Health Information Management, AAS

Purpose

The Health Information Management (HIM) degree provides students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills required to perform a variety of specialized duties in a non-clinical healthcare setting. Graduates may seek positions as medical records technicians, coders, health information specialists, and similar designations.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

1. Apply Diagnosis and Procedure codes according to current professional classification systems guidelines.
2. Identify complete health record according to organizational policies, external regulations and professional standards.
3. Analyze and interpret data and data sources for patient care (management, billing, reports, registries and other databases)
4. Use current concepts and government regulations to assign policies for data integrity and data exchange standards.
5. Apply healthcare legal terminology to identify the use of legal document, consents for treatment, retention and release of information, privacy and patient rights.
6. Apply confidentiality, privacy and security measures and policies and procedures for internal and external of and exchange to protect electronic health information.
7. Use payment methodologies and systems such as capitation, Prospective Payment Systems, case mix and health insurance policies to evaluate the revenue cycle management process.
8. Use billing processes and procedures such as claims, electronic data exchange, advanced beneficiary notice, charge master, coding and bill reconciliation process to support the reimbursement cycle.
9. Analyze managed care and accountable care organization strategies and their impact to the delivery of care setting.
10. Obtain Certified Coding Associate (CCA) through AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association), and/or Certified Professional Coder (CPC) through AAPC (American Association of Professional Coders). .

Employment Opportunities

HIM graduates will be able to work at acute care hospitals, clinics, behavioral healthcare facilities, hospice, home care, healthcare government agencies, EHR vendors, insurance companies, and Managed Care Organizations. Opportunities for certification include Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Coding Associate (CCA).

Program Requirements

Students entering the HIM program must meet the College’s general admissions requirements, as well as program specific admission requirements which include:

• Completion of the Health Information Management Application for Admission packet, including a letter of intent and criminal background check.
• Students are required to take English and mathematics placement tests. Developmental classes in these areas may be required.
• Students may receive college credit for verified on-the-job experience.
• Courses taken out of suggested sequence must have the approval of the program director.

Clinical Affiliation Agreement for HIM Internship
The Health Information Management Program has clinical affiliation agreements with clinical agencies to ensure student safety. If students cannot comply with these contractual requirements, they will not be able to participate in clinical experiences and will be asked to withdraw from the program.

General guidelines follow:

• Clinical agencies reserve the right to dismiss a student from their agency at any time with due cause. This will be done with advance notice, except in an emergency.
• Published policies of the clinical agency must be followed. Each student must successfully complete an orientation program prior to participating in activities at any clinical facility.
• Clinical facilities require that all students have documentation of ability to perform the physical demands required in direct patient care activities.
• Immunizations must be current. A flu and CoVID vaccine may be required.
• Students release clinical agencies, its agents and employees from any liability for personal injury or death, or damage to personal property arising from the use of the clinical agency’s facilities.
• Proof of HIPAA and CPR Certification must be provided.
• Clinical facilities require a criminal background check and drug screen clearance as a condition for student placement.

For Further Information, Contact:

Nora Blankenbecler, Program Director
nblankenbecler@mecc.edu
276.523.9054

Jane Jones, Dean
jjones@mecc.edu
276.523.9057