Program Details
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Management
Associate of Applied ScienceMountain Empire Community College
The Health Information Management (HIM) degree provides students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills required to perform a variety of specialized duties in a non-clinical healthcare setting. Graduates may seek positions as medical records technicians, coders, health information specialists, and similar designations.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
1. Apply Diagnosis and Procedure codes according to current professional classification systems guidelines.
2. Identify complete health record according to organizational policies, external regulations and professional standards.
3. Analyze and interpret data and data sources for patient care (management, billing, reports, registries and other databases)
4. Use current concepts and government regulations to assign policies for data integrity and data exchange standards.
5. Apply healthcare legal terminology to identify the use of legal document, consents for treatment, retention and release of information, privacy and patient rights.
6. Apply confidentiality, privacy and security measures and policies and procedures for internal and external of and exchange to protect electronic health information.
7. Use payment methodologies and systems such as capitation, Prospective Payment Systems, case mix and health insurance policies to evaluate the revenue cycle management process.
8. Use billing processes and procedures such as claims, electronic data exchange, advanced beneficiary notice, charge master, coding and bill reconciliation process to support the reimbursement cycle.
9. Analyze managed care and accountable care organization strategies and their impact to the delivery of care setting.
10. Obtain Certified Coding Associate (CCA) through AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association), and/or Certified Professional Coder (CPC) through AAPC (American Association of Professional Coders).
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | The Health Information Management (HIM) degree provides students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills required to perform a variety of specialized duties in a non-clinical healthcare setting. Graduates may seek positions as medical records technicians, coders, health information specialists, and similar designations. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Students entering the HIM program must meet the College’s general admissions requirements, as well as program specific admissionrequirements which include: |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Students entering the HIM program must meet the college’s general admissions requirements, as well as program specific admission requirements. Program specific admission requirements include completion of the Health Information Management Application for Admission packet, including a letter of intent and criminal background check and drug screening. Students should have English and Mathematics skills assessed. Deficiencies in these areas may be corrected by completing the appropriate developmental studies courses.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Students may receive college credit for verified on-the-job experience. Courses taken out of suggested sequence must have the approval of the program advisor. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | HIM graduates will be able to work at acute care hospitals, clinics, behavioral healthcare facilities, hospice, home care, healthcare government agencies, EHR vendors, insurance companies, and Managed Care Organizations. Opportunities for certification include Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Coding Associate (CCA). |
| Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | VCCS Policy 5.6.5.1 |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Mountain Empire Community College’s mission is to provide our region with accessible, quality higher education, workforce training, and community programs to ensure an educated population and globally competitive workforce. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | The catalog year is based on the admission term that the student applies for. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Health Information Management, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29-9021.00 | Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | Apply knowledge of healthcare and information systems to assist in the design, development, and continued modification and analysis of computerized healthcare systems. Abstract, collect, and analyze treatment and followup information of patients. May educate staff and assist in problem solving to promote the implementation of the healthcare information system. May design, develop, test, and implement databases with complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status to help monitor diseases. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
| 29-2072.00 | Medical Records Specialists | Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. Classify medical and healthcare concepts, including diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment, into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system. Includes medical coders. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
Cost To Complete
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