Associates Degree in Medical Assisting

MA 196 – MEDICAL OFFICE  PROCEDURES Concepts

Syllabus

COURSE OVERVIEW: The course introduces you to the study of Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System which is essential to healthcare reimbursement. The course is designed to provide you with the basic medical coding skills. The focus of the class is on CPT/HCPCS coding.

TIME FRAME: This is a five-semester hour course. This course is allotted ten weeks of time. You must complete all of the requirements for the course successfully by the end of the ten-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day which you notify me that your textbook has arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded five-semester hours of credit.

TEXTBOOKS: The following books are required for this course.

Book 1: Administrative Medical Assisting, Fordney and Follis, 5th Edition, Delmar Publishers, 1998. ISBN: 0-7668-6250-X

Book 2: Workbook to accompany Administrative Medical Assisting, Fordney and Follis 5th Edition Delmar Publishing. ISBN: 0-7668-6251-8

Book 3: Supplemental material: None

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EXAMS: You will complete each workbook exercise and view lecture notes before taking the designated Midterm or Final Examination.

Midterm Exam will be completed online.

Final Examination will be completed online.

• Each test has a set time 48-hour time before it is due.
• 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.
• Both tests will have sections that require the use of the CPT or HCPCS coding book. For all questions that do not need a "code," the student is not to use the CPT or HCPCS book.

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
Below 70% = Fail

Points:

(Web-Board) Participation - 10 pts

Weekly Assignments - 0 pts (optional)

Journaling Project - 10 pts

Exam (2) - 80 pts (40 pts each)

TOTAL 100 pts

COURSE CONTENT:

• Name some of the pioneers of medicine and their contributions.

• Describe the variety of career possibilities and areas of specialization open to those trained as administrative assistants

• List personal qualifications of an administrative medical assistant.

• State the educational requirements for a job as a medical assistant.

• Choose appropriate office attire.

• Explain how medical knowledge can be kept current.

• Discuss the past, present, and future of medical care in the United States.

• Understand how managed care functions and name and describe various types of managed care organizations.

• Analyze health care settings and compare their similarities and differences.

• Discuss employment opportunities in a variety of health care settings.

• Define different types of medical specialties.

• Compare the administrative medical assistant's job responsibilities among medical specialties.

• Learn the abbreviations for various professionals in the medical field.

• Define the legal terminology used in the chapter.

• State the difference between medical ethics and medical etiquette.

• State the purpose for obtaining a signed consent form.

• Explain the contents of an authorization to release a medical information form.

• Describe the components of an informed consent for a procedure/service.

• State the licensing requirements for a physician.

• Name two types of medical professional liability insurance.

• List four types of litigation.

• List prevention measures for medical malpractice claims.

• Define various types of contracts.

• State the instances when a minor is emancipated.

• Determine records that should be retained indefinitely.

• Explain the statutes governing subpoena of records.

• Describe the provisions of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.

• Welcome patients to the office in a cordial manner.

• Respond appropriately to patients who experience a delay in their appointment.

• Give special consideration to patients with special needs.

• Inspect and maintain orderliness in the reception room.

• Take steps to avoid the conditions of stress and burnout.

• Identify verbal and nonverbal communication.

• Communicate effectively over the telephone.

• Operate a 12-button touch-tone telephone.

• Coordinate answering-service activities.

• Respond appropriately to callers who have specific questions.

• Place long-distance and conference calls.

• State how a cellular telephone is useful in keeping the office in contact with the physician.

• Describe different types of telephone systems that can be used in a medical office.

• Select an appropriate appointment book according to the type of practice and number of physicians.

• Describe how appointments are made via computer.

• Explain various methods of scheduling appointments to enhance patient flow.

• Choose an appointment card appropriate for the type of practice and number of physicians.

• Identify the requirements for setting up preoperative tests and postoperative appointments.

• Determine procedures for handling convalescent home and house call appointments.

• State methods of handling problem appointments diplomatically and emergency situations expediently.

• Coordinate referral appointments.

• List reasons for maintaining medical records.

• Explain the difference between a medical record and a medical report.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Name three basic types of medical record systems.

• State the functions of a flowchart.

• Describe the operations of an electronic medical record system.

• Name various titles the physician may have in the treatment of patients.

• List contents of a patient's medical record file.

• State the differences between a manual, an electronic, and a digital signature.

• Describe two types of documentation formats.

• Distinguish subjective from objective information.

• Define terms and common abbreviations in medical reports and chart notes.

• Name basic elements of a patient encounter included in the medical record.

• Understand the contents of a history and physical examination report.

• Define the five schedules of controlled substances.

• Understand when and how to renew a physician's narcotic license.

• Explain the three types of drug names.

• Determine classifications of drugs based on their function.

• Define terms and abbreviations pertaining to drugs.

• Document telephone calls from pharmacies and patients regarding medications and prescriptions.

• State the prevention measures used to track prescription refills and avoid prescription errors.

• Describe the methods used to store, control, and disposal of drugs.

• State the differences between alphabetic, subjective, indirect, phonetic, electronic, and tickler filing systems.

• Assemble equipment and supplies to set up a filing system.

• Manage a charge-out system and conduct a search for a lost record.

• Prepare and sort documents for filing.

• Determine the retention period for temporary and permanent records.

• Understand various reprographic methods used in record storage.

• Supervise the transfer and disposal of records including confidential materials.

• Name office equipment used in written communications.

• State various functions word processing software can perform.
• Identify ergonomic factors that affect the medical assistant's work environment.

• Describe different letter formats and punctuation styles.

• List the parts of a letter.

• Assemble reference materials that aid in writing effective letters.

• Use proper editing and proofreading techniques.

• Identify types of memos and describe proper format.

• Operate a photocopy machine and state solutions to common copier problems.

• Select appropriate mail equipment and stationery supplies.

• Describe various options for purchasing postage.

• State the characteristics of suspicious mail.

• Explain how incoming mail is handled and sorted.

• Define methods for annotating incoming mail.

• Determine the most economical classification for mailing various
communications.

• Prepare a package for mailing and select the most efficient service for distribution.

• Choose the safest service for mailing valuable items and important papers.

• Coordinate distribution of mail when the physician is on vacation.

• Explain electronic mail etiquette and format.

• Determine the advantages of an electronic communication system for a medical practice.

• Cite etiquette, guidelines, and operating procedures for fax transmission.

• State the envelope address format following preferred United States Postal Service regulations.

• Conduct a job search for a position as an administrative medical assistant.

• Analyze your educational and vocational background, work experience, and skills, and prepare a resumé.

• Prepare appropriate responses to interview questions.

• Identify interview questions that are illegal.

• Communicate effectively at an interview.

• Take follow-up steps after an interview.

• Assess responsibilities assigned to an administrative medical assistant employed by a specialist.

• Contact computerized job search databases.

• Assemble items for a portfolio.

• List advantages of seeking a temporary job.

• Identify areas considered when an employee's performance is evaluated.

• Spell and define the key terms

• List two major forms of communication

• Explain how various components of communication can affect the meaning of verbal messages

• Define active listening

• List and describe the six interviewing techniques

• Give an example of how cultural differences may affect communication

• Discuss how to handle communication problems caused by language barriers

• List two methods that you can use to promote communication among hearing, sight-, speech impaired patients

• List five actions that you can take to improve communication with a child

• Discuss how to handle an angry or distressed patient

• Discuss your role in communicating with a grieving patient or family member

• Discuss the key elements of interdisciplinary communication

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

• Provide an overall, but general description of the medical office procedure office as it exists today.

• Understand medical office theory and methodology, focusing specific attention to systems theory, information theory, management concepts, and systems development methodologies.

• Have a good working knowledge of how RMA/ CMA are different and how they relate.

QUESTIONS: If you have any questions about the course please feel free to e-mail me at the address provided or contact Breyer State at adm@breyerstate.com

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