Health Information Technology (HIT)

HIT 101. Medical Terminology and Language. 4 Credit Hours.

Medical Terminology and Language provides a broad survey of the language of medicine and health technologies. Students learn to accurately spell and define common medical terms related to major disease processes, diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, abbreviations, drugs, and treatment modalities. Emphasis is placed on formation, definition, and pronunciation. (Credit is only allowed for either HIM 101 or HIT 101).
Prerequisites: Reading Proficiency

HIT 102. Health Information Management Technology. 4 Credit Hours.

This course introduces healthcare data content and structure including its collection, arrangement, presentation, and verification. Healthcare data sets, primary and secondary record systems, and data quality and integrity are introduced. Students learn how Information Technology (IT) supports healthcare delivery and are introduced to health information systems concepts and applications. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. (Credit is only allowed for either HIT 102 or HIM 104).
Prerequisites: HIT 101 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency

HIT 103. Healthcare Delivery Systems. 2 Credit Hours.

This course describes the organization of healthcare delivery in the United States. Students are introduced to healthcare organizations, their structure and operations, external standards, regulations and initiatives including licensure, certification, accreditation, and Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Payment and reimbursement methodologies are discussed for each type of healthcare provider and setting. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course.
Prerequisites: HIT 101 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency

HIT 104. Basic Principles of Disease. 2 Credit Hours.

This course is an in-depth study of common pathological conditions of the human body. Course focus is on description of conditions and diseases of the organ systems including etiology, signs and symptoms, methods of diagnosis, and treatment. Expected student outcomes include ability to pronounce disease terminology, to analyze signs and symptoms in identifying disease entities and ability to describe appropriate diagnostic and treatment modalities. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. Students should enroll in HIT 105 in the same semester.
Prerequisites: BIO 207, BIO 208, and HIT 101 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency
Corequisites: HIT 105

HIT 105. Pharmacology for Health Information Technology Professionals. 1 Credit Hour.

This course is a study of drug classifications, drug dosage and administration, and diagnostic procedures. Instruction includes pronunciation of medications, along with information on recognizing common laboratory findings and knowing the significance of abnormal findings in disease processes. At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able to apply knowledge regarding medications and tests used in treatment and diagnosis of abnormal human conditions, and recognize and apply J codes from Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) to medications. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. Students should enroll in HIT 104 in the same semester. (Credit is only allowed for either HIT 105 or HIM 103.)
Prerequisites: BIO 207, BIO 208, and HIT 101 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Corequisites: HIT 104

HIT 106. Diagnosis Coding Systems I. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces current clinical coding, classifications, taxonomies, nomenclatures, terminologies, clinical vocabularies and auditing. Principles and applications of current industry standards for International Classifications of Diseases (ICD) and the relationship of Diagnosis-Related Groupings (DRGs) to coding will be covered. Use of computerized encoding and application software and work processes to support clinical classification and coding is required. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. Students should enroll in HIT 107 in the same semester. (Credit is only allowed for either HIT 106 or HIM 106.)
Prerequisites: BIO 207, BIO 208, HIT 101, HIT 104, and HIT 105 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Corequisites: HIT 107

HIT 107. Procedure Coding Systems I. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to the current industry standards for procedural coding in various healthcare settings. Reading and interpreting healthcare documentation to classify services and procedures will be covered. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. Students should enroll in HIT 106 in the same semester. (Credit is not allowed for both HIT 107 and HIM 107).
Prerequisites: BIO 207, BIO 208, HIT 101, HIT 104, HIT 105 with minimum grades of "C" or higher and Reading Proficiency
Corequisites: HIT 106

HIT 110. Healthcare Legal and Ethical Issues. 3 Credit Hours.

This course investigates ethical issues in healthcare while examining the procedures and laws that regulate the content, confidentiality, disclosure, use, and retention of health information. Patient rights/advocacy, advanced directives, privacy, release of information, and security policies and procedures of healthcare organizations will be emphasized. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course.
Prerequisites: HIT 102, HIT 103, HIT 106, and HIT 107 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency

HIT 201. Healthcare Reimbursement. 3 Credit Hours.

This course compares and contrasts healthcare payers, illustrates the reimbursement cycle, and compliance with regulatory guidelines. Payment methodologies and systems are compared using computerized encoding and grouping software, Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs), Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs), and Resource Utilization Groups (RUGs) as assigned. Chargemaster maintenance and reimbursement monitoring and reporting are emphasized. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. (Credit is only allowed for either HIT 201 or HIM 201 and 203).
Prerequisites: HIT 102, HIT 103, HIT 106, HIT 107 and Reading Proficiency

HIT 206. Diagnosis Coding Systems II. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is a continuation of Diagnosis Coding Systems I. Students are introduced to intermediate coding cases and scenarios along with Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) and their relationship to clinical coding. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. Students should enroll in HIT 207 in the same semester.
Prerequisites: HIT 102, HIT 103, HIT 106, HIT 107 and Reading Proficiency
Corequisites: HIT 207

HIT 207. Procedure Coding Systems II. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is a continuation of Procedure Coding Systems I. Students use computerized encoding systems and healthcare data/content to assign appropriate current standard Procedure codes. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. Students should enroll in HIT 206 in the same semester.
Prerequisites: HIT 102, HIT 103, HIT 106, HIT 107 and Reading Proficiency
Corequisites: HIT 206

HIT 208. Advanced Coding Applications. 2 Credit Hours.

This course is the capstone course for the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate of Proficiency Program. This course provides students with extensive practice to apply their knowledge of anatomy, the clinical disease process, diagnosis and procedural terminology and pharmacology for correct code assignment and sequencing using various clinical classification systems. This course is a culmination of Prerequisite knowledge and skills to prepare for the national coding certification exam. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. Students should enroll in HIT 210 in the same semester. All other courses in the Medical Billing and Coding Program must be completed prior to enrollment in this course. (Credit is only allowed for either HIM 208 or HIT 208.)
Prerequisites: Permission from department chair or program coordinator, HIT 206 and HIT 207 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency
Corequisites: HIT 210

HIT 210. Professional Practice Experience. 2 Credit Hours.

This course allows students to experience the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) electronic-Health Information Management (e-HIM) Virtual Lab in an environment that closely simulates real-world application of various technologies. Students apply problem-solving and analysis skills, and gain experience and familiarity with a range of healthcare applications including patient identification, administrative and reimbursement coding, data capture, and abstracting. Students create professional portfolios and engage in professional leadership activities and discussions. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. Medical Billing and Coding majors should enroll in HIT 208 in the same semester. Health Information Technology majors should enroll in HIT 291 in the same semester. (Credit is only allowed for either HIT 210 or HIM 210.)
Prerequisites: Concurrent or prior enrollment in HIT 208 or HIT 291 with a minimum grade of "C", permission of department chairperson or program coordinator and Reading Proficiency

HIT 211. Electronic Health Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

This course emphasizes the role of Information Technology in healthcare, describes key elements of health information systems, defines the electronic health record (EHR), and establishes the context of the EHR within the scope of health information technology (HIT). Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. (Credit is only allowed for either HIM 102 or HIT 211.)
Prerequisites: IS 103 or IS 116, IS 136, IS 151, HIT 102, HIT 103, HIT 106, HIT 107, HIT 110, HIT 201 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency

HIT 213. Quality and Performance Improvement in Healthcare. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the theory, practice and management of quality performance and improvement through examination of peer review processes, collection tools, data analysis and reporting techniques. Utilization, risk, and case management are blended concepts used throughout this course. Regulatory quality monitoring requirements and outcome measures monitoring are addressed. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. (Credit is only allowed for either HIT 213 or HIM 204.)
Prerequisites: IS 103 or IS 116, IS 136, IS 151, HIT 102, HIT 103, HIT 106, HIT 107 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency

HIT 214. Calculating and Reporting Healthcare Statistics. 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on the management of medical data for statistical purposes to include descriptive statistics such as means, frequencies, ranges, percentiles and standard deviations. Knowledge-based research techniques are explored. Vital statistics, registries and national guidelines regarding human subject research are examined along with Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. (Credit is only allowed for either HIT 214 or HIM 205.)
Prerequisites: HIT 102, HIT 103, HIT 106, HIT 107, MTH 140 (or MTH 140S) with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency

HIT 291. Workplace Learning: Health Information Technology. 2 Credit Hours.

This course provides the student the opportunity to apply theory and skills learned in the classroom, learn new skills, and explore career possibilities while supervised by a professional in the field and a faculty member. Students will observe and participate in the functions of health information technology to enhance their preparation for entering the field. A minimum 100 hours in the workplace throughout the term will be completed. Communication skills and techniques for the workplace are emphasized throughout the course. Students should enroll in HIT 210 in the same semester. All other courses in this program must be completed prior to enrollment in this course.
Prerequisites: Permission of department chairperson or program coordinator and Reading Proficiency
Corequisites: HIT 210