Syllabus - OT203

OT 203 - COMPUTERIZED MEDICAL OFFICE

SPRING 2007

INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Carolyn Harper

OFFICE: A128

PHONE: 338-6474 Ext. 1128

EMAIL: charper@pccua.edu

CREDIT: Three Semester Hours

CONTACT: Three Hours

TEXT: Computers in the Medical Office, by Susan M. Sanderson, 2005, Fifth Edition and Case Studies for the Medical Office: Capstone Billing Simulation, by Susan Sanderson, 2006, Fourth Edition.

STUDENTS FOR WHOM THIS COURSE IS INTENDED:

1. Students enrolled in the Division of Business and Information Systems as a requirement for an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Office Technology (Medical Option).

2. Students who desire to learn or increase their understanding of medical account management.

PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE:

The purpose of Computers in the Medical Office is to familiarize students with computerized account management and to help students develop the confidence and skill necessary to become successful users of Medical Account Management software.

PREREQUISITES:

OT 113, CT 114 or Departmental Approval. Spring semester course.

This course is recommended as a co-requisite for Medical Office Internship OT 1213. A prior course in computer business applications or word processing would be helpful.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

OT 203 COMPUTERIZED MEDICAL OFFICE PROCEDURES. A course designed to familiarize students with the capabilities of a medical practice management software program. Students will use a computer program to maintain patient files, store treatment information, match CRT and diagnosis codes with treatment procedure and charges, create insurance claim forms, follow the claims until they are reimbursed and perform related tasks.

PCCUA Core Competencies
The six PCCUA core competencies are incorporated within the context of the subject being taught. The competencies address skills the College has committed to developing in all students.
         1.   Critical Thinking
         2.   Communication
         3.   Social and Civic Responsibility
         4.   Cultural Awareness
         5.   Mathematical Reasoning
         6.   Technology Utilization

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

By the end of the course, the student should have a general knowledge of the general flow of information in a medical office and the role that computers play. Students will learn to complete the following practice management tasks using the MediSoft software program:

1. Start, input data, and use MediSoft to bill patients.

2. File claims.

3. Record data.

4. Print reports.

5. Schedule appointments.

By the end of the course, the student will also:
1. Develop a critical thinking approach to applying theory to application.
2. Understand the basic control of computerized medical records.

The American Association of Medical Assistants has published the areas of competence that are required for an entry-level medical assistant. These competency areas are directly related with the learning objectives of Computers in the medical Office. Each competency is correlated with the appropriate text materials in specific chapters.

Administrative Competency Areas

Perform basic medical assisting functions.                                    Ch. 1-2
Schedule, coordinate, and monitor appointments                          Ch. 8, 13
Understand and apply third-party guidelines.                                Ch. 1, 6, 7, 9
Obtain reimbursement through accurate claim submission.          Ch. 1, 2, 3-15
Monitor third-party reimbursement                                                Ch. 1, 7, 9, 10

General Competency Areas

Professionalism                                                                                Throughout
Communication Skills                                                                     Ch. 8, 10, 12-15
Legal Concepts                                                                                Ch. 1, 2
Operational Functions                                                                      All chapters

The student will also do an "Applying Your Knowledge" assignment and a "Capstone Billing Simulation" to complete their learning process and measure student competencies. Students will perform a series of tasks using MediSoft for Windows. Each task is an application of the knowledge learned in the course and of the knowledge that is required in the medical office.

After completion of this course, the student should be able to go into any medical office and perform computerized account management duties within a short period of time, even when the software is different from the version used in this course.

CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER OVERVIEW:

CHAPTER 1 THE MEDICAL OFFICE BILLING PROCESS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

	Describe the billing and reimbursement cycle in a medical office.
	Discuss the type of information collected from patients.
	Identify the major types of health plans.
	Describe the information recorded about a patient’s office visit
	Discuss the process of adjudication.
	Discuss the process required to balance a medical office’s accounts.
	Explain the importance of collections in the medical office. .

CHAPTER 2 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND HIPAA

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

· Discuss the role of information technology in medical offices.

· Describe the features of electronic medical record systems.

· Discuss the advantages of electronic prescribing.

· Explain the functions of a practice management program.

· Explain the role of a clearinghouse in processing electronic claims.

· Describe the purpose of the Health Insurance portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

· Explain how the HIPAA Electronic Transaction and Code Sets standards relate to insurance claims.

· Discuss how the HIPAA Privacy Rule protects patient health information.

· Describe the safeguards outlined in the HIPAA Security Rule.

CHAPTER 3 INTRODUCTION TO MEDISOFT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

· Start Medisoft.

· Use the Student Data Disk.

· Select options on the Medisoft menus.

· Use the Use the icons on the Medisoft toolbar.

· Enter, edit, and delete data.

· Back up and restore data.

· Use Medisoft's Help features.

· Use Medisoft’s file maintenance features.

· Exit Medisoft.

CHAPTER 4 ENTERING PATIENT INFORMATION

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

· Use the Medisoft Search feature.

· Assign a chart number for a new patient

· Enter personal and employer information for a new patient.

· Locate and change information for an established patient.

CHAPTER 5 ENTERING INSURANCE, ACCOUNT, AND CONDITION INFORMATION

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

· Determine when to create a new case.

· Set up a new case.

· Enter information on a patient’s insurance policy.

· Enter information on an accident or illness.

· Enter information on a patient’s diagnosis.

· Edit information in an existing case.

· Close a case.

· Delete a case.

CHAPTER 6 ENTERING CHARGE TRANSACTIONS AND PATIENT PAYMENTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

· Enter charges for procedures.

· Enter and delete charge transactions.

· Use MediSoft’s Search features to find specific transaction data.

· Record and apply payments received from patients.

· Print walkout receipts.

CHAPTER 7 CREATING CLAIMS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

· Create claims.

· Review claims for errors and omissions.

· Edit claims.

· Add attachments to electronic claims.

CHAPTER 8 POSTING INSURANCE PAYMENTS AND CREATING PATIENT STATEMENTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

· Record and apply payments received from insurance carriers.

· Record insurance adjustments.

· Enter capitation payments.

· Create statements.

· Edit statements.

· Print statements.

CHAPTER 9 PRINTING REPORTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

· Select the options available for different reports.

· Preview and print a variety of Medisoft reports

· Access Medisoft’s Report Designer.

CHAPTER 10 COLLECTONS IN THE MEDICAL OFFICE

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

· Explain the importance of a financial policy in a medical practice.

· Identify the laws that regulate collections from patients.

· Describe the role of a collection agency in obtaining payment on overdue accounts.

· Discuss what happens to uncollectible accounts in the medical practice.

· Use a patient aging report to identify past due patient accounts.

· Create a collections report.

· Create collections letters.

· Create a collection tracer report.

CHAPTER 11 SCHEDULING

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

· Start Office Hours

· View the appointment schedule

· Enter an appointment

· Change or delete an appointment

· Search for an appointment

· Create a recall list

· Enter a break in a provider’s schedule.

· Print appointment schedules

CHAPTER 12 HANDLING PATIENT RECORDS AND TRANSACTIONS

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

After completing this chapter, the student will need to know how to:

· Locate patient information.

· Change the MediSoft Program Date.

· Assign a new chart number and enter information on a new patient.

· Add a new case record for a patient.

· Change information on an established patient.

· Add an insurance company to the database.

· Enter procedures, charges, and diagnoses.

· Record payments from patients and insurance carriers.

· Print walkout receipts.

CHAPTER 13 SETTING UP APPOINTMENTS

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

After completing this chapter, the student will need to know how to:

· Start Office Hours.

· Move around in the schedule.

· Enter appointments.

· Change appointment information.

· Move or copy an appointment.

· Schedule a recall appointment.

· Create a new case record for a patient.

· Change a transaction record.

CHAPTER 14 PRINTING LISTS AND REPORTS

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

After completing this chapter, the student will need to know how to:

· Create a patient ledger.

· Create a day sheet report.

· Understand what aging means, in an accounting sense.

· Create a patient aging report.

· Enter transactions.

· Print an appointment list.

· Print a patient ledger report.

· Add an item to the Work List.

CHAPTER 15 PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

After completing this chapter, the student will need to know how to:

· Schedule appointments.

· Create cases.

· Enter charges for procedures.

· Enter copayments from patients.

· Create claims.

· Enter payments from insurance carriers.

· Create patient statements.

· Print reports.

· Add items to the work list.

· Create collection letters.

Campus Support Services:
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas provides student support services that assist students in achieving their educational objective. Those services include advising, financial aid, counseling and guidance, and safety and security.

ADA Policy:
Lynn Boone, the Vice Chancellor for Student Services serves as the ADA Compliance Officer. If you reside in Arkansas County you may contact Vice Chancellor Carolyn Turner (DeWitt) or Dr. Anne Gentry (Stuttgart). The process of student referral under the Americans with Disabilities Act can be found in the Student Handbook.

FERPA Policy:
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas complies with the Family Educational rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. A student has the right to inspect and review all of his/her records that meet the definition of educational records. No third party has the right to review student records.

GRADING

I. Evaluating Selected Exercises----------------20% (Daily)

Each exercise and chapter review should be turned in to the instructor for credit. Any exercise not handed in will have a grade of ZERO recorded. Points will be deducted from final grade for exercises not completed or turned in late.

II. Unit Evaluations---------------------------------30% (Tests)

III. "Applying Your Knowledge" Simulation Exercise &
Capstone Billing Simulation---------------------------------------50%

Until completed, any examination that is missed will be averaged in as a ZERO. Any examination this is missed must be made up within the next two class periods.

*This instructor has the right to make changes in the grade requirements and their weights in determining the final grade.

*Your attendance, class participation, and attitude could affect your grade in this class.

TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR

SPRING 2007

COURSE CALENDAR:
Week 1 - Jan. 10-12	Syllabus Chapter 1

Week 2 - Jan. 15-19	Martin Luther King Holiday Chapter 2
Week 3 - Jan. 22-26	Test, Part 1, Chapters 1-2 Chapters 3, 4
Week 4 - Jan. 29-Feb. 2	Chapters 5 and 6 Last day to complete application for graduation.
Week 5 - Feb. 5-9	Chapter 7 Faculty/Staff In-Service (Feb. 6)
Week 6 - Feb. 12-16	Chapters 8 and 9 Study Guide Chapters 3-11
Week 7 – Feb. 19-23	Chapter 10
Week 8 – Feb. 26 – March 2	Chapter 11 Test, Part 2, Chapters 3-11 Mid-Term
Week 9 – March 6-9	“Applying Your Knowledge”
Week 10 – March 12-16	“Applying Your Knowledge”
March 19-23	Spring Break
Week 11 – March 26-30	“Applying Your Knowledge” Begin “ Capstone Simulation” Last day to drop and receive a “W” Summer & Fall Registration begins
Week 12 – April 2-6	Capstone Simulation
Week 13 – April 9-13	Capstone Simulation
Week 14 – April 16-20	Capstone Simulation
Week 15 – April 23-27	Capstone Simulation Last day to receive an “EW”
Week 16 – April 30-May 1	Complete Capstone Simulation
May 2	Study Day
May 2, 3, 4, 7, 8	Semester Final Exams
May 11	Graduation (7:30 p.m.)

* This instructor has the right to make changes in the course schedule and learning activities as needed.

CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY OF MRS. CAROLYN HARPER


This class attendance policy is in effect for all courses taught by Carolyn Harper. Please read the following information carefully because students are expected to attend all classes regularly and promptly. It is the student’s responsibility to know and comply with the instructor’s policy and to contact the instructor to make up missed work.

*COURSES MEETING ONCE PER WEEK:

	Students are permitted two (2) absences.

*COURSES MEETING TWICE PER WEEK:

	Students are permitted four (4) absences.

*COURSES MEETING THREE TIMES PER WEEK:

	Students are permitted six (6) absences.

*SUMMER COURSES MEETING FOUR TIMES PER WEEK:

Students are permitted three (3) absences.

Regular class attendance and punctuality are expected. When you know you will miss class ahead of time, let the instructor know and make arrangements to make up any missed work. Assignments missed must be made up on your own time by the second class session. It is the student's responsibility to initiate and complete missed assignments. The instructor may warn a student in danger of becoming excessively absent by sending a warning notice to the Advisement Center so that the student can be contacted by an advisor either by phone or in writing. If the student is absent more than allowed, the instructor may: drop the student from the class roll with a grade of "EW" by notifying the Office of Admissions and Records in writing or deduct 5 points from the student's final grade for each absence over the permitted number. The final decision or exception to this policy may be made at the instructor's discretion, depending on the situation and circumstances.

If a student is unable to adhere to this attendance policy, the student should withdraw from this class and receive a W.

*THERE ARE NO EXCUSED ABSENCES. However, students who miss class while engaged in approved college activities will be excused and it is their responsibility to make up their work.

TARDINESS POLICY:

STUDENTS MUST ATTEND CLASS ON TIME. Students should be on time to class. If a student is not present when the roll is called, they will be counted as absent. Once the classroom door is closed, students are asked not to interrupt the class by entering the room. (if a side or back door is available, students may enter through this door). If a student does enter through the side or back door, they are asked to speak with the instructor after the class to discuss the reason they were late. Alterations to the roll cannot be made at later dates.

If a student is unable to attend a class regularly, regardless of the reason or circumstances, he/she should withdraw from that class BEFORE an EW is assigned.

*Exceptions to this attendance rule may be based on individual circumstances and the instructor’s assessment of the student’s ability to finish course requirements.

*The final decision concerning absences is left to the instructor’s discretion. A student’s attendance could affect their grade in this course.

Disciplinary

Refer to the Student Discipline Policy (PCCUA Administrative Procedure 405.01)

Refer to the Student Technology Acceptable Use Policy (PCCUA Administrative Procedure 231.06)

Also refer to the current College Catalog.

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:

CHEATING POLICY:

Students are expected to uphold the school's standard of conduct relating to academic honesty. Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit. The guiding principle of academic integrity shall be that a student's submitted work, examinations, reports, and projects must be that of the student's own work. Students shall be guilty of violating the honor code if they:

1. Represent the work of others as their own.

2. Use or obtain unauthorized assistance in any academic work.

3. Give unauthorized assistance to other students.

4. Modify, without instructor approval, an examination, paper, record, or report for the purpose of obtaining additional credit.

5. Misrepresent the content of submitted work.

Administrative Procedure Number: 404.05

Cheating in any form (including using unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise; plagiarism; falsification of records; unauthorized possession of examinations; any and all other actions that may improperly affect the evaluation of a student's academic performance of achievement; and assisting others in any such act) is forbidden. An instructor who has proof that a student is guilty of cheating may take appropriate action up to an including assigning the student a grade of "F" for the course and suspending the student from class. A description of the incident and the action taken will be reported through the Dean to the Vice Chancellor for Student Services and placed in the student's file in the Office of Admissions and Records. The student may appeal either the finding of cheating or the penalty, or both, as described in Administrative Procedure No. 404.06, Academic Appeal Procedure.

Cheating in this class:

Cheating will not be tolerated. If you are cheating on one occasion, you will receive an "F" for the whole project's work (not limited to that one assignment). If found cheating on a second occasion, you will be asked to drop the class. If the cheating occurs after the drop date, or if you choose not to drop, you will receive an "F" for this class. All work must be on your disk or in your notebook unless the instructor directs you to destroy them.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS:

Any assignments turned in late will be subject to a grade reduction or a grade of zero. Most assignments turned in late will receive a letter grade reduction for each day that it is late. No assignment will be graded after taking the chapter test.

INSTRUCTOR: Mrs Carolyn Harper

NAME OF COURSE:_______________________________________________________

ATTENDANCE:

I understand the grading policy and grade scale explained in the syllabus.

I understand the attendance policy as explained in the syllabus. I am aware that I am responsible for making up assignments and learning the material missed during my absences. An absence does not release me from submitting my assignments on the due date.

I understand that talking and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated by the instructor. Eating and drinking in the classroom is strictly prohibited.

I also understand that my attitude and attendance could affect my grade in this class.

I have read the syllabus.

_________________________________ ___________________________

NAME DATE

Phone: 870-338-6474, Ext. 1128	Office: A128	E-mail: charper@pccua.edu
This page was last updated: Friday, January 04, 2008 by Carolyn Harper.