HIMT 2303 - Advanced Coding

Credit hours: 3

Prerequisites: Pre- and corequisites should be defined by individual institutions and must be courses from General Education Requirements - Core and Major Field Core Courses. *Certificate programs may have alternative requirements.

Course Description:
This course focuses on advanced topics in diagnosis and procedural coding including the current ICD Coding system and CPT/HCPCS. The course will concentrate on application of Official Coding Guidelines, development of diagnosis sequencing skills, and understanding of advanced coding principles including the clinical documentation improvement function. Determination of APCs and MS-DRGs will also be practiced using the computerized coding and grouping software.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:

Accurately assign applicable diagnosis and procedure codes for assigned case studies and actual health records using code books and/or coding software following Official Coding Guidelines and coding references such as Coding Clinic and CPT Assistant.
Review health record for documentation including clinical indicators that substantiate the principal and secondary diagnoses as well as complications and/or comorbidities on inpatient records and first-listed diagnosis and procedure codes for outpatient records.
Determine and validate diagnosis and procedure codes and groupings in accordance with Official Coding Guidelines.
Develop appropriate physician queries to resolve coding and data discrepancies.
Evaluate compliance with regulatory requirements and reimbursement methodologies.