BOTE 277: Medical Office Procedures (3 Credits)
Course Description
Provides office management skills and techniques for managing a physician's office. Includes
medical correspondence, filing, insurance, and medical coding procedures. Course utilizes
manual and technological applications for medical appointment scheduling, telephone usage,
and coding/billing, in addition to providing a discussion of the concepts, processes, and
procedures for professional behavior in the workplace, interpersonal skills, ethics, medical law,
and legislative requirements for confidentiality, security of patient information, and compliance
plans pertaining to physician's offices.
Course Objectives
Introduction to medical office procedures, including reception, appointment scheduling, medical
record management, communication skills, professional and ethical behavior, billing,
accounting, confidentiality, technology applications, and legislative requirements pertaining to
compliance with billing, coding, and confidentiality. On completion of this course, the student will
be able to:
1. Describe and practice positive work ethics.
2. Describe the tasks and skills required for an employee of a medical office.
3. Explain the importance of and practice confidentiality.
4. Develop and describe interpersonal skills necessary for interaction with coworkers and
patients, including telephone skills. 5. Discuss the importance of maintaining accurate medical
records.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of medical office tasks related to professional
communications, mail processing, appointment scheduling, and financial statements utilizing
manual and computer software applications.
7. Compute charges for medical services.
8. Perform basic diagnostic and procedural coding.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the guidelines for completing the CMS-1500 claim form.
10. Discuss the purpose of health insurance.
11. Demonstrate an understanding of the guidelines for completing the CMS-1500 claim form.
12. Demonstrate an understanding of the guidelines for completing the CMS-1500 claim form
Textbook
Required
Young, Alexandra P., Kinn's The Administrative Medical Assistant, 7th Edition. Saunders, St.
Louis, MO.
Young, Alexandra P., Kinn's The Administrative Medical Assistant St. Study Guide. 7th Edition.
Saunders.
Recommended
It is not required that you purchase the latest edition of ICD-9-CM coding books or CPT 2011. If
you have access to them for this course, that is wonderful. If not, don't worry! Contained within
the online course under the "Doc Sharing" tab at the top of your screen are links to partial
indexes of these coding books which were created for the units and coding exercises contained
within this course.
Contact Coleen at the NDSCS Bookstore for the most current textbook information (1-800-3424325, ext. 2239 or coleen.thoe@ndscs.nodak.edu). You may also visit the Bookstore web site at
http://www.ndscsbooks.com/ and search for book information by class by clicking the
"Textbook" tab.
Course Policies and Procedures
Assessment by Quiz: Quizzes are an integral part of this class. Quizzes assess your
understanding of the presented material and determine whether you have met the course
objectives. There will be a graded quiz in each unit, available for 1-hour, one-time access in the
presence of your Exam Proctor. Assignments: Assignments will be given on the textbook and
workbook. As well, a limited number of discussion questions will be presented in this class, and
you will be expected to respond with a brief paragraph. Discussion question postings may earn
a maximum of 10 points. Your paragraphs will be graded for grammar and spelling, so be sure
to spell check and PROOFREAD before posting.
Grading of discussion questions will be based on the following checklist: -Medical or English
word misspelling @1.5 points/error -Incorrect verbiage @1.5 points/error -Medical word misuse
@3 points/error -Grammar error, subject-verb agreement @0.5 points/error -Grammar error,
plurals @0.5 points/error -Grammar error, possessives @0.5 points/error For Technical
Problems: Computer crashes and disasters are bound to happen, whether you are an online or
on-campus student. However, ISP problems or computer issues are not an excuse for turning in
assignments later than the specified due date. It is your responsibility to notify your instructor of
such issues, proactively seek a solution to your problem, and access another computer for
assignment completion in the event of hardware or software problems. For technical difficulties
or answers to technical problems, you can contact the NDSCS Help Desk at 1-800-342-4325
ext. 3-2523 or Helpdesk@ndscs.online.org.
Please refer to Appendix A for Access Policy: Computer Failures and Viruses.
Student Attendance: Regular attendance and completion of all assignments, on time and as
scheduled, is important to your success. As your instructor, if I am unexpectedly unavailable or
delayed in reviewing or correcting assignments, I will notify the class of this as a sign of
courtesy and respect. An online student who does not submit class work for ten (10)
consecutive calendar days may be dropped from the course. Efforts to contact inactive students
are attempted as soon as each semester begins; however, if there is no response from the
student and inactivity continues, a drop will be enacted.
The following action may be taken regarding irregular attendance:
1) Administrative drop from a course or program;
2) Course grade may be lowered;
3) Termination of financial aid assistance;
4) Cancellation of registration;
5) Restriction from extra-curricular activities; or
6) Any other judgments deemed necessary.
See the entire NDSCS Attendance Policy (Updated policy effective Summer 2007)
Disabilities and Special Needs
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are
encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Disability Support Services Office, 225
Mildred Johnson Library (phone 671-2623 or 1-800-342-4325 ext. 32623) as early as possible in
the term. Online Student Participation and Conduct Guidelines: The practices of courtesy and
respect that apply in the traditional classroom also apply online. However, the expectations and
practice differ in the classroom to a greater extent.
Review the Online Student Participation and Conduct Guidelines (Appendix B) for future
reference.
Academic Integrity - Integrity is an NDSCS core value and there is an expectation that all
students, as members of the college community, adhere to the highest levels of academic
integrity. Dishonesty in class, laboratory, shop work or tests is regarded as a serious offense
and is subject to disciplinary action by the instructor and dean of the respective division. For
more information, refer to the NDSCS Student Planner or College Catalog under College
Policies and Basic Regulations of Conduct.
Types of Misconduct
Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study
aids in any academic exercise. Fabrication: Intentional and unauthorized falsification or
invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Facilitating academic
dishonesty: Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to commit an act of
academic dishonesty. Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of
another as one's own in any academic exercise.
Grading Policy
Overall assessment for this class is based on the assignments, unit quizzes, discussion
questions, and other tasks as assigned. All assignments will be completed by the specified due
dates. If assignments are not completed when due, no grade/points will be assigned. If the
instructor agrees to grant credit for late work, 10% may be deducted at instructor's discretion.
94-100 = A
87-93 = B
80-86 = C
73-79 = D
Below 73 = F
Student-Instructor Communications
While an online class is available 24 hours a day and offers greater flexibility for the student and
instructor, keep in mind that your instructor will not be available 24 hours a day. I will check my
email, voicemail, and Cyber Office messages on a regular basis, but there may be times when I
am unavailable due to other commitments and job responsibilities. I will respond to email,
voicemail, or Cyber Office messages as time allows. As a general rule, you can expect your
direct question to be answered within 24 hours during week days. When sending an email,
please include your full name so I know to whom I'm responding. Often, the email address does
not indicate who is sending the message.
Schedule
Online classes follow the same academic calendar for start and end dates as regular oncampus classes. While there is no set time for students to be logged into a class each day,
instructors do set due dates for assignments and exams. Students should lot into classes
frequently to keep up with announcements and to keep up with course work. Online classes are
not self-paced. You may want to print the for NDSCS Academic Calendar reference during the
year. It includes semester start and end dates, final days to add/drop classes for each semester,
vacation dates, etc.
Tuition/Fees
See tuition and fee information, Refund Policy and Withdrawal Schedule information in the
NDSCS Online site under Financial Information. Tuition and fee costs do not include books,
software, supplies and other program or course fees which may vary by program.
APPENDIX A
ACCESS POLICY: COMPUTER FAILURES AND VIRUSES
Online students must maintain access at all times. The responsibility to maintain Web access
rests with each individual student. Please read carefully the following course policy. Each
student must maintain consistent access to Web based course materials via a well operating
computer and reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP). As an online student you are committed
to have regular access, or if your service is interrupted, to have an alternate available. If service
is interrupted for any reason for more than 24 hours (power outage, Virus attack) or during an
exam, assignment submission period, or other, each student must have a back-up plan in place.
Work with your computer support to resolve problems specific to your computer. The NDSCS
Help Desk may be able to help you identify and correct a virus: 1-800-342-4325 ext. 3-2523.
Report other technical problems to the eCollege Help Desk, making sure you have a copy of all
error messages and information about the specific problem to provide the technician. Keep a log
of the date, time, and technician. eCollege Help Desk (24/7 support)
helpdesk@ndscsonline.org or call 877-740-2213.
 Realize that your instructor is NOT going to accept lack of access as an excuse for late work
or missed exam/quiz access.
 Online active learners are proactive. Before class begins:
Locate a 24 hour Kinko's nearest you with work stations (check cost and test access).
Make arrangements with a friend to use their computer as a back-up.
Check out Internet access at your nearest library and find out the hours.
Inquire at a public school for access to their computer lab or library.
 Complete and submit your work early.
 Don't wait until the deadline to submit your work in case you do have a problem (technical or
other).
 Complete Bits & Bytes for Online Success, a guide to student achievement in the online
classroom and beyond. Alternatively, complete the Student Orientation Tutorial.
*Adapted with permission from Dr. C. A. Keller, San Antonio College
APPENDIX B
ONLINE STUDENT PARTICIPATION AND CONDUCT GUIDELINES
Online courses are based on the premise that students learn best in a community. The
instructor plays an important role, but this is a different role than most instructors play in the
traditional, face-to-face classroom. While you may see a shift in the way classes work, you'll
also notice that some things don't change: the practices of courtesy and respect that apply in
the ordinary classroom also apply online, and may actually require more attention in this venue.
Here are some guidelines:
1.Get involved. In the online environment, it's not enough to show up! Your voice must be heard
in order to show your presence. Your comments are needed to add to the information, the
shared learning, and the sense of community in each class.
2.Be persistent. Remember that for many this is a fairly new environment. Each instructor still
sets the rules, and you need to abide by them; however, if you run into any difficulties, don't
wait! Send your instructor an email immediately or post in the Discussion Area. Most problems
are easily solved, but your instructor and your fellow students need to hear from you before they
can help.
3.Share tips, helps, and questions. For many, taking online courses is a new experience. There
are no dumb questions, and even if you think your solution is obvious, please share it by posting
it in the Discussion Area. For every student who asks a question, there are 10 others wanting to
know the same thing.
4.Think before you push the Send button. Did you say just what you meant? How will the person
on the other end read the words? While you can't anticipate all reactions, do read over what
you've written before you send it.
5.Consider the context. Remember that we can't see the grin on your face when you make a
sarcastic comment, we can't see the concern on your face if you only say a couple of words,
and we can't read your mind and fill in the gaps if you abbreviate your comments. So: help us
"see" you by explaining your ideas fully.
6.Ask for feedback. Not sure how your ideas and comments will be taken? Remember there's a
person on the other side. If you disagree with what someone has said, practice all your
communication skills as you express that disagreement. "Flaming," or flying off the handle and
ranting at someone is unacceptable; it is the equivalent of having a tantrum, something most of
us wouldn't do in an onsite, face to face classroom.
7.Act with respect. Any discriminatory, derogatory or inappropriate comments are unacceptable
and subject to the same disciplinary action that they would receive if they occurred in the face to
face classroom. If you have concerns about something that has been said, please contact your
instructor.
8.Exercise integrity. Plagiarism, cheating, and other violations of ethical student behavior are
serious actions in a learning community. See Academic Integrity Policy in the course syllabus.
9.Recognize the consequences. Consequences of online student behavior that contradicts the
NDSCS Academic Integrity policy will be addressed on an individual basis and in accordance
with NDSCS Academic Integrity policy. Refer to the NDSCS Student Planner or College Catalog
for more information.
*Adapted with permission from Dr. C. A. Keller, San Antonio College
Tuition/Fees
See tuition and fee information, Refund Policy and Withdrawal Schedule information in the
NDSCS Online site under Financial Information. Tuition and fee costs do not include books,
software, supplies and other program or course fees which may vary by program.