Health Information Management Technology Associate Degree
Medical Coding Certificate
 

*Please note: The Medical Transcription Certificate program has been phased out and is no longer offered. No new students will be accepted into the Medical Transcription Certificate program. Current Medical Transcription students must complete all coursework for the Medical Transcription Certificate program by the end of Autumn Quarter 2008.

The Health Information Management Technology program prepares the student to become a professional responsible for maintaining components of health information systems consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation, and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system. In all types of health care facilities, the health information management technician possesses the technical knowledge and skills necessary to process, maintain, compile, and report health information data for reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, utilization management, quality assessment and research; abstract and code clinical data using appropriate classification systems; and analyze health records according to standards. The health information management technician may also be responsible for functional supervision of the various components of the health information system.

The Medical Coding Certificate program prepares students with entry-level skills needed to code, classify, and index diagnoses and procedures for the purpose of reimbursement, standardization, retrieval and statistical analysis. Principles in ICD-9-CM coding, CPT coding, and third-party reimbursement will be emphasized.

The Health Information Management Technology degree program and the Medical Coding Certificate program are Web-based programs. All technical coursework is offered online except for HIMT 276, HIMT 292, HIMT 294, and HIMT 296.

Proctored testing is required for most HIMT courses.

Health Information Management Technology

Upon completion of the associate degree in the Health Information Management Technology, the graduate will be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of human pathophysiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, and clinical data as it relates to the collection and use of health information.
• Review health records for completeness and accuracy.
• Verify components necessary to ensure appropriateness and adequacy of health care documentation.
• Maintain and compile health information using electronic applications and work processes.
• Apply legal principles, policies, regulations, and standards for the control, use, and dissemination of health information.
• Collect, compute, analyze, interpret, and present statistical data related to health care services.
• Code, classify, and index diagnoses and procedures for the purpose of reimbursement, standardization, retrieval and statistical analysis.
• Review, abstract, retrieve, and compile health data for reimbursement, quality assessment, patient care research, clinical registries, and other informational needs.
• Apply principles of supervision and leadership and the tools used to effectively manage human resources.
• Demonstrate ethical practices as outlined in the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics.

The HIMT program at Columbus State is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Completion of the associate degree in Health Information Management Technology will permit graduates to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification examination and the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) examination. Graduates of the HIMT degree program may transfer to The Ohio State University, the University of Cincinnati, or the University of Toledo for a bachelor of science degree majoring in Health Information Management and Systems.

Medical Coding Certificate

Upon completion of the Medical Coding Certificate, the student will be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of human pathophysiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, and clinical data as it relates to the collection and use of health information.
• Review health records for completeness and accuracy.
• Identify components of appropriate and adequate documentation of health care.
• Code, classify, and index diagnoses and procedures for the purpose of reimbursement, standardization, retrieval, and statistical analysis.
• Abstract data from patient records for reimbursement, quality assessment, patient care research, clinical registries, and other identified informational needs.
• Demonstrate ethical practices as outlined in the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics.
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Specific Program Admissions Information
Students wishing to complete the HIMT degree or the Medical Coding Certificate must apply online as soon as possible at the following link: http://www.cscc.edu/DOCS/HIMT/index.htm.

Students are accepted into the HIMT degree program and the Medical Coding Certificate program off the wait list each Spring Quarter in the order in which the applications were received.  Applications are reviewed and accepted each spring. Students accepted in the spring start in the Autumn Quarter of the same year.  All program admission requirements (except HIMT 111) must be met in order for a student to be accepted into the program.  HIMT 111 is completed by the student the Summer Quarter of the year in which they are accepted.  Only students accepted into the HIMT degree program or the Medical Coding Certificate will be registered for HIMT 111.

Go to http://cscc.edu/DOCS/HIMT/forms.asp to be added to the wait list for either the HIMT degree program or the Medical Coding Certificate program.

Listed below are requirements for admission to the Health Information Management Technology and the Medical Coding Certificate program. These requirements must be completed prior to acceptance into the HIMT degree program or the Medical Coding Certificate program.

• High school graduate or GED equivalency
• High School (or equivalent) Biology, with a grade of "C" or higher (must have been completed within the past 5 years) OR equivalent college credit for BIO 100 (completed within the past 5 years)
• High School Chemistry, with a grade of "C" or higher (must have been completed within the past 3 years) OR equivalent college credit for CHEM 100 (completed within the past 3 years)
• Placement into ENGL 101 – Beginning Composition
• Placement into No Reading Required
• Placement into MATH 102 – Beginning Algebra I
• Completion of CIT 095 – Computer File Management with a grade of "C" or higher.
• Completion of CIT 101 PC Applications I with a grade of "C" or higher.
• Completion of HIMT 111 – Introduction to HIMT with a grade of “C” or higher. To enroll in this course, you must be accepted into either the HIMT degree program or the Medical Coding Certifcate program.
• Students must pass a drug screen and background check before they can be accepted into either the HIMT degree program or the Medical Coding Certificate program.

Students must earn a “C” or higher in all HIMT, basic related, and general education courses to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in HIMT or to complete the Medical Coding Certificate program.

Students are expected to follow the established plans of study. If a student deviates from the established plan of study, it may take longer to complete a certificate and/or two-year degree.

Both the HIMT degree program and the Medical Coding Certificate program plans of study begin with Autumn Quarter.