Check your health insurance statements and explanation of benefits
carefully for the next few months, advises Jo Ellen Russell, Program
Director and Professor of Health Information Technology at Panola College.
On October 1, hospitals and doctors made the transition to a new and far
more complex coding system to describe health insurance claims and other
electronic health transactions. The new government-mandated “ICD-10-CM”
codes number more than 69,000 different descriptions, up from 14,000 used
by the previous system, which had been in use since 1979.
ICD-10 stands for International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision.
The new system was delayed for two years, but went into effect this month
as required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Russell said the new system is designed to help improve recordkeeping, and
provide better tools for measuring and evaluating patients and their
conditions. The transition to the new system could create problems,
however, as the healthcare community adapts to the multitude of different
numbers assigned to conditions and diseases.
“We have been preparing for this for the past couple of years,” Russell
says. “Panola College Health Information Technology students are already
learning the new codes so they will be ready to go to work in healthcare
settings once they complete their associate degree or certificate.”
Professor Lynn Davis is an officially trained ICD-10 Ambassador, certified
through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), a
designation that means she is knowledgeable and can legally train others in
the new coding process.
In late October or early November, Davis will offer an ICD-10 Continuing
Education Course in which students may earn the 10 CE hours required for
all coding certified professionals. Interested students may contact the
Panola College Workforce and Continuing Education Department at
903-693-2067 or visit online at https://www.panola.edu/wkfc-cont-ed/.
Delays in processing of claims, along with potential coding errors are two
areas of concern in the coming weeks with the new system, according to
Russell. She encourages people to carefully review any correspondence from
their healthcare providers during the transition period.
The Health Information Technology program at Panola College offers an
Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology, a two-year
program that combines clinical knowledge and information management skills.
Students may choose to earn a Medical Coding Technician certificate, which
is a shorter program that trains students to review and analyze health
records to identify relevant diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement, to
assess clinical care and to support research.
Students who complete the HIT program at Panola College may pursue careers
in healthcare facilities, consulting firms, government agencies, insurance
companies, pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare vendors and
providers.
“Health Information Management programs incorporate the disciplines of
medicine, management, finance, information technology and law into one
curriculum,” Russell explains. “Because of this unique mixture, graduates
can choose from a variety of work settings across an array of healthcare
environments.”
Panola’s program, which includes both online and face-to-face classes, is
fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics
and Information Management Education. Students who complete the associate
degree at Panola may choose to transfer to a university to pursue a
bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management.
In September*, Forbes Magazine *ranked Health Technology as the most
profitable industry for 2015, with a 21 percent net profit margin,
according to Factset, a financial research tool. People who work in HIT can
earn from $35 to $70 thousand annually, depending on their earned
credentials and work location. A salary survey conducted by the AHIMA
revealed that the overall 2012-year ending average salary across all AHIMA
survey respondents came in at approximately $65,963, more than a 10 percent
increase from the 2010 average.
HIT graduates are eligible to earn additional certificates including
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Certified Coding
Associate (CCA) from the American Health Information Association, as well
as Certified Professional Coder (CPC) from the American Academy of
Professional Coders.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics said that for 2012 the median pay for
medical records and health information technicians was $34,160 per year, or
$16.42 per hour. The job outlook for 2012-2022 predicts 22 percent growth
in the industry, a rate much faster than average.
“Health Information Technology is such a rewarding career for someone who
is motivated and eager for the challenge that it brings,” Davis says.
Russell’s department includes instructors Davis and Kimberly Bishop, along
with department secretary Kelley Hammond. To find out more about HITT at
Panola College, go to the webpage at
https://www.panola.edu/programs/health-sciences/hit/index.html or call Davis
at 903-693-1116.
Professor Lynn Davis assists student Carolyn Johnson of Marshall.
Professor Lynn Davis explains the new codes to students, from left, Cody
Muse of Marshall, Kelli Head of Gary, and Tirena Mosley of Marshall.
Muse of Marshall, Kelli Head of Gary, and Tirena Mosley of Marshall.
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Professor Lynn Davis works with students, from left, Ronna Phillips of
Gary, Amber Akin of Henderson, and Chelsey Smith of DeBerry.
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