills.
Online Library and Librarian
Students in Penn Foster Career School have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and assist students in research activities during their studies with Penn Foster Career School.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
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