Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences
Important Note: This is the archived version of the 2013–2015 Undergraduate Catalog. The information on these pages was archived on August 6, 2013 and will not be updated as requirement and/or program changes are approved. Please see www.uic.edu/ucat for the most up-to-date requirements.
AccreditationBS in Health Information Management
- Pre-Health Information Management Course Requirements
- Health Information Management Required Courses
- Sample Course Schedule
250 Applied Health Sciences Building (AHSB)
(312) 996–3530
bhis@uic.edu
http://www.bhis.uic.edu
Administration: Interim Department Head, Larry Pawola
Program Director, Health Information Management, Karen Patena
Academic Advisor: Contact the Program Director, Karen Patena
The mission of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences is to advance the quality and efficiency of healthcare through improved information management, communication, and the generation of new forms of biomedical and other healthcare data. The goals of the department are leadership, innovation, initiative, and quality with strong focus on the unique arena of health informatics at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The department actively supports the central mission of the College of Applied Health Sciences by facilitating innovative educational and research programs, providing leadership within department disciplines to meet current industry challenges, and ensuring that graduates have a competitive edge in the increasingly demanding health informatics marketplace. The department strives to produce healthcare professionals who can effectively partner with and/or lead information technology professionals in the problem-solving activities of their organizations.
The Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences offers an undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. The undergraduate brochure for Health Information Management is available online http://www.bhis.uic.edu.
The Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
BS in Health Information Management
The Health Information Management undergraduate degree program provides skilled instruction in the management and use of information and information systems for healthcare planning, provision, resource allocation, and executive decision making. The undergraduate program, established in 1965, maintains a reputation of excellence and consistently produces graduates who become leaders in the field.
Within the world of health information management, registered health information administrators (RHIAs) are responsible for the management of health information systems consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, and legal requirements of the healthcare delivery system. RHIAs often have opportunities to develop information systems for quality patient care, facility reimbursement, medical research, health planning, and healthcare evaluation. Administrative duties of the RHIA encompass responsibility for personnel, capital equipment selection, systems design and analysis, hospital committee activities, and budget management. RHIAs also provide health information to qualified users and safeguard confidential patient data. The job forecast for RHIAs is positive, not only in hospitals but also in other healthcare settings, such as home health agencies, hospice programs, nursing homes, and ambulatory care facilities. Employment opportunities also exist in education, research, consulting, sales, insurance companies, and with state and national healthcare organizations.
The Health Information Management program is available on a full- or part-time basis, campus-based, or online. Admissions to the campus-based program are accepted for the fall semester only. Admissions to the online program are accepted each semester. Although health information technician course credits do not count toward the required 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of prerequisites, students who are graduates of an associate degree program in health information technology accredited by the Commission on Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), who also hold current Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and/or coding certification may receive up to 31 hours of proficiency credit in required Health Information Management courses. Other students with a transcript of equivalent coursework may request the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency through exam.
Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management degree and are eligible to register for the national RHIA credential examination offered by AHIMA.
Transfer Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program must meet these minimum requirements:
- Completion of application process, including a personal interview and submission of three references.
- International students must have a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 on the Internet-based test (iBT).
- Demonstrated reading and writing proficiency; ability to convey maturity; desire to work with people; and ability to direct work of others.
- Thorough understanding of the professional
health information manager’s role and responsibilities
- Junior standing with 60 transferable semester or 90 transferable quarter credit hours at an accredited college/university.
- Successful completion of Pre-Health Information Management courses offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or the equivalent.
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.50/4.00 for all transferable undergraduate courses.
Degree Requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management degree from UIC, students need to complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Applied Health Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college
academic policies.
| BS in Health Information Management Degree Requirements | Hours |
| Pre-Health Information Management Required Courses | 60 |
| Health Information Management Required Courses | 63 |
| Total Hours— BS in Health Information Management | 123 |
Pre-Health Information Management
Course Requirements
| Courses | Hours |
| ENGL 160—Academic Writing I: Writing for Academic and Public Contexts | 3 |
| ENGL 161—Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research | 3 |
| BIOS 100—Biology of Cells and Organismsa | 5 |
| Additional Analyzing the Natural World courseb | 3–5 |
| KN 251—Human Physiological Anatomy Ic | 5 |
| KN 252—Human Physiological Anatomy IIc | 5 |
| Choose one of the following courses: | 5 |
| MATH 118—Mathematical Reasoning (5) | |
| MATH 121—Precalculus Mathematics (5) | |
| PSCH 100—Introduction to Psychologyd | 4 |
| PSCH 242—Introduction to Research in Psychology | 3 |
| Exploring World Cultures courseb | 3 |
| Understanding the Creative Arts courseb | 3 |
| Understanding the Past courseb | 3 |
| Understanding U.S. Society courseb | 3 |
| IDS 200—Introduction to Management Information Systems | 4 |
| Electives—To complete the required total of 60 hours of Pre-Health Information Management courses. | 6–8 |
| Total Hours—Pre-Health Information Management Course Requirements | 60 |
a This course is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
b Students should consult the General Education section of the catalog for a list approved courses in this category.
c KN 251/252 sequence begins in the fall term only.
d This course is approved for the Understanding the Individual and Society General Education category.
Health Information Management Required Courses
| Courses | Hours |
| HIM 410—Introduction to the Health Care System | 3 |
| HIM 317—Principles of Health Information Management | 4 |
| HIM 319—Alternative Health Records | 4 |
| HIM 320—Technical Affiliation | 2 |
| HIM 329—Legal Aspects of Health Information Management | 3 |
| HIM 432—Coding and Classification Systems | 3 |
| HIM 433—Coding and Reimbursement Systems | 4 |
| HIM 337—Analysis of Health Care Data | 4 |
| HIM 343—Quality Evaluation and Management | 3 |
| HIM 361—Human Resources Management | 4 |
| HIM 367—Systems Analysis | 3 |
| HIM 374—Health Information Research | 3 |
| HIM 377—Current Issues in Health Information Management | 2 |
| HIM 384—Clinical Practicum | 5 |
| HIM 481—Healthcare Financial Management | 2 |
| BHIS 405—Medical Sciences and Human Pathophysiology | 3 |
| BHIS 406—Medical Terminology for Health Information Management | 2 |
| BHIS 410—Health Data Structures and Management | 3 |
| BHIS 460—Introduction to Health Informatics | 1 |
| BHIS 461—Information Systems for Health Information Management |
2 |
| BHIS 480—Management and Business Practices | 3 |
| Total Hours—Health Information Management Required Courses | 63 |
Important Note: The following listing is for graduates of accredited associate's degree programs in Health
Information Technology or others with equivalent
course work.
Graduates of an associate's degree program in Health
Information Technology accredited by the Commission
on Health Informatics and Information Management
Education (CAHIIM), who also hold current Registered
Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification; or who
provide a transcript of equivalent course work and
demonstrate proficiency by exam, may receive 24 hours
of proficiency credit as follows:
| Courses | Hours |
| HIM 317—Principles of Health Information Management | 4 |
| HIM 319—Alternative Health Records | 4 |
| HIM 320—Technical Affiliation | 2 |
| HIM 329—Legal Aspects of Health Information Management | 3 |
| HIM 386—Independent Study—Analysis of Healthcare Data | 3 |
| HIM 410—Introduction to the Health Care System | 3 |
| BHIS 405—Medical Sciences and Human Pathophysiology | 3 |
| BHIS 406—Medical Terminology for Health Information Management | 2 |
| Students with a current CPC, CCA, CCS, CCS-P coding credential and demonstrate proficiency via an exam, may receive proficiency credit for the following 7 hours: |
|
| HIM 432—Coding and Classification Systems | 3 |
| HIM 433—Coding and Reimbursement Systems | 4 |
| The proficiency credit will be granted following completion of 16 hours (50%) of the HIM course work taken at UIC with a grade of C or better. |
|
| Total Proficiency Credit Hours | 24–31 |
Required Courses after Proficiency Credits
| Courses | Hours |
| HIM 361—Human Resources Management | 4 |
| HIM 367—Systems Analysis | 3 |
| HIM 374—Health Information Research | 3 |
| HIM 377—Current Issues in Health Information Management | 2 |
| HIM 384—Clinical Practicum | 5 |
| BHIS 410—Health Data Structures and Management | 3 |
| BHIS 460—Introduction to Health Informatics | 1 |
| BHIS 461—Information Systems for Health Information Management |
2 |
| BHIS 480—Management and Business Practices | 3 |
| HIM 481—Healthcare Financial Management | 2 |
| HIM 452—Quality Management and Data Analysis | 4 |
| PLUS, if not receiving proficiency credit: | |
| HIM 432—Coding and Classification Systems | 3 |
| HIM 433—Coding and Reimbursement Systems | 4 |
| Total Hours—Health Information Management Required Courses if receiving Proficiency Credit | 32–39 |
Sample Course Schedule for Campus Program
| Junior Year | |
| Fall Semester | Hours |
| HIM 410—Introduction to the Healthcare System | 3 |
| HIM 317—Principles of Health Information Management | 4 |
| BHIS 405—Medical Sciences and Human Pathophysiology | 3 |
| BHIS 406—Medical Terminology for Health Information Management | 2 |
| BHIS 460—Introduction to Health Informatics | 1 |
| BHIS 461—Information Systems for Health Information Management | 2 |
| BHIS 480—Management and Business Practices | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 |
| Spring Semester | Hours |
| HIM 319—Alternative Health Records | 4 |
| HIM 320—Technical Affiliation | 2 |
| HIM 329—Legal Aspects of Health Information Management | 3 |
| HIM 432—Coding and Classification Systems | 3 |
| HIM 337—Analysis of Health Care Data | 4 |
| Total Hours | 16 |
| Senior Year | |
| Fall Semester | Hours |
| HIM 433—Coding and Reimbursement Systems | 4 |
| HIM 343—Quality Evaluation and Management | 3 |
| HIM 361—Human Resources Management | 4 |
| HIM 481—Financial Management | 2 |
| BHIS 410—‑Health Data Structures and Management | 3 |
| Total Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | Hours |
| HIM 367—Systems Analysis | 3 |
| HIM 374—Health Information Research | 3 |
| HIM 377—Current Issues in Health Information Management | 2 |
| HIM 384—Clinical Practicum | 5 |
| Total Hours | 13 |
