Health Information Technology, AAS

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The AAS in Health Information Technology is designed as a program for students interested in the field of health care information systems; health information privacy and security; compliance with medical reimbursement laws and regulations; management of health information. Pathways for certification may be completed through National Health career Association for CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist), CEHRS (Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist), and CMAA (Certified Medical Administrative Assistant). Upon completion of the program, there are many external credentials that students may pursue, if they so choose. Credentials can be obtained through external entities such as the American Academy of Professional Coders and American Health Information Management Association.

Foundational Courses

ALH 116 - Medical Terminology Credit Hours: 3
ENG 110 - Writing I Credit Hours: 3
CIS 101 - Computers for Learning Credit Hours: 3
CIS 201 - Computer Applications/Business Credit Hours: 3
PSY 121 - Introductory Psychology Credit Hours: 3
WES 101 - Mike Rowe Works (MRW) Work Ethic Certification Credit Hours: 1

Civics:

Select three (3) credit hours

HST 121 - Survey of US History to 1877 Credit Hours: 3
OR
HST 122 - Survey of US History Since 1877 Credit Hours: 3
OR
PLS 101 - American Democracy and Citizenship Credit Hours: 3

Foundational Course Total Credit Hours: 19

The Foundations block constitutes preparatory courses necessary for completing a college education and should therefore becompleted as soon as possible.

Health Information Technology Core

HIT 100 - Introduction to Health Information Technology Credit Hours: 3
HIT 190 - Principles of Healthcare Reimbursement Credit Hours: 3
HIT 200 - Comparative Health Records Systems Credit Hours: 3
HIT 260 - Legal and Ethical Aspects of Healthcare Credit Hours: 3

HIT Capstone course

HIT 298 - Professional Practice Experience Credit Hours: 3
OR
HIT 299 - Medical Assistant Practicum Credit Hours: 3

Health Information Technology Core Total Credit Hours: 15

Choose one of the following options

Medical Assistant Option

The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology - Medical Assistant option is designed to prepare students for a career in medical assisting performing clinical or administrative duties in medical clinics or hospitals. This academic guide is based on the 2023-2024 Missouri State University-West Plains Catalog. The time to complete the degree will vary, depending on remediation, summer enrollment, number of classes taken per semester, etc.

Medical Assistant Requirements

ALH 130 - Math Skills for Allied Health Credit Hours: 3
CFD 110 - Health, Safety and Nutrition Credit Hours: 3
HIT 170 - Electronic Health Records Credit Hours: 3
HIT 180 - Anatomy and Physiology for Health Information Technology Credit Hours: 3
HIT 230 - Records Management Credit Hours: 3
HIT 280 - Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures Credit Hours: 3
HIT 270 - Medical Assistant Office Procedures Credit Hours: 3
HIT 290 - Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures Credit Hours: 3

Electives - 6 credit hours

(Choose two classes from the following):

COM 110 - Critical Thinking Credit Hours: 3
PSY 274 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hours: 3
SOC 150 - Principles of Sociology Credit Hours: 3
SPN 101 - Elementary Spanish I Credit Hours: 3
SPN 102 - Elementary Spanish II Credit Hours: 3

Medical Assistant Total Credit Hours: 29

Medical Coding Option

The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology - Medical Coding option is designed to prepare students for a career in medical coding, medical auditing, and medical coding education in medical clinics or hospitals. This academic guide is based on the 2023-2024 Missouri State University-West Plains Catalog. The time to complete the degree will vary, depending on remediation, summer enrollment, number of classes taken per semester, etc.

Medical Coding Requirements

ALH 130 - Math Skills for Allied Health Credit Hours: 3
HIT 110 - Diagnosis Coding I Credit Hours: 3
HIT 150 - Outpatient Procedure Coding Credit Hours: 3
HIT 170 - Electronic Health Records Credit Hours: 3
HIT 180 - Anatomy and Physiology for Health Information Technology Credit Hours: 3
HIT 201 - Healthcare Quality Management Credit Hours: 3
HIT 202 - Healthcare Payer Performance Credit Hours: 3
HIT 210 - Diagnosis Coding II Credit Hours: 3
HIT 230 - Records Management Credit Hours: 3
HIT 250 - Inpatient Procedure Coding Credit Hours: 3

Medical Coding Total Credit Hours: 29

Healthcare Data Analytics Option

The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology - Healthcare Data Analytics option is designed to prepare students for a career in health information management in medical clinics or hospitals conducting analysis of services provided, diagnoses treated, resources used, etc. This academic guide is based on the 2023-2024 Missouri State University-West Plains Catalog. The time to complete the degree will vary, depending on remediation, summer enrollment, number of classes taken per semester, etc.

Healthcare Data Analytics Requirements

COM 115 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
MTH 136 - Pre-Calculus I: Algebra Credit Hours: 3
QBA 237 - Basic Business Statistics Credit Hours: 3
HIT 201 - Healthcare Quality Management Credit Hours: 3
HIT 202 - Healthcare Payer Performance Credit Hours: 3
HIT 203 - Healthcare Management & Leadership Credit Hours: 3
HIT 204 - Healthcare Statistics Credit Hours: 3
HIT 262 - Healthcare Compliance Credit Hours: 3

Electives - 6 credit hours

(Choose two classes from the following):

COM 110 - Critical Thinking Credit Hours: 3
PSY 274 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hours: 3
SOC 150 - Principles of Sociology Credit Hours: 3
SPN 101 - Elementary Spanish I Credit Hours: 3
SPN 102 - Elementary Spanish II Credit Hours: 3

Healthcare Data Analytics Total Credit Hours: 30

Healthcare Reimbursements Option

The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology - Healthcare Reimbursement option is designed to prepare students for a career in medical billing, reimbursement, or patient accounts in medical clinics or hospitals. This academic guide is based on the 2023-2024 Missouri State University-West Plains Catalog. The time to complete the degree will vary, depending on remediation, summer enrollment, number of classes taken per semester, etc.

Healthcare Reimbursements Requirements

ALH 130 - Math Skills for Allied Health Credit Hours: 3
HIT 170 - Electronic Health Records Credit Hours: 3
HIT 192 - Healthcare Revenue Cycle I Credit Hours: 3
HIT 194 - Healthcare Revenue Cycle II Credit Hours: 3
HIT 196 - Healthcare Reimbursement Methodologies Credit Hours: 3
HIT 198 - Reimbursement Diagnostic and Procedural Groupings Credit Hours: 3
HIT 202 - Healthcare Payer Performance Credit Hours: 3
HIT 203 - Healthcare Management & Leadership Credit Hours: 3
HIT 262 - Healthcare Compliance Credit Hours: 3

Elective - 3 credit hours

(Choose one class from the following):

COM 110 - Critical Thinking Credit Hours: 3
PSY 274 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hours: 3
SOC 150 - Principles of Sociology Credit Hours: 3
SPN 101 - Elementary Spanish I Credit Hours: 3

Healthcare Reimbursements Total Credit Hours: 29

Total Credit Hours Required 63 or 64 (depends on Option pursued)

Courses taken under the pass/not pass option cannot be used to satisfy generaleducation, professional education or specific degree requirements except as noted in thepass/not pass policy.