Medical Coding

Program Syllabus

MTECH Mission Statement

To improve the quality of life in the Mountainland community by enhancing the employability of
individuals through market-driven career and technical education.

Instructor Information

Name: Amber Price - Day Instructor

Email: aprice@mtec.edu
Room Number: 116
Office Hours: 10:30 until 11:30 pm
Phone: 801-753-4174 or 801-440-8549

Name: Karina Terrazas

Email: kterrazas@mtec.edu
Room Number: 116
Office Hours: 5:30 until 6:00 pm
Phone: 801-753-4174

Class Schedule

Afternoon Class Evening Class

Morning Class
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
7:30AM - 10:30 AM offered at the Lehi
Main campus only offered at the Lehi Main offered at the Lehi Main
campus only campus only
Monday: In class Monday: In class Monday: In class
Tuesday: In class Tuesday: In class Tuesday: In class
Wednesday: In class Wednesday: In class Wednesday: In class
Thursday: In class Thursday: In class Thursday: In class
Friday: Hybrid Friday: Hybrid Friday: Hybrid

Program Information
A medical coder is, in essence, a translator. As part of the medical team, the medical coder reviews
the patient’s file and translates everything from that file into universal codes required by insurance
companies. It’s the medical coder’s responsibility to make sure the right code is used every single
time. It’s the only way to ensure the insurance companies are billed properly.

Everything that happens with the patient is translated and coded. This includes everything from
diagnosis and treatment, to what supplies were used. The coder also indicates if there were any
unusual circumstances during the visit or procedure.

This program will train students to properly locate, document, and validate appropriate diagnostic and
procedure codes using the current ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding manuals for
professional services. Students will also gain knowledge of medical legal and ethical responsibilities,
as well as anatomy and medical terminology. Students completing this program will be able to apply
for employment opportunities in doctor’s offices, clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, labs, public health
facilities and insurance agencies.

Medical Coding is a Hybrid course. That means you are expected to be in class 12 of the 15 hours per
week: Monday through Thursday. The remaining three hours will be spent at home completing a
Hybrid Assignment each week. You are free to complete the Hybrid Assignment anytime throughout
the week you choose.

Students will be required to complete and turn in one Hybrid Assignment each week to show they are
working at home. MTECH ensures timeliness of its responses (synchronously or asynchronously) to
students’ requests by placing a requirement on a response time of no more than 24 hours within the
published operational schedule of the program. The standard response time from an instructor to a
student’s request for help is within 1 business day or by Monday if over the weekend. The Hybrid
Assignment must be submitted before the following Monday morning by 7:00am. If you fail to turn in
your Hybrid Assignment you will be marked absent for the previous Friday.

The course is split into weeks with specific course material and assignments that build on one another
each week as you progress through the course. In order to help students prepare for the rigor and
self-mastery necessary to thrive in the medical coding workforce, students must also learn to manage
their own time and stay on top of their list of projects.

Program Objectives

Students will distinguish definitions of different medical term components and identify the
meaning for various medical acronyms and abbreviations using short answer tests.

Students will show comprehension of anatomical and physiological information learned on

multiple choice tests.

Students will locate and identify medical diagnoses by translating them into ICD-10-CM
codes.

Students will locate and identify medical diagnoses by translating them into ICD-10-CM
codes.

Students will locate and identify medical procedures, supplies, and services by translating
them into CPT and HCPCS codes.

Students will identify information abo order to complete job applications; create a resume,
cover letter, thank you letter to use to obtain employment.ut laws and agencies that directly
and indirectly affect medical practices and will complete critical thinking scenarios to
demonstrate what they have learned about medical laws and ethics.

Students will demonstrate understanding of correct coding guidelines by completing coding

simulations and reviews.

Students will build their information database in

Students will demonstrate understanding of appropriate workplace relationships by reading

articles and responding to thought-provoking questions.

Program Topics
1. First Aid/CPR
 2. Medical Terminology I
3. Medical Terminology II
4. Diagnostic Coding
5. Anatomy and Coding I
6. Anatomy and Coding II
7. Anatomy and Coding III
8. Anatomy and Coding IV
9. Anatomy and Coding V
10. Procedural Coding
11. Medical Law and Ethics
12. Coding Simulations
13. Coding Certification Review
14. Job Seeking Skills
15. Workplace Readiness

Required Materials

Step by Step 2019

Author: Carol J. Buck
Textbook and Workbook

ICD-9-CM for Medical Billing and Coding

An excerpt of Step by Step 2015 by Carol J. Buck

Current Procedural Terminology

Author: AMA
Edition: Professional Edition, current edition
new editions available yearly in October

HCPCS Level II Professional

Edition: Current Edition
New editions available yearly in December

ICD-10-CM
Edition: Current Edition
New editions available yearly, in September

Medical Terminology & Anatomy for Coding

Author: Betsy J. Shiland
Edition: 3rd Edition

Two Inch Binder

Tab Dividers

Highlighters
Minimum of two colors

Notebook paper

Pens

Pencils

White Out or Correction Tape

Headphones or Earbuds

Scrubs

Flash drive (minimum 4 GB) or Google Drive

400 Small Index Cards

500 Medium Index Cards

Optional Materials

Laptop or Desktop Computer

Attendance and Progress Program Policies

Progress is based on the amount of work you complete in the class and the quality of that work.
Please use your time wisely. All students must maintain progress at a rate of 70% (C grade) or better,
evaluated monthly by the instructor. Progress reports will be given to students at this time.

All students are required to maintain a minimum of 85% attendance to continue in the program.

If failure to meet the minimum progress and attendance policies occurs, students may be placed on
an Academic Improvement Plan (AIP). An AIP is an agreement between a student and their teacher
establishing goals for a student to complete in a short time frame. If the AIP is not completed students
can be placed on an Academic Contract with the Academic Counselors. Failure to meet the
requirements of the contract, can result in the students being dismissed from the program.

With the current Covid pandemic students may be required to attend classes online. Students will still
be required to follow the attendance and progress guidelines as stated.

Technical Requirements
Each program has its own technical requirements. An orientation to technology is provided in each
program. Canvas is our Learning Management System. Please review the Acceptable Use Policy
which governs acceptable use of MTECH's technical resources.

Certification and/or Licensure

The Medical Coding course prepares students to take the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam
with the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The cost for the exam and membership
to the AAPC is included in the student fees.

Classroom Code of Conduct

The student code of conduct, including expectations for cheating or plagiarism are in the Student
Handbook. Read the student handbook here.

Emergency Procedures
The health and safety of each student is very important to the college. Please review Emergency
Procedures here.

Non-Discrimination Statement
MTECH is fully committed to policies of non-discrimination and equal opportunity. MTECH does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and
activities. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies can be directed to:

Office for Civil Rights, Denver Office,

Justin Browning, Title IX Coordinator
U.S. Department of Education
Mountainland Technical College

Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building

2301 West Ashton Blvd.
1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310
Lehi, UT 84043
Denver, CO 80204-3582
Phone 801-753-4109
jbrowning@mtec.edu
Phone: 303-844-5695
Fax: 303-844-4303 T
DD: 800-877-8339
OCR.Denver@ed.gov

ADA Statement
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provide protection of civil
rights for individuals with disabilities. MTECH does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission,
treatment, or access to its programs or activities. A student desiring assistance must voluntarily
disclose that they have a disability, request accommodation, and provide documentation of their
disability. The MTECH employee designated to coordinate compliance with the Section 504
regulations at each campus is the Academic and Career Counselor.

Tuition
Students beginning a program while enrolled in high school and then continuing in the same program
after their high school class graduation are declared adults on June 1st of each year.

If they are continuing in the same program, they are not required to pay additional fees, but will be
charged the current hourly tuition rate for the hours left for program completion. These payments must
be made to Student Services no later than June 15th of each year. After this date, non-paid students
will be dropped from the program.

Tuition rates are set state-wide for all schools in the Utah System of Technical Colleges (UTech). If a
new rate is established for the upcoming year, this new rate will go into effect July 1 of each year. As a
result, tuition will be calculated at the current rate through June 30 and the remaining hours will be
calculated at the new rate.
High school students who transition to adult status will receive a letter with their estimated hours for
completion by May 31st.

Please see our refund policy: https://mtec.edu/withdrawal-and-refunds/