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Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology

School of Health Sciences

Learn how to abstract health records, compile reports on health care services, supervise human resources, and more.
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The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program blends online coursework with on-ground clinical experiences.* The objective of this degree program is to help prepare graduates with the knowledge, technical skills, and work habits required to pursue entry-level positions in the competitive and growing health information management field.

Program Highlights

Graduates of this program may:

  • Abstract health records and compile reports on health care services
  • Assign code numbers to diagnoses and procedures for indexing health data and processing bills
  • Answer legal, government, insurance, and other inquiries for patient health information
  • Organize, analyze, and evaluate health record content for completeness and accuracy
  • Review and evaluate health records to assist with meeting accreditation guidelines
  • Release patient information in accordance with applicable laws
  • Supervise human resources

The curriculum emphasizes:

  • Processing, maintaining, compiling, and reporting health information data for patient care, reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, quality assessment, and research
  • Medical coding and abstracting procedures
  • Supervisory and legal aspects of health information
  • Professional behaviors and problem solving
  • The use of computers in these areas

Gain Real-World Experience

Prior to graduation, you will be required to complete an externship at a real-world health care facility to gain valuable on-the-job experience that many health care employers demand.

Curriculum for the Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology

Course # Course Title Credits
100/200-level 100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE 5
100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE 5
100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE
200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE 5
200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
Course # Course Title Credits
HS 100 INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH SCIENCE 5
INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH SCIENCE

In this required introductory course, students will identify current issues in health science and how they relate to chosen health science professions. Educational and credentialing requirements will be defined for health science occupations. Students will create a personal education plan, choosing appropriate electives and identifying specific career optionsbased on personal goals and research of the profession. Professional traits and skills for success in the field will be explored as well as discussion of roles and responsibilities of selected health professionals.

HI 125 HIT I-HEALTH CARE DELIVERY AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 5
HIT I-HEALTH CARE DELIVERY AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
This course introduces the history and development of the health information field and an overview of the American Health Information Management Association. The evolution of health care delivery systems, storage and retrieval methods, development of the health record, accrediting and licensing requirements, patient indexing, and typical health information functions and positions are also taught in this course.
HI 135 HIT II—LEGAL ASPECTS OF HEALTH INFORMATION AND HEALTH CARE STATISTICS 5
HIT II—LEGAL ASPECTS OF HEALTH INFORMATION AND HEALTH CARE STATISTICS
This course introduces students to legal issues encountered by health information professionals including the topics of confidentiality and how to protect it, adhering to state and federal laws, an overview of the U.S. court system, and responding to subpoenas and court orders. In addition, the definition and computation of common health care statistics, the importance of keeping vital statistics, and common data presentation methods are also covered.
HI 150 AUTOMATION OF HEALTH INFORMATION 5
AUTOMATION OF HEALTH INFORMATION
This course provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to work within a computerized health care environment. It reinforces basic skills in applications (e.g., spreadsheets and databases), allows the health information professional to converse with IT personnel, and explores the electronic health record processes, security, and issues.
HI 165 HEALTH INFORMATION PRACTICUM 2
HEALTH INFORMATION PRACTICUM
In this health information clinical practicum, students will be provided an opportunity to gain practical experience within health care facilities under the supervision of an HIM professional or other qualified individual, and through use of the HIM laboratory and utilizing health information-specific software.
HI 215 REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGIES 3
REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGIES
The focus of this course is on the use of computers for medical billing and claim submission. Information is presented on various medical insurance plans. In addition, students learn how to appropriately make referrals to specialists and other paraprofessionals while following insurance guidelines and regulations.
HI 230 LEADERSHIP AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN HEALTH INFORMATION 5
LEADERSHIP AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN HEALTH INFORMATION
Management theory, budgeting, productivity, personnel management, and relations between health information, quality assurance, risk management, utilization management, and medical office staff are studied in this course. Students study performance improvement and assessment concepts as they relate to health information. Accreditation and licensure, data quality issues, and the design of a health information department are also covered.
HI 255 MEDICAL CODING II 5
MEDICAL CODING II
This course is a continuation of HS 225: Medical Coding I, progressing to more complicated topics such as cerebrovascular coding, respiratory system coding, congenital anomalies, V-codes, late effects, and pregnancies. The course also focuses on applying coding guidelines for statistical and reimbursement purposes, “present on admission,” and severity of illness considerations, and the use of coding references to ensure coding compliance.
HS 111 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY 5
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
This course provides a logical understanding of the language of medicine. Basic prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and rules for taking a singular term and making it plural are studied, along with word analysis, word building, spelling, and pronunciation. These principles are applied to study the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscle/joints, blood and lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular. Each body system is reviewed with anatomy and physiology; diagnostic, lab, and surgical procedures; as well as pharmacology for interest and knowledge.
HS 115 SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS 3
SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
This course introduces and provides basic practice in the three most commonly used applications in health care: word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation. Emphasis is placed on the utilization of these programs in a health care environment and by health care professionals.
HS 120 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I 5
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I
This course is an integrated study of the human body. The focus is on understanding the interrelated nature of the systems of the body. This includes the concept of homeostasis as well as the relationship between structure and function. This course encompasses the anatomy of selected systems as well as the physiology and terminology as applied to the body. The course presents the chemical basis of life and provides a basic understanding of cells, cellular metabolism, and tissue composition and functions. The course also includes the study of the structures and functions of the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, and senses.
HS 130 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II 5
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II
This course is the continuation of integrated study of the human body. This course encompasses the anatomy of selected systems as well as the physiology and terminology as applied to the body. The course also includes the study of the structures and functions of the following systems: circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive.
HS 200 DISEASES OF THE HUMAN BODY 5
DISEASES OF THE HUMAN BODY
Studies include the most common diseases of bodily systems, including disease etiology, symptoms, diagnostic tests, therapeutic methods, and disease prognosis. Students also study alternative treatments and pain management.
HS 225 MEDICAL CODING I 4
MEDICAL CODING I
This course focuses on established medical diagnosis and procedural coding systems including a study of nomenclature versus classification systems, basic coding principles, and application of coding guidelines in outpatient and inpatient settings.
MR 160 PHARMACOLOGY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE 5
PHARMACOLOGY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE
This course focuses on the broad field of pharmacology. Students study drug classes and the most commonly prescribed drugs including their indication, mechanism of action, and doses. Methods and routes of administration are explored. The course also covers diagnostic tests and laboratory procedures for common diseases. The identification of normal laboratory values and how to select and interpret an appropriate reference source are also included.
HI 295 HEALTH INFORMATION EXTERNSHIP/CAPSTONE 5
HEALTH INFORMATION EXTERNSHIP/CAPSTONE
Successful completion of this course will require 90 hours of clinical and administrative experience at an approved health care setting. Through this externship and capstone experience, students will gain clinical experience in coding functions, DRG assignment and reimbursement, accrediting/licensing procedures, department design, quality assessment, utilization, and risk management. In addition, students will gain experience with basic management functions. Students will be evaluated on their performance of expected competencies at the end of the course. The course requires a final presentation. The online version of HI 295 requires each student to work with the School of Health Sciences placement staff to locate an externship site a minimum of two terms prior to beginning the externship.
Course # Course Title Credits
OPEN ELECTIVE 5
OPEN ELECTIVE
Total Program Requirements 92
Total Program Requirements

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Credit for Prior Learning

Our undergraduate degree programs feature large pools of open electives designed to offer greater flexibility when applying transfer credits toward program requirements. In addition, you can enroll in our portfolio development course, which helps you document your work and life experience in a portfolio you can submit for consideration for college credits. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs for undergraduate programs. Refer to the University Catalog for our transfer of credit policy.

Students in the Military

Kaplan University is proud to support our military and veterans in their educational pursuits by offering significantly reduced tuition. Undergraduate program tuition is reduced up to 55 percent for active-duty servicemembers and up to 38 percent for veterans. In addition, Kaplan University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for all of our graduate programs, and both active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for special tuition rates for these programs. A 10 percent tuition reduction is also available to spouses of active-duty servicemembers. For more information, call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor or visit the Kaplan University military site.

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour $371.00
Total program requirements Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology 92
Total cost of tuition $34,132.00

This program requires a $100 technology fee per term. Students enrolled in the Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program are required to pay a one-time program fee of $300. This fee may be paid using financial aid funds and can be incorporated into the student’s monthly payment plan. This fee is refundable if the student withdraws or changes programs within the first two terms. Upon starting the third term of the program, the fee becomes nonrefundable. A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment.

Effective March 19, 2011, students enrolled in a School of Health Sciences program will be required to submit the results of two criminal background checks: (1) by week 4 of the first term (the fee is $49 and is the responsibility of the student if he or she passes the background check); (2) during clinical orientation (the fee is $33 and is the responsibility of the student).

We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, contact an Admissions Advisor.

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The online Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). In order to sit for American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) professional exams, students must successfully complete a formal educational program accredited by CAHIIM. AHIMA exams are not required for all career paths—it is the ultimate responsibility of the student to determine state and federal licensure and accreditation requirements.
*Some Kaplan University programs are not 100 percent online; some programs require you to gain hands-on experience in a real-world work environment.
Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.