Date: 7th – 9th April 2025
Venue: Pharmacy Block – Seminar Hall
Participants: Around 60 Pharmacy Students

Understanding the fundamentals of medical coding and billing is essential for pharmacy students. It equips them with the skills necessary for improving healthcare systems and managing pharmacy operations efficiently. To provide a comprehensive learning experience, the Pharmacy Department has organized a 3-day Task Seminar & Training Class focused on the importance of medical coding & billing, tailored specifically for pharmacy students.

Objective of the Program:

By the end of this program, participants will:

1. Understand the Role of Medical Coding in Healthcare: Students will learn about the significance of medical coding in the healthcare system, focusing on how it ensures the accuracy of billing, insurance claims, and patient records.
2. Learn About the Key Coding Systems: Students will become familiar with the three major coding systems in healthcare—ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS—and their relevance to the pharmacy field.
3. Understand How Medical Coding Affects Pharmacy Practice: The program will highlight how proper coding impacts pharmacy services, especially in billing and insurance.
4. Apply Basic Coding Concepts in a Pharmacy Setting: Students will gain hands-on experience in applying these coding systems in real-world pharmacy scenarios.

Resource Person:

• Name: C. Nikhil Chandra
• Designation: Team Leader & Assistant Manager
• Contact: 9030222869
• Email: Nikhil.medesun@gmail.com
• Location: Medesun Medical Coding Academy, Hyderabad

Program Duration:

3 Days (6 Sessions)

Day 1: Introduction to Medical Coding

Goal: Provide an overview of medical coding and its importance in healthcare.

Key Topics:

1. What is Medical Coding?
   • Introduction to the process of converting medical diagnoses, procedures, and services into universally accepted alphanumeric codes.
   • The importance of accurate coding for insurance claims, billing, and patient records.
2. Types of Medical Coding Systems:
   • ICD-10 Codes: Used to code for diseases and diagnoses.
   • CPT Codes: Used to represent medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures.
   • HCPCS Codes: Used for services, supplies, and equipment.
3. Assignment for Day 1:
   • Watch a short educational video on medical coding.
   • Read a handout detailing the different coding systems.

Day 2: Deep Dive into CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 Codes

Goal: Learn how ICD-10 codes classify diseases and conditions and their connection to pharmacy practice.

Key Topics:

1. Understanding ICD-10 and CPT Codes:
   • Overview of the structure and breakdown of ICD-10 codes (e.g., A00-B99, C00-D49).
   • Real-life examples of ICD-10 codes for common diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension.
2. ICD-10 Codes in Pharmacy Practice:
   • How ICD-10 codes are used in managing patient medication therapy (MTM).
   • Identifying conditions that require specific medications or treatment protocols in pharmacy.
3. Introduction to HCPCS Codes:
   • Overview of HCPCS codes for medical supplies, services, and equipment.
   • Explanation of Level I (CPT) and Level II (HCPCS) codes.
4. Assignment for Day 2:
   • Students will be given a list of diseases and tasked with finding their corresponding ICD-10 codes.
   • Example: Look up ICD-10 codes for “Hypertension” and “Type 2 Diabetes.”

Day 3: Practical Application of Medical Coding in Pharmacy

Goal: Demonstrate how medical coding is applied in everyday pharmacy practice, particularly in billing and reimbursement.

Key Topics:

1. Pharmacy’s Role in the Billing Process:
   • Overview of how pharmacies use coding to submit claims to insurance companies.
   • How accurate coding ensures correct reimbursement for pharmacy services.
2. Practical Application in a Pharmacy Setting:
   • Walkthrough of a real pharmacy scenario where a prescription is dispensed, and how codes are applied for billing services such as drug dispensing, patient counseling, or vaccine administration.
3. Assignment for Day 3:
   • Group Exercise: Students will work on a case study involving a patient receiving a prescription for diabetes management. They will:
     1. Assign the correct ICD-10 code for the condition.
     2. Assign the appropriate CPT code for the procedure performed by the pharmacist (e.g., patient counseling).
     3. Identify any applicable HCPCS codes for medical supplies or equipment.

Final Assessment:

At the end of the program, students will take a quiz to assess their understanding of:

1. The different types of medical codes (ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS).
2. How these codes are utilized in pharmacy practice.
3. Practical coding scenarios that may arise in the pharmacy setting.

Conclusion:

By the end of the Task Seminar & Training Class, pharmacy students will have a solid understanding of medical coding and billing, enabling them to better integrate these practices into their future careers. This knowledge not only enhances their patient care skills but also prepares them for handling the financial aspects of pharmacy operations, ensuring they are ready for the evolving healthcare environment.

This program is designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world pharmacy practice, providing pharmacy students with the tools they need to excel in their future professional roles.

For more information, please contact C. Nikhil Chandra at 9030222869 or email Nikhil.medesun@gmail.com.