Author Description

This complete self-study course on medical insurance combines content, practice, and self-assessment into one online learning tool that students can follow at their own pace. The online program assumes the role of instructor, guiding individuals through the material and directing them when to read relevant sections from the text, checking their comprehension along the way, and providing feedback and encouragement. The course consists of nine modules, beginning with an office orientation and then focusing on each different type of insurance payer (e.g., Medicaid, managed care, etc.) as the modules progress through the five phases of the lifecycle of an insurance claim. A preview can be found online at htttp://evolve.elsevier.com Users follow the program and learn at their own pace, working through chapter "lesson lectures" and reading assigned sections of the text as they progress. Interactive exercises, questions, and activities allow users to check their comprehension and learn from immediate feedback. Content is written to provide a "virtual externship" experience, including office personnel, patients with different types of insurance, and an office manager who guides the user through the course. Quizzes at the end of each phase and an exam at the end of each module are scored and incorporated in a grade book, which users can view to evaluate their progress. Hypertext links incorporated into the lesson lectures open pop-up boxes with further explanations and/or definitions of concepts and terms. Interactive claim forms allow users to fill in specific portions of the insurance claim form and receive immediate feedback, simulating real on-the-job tasks. The program provides direct interaction with and constant access to all paperwork relevant to each patient claim, including the patient information form, ID card, ledger card, encounter form, and medical chart.