COURSE DESCRIPTION

Focuses on diagnosis and procedure classification using ICD-9-CM. This system is currently utilized for collecting health data for the purposes of statistical research and financial reporting. Lecture 4 hours per week.

GENERAL COURSE PURPOSE

This course is designed to introduce the student to the ICD-9-CM classification system. Attention also focuses on official ICD-9-CM Cooperating Parties coding guidelines, CMS Compliance Plan, Correct Coding Initiative, coding resources (official publications and vendor supported publications), and ethical issues in coding and classification.

ENTRY LEVEL COMPETENCIES

Program placement in Health Information Technology degree program or Clinical Data Coding career studies program or permission of the instructor. Prerequisites are HIT 110 and HIT 111 plus either BIO 141/142 or NAS 150 or permission of the instructor. May be currently enrolled in HIT 110, BIO 142 and/or NAS 150.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:

A. Apply the principles of coding healthcare data using ICD-9-CM

B. Understand appropriate application of ICD-9-CM coding guidelines

C. Identify principal diagnosis and procedure for sequencing diagnoses and procedures as applicable to the appropriate patient care setting

D. Read and interpret clinical information from primary health records to identify all diagnoses and procedures which affect the current episode of care

E. Learn to clarify conflicting/ambiguous clinical information with the responsible healthcare provider

F. Demonstrate appropriate use of AHA’s Coding Clinic as a coding resource

G. Demonstrate basic knowledge of encoders

H. Describe system to keep ICD-9-CM updated and demonstrate knowledge on how to impact the update process

 I. Discuss the purpose of coding and the future of coding and coded data

 J. Demonstrate appropriate handling of ethical issues that coders may encounter

Major topics of this course are:

A. Introduction to classification

B. ICD-9-CM format and conventions

C. ICD-9-CM coding steps, UHDDS, medical record as source document, official coding guidelines

D. ICD-9-CM basic coding guidelines: diagnoses, operations, procedures

E. Introduction to encoders

F. Ethical issues in coding

G. Use of V and E codes

H. Coding signs and symptoms, infections and parasitic diseases, endocrine and nutritional diseases, immune system disorders

 I. Coding mental disorders, diseases of blood organs, nervous system, sense organs

 J. Coding respiratory system, digestive system, genitourinary system

K. Coding diseases of skin and subcutaneous tissue, musculoskeletal system, connective tissue

L. Coding pregnancy, childbirth, abortion, ectopic pregnancy

M. Coding congenital anomalies, perinatal conditions

N. Coding circulatory system, neoplasms

O. Coding injuries, burns

P. Coding poisoning, adverse effects of drugs, complications