AH 138 - Medical Coding - CPT
2 Semester Hour Credits

Course Description: The course is designed to provide students with medical coding skills. The focus of the class is on CPT-4 coding.

Schedule: Fall, Spring, and Summer. This course is offered in eight-week sessions, three times during the year. Sessions start at the beginning of fall semester, at the beginning of spring semester, and at the beginning of summer term.

Delivery Method: Online. Students are not expected to come to the campus at any time.

Prerequisite Courses: AH 171and AH 134

Instructor: Michelle Gehring; email: michelle.gehring@dakotacollege.edu

Textbook: Buck, Carol J. Step-by-Step Medical Coding 2008 Edition. Elsevier, Inc. (www.elsevierhealth.com). ISBN: 978-1-4160-4567-0. And CPT 2008 Standard Edition. American Medical Association Press (www.amapress.com) ISBN: 978-1-57947-936-7.

Other Materials: None.

You can order your books through the DCB Bookstore.

Course Objectives: It is expected that students will be able to:

• Describe the use of codes, modifiers, and symbols found in the coding book.

• Understand the differences among the sections of the CPT manual as well as how the sections are related.

• Follow the guidelines found in each chapter, and apply the rules of correct coding.

• Explain how to communicate with physicians, and demonstrate what is needed to successfully code a procedure note.

Work Expectations:

• The student is expected to complete all assignments and tests in a timely manner; assignments and tests must be completed in the order that they are presented.

• The student is expected to complete all section and chapter reviews, even though these reviews will not be graded.

• The student is expected to communicate with other students and instructor via course mail or discussions when it is required.

   

Exams - Policies & Procedures:

• The student will complete each assignment before taking the designated test.

• Each test will be completed online.

• Each test has a set time limit.

• Once a test is opened, it must be completed or the grade will be forfeited. If the student opens the wrong test, the student must contact the instructor at that time. It is up to students to be sure they are ready to take a test before entering it.

• Each test will have sections that require the use of the CPT coding book. For all questions that do not need a "code," the student is not to use the CPT book.

Technology Required: Click here to view our technology required page.