Detailed Course Description

The Andrews School Medical Coding program facilitates learning by:

- Structuring coding as the foundation and focus of each module throughout the course, from the very beginning to the end. 
- Integrating coding, medical language, and the basic sciences in carefully planned lessons so that students begin using what they are learning right away.
- Emphasizing faculty interaction and instruction to facilitate mastery of concepts and accuracy in coding.
Some of the benefits of the Andrews program include:

- Self-paced with structured assistance in developing scheduling and pacing skills for course completion and later work in a production coding environment.
- Clear, detailed lesson plan outlines allow easy planning and prevent students from becoming overwhelmed. 
- Hard-copy, industry-standard texts are provided. 
- Minimal technological requirements.  There are no online "teaching" modules.   
- Emphasis on research, reference, and self-learning skill development to enable successful work and advancement in the coding field.
- Inpatient and outpatient ICD-9 coding are taught as separate modules, enabling students to grasp the distinction between the two.

Medical Language

A comprehensive study of the structure and use of medical language, including prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and combining forms. Emphasis is on learning to accurately spell, pronounce, and define medical terms pertaining to human anatomy, major disease processes, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, laboratory tests, abbreviations, and drugs. Students will develop the ability to recognize and use medical terms, as well as the ability to use printed and online medical references such as medical dictionaries.

Pathophysiology

A study of the disease processes affecting the human body, using an integrated approach including the study of causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Emphasis is on developing a knowledge base sufficient to allow the practicing coder to meet the increased requirements of ICD-10.

Pharmacotherapy

A study of the drugs used in treatment of human disease, emphasizing mode of action, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. This unit includes laws and regulations, drug classifications, methods of administration, and dosage calculations.

Diagnosis Coding for Physician Services

An introductory study of the ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding system with a focus on physician services coding. Emphasis is on developing a thorough grounding in the content and use of Volumes 1 and 2 of the ICD-9-CM code book, including Official Coding Guidelines and Coding Conventions, as well as on study of medical conditions and their coding. Through close instructor interaction, students develop the ability to recognize when physician query is necessary and they are encouraged and guided toward achieving at least 95% accuracy in code selection. This unit also includes an introduction to professional ethics and responsibilities, the ICD-10 coding system, the DSM-IV code set, and other code sets commonly used in healthcare settings.

Diagnosis Coding for Inpatient Services

A study of the ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding system with a focus on inpatient coding rules and scenarios. Emphasis is on expanding knowledge of Vol. 1 and 2 of the ICD-9-CM code book with a study of diseases and conditions typically encountered in hospital situations, on correct sequencing, and on procedural coding using ICD-9-CM Vol. 3. The unit covers Prospective Payment Systems (DRGs, RUGs, etc.). Through close instructor interaction, students develop the ability to recognize when physician query is necessary and they are encouraged and guided toward achieving at least 95% accuracy in code selection.

Procedure Coding for Physician Services – CPT & HCPCS

A study of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT-4) and HCPCS code sets for physician services, including guidelines and rules. Students study the indications for and techniques employed in major medical and surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, and laboratory tests. This unit includes a discussion of professional ethics and responsibilities pertaining to submission of procedure codes for reimbursement. Through close instructor interaction, students develop the ability to recognize when physician query is necessary and they are encouraged and guided toward achieving at least 95% accuracy in code selection.

Intermediate Procedure & Diagnosis Coding

Case studies and more complex code assignments with ICD-9-CM, CPT, and HCPCS for both inpatient and outpatient services. Includes RBRVS, APCs, ASC, and professional fee scenarios. Focus on 95% accuracy and recognition of the need to query the physician continues.

Healthcare Delivery Systems

An introduction to the history of medicine and healthcare delivery.  Discusses the ownership and organizational structure of health care facilities, licensure, regulation, and accreditation.  Examines the organization and structure of acute care facilities, ambulatory and outpatient care settings, behavioral health, home care, hospice, and long-term care facilities.  Includes a discussion of managed care, federal, state, and local health care systems. 

Healthcare Data Content & Structure

An introduction to the purpose, structure and content of medical records used in inpatient, outpatient, and alternative care settings.  Examines medical record storage, numbering and filing systems, data collection, indexes and registers.  Provides an overview of the legal aspects of health information, including state and federal law, confidentiality of information, the HIPAA privacy and security provisions, and requirements for release of protected health information. 

Reimbursement Methodologies

A study of reimbursement and payment systems for all types of healthcare systems and managed care. Includes prospective payment systems, charge master maintenance, DRGs, APCs, ASC Groups, RBRVS, third-party payers, EOB, Quality Improvement Organizations, managed care/capitation, and compliance. 

Medical Office Procedures

An introduction to medical office reimbursement processes and procedures.  Covers billing and insurance procedures, contracts, and regulatory requirements, coding and claims processing for health plans, medical office management software, submission of paper and electronic claims, auditing and monitoring the coding process, and identification of fraudulent billing practices.

Introduction to Computers in Healthcare

An overview of computer systems, concepts, and applications such as word-processing, database, spreadsheet, email communication software.  This unit introduces the concept of the Internet as an information resource and tool for professional contact and networking. It emphasizes developing the professional communication skills necessary for successful work in an electronic environment, and the ability to research medical, coding, and reimbursement issues from government and private sources.  

Clinical Practice Simulation

This unit provides coding practice similar to what would be experienced in a variety of healthcare settings. Emphasis is on maintaining accuracy while developing speed in the coding process.