BTAC 180 - Medical Coding Professional Practice Experience

Credits: 5
Provides students virtual professional practice experience with ICD-10, HCPCS and CPT clinical code assignment. Students complete in-class or online virtual based coding using authentic medical reports for a variety of patient types and encounters including healthcare facilities, physician practices, specialty clinics and other healthcare settings. Students will utilize classification systems text and online tools such as encoders and will demonstrate full understanding and compliance with official classification system guidelines.

Enrollment Requirement: BTAC 257 and BTAC 258 with grades of 2.0 or higher or concurrent enrollment; or instructor consent.

Course Fee: $50.00

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Code and audit ICD-10, CPT and HCPCS Level II authentic coding cases with a high degree of accuracy.
Utilize online encoder software to locate and validate codes, and review guidelines and edits.
Describe the role of coders in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics or other appropriate sites.
Explain the necessary qualifications to become a professional medical coder including certification and continuing education requirements.

Program Outcomes

Abstract diagnostic and procedural terminology to accurately assign ICD-10-CM, CPT-4 and HCPCS level II codes.
Utilize a computerized encoder to determine procedure values based on RBRVS (resource based relative value scale), coding guidelines based on LCD (local coverage determination), NCD (national coverage determination) and CCI (correct coding initiative) edits.
Complete all general medical practice management software tasks such as registering and scheduling patients, searching and reviewing medical records online, entering codes, payment and other electronic health record (EHR) tasks.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning - Quantitative Reasoning encompasses abilities necessary for a student to become literate in today’s technological world. Quantitative reasoning begins with basic skills and extends to problem solving.