Health-care facilities need coders for accurately assessing ICD-9-CM, CPT, and DRG/APC assignments for diagnostic and surgical information. Financial reimbursement is often directly related to these numeric codes. Also, the statistical information generated from the codes is used in research, quality patient care, education, and administrative decision making. In acute-care facilities the coding specialist usually works in a health information/medical record department and enjoys professional interaction with other health information practitioners. In a physician practice setting, the coding specialist works closely with the physicians in determining diagnoses for optimal reimbursement. 
Coding specialists are in demand in acute care and ambulatory care facilities including physician office practice and long-term facilities. A variety of government agencies require coding expertise as well. The need for accurate, skilled coders is high in California and throughout the nation.
The coding specialist certificate program is a nine-quarter program. Classes meet one to two times a week in the evening. The student is introduced to health-care records, including confidentiality, ethics, and pharmacology prior to enrolling in coding courses.
Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the national certification examination of the American Health Information Management Association; however, three years of coding experience is recommended before taking the certification exam, the CCS.
Loma Linda University requirements for 2006-2007:
The applicant must complete the following requirements at an accredited college or university.
Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, Human Diseases, and Introduction to Computer Applications must be completed with a grade of C or higher and may be transferred in from an accredited school. The medical courses must cover all of the body systems.
The following course is offered on the LLU campus:
HLCS 238 Essentials of Human Diseases
It is the applicant's responsibility to request transcripts from the institutions he/she has attended. Transcripts are accepted only when sent directly to the University by another school or college. Hand delivered transcripts are not official. All transcripts must be received before the application can be forwarded to committee.
An examination in a given subject may be taken only once. Credit cannot be earned in this way to make up for a course in which an unsatisfactory grade was received. All examinations must be taken before the last quarter of the program.
Requests are made to the SAHP dean by completing the petition to obtain credit by examination form, which may be obtained from our department. There is a fee for the examination. Please ask concerning this as the cost varies.
The following tuition and fees can be expected during enrollment in the coding specialist program:
Application: $60.00 one-time online application
Tuition: $189.00 per unit x 30 units = $5,670.00
Books/syllabi: $350.00 approximately for program
Direct coding practice with health records will be done in the classroom or on an individualized basis as planned by the instructor. The student will also be exposed to encoders in a computer laboratory environment.
Coding Practicum I and II are coding laboratories designed to provide the student the opportunity of coding up to 500 records of inpatients and outpatients from a variety of common diseases and surgical procedures. This laboratory experience will be coordinated by an instructor who will supervise and evaluate the students' work, answer questions, and provide corrective feedback to the students.
Evening classes, 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. M-TH depending on quarterly scheduling.
Most classes are held in Nichol Hall; classrooms may vary.
| Autumn quarter September to December - HLCS 239 (3 units) |
| Winter quarter January to March - HLCS 236 (3 units) *Monday nights |
| Spring quarter March to June - HLCS 242 (4 units) |
| Summer quarter June to September - HLCS 243 (4 units) |
| Autumn quarter September to December - HLCS 245 (4 units) |
| Winter quarter January to March - HLCS 254 (3 units) (In addition, a two-unit professional ethics and religious relational course will be taught this quarter for a total of five units.) RELR 457- Christian Ethics and Healthcare |
| Spring quarter March to June - HLCS 257 (3 units) |
| Summer quarter (2 nights per week) To be announced - HLCS 961 (2 units) *M W nights |
| Autumn quarter (2 nights per week) To be announced - HLCS 961 (2 units) *M W nights |
HLCS 239 - Introduction to Health Records Science
An introduction to healthcare facilities and the information systems involved in the care of health records, in-depth study of health record content, confidentiality of health-care information, and professional ethics.
Prerequisite: Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Essentials of Human Diseases, Intro to Computer Applications
HLCS 236 - Pharmacology
Introduction to pharmacology, including a review of pharmaceuticals used in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease as commonly encountered in medical records
Prerequisite: HLCS 239
HLCS 242 - Coding I
Principles and conventions for covering ICD-9-CM Coding techniques by body system and disease process including: endocrine, nutritional, metabolic, blood, parasitic diseases, immunity disorders, respiratory, digestive, sense organs, nervous system, and infectious diseases. Pathology concepts will be emphasized as they relate to these body systems. Laboratory as needed.
Prerequisite: HLCS 236
HLCS 243 - Coding II
Continues coding techniques by body system and disease process: genitourinary, neoplasms, mental disorders, skin and subcutaneous tissue, musculoskeletal, connective tissue, congenital anomalies, injuries, poisonings, and complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Pathology concepts as they relate to these body systems. Laboratory included.
Prerequisite: HLCS 242
HLCS 245 - Coding III
Intermediate level CPT coding for surgical services provided in outpatient and inpatient settings for all body systems. Thorough review and practice of modifier assignment. Introductory training in CPT coding for laboratory, pathology, and radiology services. Laboratory included.
Prerequisite: HLCS 243
HLCS 254 - E & M Coding for Billing & Reimbursement
Principles of Evaluation and Management coding and CPT modifier assignment pertaining to physician professional billing in outpatient, inpatient, ER, observation unit, home health, and other settings. Also included, focused instruction in billing and third party reimbursement as they relate to the health-care field, with emphasis on billing forms and the billing process.
Prerequisite: HLCS 245
HLCS 257 - Coding Special Topics
Coding applications to reimbursement systems including prospective payment in DRGs and APCs. Regulatory requirements, coding quality assurance, coding auditing, and health-care delivery systems are included in this course.
Prerequisite: HLCS 254
HLCS 961- Coding Practicum I
66 hours of coding laboratory designed to provide a capstone experience for students who have completed all academic coursework in coding. Coding Practica enables students to apply all state and national coding and reimbursement regulations to a variety of inpatient and outpatient records. Repeated coding practice in this laboratory provides students the opportunity to improve speed and productivity prior to entering the job force.
Prerequisite: HLCS 257
HLCS 962 - Coding Practicum II
A continuation of Coding Practicum I. Practicum II includes an additional 66 hours of coding laboratory experience under direct supervision by an instructor.
Prerequisite: HLCS 961
A graduation ceremony will be held following autumn quarter. Students are eligible for the coding specialist certificate when they have completed 32 units in the program with a grade of C or higher in each course.
Loma Linda University
Debbie Hamada
SAHP - Department of Health Information Management
Nichol Hall room 1905
Loma Linda, CA 92350
(800) 422-4558, extension 44976 or (909) 558-4976
To schedule an advising appointment or for questions regarding health information management programs contact slarsen@llu.edu.
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Last Revised: Fri, Dec 28, 2007
