Students are expected to provide proof of a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan prior to the start of the program or clinical start for PTA and SLPA. The insurance plan must cover you throughout the length of your clinical experience, which is most cases, consists of the entire length of the program. If you are in need of Health Insurance, please note the following important dates and visit cod.studentbenefitplans.com.

Important Dates

• November 1 through January 15: Open Enrollment
  If you will need health insurance ANYTIME within the next year, you must apply during the current open enrollment period.
• December 15: Deadline to enroll in a plan that will start January 1.
• January 15: Deadline to enroll in a plan that will start February 1.
• After January 15: Enrollment is closed.

If you miss open enrollment, but have a qualifying life event, you can still apply during a Special Enrollment Period.

While we cannot guarantee your official acceptance into the program, you need to be aware that there is short timeframe of when you are able to purchase a Health Insurance plan. The purpose of this step is to make you aware and that the time to research and purchase is NOW. Purchasing health insurance outside of this timeframe will take months and may prohibit your admittance into the Program. NOTE: Obtaining Health Insurance is NOT an application requirement but it is a requirement to be in the program.

Whether you are preparing for a career in health information technology, planning to transfer to a four-year college or university or updating your skills, COD offers:

• Dedicated instructors with years of practical industry experience, certification, and licensing.
• Practical, hands-on experience as well as classroom-based studies.
• Affordable programs that get you on the fast track to success without breaking the bank.

Health Information Technology, A.A.S.

The Health Information Technology program is an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree accredited by Commission Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information and Informatics Management (CAHIIM). Health Information professionals are integral to the success of health care organizations as they are the link between clinicians, administrators, insurance companies and patients. The field is generally considered to be the business side of health care and is an essential part of quality health care.

While not involved directly with patient care, Health Information professionals care for patients by keeping their health records accurate, accessible, protected and complete. They are the hub from which health data is compiled, managed and disseminated for patient care, reimbursement, compliance and research. Health Information professionals are found in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, surgical centers, home health, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities and many have the opportunity to work remotely.

Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Registered Heath Information Technology (RHIT) national credentialing exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). This degree prepares students for other industry credentials including the Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P) and the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) awarded by the APPC. The Health Information Technology degree requires 64 credits in program requirements along with general education requirements. Students must complete all courses in this program with a grade of C or higher.

Medical Billing, Certificate

The Medical Billing Certificate is designed to provide students the necessary knowledge and skills to become successful medical billers. The certificate provides a comprehensive overview of the medical billing process including understanding medical terminology, coding and reimbursement, and electronic billing systems. Students will be prepared to enter the medical billing industry and take the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) national credentialing exam awarded by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

Physician Coding, Certificate

The Physician Coding certificate will teach students the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system utilized to submit claims for reimbursement for physician services and procedures. Students will explore basic anatomy, pharmacology, medical terminology, CPT coding conventions, guidelines, legal concepts related to coding, and reimbursement methodologies. The Physician Coding certificate includes hands-on practice with coding exercises and scenarios providing learners the confidence and skills needed to enter the coding profession.

The HIT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

The Health Information Technology accreditor of College of DuPage is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2023. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

Graduation Rate

 

Admitting Cohort Started HIT program	Graduation Rate of Same Cohort
Fall 2022	67%

Student Satisfaction Rate

 

Started HIT program	Satisfaction Rate After Completion of HIT program
Fall 2018	100% - Spring 2020

 

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) Examination Pass Rate

(for first-time test takers)

 

Testing Date Range	Pass Rate
8/8/22 to 7/31/23	44%

Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree or certificate that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.

• Health Information Technology, Associate in Applied Science

Health Information Technology program graduates will:

• Determine compliance of health record content in accordance with accreditation, state, and federal regulations.
• Utilize computer applications and software to collect, manage, and retrieve healthcare data.
• Apply procedures to ensure the protection and security of protected health information.
• Evaluate statistical tools and techniques for the compilation and management of healthcare data.
• Validate assignment of diagnostic and procedural codes and groupings in accordance with official guidelines
• Analyze the organization, operation, financing, and management of a variety of healthcare settings.
• Explore attitudes, attributes, and ethical behavior critical to teamwork, inclusivity, and professional leadership.
• Demonstrate professional written and oral communication skills.

College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in health information. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.

For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.

Articulation Agreements

College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or Advising Services to stay on track.

• Illinois State University, AAS Health Information Technology to BS in Health Informatics and Management, RHIT to HIM online sequence
• Northern Illinois University, AAS Health Information Technology to BS in Health Sciences
• Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, AAS Health Information Technology to BS Healthcare Management

Transfer Guides

Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.

Healthcare is constantly evolving both with care delivery and technology. Students must be computer literate, detail-oriented, self-starters and possess strong critical thinking skills. Students need to have an interest in medicine and business and plan to be a lifelong learner. HIT students are rewarded with a prosperous career.

Health Information Management (HIM) professionals work for hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, mental health facilities, insurance companies, consulting firms, government, research, law firms and public health agencies. As more large retailers such as Walmart, Amazon and CVS enter the healthcare space, they will need HIM professionals.

Industry experts estimate there are between 250-300 different job titles listed that require an RHIT credential. HIT professionals work in medical coding, release of information, privacy, data analytics, claims, auditing, compliance, consulting and policy making. The possibilities are virtually endless.

Health Information Management professionals can work from home. Many HIM companies prefer their employees work from home. Over 70% of the HIM workforce works remotely and this trend is expected to continue. 

The HIT program classes are a combination of face-to-face and online classes.