Health Information Technology

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Curious about healthcare, but more interested in the tech and data side? Health information technology may be the path for you! Our program prepares you to become a medical coding specialist. Medical coding specialists ensure proper coding of patient records. This protects the patient’s privacy and security. Our program trains you for the data side of the healthcare industry. Your courses will teach you:

  • Data management
  • Information security
  • Compliance with payment laws
  • Medical records organization

At the end of the program, you will be eligible to take the AHIMA exam. This will qualify you as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). You can find work in any institution that uses health information. Start your journey today and play a vital role in the healthcare industry.

The Health Information Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.

Denise Baer
Health Information Technology Program Director
417-447-8821

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Accreditation

The Health Information Technology accreditor of Ozarks Technical Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the Associates of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2029. 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.

CAHIIM-accredited associate program graduates can take the Registered Health Information Technology exam and earn the RHIT Credential. Our program prepares our students for this well-recognized and essential credential. We are proud that our students exceed the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) credential standards each year.

OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our current accreditation status with the HLC is displayed on the page linked below. Our next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2030-2031. View more information on OTC accreditation.

Mission Statement

The Health Information Technology program provides accessible, high-quality, technical education in health information management that is responsive to the needs of the communities of interest. Our mission statement is part of our strategic plan and aligns with the OTC Mission Statement.

Program Outcomes

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General Admissions to Ozarks Tech

Admission to Ozarks Technical Community College is open to all individuals who can benefit from its educational programs. A focus of the college mission is on the academic, career and personal goals of the student. OTC may admit you as a First-Time student just completing their high school, GED or HiSET requirements or as a Transfer student coming from another institution finishing up a certificate or degree. For more information, visit OTC Admissions.

Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? At OTC, we believe that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to earning a degree. Our staff will work with you to make a financial plan. To browse the resources available to you, see paying for college.

At Ozarks Tech, we want your transfer process to be easy. We accomplish this goal through articulation agreements. These agreements are an official partnership to match coursework between schools. This gives you a more seamless transition from Ozarks Tech to a four-year institution.

We have established an agreement for this program. This will simplify the transfer of your credits to partner schools. To understand how this degree will transfer, review the current articulation agreements. Be sure to consult with your transfer school to ensure you’re on the right path toward completing your four-year degree.

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COSTS & OPTIONS

CREDENTIAL TYPE
PROGRAM
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO:
LENGTH OF PROGRAM
COST*

Associate of Applied Science

Health Information Technology 
  • Become a medical coding specialist
  • Find work in hospitals, doctors' offices, nursing homes, insurance companies or other related institutions
  • Supplement your training with cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills gained in general education courses

65 credit hours
4 semesters

$12,440.00*
to
$16,250.00*

Certificate of Achievement

Health Information Technology - Coding
  • Become a medical coding specialist
  • Find work in hospitals, doctors' offices, nursing homes, insurance companies or other related institutions

33 credit hours
2 semesters

$6,362.00*
to
$8,273.00*

Short-Term Training

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Accelerate your career with OTC's short-term training courses. Gain valuable skills in as little as just weeks and unlock new opportunities for success. View courses. 

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Varies by course

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Clicking on the options below will provide overview information, course sequences (when applicable), and specific course descriptions. To see a full catalog of all the offerings at OTC, visit catalog.otc.edu.

Health Information Technology (A.A.S.)*

A.A.S. Degree: 65 Hours

Health Information Technology is an Associate of Applied Science degree open admission program designed to lead to employment throughout the healthcare industry in hospitals, office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, public health agencies,  pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the AHIMA certification examination for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). AHIMA reserves the right to accept and approve each application and transcript. 

The Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 235-3255  https://www.cahiim.org/

A grade of "C" or better is required for all Health Information Technology Program required courses. 

The Missouri Department of Higher Education has identified a common set of general education courses that have been adopted statewide. These courses are called the "CORE 42."  CORE 42 courses are guaranteed to transfer to any Missouri public college or university to satisfy general education requirements.

Courses in knowledge areas below, designated with the CORE 42 logo indicates courses in that area have been evaluated and provided a MOTR number for transfer to all Missouri public institutions of higher education.

Courses that do not have this designation may still transfer to public and private colleges and universities in Missouri and elsewhere, but students are encouraged to check the transfer equivalency website of the institution to which they plan to transfer to confirm.

Please refer to the MDHE Core Transfer Curriculum for detailed information on CORE 42 courses.

 

Health Information Technology Certificate - Coding*

Certificate: 33 Hours

The Health Information Technology Certificate represents coding training that includes; anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, intermediate/advanced ICD diagnostic/procedural, and CPT coding as required by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for national certification.

Students who complete this certificate are eligible to sit for the national coding credential exam CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) or CCS-P (Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based) administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

National certification can lead to employment in the healthcare industry by obtaining the knowledge and skills to become a qualified coder. Areas of employment for coders are generally hospitals (outpatient and inpatient), physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics, and specialty centers.

The Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 235-3255  https://www.cahiim.org/

A grade of "C" or better is required for all Health Information Technology Certificate - Coding Program required courses.

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*Notices and Disclaimers

*Costs displayed are based on current tuition and fee rates for the program’s required credit hours, as approved by the OTC Board of Trustees, and are subject to change without notice. Estimates reflect both in-district and out-of-district residency rates. Actual costs, degree completion time, and credit requirements may vary based on residency, prior credits, elective courses, program updates, and enrollment factors. For additional information on attendance costs, visit Cost of Attendance, tuition and fees or contact us at 417-447-6900.

**Graduation rates vary by individual. For details on program enrollment, retention, exam/certification, and employment rates, visit Student Outcomes / Student Right-to-Know. Some careers on this list may require additional education and training. For program-specific accreditation visit OTC Accreditation.