Course Number and Title:
MEA 125 Medical Office Procedures
Prerequisites
Prerequisite: SSC 100 or concurrent
Course Credits and Hours
3 credit(s)
2 lecture hours/week
2 lab hours/week
Course Description
This course introduces administrative duties using an electronic medical record system for a medical assistant in a medical office. Topics include scheduling appointments, patient processing, diagnostic coding, procedural coding, health insurance, medical billing, patient accounts, collections, practice management, and banking procedures.
Additional Materials
Medical Assistant Program Manual
Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)
- Demonstrate effective communication skills by a medical assistant in a medical office (CCC1; PGC 1)
- Demonstrate administrative functions for a medical office. (CCC 2, 6; PGC 5)
- Practice basic finance processes as required in a medical office. (CCC 6; PGC 5)
- Demonstrate managed care/insurance processes as required in a medical office. (CCC 6; PGC 5)
- Demonstrate 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:
- Demonstrate effective communication skills used by a medical assistant in a medical office.
- Identify techniques for coaching a patient related to specific needs.
- Identify different types of electronic technology used in professional communication.
- Identify the medical assistant's role in telehealth.
- Demonstrate how to coach patients regarding office policies.
- Demonstrate professional telephone techniques.
- Document telephone messages accurately.
- Using technology, compose clear and correct correspondence.
- Use a list of community resources to facilitate referrals.
- Participate in a telehealth interaction with a patient.
- Demonstrate administrative functions for a medical office.
- Identify different types of appointment scheduling methods.
- Identify critical information required for scheduling patient procedures.
- Prepare an appointment schedule using established priorities in an electronic medical record (EMR).
- Arrange a patient procedure in an EMR.
- Prepare and input patient data using an electronic system.
- Apply HIPAA rules in regard to privacy and release of information.
- Document patient care accurately in the EMR.
- Identify Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act.
- Practice basic finance processes as required in a medical office.
- Define the following bookkeeping terms: charges, payments, accounts receivable. accounts payable, adjustments, end of day reconciliation.
- Demonstrate accounts receivable procedures to patient accounts in an EMR, including posting charges, payments, and adjustments.
- Identify precautions for accepting the following types of payments: cash, check, credit card, debit card.
- Identify types of adjustments made to patient accounts including non-sufficient (NSF) check, collection agency transaction, credit balance, and third-party.
- Collect accurate patient billing information in an electronic system.
- Explain and inform a patient of financial obligations for services rendered.
- Demonstrate managed care/insurance processes as required in a medical office.
- Identify types of third-party plans and steps for filing a third-party claim.
- Identify manage care requirements for patient referral.
- Identify processes for verification of eligibility of services, precertification, preauthorization, tracking unpaid claims, and claim denials and appeals.
- Define the following: bundling and unbundling of codes, advanced beneficiary notice (ABN), allowed amount, deductible, co-insurance, and co-payment.
- Identify the purpose and components of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) and Remittance Advice (RA) statements.
- Interpret information on an insurance card.
- Identify eligibility for services.
- Demonstrate how to obtain precertification or preauthorization, including documentation.
- Prepare an insurance claim form in an EMR.
- Assist a patient in understanding an Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
- Demonstrate procedural and diagnostic coding used in a medical office.
- Identify the current procedural and diagnostic coding systems, including Healthcare Common Procedure Coding Systems II (HCPCS Level II).
- Identify the effects of upcoding and downcoding.
- Demonstrate procedural and diagnostic coding in an EMR.
- Define and utilize medical necessity guidelines.
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
|
|
Formative Assignments (11) Equally Weighted
|
20%
|
|
Summative Tests (11) Equally Weighted
|
20%
|
|
Summative Lab Competencies (50) Equally Weighted
|
50%
|
|
Summative Final Test (1)
|
5%
|
|
Summative Final Lab Competency (1)
|
5%
|
|
TOTAL
|
100%
|
Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)
AHTAASMEA Program Graduate Competencies:
- Exhibit effective nonverbal, verbal, and written communication in patient/client and family interventions and education and in professional relationships.
- Exercise independent judgment and critical thinking in performance of medical assisting, according to the profession's standards of practice.
- Demonstrate professional patterns of behavior consistent with the profession's code of ethics.
- Demonstrate clinical competence by performing a full range of medical assistant procedures on all patient population.
- Demonstrate administrative competence by performing a full range of medical assistant procedures on all patient population.
AHTDIPMAS Program Graduate Competencies:
- Exhibit effective communication, independent judgment, and critical thinking in performance of medical assisting, according to the profession's standards of practice.
- Demonstrate professional patterns of behavior consistent with the profession's code of ethics.
- 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)
- Apply clear and effective communication skills.
- Use critical thinking to solve problems.
- Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
- Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
- 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.