Austin Community College

FY 2009 Degree Plan

The Medical Coding program balances knowledge of medical science, technical skills, and practical experience with assessment and evaluation by instructors. Medical coding specialists organize and evaluate patients' records for completeness and accuracy. They ensure that all forms are present and properly identified and signed. Sometimes, they talk to physicians or others to clarify diagnoses or get additional information. Technicians may then use a software program to assign the patient to one of several hundred "diagnosis-related groups," which determine the amount of health insurance reimbursement. Medical coding specialists work in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, health maintenance organizations, mental health care facilities, nursing homes, and insurance companies. You must satisfactorily complete prerequisite classes before enrolling in any Health Sciences program. Health Sciences program enrollment is limited, so you must apply for admission. You can learn more about Medical Coding prerequisites, admission procedures, and deadlines by registering for a program information session through the Health Sciences Information and Admissions Office, (512) 223-5700.

Students accepted into the program are required to have a physical examination, provide documentation of immunizations, varicela, hep B, and must verify tuberculosis status.

A Criminal Background Check will be required of students as mandated by law or as a condition of program approval/accreditation.

Program changes may not be reflected in the current ACC Catalog publication. Please access the most up to date information on the Program's Web Page through a link at www.austincc.edu/health or by contacting the Health Sciences Admissions Office, Eastview Campus, Room 8356.

Prerequisites

	HITT	1305		Medical Terminology I	3
	HITT	1301		Health Data Content and Structure	3
	MDCA	1409		Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants	4
					------- 10

Semester I

	HITT	1441		%% COURSE NOT FOUND	4
+	HPRS	2301		Pathophysiology	3
	HITT	1253		%% COURSE NOT FOUND	2
					------- 9

Semester II

	HITT	2435		%% COURSE NOT FOUND	4
	HITT	1213		Insurance Coding	2
	HITT	1249		%% COURSE NOT FOUND OR	2
+	HPRS	1273		Pharmacology
					------- 8

Semester III

+#	HITT	2266		Practicum (or Field Experience) - Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician	2
					------- 2
				TOTALS	------- 29