Program Description
The Health Information Management Coding Diploma program prepares students to be medical coders to classify medical records according to accepted standards. The classification of diagnoses and treatments is required for Medicare and insurance reimbursement in hospitals, outpatient clinics and medical offices. The program offers training in diagnoses/procedural coding with courses in anatomy and physiology and medical terminology.
Accreditation
The Health Information Management Technology program accreditor of Atlanta Technical College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Management Technology has been reaffirmed through 2022. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed to:
CAHIIM
200 East Randolph Street
Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601
(312) 235-3255
info@cahiim.org
Program Outcomes
For HIMT Academic Year 2020, program outcomes are as follows:
- The program’s graduation rate is 90%
- The program’s retention rate is 85%
- The program’s job placement rate is 90% of HIMT graduates that take the RHIT national exam obtain gainful employment in the HIM field within one year of graduation
Career Information
Occupation
Health Information Technologists, Medical Billing and Coding
Career Projections
The number of jobs in this field is expected to increase by 19.1% nationally and 24.1% in the State of Georgia over the next several years. Estimated salaries in this field start at $40,000 a year.
Labor market data was compiled using Economic Modeling Specialists, international and is updated annually.
Careers
To learn more about HIM careers visit: https://careerassist.ahima.org/
Career Coach
Please select the following link to review additional career information on Career Coach.
Admission Requirements
General College Admissions Requirements
HIMT Admissions Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age
- Transfer of previous post-secondary credits will be determined by the Office of Enrollment Services and HIMT Program Director.
- Must ensure that transfer courses from other approved institutions of higher education are no more than five (5) years old; these include MATH 1111, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113 Lab, BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114 Lab, ALHS 1090, and (CAHIIM) HIMT occupational courses.
- Maximum transfer credits to accept from other approved institutions of higher education is 25%.
- Entrance to the Health Information Management Technology Degree program requires student to have a CGPA 2.5 minimum.
- A signed document acknowledging that the commission of a felony before or during their enrollment in this program may prevent or impede graduates from obtaining certification as a Health Information Technician and that they may be required to complete drug testing and/or background checks at their own expense prior to participating in practicums or clinical activities.
Student Performance/Graduation Requirements: Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and complete all required courses to graduate.
Blood and Airborne Pathogens
Students enrolled in Category I and II programs at Atlanta Technical College will be performing tasks in which there is a normal occurrence for exposure to blood, other potentially infectious body materials, and airborne pathogens.
These tasks will be performed in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities for each occupational training program/course. Students will be required to present documentation of Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis immunizations as a result of potential occupational exposure. Students should contact their program directors for more information. Policies and procedures regarding blood and airborne pathogens may be reviewed at https://tcsg.edu/tcsgpolicy/tcsg_policy_manual.pdf.
Program Contact Information
Aletta Spence, MHA, RHIA, CCS
Health Information Management Technology
Program Director
404.225.4465
aspence@atlantatech.edu
Program Length and Cost
Minimum Program Length in Semester Terms: 4 terms
Program Credit Hours: 52
Estimated Program Cost: $8,643
Course Outline
General Education Courses (9 Credits)
| ENGL 1010 | Fundamentals of English I | 3 |
| | Select One of the Following- 3 hours | |
| MATH 1013 | Algebraic Concepts | 3 |
| | Or | |
| MATH 1012 | Foundations of Mathematics | 3 |
| | Select One of the Following- 2 or 3 hours | |
| PSYC 1010 | Basic Psychology | 3 |
| | Or | |
| EMPL 1000 | Interpersonal Relat & Prof Dev | 2 |
Non General Education Degree Courses- 10 Credits
Occupational Courses (33 Credits)
Total Credit Hours: 52
Program Outcomes
1. The graduate will be able to classify medical records according to accepted standards.
2. The graduate will be able to demonstrate understanding of etiology, pathology, symptoms, signs, diagnostic studies, treatment modalities, and prognosis of diseases and procedures for coding.
3. The graduate will be able to assign correct code and classification of diagnoses and procedures.6. The graduate will be able to capture accurate medical data for billing.