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MEA 120 Medical Office Procedures I

This is the first of two courses introducing administrative duties for a medical assistant in a medical office. Topics include written communication, telephone techniques, scheduling appointments, patient processing, daily operations in the ambulatory setting, the health record, basics of diagnostic coding, basics of procedural coding, health insurance, medical billing, reimbursement, patient accounts, collections, practice management, and banking procedures.

Credits

4

Prerequisite

Pre-requisite: SSC 100 or concurrent

See Course Syllabus

Course Number and Title:

MEA 120 Medical Office Procedures I

Campus Location

  • Wilmington

Prerequisites

Pre-requisite: SSC 100 or concurrent

Course Credits and Hours

4 credit(s)

3 lecture hours/week

2 lab hours/week

Course Description

This is the first of two courses introducing administrative duties for a medical assistant in a medical office. Topics include written communication, telephone techniques, scheduling appointments, patient processing, daily operations in the ambulatory setting, the health record, basics of diagnostic coding, basics of procedural coding, health insurance, medical billing, reimbursement, patient accounts, collections, practice management, and banking procedures.

Additional Materials

Medical Assistant Program Manual

Allied Health/Science Department Program Student Policy Manual Medical dictionary

Required Text(s)

Obtain current textbook information by viewing the campus bookstore - https://www.dtcc.edu/bookstores online or visit a campus bookstore. Check your course schedule for the course number and section.

Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)

  1. Demonstrate effective communication skills used by a medical assistant. (CCC 1; PGC 1)
  2. Demonstrate the administrative functions of a medical assistant. (CCC 2, 5, 6; PGC 5)
  3. Examine the basic practice finances of a medical assistant. (CCC 6; PGC 5)
  4. Coordinate the managed care/insurance processes in a medical office. (CCC 5; PGC 5)
  5. Demonstrate the procedural and diagnostic coding used in a medical office. (CCC 6; PGC 5)

See Core Curriculum Competencies and Program Graduate Competencies at the end of the syllabus. CCPOs are linked to every competency they develop.

Measurable Performance Objectives (MPOs)

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

  1. Demonstrate effective communication skills used by a medical assistant.
    1. Discuss coaching a patient as it relates to health maintenance, disease prevention, compliance with treatment plan, community resources, and adaptions relevant to individual patient needs.
    2. Recognize elements of fundamental writing skills.
    3. Discuss applications of electronic technology in professional communication.
    4. Discuss how to explain office policies, health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment plan to patients.
    5. Demonstrate professional telephone techniques.
    6. Write telephone messages accurately.
    7. Prepare professional correspondence using electronic technology.
    8. Prepare a current list of community resources related to patients' healthcare needs.
    9. Arrange referrals to community resources in the role of a patient navigator.
    10. Express relevant information concisely and accurately.
  2. Demonstrate the administrative functions of a medical assistant.
    1. Identify different types of appointment scheduling methods.
    2. Identify advantages and disadvantages of the manual and electronic appointment systems.
    3. Identify critical information required for scheduling patient procedures.
    4. Explain types of information contained in the patient's medical record.
    5. Identify methods of organizing the patient's medical record based on problem-oriented medical record (POMR) and source-oriented medical record (SOMR).
    6. Identify equipment and supplies needed for medical records in order to create, maintain, and store information.
    7. Describe filing indexing rules.
    8. Differentiate between electronic medical records (EMR) and a practice management system.
    9. Explain meaningful use as it applies to EMR.
    10. Prepare appointment schedule using established priorities.
    11. Schedule a patient procedure.
    12. Create, organize, and file a patient's medical record.
    13. Show sensitivity when managing appointments.
    14. Explain Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules in regards to privacy and release of information.
    15. Identify Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act.
    16. Write patient care accurately in the medical record.
  3. Examine the basic practice finances of a medical assistant.
    1. Define charges, payments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and adjustments.
    2. Describe banking procedures as related to the ambulatory care setting.
    3. Identify precautions for accepting payments of cash, checks, credit cards, and debit cards.
    4. Describe types of adjustments made to patient's accounts, including non-sufficient funds (NSF) check, collection agency transaction, credit balance, and third party.
    5. Identify types of information contained in the patient's billing record.
    6. Explain patient financial obligations for services rendered.
    7. Demonstrate accounts receivable procedures to patient accounts, including posting charges, payments, and adjustments.
    8. Prepare a bank deposit.
    9. Collect accurate patient billing information.
    10. Discuss how to inform a patient of financial obligations for services rendered.
    11. Demonstrate professionalism when discussing a patient's billing record.
    12. Show sensitivity when requesting payment for services rendered.
  4. Coordinate the managed care/insurance processes in a medical office.
    1. Identify types of third party plans, information required to file a third party claim, and the steps for filing a third party claim.
    2. Outline managed care requirements for patient referral.
    3. Describe processes for verification of eligibility for services, precertification, and preauthorization.
    4. Define a patient-centered medical home (PCMH).
    5. Identify information on an insurance card.
    6. Explain how to verify eligibility for services, including documentation.
    7. Demonstrate obtaining precertification or preauthorization, including documentation.
    8. Prepare an insurance claim form.
    9. Discuss professionally with third party representatives.
    10. Show tactful behavior when communicating with medical providers regarding third party requirements.
    11. Show sensitivity when communicating with patients regarding third party requirements.
  5. Demonstrate the procedural and diagnostic coding used in medical office.
    1. Explain how to use the most current procedural coding system.
    2. Describe how to use the most current diagnostic coding classification system.
    3. Describe how to use the most current Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) level II coding system.
    4. Discuss the effects of upcoding and downcoding.
    5. Explain medical necessity as it applies to procedural and diagnostic coding.
    6. Select correct procedural and diagnostic coding.
    7. Explain how to use medical necessity guidelines.
    8. Express tactful communication skills with medical providers to ensure accurate code selection.

Evaluation Criteria/Policies

The grade will be determined using the Delaware Tech grading system:

90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
0-69 = F
Students should refer to the Catalog/Student Handbook for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.

Final Course Grade

Calculated using the following weighted average

Evaluation Measure

Percentage of final grade

Summative Tests (5)  equally weighted

5%

Summative Final Test (1)

5%

Summative Lab Competencies (37) equally weighted

80%

Formative Reading Lessons (11) equally weighted

5%

Summative Connect/Study Guide Assignment (11) equally weighted

5%

TOTAL

100%

Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)

AHTAASMEA Program Graduate Competencies:

  1. Exhibit effective nonverbal, verbal, and written communication in patient/client and family interventions and education and in professional relationships.
  2. Exercise independent judgment and critical thinking in performance of medical assisting, according to the profession's standards of practice.
  3. Demonstrate professional patterns of behavior consistent with the profession's code of ethics.
  4. Demonstrate clinical competence by performing a full range of medical assistant procedures on all patient population.
  5. Demonstrate administrative competence by performing a full range of medical assistant procedures on all patient population.

AHTDIPMAS Program Graduate Competencies:

  1. Exhibit effective communication, independent judgment, and critical thinking in performance of medical assisting, according to the profession's standards of practice.
  2. Demonstrate professional patterns of behavior consistent with the profession's code of ethics.
  3. Demonstrate clinical and administrative competence by performing a full range of medical assistant procedures.

Core Curriculum Competencies (CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop)

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Students in Need of Accommodations Due to a Disability

We value all individuals and provide an inclusive environment that fosters equity and student success. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the campus Disabilities Support Counselor to request an accommodation needed due to a disability. The College's policy on accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found in the College's Guide to Requesting Academic Accommodations and/or Auxiliary Aids Students may also access the Guide and contact information for Disabilities Support Counselors through the Student Resources web page under Disabilities Support Services, or visit the campus Advising Center.

Minimum Technology Requirements

Minimum technology requirements for online, hybrid, video conferencing and web conferencing courses.

Academic Integrity

https://dtcc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Academics/Academic-Integrity

Attendance

https://dtcc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Search?q=attendance

Cell phone/Electronic Device

https://dtcc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Student-Policy/Cell-Phone-and-Electronic-Device-Policy

Tuition Adjustment Policy

https://dtcc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Financial/Tuition-Fee-Adjustment-Policy-Course-or-Semester-Withdrawal