Midwest Technical Institute & Delta Technical College Medical Insurance & Laboratory Processing Syllabus

Midwest Technical Institute & Delta Technical College Medical Insurance & Laboratory Processing Syllabus

Course Information

  • Credit Hours: 4 Credit Hours

  • Clock Hours: 60 Clock Hours – Lecture / 40 Clock Hours – Supervised Lab / 25 Additional Outside Clock Hours

Pre/Co-requisites

  • None

Class Schedule

  • Monday – Thursday at the following times:
      - 8:00am-1:00pm
      - 9:00am-2:00pm
      - 10:00am-3:00pm
      - 5:30pm-10:30pm

Course Description

  • The module familiarizes students with human anatomy and physiology alongside medical terminology as it applies to specific body systems.

  • Topics covered include:
      - Tissues and organs making up systems
      - Functions and diseases of each body system
      - Symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, and medications

  • Focus on drugs related to specific systems, studying:
      - Side effects
      - Actions
      - Contraindications
      - Routes of administration
      - Other relevant drug information

  • Emphasis on correct spelling of drug names.

  • Introduction to routine laboratory tasks in medical facilities, specimen collection, and handling.

  • Discussions on microbiological principles and hematology.

  • Hands-on instruction in Integrated Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Practice Management Program.

  • Topics also include telephone techniques, medical records, and various types of medical insurance, emphasizing flexibility in job duties.

  • Clinical section focuses on:
      - Reproductive system procedures
      - Microbiology
      - Urinalysis
      - Hematology

Required Texts and Materials

  1. Comprehensive Medical Assisting, 5th Edition by Beaman, Routh, Papazian-Boyce, Sesser, Maly, Nguyen.
       - ISBN: 978-0-1377-2777-3

  2. American Heart Association Bloodborne Pathogen Workbook.
       - ISBN: 978-1-61669-426-5

  3. Medical Terminology Simplified, 7th Edition by Gyls and Masters.
       - ISBN: 978-1-71964-616-1

  4. Pharmacology Clear & Simple, 4th Edition by Watkins.
       - ISBN: 978-1-7196-4474-7

  5. Electronic Health Records-McGraw Hill CONNECT course

  6. Supplemental Materials: Basic Keyboarding

  7. FA Davis Review

Program Goals/Course Objectives

  • Program Goal: Prepare medical assistants who are competent in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavioral) learning domains to enter the profession.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

  • Use appropriate techniques when seated at the computer.

  • Key alphabetic and numeric keys by touch.

  • Achieve typing speed of 30-35 words per minute with no errors.

  • Grow familiarity with medical terms, abbreviations, and medications through keyboarding practicum.

  • Complete weekly timed writings (1-minute or 5-minute).

  • Use proofreader's marks to proofread work.

  • Identify basic computer components and define electronic health records (EHR).

  • Explain importance of EHR and why patient visits should be documented at the point of care.

  • Discuss limitations of data types and describe functional benefits derived from EHR.

  • List various methods for capturing and reporting EHR data.

Medical Office Skills

  • Telephone Techniques:
      - Proper techniques for answering calls and placing callers on hold.
      - Steps for taking detailed telephone messages.
      - HIPAA guidelines regarding patient privacy in phone calls.
      - Handling different types of calls, including prescriptions.
      - Medical assistant’s role in telephone triage and dealing with difficult callers.
      - Special considerations for conference calls.
      - Comparison between electronic and paper-based records.

EHR Overview

  • Outline the history of EHR and the purpose of meaningful use in relation to EHR.

  • Describe the HITECH Act in terms of adopting electronic records.

  • Explain differences between EHR and practice management systems.

  • Identify benefits of utilizing EHR and explain ownership along with special considerations regarding the release of medical records.

  • Explain the differences in organizing a medical record via problem-oriented vs source-oriented methods.

Medical Record Charting

  • Describe the SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) charting components.

  • Identify types of patient information in medical records and equipment/supplies for creating, maintaining, and storing paper records.

  • Explain indexing rules for filing medical records and long-term storage options.

  • Differentiate use of electronic vs paper records in the office setting.

Insurance and Billing

  • Discuss the medical assistant’s role in computerized physician order entry and processing health insurance claims.

  • Identify terminology related to health insurance policies and provisions, including:
      - Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
      - Managed care plans
      - Comparison of private vs government insurance plans
      - Differences between third-party liability and disability income insurance.

Patient Referral Process

  • Explain steps for verifying eligibility and obtaining precertification of services.

  • Describe how to gather information for filing third-party claims.

  • List the steps for filing a third-party claim and discuss HIPAA regulations on electronic transactions.

Clinical Procedures

  • Gynecological Appointments:
      - Explain the medical assistant’s role during appointments.
      - Components related to prenatal and postpartum visits.

  • Reproductive Health:
      - Discuss contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
      - Types and treatment of STIs.

Microbiology Role

  • Explain medical assistant’s impact in microbiology and list criteria for classifying microorganisms.

  • Describe characteristics of different microorganisms and steps for diagnosing infections.

Specimen Collection

  • Guidelines for specimen collection and differentiating between culture and inoculating media.

  • Importance of asepsis during urinalysis and considerations for collecting urine specimens.

  • Describe time-specific urine tests, special urine collection methods, and the physical and chemical characteristics evaluated during urinalysis.

Hematology

  • Role of medical assistant in hematology:
      - Identify blood components (red & white blood cells).
      - Blood tests related to coagulation, comprehensive metabolic panel, diabetes, and PKU testing.
      - Discuss mono testing.

Anatomy & Physiology

  • Cover the relationship and functions within the nervous system, its structural units, and changes across the lifespan.

  • Discuss the urinary system from structure to functioning and associated pathologies.

Endocrine System

  • General functions of the endocrine system and hormonal secretions by its glands with common pathologies.

  • Reproductive systems discussed in similar detail, with reference to hormonal functions and common pathologies for both genders.

Pharmacology

  • Categorize medications associated with various conditions such as pain, anxiety, mood disorders, and diabetes.

  • Discuss the effects of diuretics on electrolyte imbalances, handling of insulin, and medications to treat endocrine disorders.

Medical Terminology

  • Familiarize students with terminology relevant to specialties including the urinary, reproductive, endocrine, and nervous systems, emphasizing understanding of diseases, conditions, and abbreviations.

  • Incorporate anatomical labeling activities to reinforce learning.

Competencies and Assessment

  • Grading based on successfully completing competencies, tests, quizzes, and assignments in the following areas:

  • Office Management: Chapters 7, 12, EHR Chapters 9, 10.

  • Clinical Skills: Procedures from Chapters 35, 43, 44, 45.

  • Anatomy & Physiology: Chapters 22, 28, 29, 30.

  • Medical Terminology: Chapters 7, 8, 9.

  • Pharmacology: Chapters 13, 15, 20.

  • Total Points: 1302 points available.

Grading Scale

  • A: 90 - 100%

  • B: 80 - 89%

  • C: 70 - 79%

  • D: 60 - 69%

  • F: 59% and below

  • All module classwork must be passed with at least 70%.

Course Policies

  1. Attendance/Tardiness:
       - Students must report on time; credit given for each complete hour attended. Appeals are possible through instructor or Program Director.

  2. Make-up hours policy:
       - Petition instructor to make up missed hours within two weeks of absence. Can only occur outside of scheduled class times.

  3. Student Uniform Policy:
       - Professional dress required; uniforms issued on the fourth class day. Compliance with designated uniform is a must.
       - MA uniform includes three scrub tops, three scrub bottoms, and one lab coat.

  4. Cell Phones:
       - Usage allowed in student lounges or cars only; violations will result in dismissal from class.

  5. Inclement Weather:
       - Campus leadership determines cancellations/delays; students should monitor local channels and campus social media.

Support Services

  • Tutoring available for those below 75%.

  • Services provided through Student Success Specialist.

  • Instructors may adjust syllabus as needed for course alignment.