STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1. Demonstrate and understanding of all aspects of health information technology and questions from sample test banks.

 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the certification process by which a professional, non-governmental organization or association recognizes the competence of an individual who has met certain qualifications as determined by that organization or association.

 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the process to become eligible for exams that is based on the credentialing status of the educational institution as well as the completion of corresponding accredited curriculum.

 4. Demonstrate an understanding of the program curriculum required to pass the national health information technology certification exams and describe intended employment in a field of choice.

 

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I. Anatomy and Physiology – Review and complete sample exams in the study of the structure and function of the human body utilizing a system approach.  Emphasis placed on the gross and microscopic anatomy as well as the physiology of the cell, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, and digestive systems.

 

 II. Medical Terminology – Review and complete sample exams to accurately spell, pronounce and define common medical terms related to major disease processes, diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, abbreviations, drugs, and treatment modalities.

 

 III. Pathophysiology – Review and complete sample exams that emphasize the disease processes affecting the human body via an integrated approach to specific disease entities, including the study of causes, diagnosis and treatment of disease.

 

 IV. Pharmacotherapy - Review and complete sample exams that emphasize the understanding of the action of drugs, including the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs by the body.

 

 V. Computer Software Applications in Healthcare - Review and complete sample exams that emphasize commonly available software tools used in health care, including introduction to encoding tools and computer assisted coding software used in health care data processing today.  Introduction to the electronic health record process and the unique computerized systems environment found in U.S. healthcare delivery systems

 

 VI. Healthcare Data Content and Structure  -  Review and complete sample exams that emphasize the generic components of the content, use and structure of healthcare data and data sets and how these components relate to primary and secondary record systems and to introduce legal, ethical, privacy, security and confidentiality issues and practices applicable to health information.

 

 VII. Healthcare Delivery Systems -  Review and complete sample exams that emphasize the organization, financing, regulatory and delivery of different healthcare services, and the ‘continuum of care’ concept.

 

 VIII. Clinical Coding and Classification Systems -  Review and complete sample exams that emphasize an understanding of coding and classification systems in order to assign valid diagnostic and/or procedure codes.  It will include the validation of coded clinical information, and case mix/severity of illness data.

 

 IX. Intermediate Diagnosis Coding - Review and complete sample exams that emphasize case studies using more complex code assignments with ICD. Include PPS application examples for ICD coding (DRG, RUGS, HHRG, etc.) Compare and contrast ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM code assignments and conventions.  Introduction to Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) – Includes a brief overview of its role in the health care delivery system as the basis for an electronic health record  - outlining its relationship to the administrative code sets currently used for billing and statistical reporting.

 X. Include definitions for crosswalks and maps used in the clinical coding process

 

 XI. Intermediate Procedure Coding - Review and complete sample exams that emphasize RBRVS, APCs, ASC examples used including professional fee billing examples in coding (Evaluation and Management services, surgical services, etc.) Case studies and more complex code assignments using CPT and HCPCS Level II codes. Procedure coding for inpatients (ICD-9-CM Volume III or ICD-10-PCS - compare and contrast the two systems at an introductory level)

 

 XII. Reimbursement Methodologies - Review and complete sample exams that emphasize the study and uses of coded data and health information in reimbursement and payment systems appropriate to all healthcare settings and managed care.  Includes contemporary prospective payment systems and key health plans, charge master maintenance, and evaluation of fraudulent billing practices