The focus of this class is learning the coding rules for the CPT coding systems and then applying the rules to code patient services. In addition, students will become proficient in the use of the Current Procedural Terminology manual. Students will be able to assign the correct CPT code to any surgical and/or diagnostic procedure with the application of the correct CPT and/or HCPCS modifier.
HIM101, BIO103
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
Specified on the course schedule/outline
| Letter Grade | Range | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| A | 90-100 | Excellent |
| B | 80-89 | Above Average |
| C | 70-79 | Average |
| D | 60-69 | Below Average |
| F | 0-59 | Failing |
| W | — | Withdrawal during weeks 1 - 7 |
| WF | — | Withdrawal failing after week 7 |
| NF | — | Failing – Not actively engaged |
For more details about the Grading System, please see the current catalog.
Students must be actively engaged in the course. For a definition of active engagement, please see the current catalog.
Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses against the University’s academic integrity and are consequently strictly prohibited. All students must familiarize themselves with the University policy on Academic Integrity.
Penalties for cheating and plagiarism are described in the University policy on Academic Integrity in the catalog. They include failure of the assignment, failure for the course, or dismissal from the University. For the complete Cheating/Plagiarism policy, please see the current catalog.
Students who have disabilities that may impact their performance in this course should follow the process described under the heading Accommodations for the Disabled in the current catalog.
None
Course Schedule
All courses in the HIM Program have a ten-day assignment cycle. Each week’s work is made available Friday at 5 p.m. and remains available for ten days. The weekly assignments and discussions are due on the Sunday night of the week following the week they were made available, ten days later. For example, if the weekly assignments are made available at 5 p.m. on Friday, January 8, the completed assignments are due at midnight, on Sunday, January 17.
Note these two exceptions: Week 1 when the week's work is open from the first day of the quarter at 8 a.m. to Sunday at 11:55 p.m. and the last week when the final exam is available from Monday at 8 a.m. until Thursday at 11:55 p.m. All times listed are EST/EDT.
| Assignments |
Due |
| Lesson 1: Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) | |
| Read Chapter 8 of textbook |
Sunday |
| Discussion 1.1 - HCPCS Code Update | Initial post due Wednesday, response posts due Sunday |
| Drop Box 1.1 Drop Box 1.2 |
Sunday |
| Quiz 1.1 | Sunday |
| Lesson 2: Introduction to CPT Coding | |
| Read Chapter 9 - Introduction to CPT Coding, Introduction-CPT Sections, Subsections, Categories and Subcategories |
Sunday |
| Discussion 2.1 - Diagnostics and Surgical Procedures | Initial post due Wednesday, response posts due Sunday |
| Drop Box 2.1 Drop Box 2.2 |
Sunday |
| Quiz 2.1 | Sunday |
| Lesson 3: CPT Modifiers | |
Read
|
Sunday |
| Discussion 3.1 - Modifier 59 Usage | Initial post due Wednesday, response posts due Sunday |
| Drop Box 3.1 Drop Box 3.2 |
Sunday |
| Quiz 3.1 | Sunday |
| Lesson 4: Anesthesia Coding and Modifier Usage | |
| Read Chapter 11 of textbook, CPT Anesthesia CPT Code book, Anesthesia Guidelines |
Sunday |
| Discussion 4.1 - Anesthesia Coding | Initial post due Wednesday, response posts due Sunday |
| Drop Box 4.1 Drop Box 4.2 |
Sunday |
| Quiz 4.1 | Sunday |
| Lesson 5: Evaluation and Management (E/M): Outpatient, Consultation, and Emergency Room Coding | |
Read
|
Sunday |
| Discussion 5.1 - Evaluation and Management | Initial post due Wednesday, response posts due Sunday |
| Drop Box 5.1 Drop Box 5.2 |
Sunday |
| Midterm Exam | Thursday |
| Lesson 6: Surgery Coding | |
| Read Chapter 12 of textbook CPT Code book, Integumentary subsection guidelines and procedures |
Sunday |
| Discussion 6.1 - Integumentary Surgery Coding |
Initial post due Wednesday, |
| Drop Box 6.1 Drop Box 6.2 |
Sunday |
| Quiz 6.1 | Sunday |
| Lesson 7: Musculoskeletal System Coding | |
Read
|
Sunday |
| Discussion 7.1 - Treatment for Fractures | Initial post due Wednesday, response posts due Sunday |
| Drop Box 7.1 Drop Box 7.2 |
Sunday |
| Quiz 7.1 | Sunday |
| Lesson 8: Respiratory Surgery Coding | |
Read
|
Sunday |
| Discussion 8.1 - Lung Transplants | Initial post due Wednesday, response posts due Sunday |
| Drop Box 8.1 Drop Box 8.2 |
Sunday |
| Quiz 8.1 | Sunday |
| Lesson 9: Cardiovascular Surgery Coding | |
Read
|
Sunday |
| Discussion 9.1 - Women and Heart Disease | Initial post due Wednesday, response posts due Sunday |
| Drop Box 9.1 Drop Box 9.2 |
Sunday |
| Quiz 9.1 | Sunday |
| Lesson 10: Hemic and Lymphatic Systems Coding | |
Read
|
Sunday |
| Discussion 10.1 - Stem Cell Research | Initial post due Wednesday, response posts due Sunday |
| Drop Box 10.1 Drop Box 10.2 |
Sunday |
| Quiz 10.1 Practice Exam |
Sunday |
| Lesson 11: Final Exam | |
| Discussion 11.1 - Course Reflections | Thursday |
| Final Exam | Thursday |
Grading Criteria
| Assignment | Weight |
| Discussions | 10% |
| Drop Box Assignments | 40% |
| Quizzes | 10% |
| Midterm Exam | 20% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Grades within the Learning Management System (LMS) are not official until the instructor reviews and finalizes all grades at the end of the quarter. Official grades are available Monday following the last week of the quarter.
Incomplete: A grade of incomplete may be granted to students who have suffered serious personal illness or critical emergency circumstances during the academic term, resulting in failure to complete all assignments by the end of the quarter. Documentation from a physician is required and must be attached to the petition for a temporary grade of incomplete. Please see the college catalog for additional information.
Late Policy
All assignments are due Sunday each week. Each student will be allowed two late assignments. The request to submit a late assignment must be received by the instructor no later than 12:00pm, Eastern on Monday after the week closes. The late assignment(s) will be due by Thursday, 11:55pm, Eastern and five points per day will be deducted. Any subsequent late assignment (assignment three forward) will be scored as a zero if not completed by Sunday each week. This policy only applies to assignments. Quizzes, exams and discussions are not eligible for late submissions.
If you experience technical difficulties in the online LMS that may result in a late assignment, you must immediately contact the 24/7 Online Support Center (toll free) at 1-888-720-6684 and try to resolve the issue. The Online Support Center keeps track of all support calls made by students.
Discussions: Your initial post is due Wednesday and at least two responses your peers are due Sunday. This is a post first discussion. You cannot see any other students post until you have posted your initial post. A response of “I agree” or “Good post” is not acceptable. See the discussion rubric for additional discussion guidelines. The textbook is a great starting point, but is not a valid reference for this course. The codebook is a valid reference.
Grade Explanation
| A Excellent 90-100% |
Full understanding of subject matter, capacity to analyze, demonstrate critical thinking, show evidence of creative thinking, familiar with literature and previous work in area, highly developed communication and presentation skills. Work is of outstanding quality. |
| B Good 80-89% |
Good comprehension of subject matter, evidence of critical and creative thought, familiarity with literature and previous work in subject area, competence in communication and presentation skills, but none of the above to the degree found in A category. Work is of very good quality. |
| C Average 70-79% |
Some understanding of subject matter and can assimilate and communicate basic aspects of the subject matter. Work is of satisfactory or adequate quality. |
| D Below Average 60-69% |
Minimal understanding of subject matter, poorly developed communication skills, inability to apply subject matter understanding in other contexts, and little evidence of critical or creative thinking. Work is of unsatisfactory but passable quality. |
| F Failing 0-59% |
Inadequate understanding of subject matter, failed to complete course requirements, shows no demonstration of critical thought, very poor communication skills. Work is of unacceptable quality. |
Date of last review: 09/22/2021