Spring 2023 Course Syllabus
Course: MDCA-1205 (Section: 71, CRN: 10242)
Medical Law and Ethics 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Tonya Harbert
Email keithtj@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6501
Office Umphrey Industrial Technology Center - Room: 201 H
Office Hours By Appointment: Mon & Tues 8:30-9:30; Wed & Thurs 8:30-12:30
Additional Contact Information Instructor may not be in office, nor on campus, outside of these hours. It is best to call or email the instructor to set up a time to meet.
Course Information
Description Instruction in principles, procedures, and regulations involving legal and ethical relationships among physicians, patients, and medical assistants in ambulatory care settings.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Law, Liability, + Ethics for Medical Office Professionals, 6th Ed., Cengage, ISBN: 9781305972728 Printed textbook
Law, Liability, + Ethics for Medical Office Professionals, 6th Ed., Cengage, ISBN: 9781305972780 Access Code
Additional Materials/Resources None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes Define general legal terms as the apply to the practice of medicine in ambulatory care settings; differentiate between sources and types of law; identify the role of the medical assistant; explain governmental healthcare guidelines including patient rights and advanced directives.
Program Student Learning Outcomes Identify, pronounce, and spell medical terms. Translate and interpret health abbreviations and symbols. Utilize medical software applications. Extract information from health records for appropriate code validation. Sequence codes according to established guidelines and standards. Analyze current health care trends. Utilize computer software for basic office functions. Uses medical terminology, jargon, and abbreviations correctly. Define general legal terms as they apply to the practice of medicine in ambulatory care settings. Understand and apply ethics relevant to medical coding and medical office practice. Apply ICD and CPT rules and guidelines to complete claims forms for submission.

CODING:
4.1 Participates in compliance (fraud and abuse), HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996), an dother organization specific training 

MOA:


  1. Enforce policies and procedures for protected health information 

  1. 4.4 Authenticate staff credentials 
Lecture Topics Outline The Big Business of Health Care and You
Laws & Regulations You Will Encounter
From Constitution to the Courtroom
Criminal Acts and Intentional Torts
What Makes a Contract
Medical Malpractice and Other Lawsuits
The Health Record
Introduction to Ethics
Laws & Ethics of Patient Confidentiality
Professional Ethics and the Living
Birth and the Beginning of Life
Death and Dying
Major Assignments Schedule
  Dates   Due Date
Week 1 Jan 17-20 Orientation, Getting Started Jan 25th
Week 2 Jan 23-27 Chp. 1 The Big Business of Health Care and You  Feb 1st
Week 3 Jan 30-Feb 3 Chp. 2 Laws & Regulations You Will Encounter Feb 8th
Week 4 Feb 6-10 Chp. 3 From Constitution to the Courtroom Feb 15th
Week 5 Feb 13-17 Chp. 4 Criminal Acts and Intentional Torts Feb 22nd
Week 6 Feb 20-24 Chp. 5 What Makes a Contract; Exam 1 Mar 1st
Week 7 Feb 27-Mar 3 Chp. 6 Medical Malpractice and Other Lawsuits  Mar 8th
Week 8 Mar 6-10 Chp. 7 The Health Record  Mar 22nd
**   SPRING  BREAK   **    MARCH 13-17   **    SPRING  BREAK     **
Week 9 Mar 20-24 Chp. 8 Introduction to Ethics Mar 29th
Week 10 Mar 27-31 Chp. 9 Laws & Ethics of Patient Confidentiality; Exam 2 Apr 5th
Week 11 Apr 3-7 Chp. 10 Professional Ethics and the Living
Campus Closed Good Friday, April 7th		 Apr 12th
Week 12 Apr 10-14 Chp. 11 Birth and the Beginning of Life Apr 19th
Week 13 Apr 17-21 Chp. 12 Death and Dying  Apr 26th
Week 14 Apr 24-28 Certification Practice Exercises May 3rd
Week 15 & 16 May 1-5 & 8-11 EXAM 3 & Comprehensive Final Exam May 10th

*** ASSIGNMENTS DUE WEDNESDAY'S @ 9 a.m. ***

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:


Feb 1		 Census date
Feb 27 Last day to drop/withdraw WITHOUT penalty
Mar 24 Apply for May 23 graduation BEGINS
Apr 1 Summer & Fall registration BEGINS
Apr 14 FINAL day to drop/withdraw WITH penalty
Apr 21 FINAL day to Apply for May 23 graduation
 
* Assignments and due dates are posted in the course.
Check the calendar; check the announcements; check email; and check the To-Do List.
 
* If course work is available, students can complete work ahead of scheduled due dates.
 
* Changes may be made to course work, due dates, etc. Instructor reserves the right to add or change assignments during semester. It is the student's responsibility to be active within the course and stay current with due dates as posted within the course.

* Students are required to monitor announcements, emails, and course content multiple times throughout the week.
 
ALWAYS USE LINKS PROVIDED IN BLACKBOARD TO COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS.

DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLISHER SITE TO COMPLETE WORK UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY INSTRUCTOR.
 
TURN WORK IN ON TIME AS POSTED IN THE COURSE OR AS OUTLINED BY INSTRUCTOR'S VERBAL OR WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS.

Final Exam Date May 1, 2023 - 8:0 AM   Through  May 10, 2023 - 9:0 AM
Grading Scale A = 100-90, B = 89-80, C = 79-70, D = 69-60, F = 59 or below
Determination of
Final Grade		 Assignments/Quizzes/Participation 50%
Exams 50%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies ASSESSMENT METHODS & GRADING POLICY

* Students should keep a record of their grades/average. It is not the instructor's responsibility to average grades for students to review. (Students should be able to see grades through blackboard when an assignment is completed and graded.)

*Instructor reserves the right to add or change assignments during semester. 

*The instructor will not drop grades.

* Each module focuses on specific learning outcomes; however, some activities in the course may be used to enhance learning and may not be graded. Student learning will be assessed with assignments, quizzes, discussions, exams, etc. throughout the course.

* Due dates are posted each week for course work.

* Instructions and grading information will be posted on the course site for each assignment.

ASSIGNMENTS

* NO MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS. The assignment will receive a grade of zero (0) if not completed by the due date & time. Instructor will not go back and grade assignments that were not completed on time.
QUIZZES

* NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES. Quizzes may be given weekly. If a student misses a quiz, the grade is recorded as a zero (0). After quizzes are closed, you cannot make-up a quiz.

EXAMS

* NO MAKE-UP EXAMS. If a student should miss an exam, at the end of the semester, the instructor will average all exam grades [including the zero(s)] to replace the zero for the missed exam.

EXAMPLE: 4 test grades: 100, 100, 0, 80 = 280; 280/4= 70; 70 will go in the place of the zero.; Test grades are now 100, 100, 70, 80

* FINAL EXAM EXEMPTION OPPORTUNITY: If a student has completed and passed ALL other exams & have a grade of 80 or better for the course, the student will have the option to be exempt from the FINAL EXAM.  (An AVERAGE of ALL other exam grades will be the grade for the final exam.)

* Academic dishonesty will result in a zero on any academic work or exam in question; a second incidence of academic dishonesty on any academic work or exam in question will result in the student being given an "F" for the course.
 
* Students are required to check announcements and emails 3 or more times throughout the week.

* If course work is available, students can complete work ahead of scheduled due dates.
Attendance Policy * Research has shown a cause-and-effect relationship between attendance and college success. With this factor in mind, the instructor monitors student course activity weekly.

* Class participation is required (and it is part of your course average). It is important to be active within the course. New assignments may be added to the weekly folders if instructor feels it is necessary.

* Students are expected to log in to Blackboard, check email and announcements a minimum of 3 times per week - even if they think all work is complete.

* It is responsibility of the student to contact their instructors by email regarding their absence. An absence from the course does not allow students to have extensions on coursework or due dates. 
Additional Information MYLSCPA USERNAME & PASSWORD ISSUES:
Call Kenneth Lisby @ (409) 984-6150

BLACKBOARD HELP AVAILABLE 24/7:
(936) 496-5379
bbhelp@lamarpa.edu
THIS COURSE WAS DESIGNED TO COMPLETE ON A LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER.
Students consistently overlook vital information and assignments when trying to use a mobile device.
Students may use the computers in the Gates Memorial Library if needed. They will need to see your student ID.

METHODS OF PRESENTATION:
Several methods of presentation may be used in class and may include any of the following:
Lecture (through PowerPoint slides, interactive notes, video, or audio sources)
Computer Assisted Learning (publisher websites)
Lab Exercises
Internet

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS:
The student is required to have all required course materials including but not limited to any software, e-books, key codes, etc. needed for class to complete required readings, work, etc.
Reliable Internet access is required for all online courses. Students may use the open lab provided in the Gates Memorial Library.

COMPUTER FAILURE AND LACK OF INTERNET ACCESS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE EXCUSES FOR MISSED ASSIGNMENTS, PROJECTS, QUIZZES, EXAMS, ETC.
Students may use the computer lab in the Gates Memorial Library if they do not have reliable internet access.

DROP/WITHDRAWAL POLICY
* If a student decides to drop/withdraw, the student should also verify that the drop/withdrawal is submitted before the final withdrawal date.
* It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that their name is removed from the roll should they decide to drop/withdraw from the class.
* The student is strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the drop/withdrawal form for their records.
* The student is required to turn in any books, equipment or items that belong to the department. Failure to do so may compromise their standing with LSCPA.
* State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the LSCPA college catalog. Students may drop/withdraw on or before the last day to drop/withdraw WITHOUT penalty, and it will not count towards the 6 drops. Drop/withdrawals after that date will count towards the 6 allowed drops. (See important dates

E-Mail/Voice Mail Etiquette:
* Students must use appropriate e-mail etiquette when corresponding with instructor; for example, complete sentences and a full subject line with your name/course name.
* Voice mail messages should be clearly spoken identifying student's name, course, and a return phone number.

*Exceptions and/or changes may be made to information in this syllabus at the instructor's discretion.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Business and Industrial Technology
Chair:Sheila Guillot
Email:guillsr@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6381