Health Information Management

If you have an interest in health care and information technology, health information management (HIM) may be the right career choice for you.

HIM professionals are experts in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems, and coding the diagnoses and procedures for healthcare services provided to patients.

Graduates of our Health Information Management programs are eligible to register for the national Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIA) credential examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program is offered on campus or as an online option.

100% of graduating students receive “satisfactory” ratings or above from employers as surveyed one year following graduation. Selected comments regarding strengths of our graduates: “Able to think critically, problem solver.” “Solid knowledge of HIM domains.” “Collaborates well with colleagues”.

ABOUT THE PROFESSION

Health information management professionals are responsible for safeguarding the most confidential patient data, including medical histories, lab test reports, diagnoses, treatment plans, insurance information, medications, and the notes of doctors and nurses. Working as a critical link between doctors, insurance providers and patients, they manage health information in a way that is consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements of today’s sensitive environment for protecting health information.

Because registered health information administrators (RHIAs) are experts in the field of patient information and medical records, they help develop information systems for:

• quality patient care
• facility reimbursement
• medical research
• health planning
• health care evaluation

Besides managing information, RHIAs frequently also manage people, hospital committees, budgets, and major investments.

YEAR ONE

FALL SEMESTER 

• BHIS 405: Medical Sciences and Human Pathophysiology* 
• BHIS 406: Medical Terminology for Health Information Management* 
• BHIS 460: Introduction to Health Informatics* 
• BHIS 461: Information Systems for Health Information Management* 
• BHIS 480: Management and Business Practices*
• HIM 317: Principles of Health Information Management* 
• HIM 410: Introduction to the Health Care System* 

SPRING SEMESTER

• HIM 319: Alternative Health Records* 
• HIM 320: Technical Affiliation* 
• HIM 329: Legal Aspects of Health Information Management* 
• HIM 337: Analysis of Health Care Data*
• HIM 432: Coding and Classification Systems** 

YEAR TWO

FALL SEMESTER 

• BHIS 410: Health Data Structures and Management 
• HIM 343: Quality Evaluation and Management 
• HIM 361: Human Resources Management 
• HIM 433: Coding and Reimbursement Systems** 
• HIM 481: Financial Management

SPRING SEMESTER

• HIM 367: Systems Analysis and Design 
• HIM 374: Health Information Research 
• HIM 377: Current Issues in Health Information Management 
• HIM 384: Clinical Practicum

Requirements

• Junior standing with 60 semester or 90 quarter credit hours of acceptable pre-professional course work completed at an accredited college/university with a grade point average of 2.50 out of 4.0 scale.
• Successful completion, before program enrollment, of required courses equivalent to the academic prerequisites listed in the undergraduate catalog. 
• International students must submit a valid English proficient test score. TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5
• Evidence of Immigration and Naturalization Service Documentation: Applicants granted immigrant, permanent resident, temporary resident, refugee, parolee or conditional entrant status must attach a clear photocopy (front and back) of your Alien Registration Card and/or other appropriate INS documentation. Be aware that submission of these copies is no guarantee of their acceptability and that additional documentation and/or review of original documents may be required.
• Evidence of Financial Support: Applicants who require an F-1/J-1 visa must submit evidence of financial support through (1) a notarized Declaration of Finances Form, and (2) Immigration and Naturalization Service’s Affidavit of Support Form (I-134) executed by the sponsor; or a notarized affidavit of support executed by the sponsor. Any of these forms must be notarized and accompanied by a copy of a bank statement showing proof of sufficient funds in U.S. dollars (checking accounts are unacceptable).
• Submit $30 international credential evaluation fee, assessed once per term of all undergraduate applicants presenting any coursework taken outside the United States. The evaluation fee must be paid after submission of the application through your UIC Admissions checklist.
• Transcripts/mark sheets must be official and submitted directly from all schools you have attended. If new transcripts cannot be submitted, a photocopy of your version should be sent to the school to be attested and then sent to UIC for review.

Scholarships

• Honors College
• ROTC program
• Global Education