WELCOME
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Are you aware of the number of great opportunities AHIMA provides to learn, network, and grow every year? For example, in 2009, AHIMA will put on the Legal EHR Summit, the Achieving Coding Excellence meetings (IL, Aug 17–18; MN, Aug 20–21; and WA, Sept. 14–15 , and, of course, the AHIMA Convention and Exhibit. These and other AHIMA events ask and answer all the right questions while delivering top-notch educational content on diverse topics. No matter where you are in your career or organization, you'll find something worth learning at AHIMA events. And don't forget that these events provide an excellent time to greet, meet, and communicate with your fellow health information management (HIM) professionals in person.
In other news, we're already halfway through 2009, and I'd like to conduct an informal survey about the AHIMA Resources e-newsletter's new look. What do you like about the newsletter? What would you like to see more of? Please let me know by e-mailing me at dan.kelly@ahima.org.
This month we close with the words of the great French novelist Marcel Proust. Proust said, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands, but in seeing with new eyes."
Best,
Dan Kelly
Editor, AHIMA Resources
dan.kelly@ahima.org
Please follow us on Twitter! You can also network with your AHIMA peers on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Publications
AHIMA Membership
Question of the Month
Here's a Tip
Distance Education
Certification
AHIMA Merchandise
Audio Seminars and Webinars
Fast Facts
Upcoming Meetings
Foundation News
Career Assist
AHIMA Member Benefits
DC Notes
Journal of AHIMA Article
Stop by Our Booth
ICD-10 News
Social Networking with AHIMA
Monthly Hint
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| PUBLICATIONS |
Looking for Long-term Healthcare Coding Solutions?
ICD-9-CM Diagnostic Coding for Long-Term Care and Home Care
Long-term care and home care staff will benefit from the reinforcement of concepts and skills needed for correct code assignment required for reimbursement and data collection purposes found in ICD-9-CM Diagnostic Coding for Long-Term Care and Home Care.
Documentation and Reimbursement for Long-Term Care, Second Edition
This is a helpful single reference for documentation and reimbursement practices within the long-term care environment. This resource will help you go beyond the basic steps of meeting minimum federal requirements.
Remember, AHIMA members save 15 to 20 percent on AHIMA book purchases. Join AHIMA today!
| QUESTION OF THE MONTH |
May's Question of the Month asked, "What important relationships have you made through AHIMA membership—both professional and personal?" Here's one person's answer.
Mentorships—one local and one distance—both provide "real world" perspective while I'm in school studying for my RHIT cert and AA HIM degree. Invaluable!
Arleen Melvin
Student Member
| CERTIFICATION |
Get Certified in Health Data Analysis
The Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA) designation was created to meet the demands of an HIM industry that continues to become more data-driven and data dependent. Individuals who earn the CHDA designation achieve recognition of their expertise in health data analysis, and validation of their mastery of this domain. This prestigious certification provides practitioners with the knowledge to acquire, manage, analyze, interpret, and transform data into accurate, consistent, and timely information, while balancing the “big picture” strategic vision with day-to-day details.
Here's more information about the CHDA and other AHIMA credentials.
Here's the convenient way to get the information you need to excel professionally. AHIMA makes it easy and affordable with the ability for several people to listen for the same low price, and no associated travel costs.
Coding for Respiratory Services
June 18
Auditing for Privacy and Security Compliance
June 23
JUST ADDED! ARRA Town Hall
June 25
Physician Practice E/M Auditing
July 16
MPI Clean Up: It’s a Must!
July 21
APC Revenue Cycle: Tips for Success
July 23
JUST ADDED! Hospital-Acquired Conditions and Never Events:
What This Means for You
July 28
JUST ADDED! Preparing to Implement ICD-10-CM/PCS
July 30
Two AHIMA CEUs are awarded for each audio seminar or webinar you attend. Just $179 for members (or $229 for nonmembers) per seminar pays for as many colleagues as you wish to invite to your site! Your registration includes:
- Access to the seminar for as many colleagues as you can fit in a room with a speakerphone—$179/$229 is the per-site charge, NOT the per-person cost!
- Presentation handouts are available in advance on our Web site.
- When you participate in the live broadcast, you follow the presentation online at no extra charge!
If you cannot attend a live seminar, you can purchase the seminar on audio CD or pre-recorded Webcast format. New for 2009—selected audio seminars and webinars are also available in MP3 format. Volume discounts are available for ordering any four or more seminars, in any format, at the same time. Seminars begin at 1 p.m. ET. For registration and information, go here, or call (800) 335-5535.
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AHIMA 2009 Convention and Exhibit Registration Is Open
81st AHIMA Convention and Exhibit
October 3–10
Grapevine, TX (Home of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport)
Take advantage of early bird discounted pricing—register now!
The AHIMA Convention and Exhibit is just months away! Attendees can expect all-new events, speakers, and exhibits, set against the inviting backdrop of the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, TX.
- The AHIMA Prime Time program. Experience three concurrent sessions. Industry leaders will speak about the primary challenges facing health information management (HIM).
- Distinguished speakers like Doug Keeley (CEO and chief “storyteller” of The Mark of a Leader—a look at leadership through an exhilarating multimedia presentation), and Jeffrey Zaslow, co-author of the international bestseller The Last Lecture.
- The President’s Premiere Celebration. Kick up your cowboy boots to the rambunctious sounds of country rock, enjoy delicious food and drink, and have an opportunity to bond and connect with your colleagues.
Visit here for complete program information and to register. If you would like a printed program, e-mail us at info@ahima.org or call (800) 335-5535.
Change Is Coming to the EHR—Get Ready for It at the Legal EHR Summit!
2009 Legal EHR Summit
August 17–18, 2009 (Early bird discounted pricing thru July 17)
Chicago, IL
Chicago Marriott Downtown
Attention health lawyers, directors, risk managers, and other professionals invested in the electronic health record’s (EHR’s) future. Don’t miss this great learning and networking opportunity!
- What are the issues in integrating external health records?
- What are the barriers and restrictions?
- How does ARRA affect the legal EHR?
These questions and others will be discussed at this comprehensive two-day summit, along with practical advice on critical HIM issues. Register now! Call (800) 335-5535 or visit here to register.
Faculty Development Institute (FDI) July 25–26
Assembly On Education Symposium (AOE) July 27–29
Exhibition July 26–29
Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Early Bird Discount Deadline June 29
Experience thought-provoking presentations and insightful discussion groups. AOE and FDI address the latest challenges and issues in health information management (HIM) education, immersing educators in an environment designed for their unique needs.
Take advantage of special hotel rates at Planet Hollywood.
Room Rate:$119 Single/Double (until June 26)
For more information and registration visit here or call (800) 335-5535.
AHIMA Live Learning Center—Revisit the ICD-10 Summit for the First Time!
The AHIMA Live Learning Center has added the ICD-10 Summit: Beyond Compliance to Strategic Advantage, to its roster. The summit was a primary source for information, education, training, and resources for ICD-10 preparedness and implementation. The two-day event was well-attended and led by opinion leaders, speakers, experts, and practitioners with insight and knowledge about ensuring successful implementation and achieving a healthy return on investment during the transition to ICD-10-CM-PCS. Now, all summit sessions are available for purchase. Download a session MP3, ready for immediate playback.
Other available sessions—purchased separately or in packages—include:
- A Perspective on ICD-10 and Its Significance
- ICD-10 Strategic Planning and Collaboration
- Building a Project Team for Strategic Advantage
- Your Strategic IT Plan: Back to the Drawing Board?
- Projecting Impact on Claims, Revenue and Collections
- And others!
Visit the Live Learning Center today. The ICD-10 Summit is just a click away!
Partner Resources:
American Health Lawyers Association
AHIMA is collaborating with the American Health Lawyers Association to bring you the conference recording of the following educational program. “Information Technology Contracting 101: What You Need to Know.” Become more knowledgeable about information technology agreements covering software, hardware, service, and maintenance with the CD-ROM from AHLA. Visit here for a program description and here to order the conference recording.
The AHIMA Foundation Is Collecting Donations for the 2009 Not-So-Silent Auction
Donations to the Not-So-Silent Auction at this year’s AHIMA Convention and
Exhibit are now being accepted through a new online submission form. If you are exhibiting at the convention, participating on behalf of your corporation, representing your CSA, or attending as an individual, you are invited to donate an auction item. A special advantage to corporate contributors is the extra recognition you’ll receive by having your company logo appear in the convention brochure, in the auction item booklet, on the Foundation Web site, and on the bid sheets.
Don’t miss this opportunity to promote your organization while supporting the HIM profession. All proceeds from the auction go to the AHIMA Foundation Merit Scholarship Program, which offers scholarships to outstanding graduate and undergraduate students pursuing degrees in HIM and health information technology. Last year, through the Not-So-Silent Auction (which raised more than $26,000) and other fundraising, 90 students were awarded scholarships, and we’re hoping to increase those numbers in 2009.
Visit the convention Web site for convention details and an auction overview. Auction questions can be addressed to Janice Mackovitch; (312) 233-1968.
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Teaching Lean Thinking in HIM
As healthcare expenses continue to erode household, government, and provider budgets, the industry needs better methods to reduce the cost of care. One tool that can increase efficiency and value is a change management technique called lean thinking.
Lean thinking is based on the Toyota Production Model and is built upon five steps to identify and eliminate waste: value, value stream, flow, pull, and perfection. The ultimate goal of lean thinking as applied to healthcare is to provide services and products that add value to the patient by improving care in the most efficient manner possible.
Lean thinking can also be used to implement technology within healthcare. A leading reason why so many health IT projects fail is because organizations do not perform a workflow analysis.
Workflow analysis examines how current processes are performed and then reengineers those processes to make them more efficient. When health IT is overlaid on efficient processes, chances are greater that healthcare professionals will adopt and use it on a daily basis.
To read more, please go here. Be sure to visit the Journal of AHIMA blog for other useful articles.
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| STOP BY OUR BOOTH! |
AHIMA will exhibit at the following conferences in the upcoming month. If you plan on attending any of these events, be sure to stop by our booth and pick up a free gift
Arizona Health Information Management Association (AzHIMA) Annual Convention
June 11–12
Booth #12, Renaissance Glendale Hotel and Spa, Glendale, AZ
Healthcare Financial Management Association’s (HFMA) Annual National Institute (ANI)
June 15–16
Booth #2423, Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, WA
California Health Information Association (CHIA) State Convention and Exhibit
June 15–17
Booth #319, Hyatt Grand Champions Hotel, Indian Wells, CA
| ICD-10 NEWS |
Navigate the Transition to ICD-10
Use AHIMA’s ICD-10 Web pages as a resource to help guide you through the transition to ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS.
| MONTHLY HINT |
We've all done the job interview dance, but it's always a good idea to review the basic steps, otherwise we risk tripping over ourselves. Here are a few tips (inspired by articles on the monster.com site) for eliminating the unwitting quirks that discourage potential employers.
Create a professional e-mail address for job-hunting—Would you rather hire robert.bradley@email.com or sgt.beerhunter13@email.com?
Proofread!—Read and reread your resume and cover letter, looking for errors. Then read it again. Next, let someone else take a look. Confusing a comma with a semicolon is regrettable but probably not a big deal to an interviewer. Misspelling the company's or the interviewer's name is a definite turn-off.
Who are you online?—Employers can find out what you've been up to online and off with a simple Google search. What sort of person will they find there? Consider activating privacy functions on your blog or other social networking sites. Better yet, think before you post something potentially damaging. If an employer doesn't like what she sees online, you may not get a first chance to make a first impression with her.
Keep your resume simple—Don't use multiple fonts and typefaces, use bullets to highlight your skills, and stick to a basic template. You're fighting for attention with plenty of other resumes out there. Make yours stand out by being clear and readable.
HealthPort offers the widest selection of affordable, quality, solutions and services in the industry! By combining knowledge, technology, and services, we are committed to improving business processes for hospitals, physician practices and community health centers nationwide. Visit us at Booth #1038 at the HFMA ANI show in Seattle, June 14–17!
| AHIMA MEMBERSHIP |
Are you a current member of AHIMA? If your answer is no then keep reading, because you're missing out on important benefits to help you advance your career. In each issue of Resources, we will highlight one of the many member benefits you can access if you sign up. Join today!
Discounts on Seminars and Workshops
Join AHIMA and become part of an organization more than 53,000 members strong. Your membership dollars provide you with many things, including discounted registration fees to attend AHIMA’s many seminars and workshops offered throughout the year. As a member you can save up to 20 percent on your registration fees!
Whether you are entry-level, middle, or senior management there is a seminar or workshop designed for you. With more than 20 offered each year on numerous different topics there will be at least one geared towards you. They offer incomparable opportunities to connect with your colleagues and learn from key leaders who influence change in health information management. Don’t miss out!
Join today and begin enjoying this and many other benefits of membership!
| HERE'S A TIP |
AHIMA Is the Place for Your Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Planning Efforts
As members scramble to gain knowledge of the scope of the RAC program and implement changes in processes required by the program, AHIMA is dedicated to providing current, accurate products and resources developed to educate our members. Below is a list of resources, available today that can be used to increase your knowledge of the RAC program. Arm yourself—prepare to be RAC’d!
Articles
Integrating IT Systems Strengthens the Revenue Cycle
Audio Seminars
Building an Effective Revenue Cycle Team
How CDI Programs Result in Quality Coded Data
Auditing Your RAC Results: What It Means for Your Organization
Understanding RAC Audit Trends
Meetings
RAC Operational Challenges and Best Practices Virtual Meeting
Clinical Coding Meeting at the AHIMA Convention and Exhibit
No time like the present to prepare yourself to lead your organization into the future of health information management (HIM). One important step is educating yourself and your organization on the importance of identifying and understanding the RAC audit process. Not knowing how to react to a RAC request could cost your organization important revenue dollars. The RAC topic has been frequently requested by our members. In response, AHIMA is dedicated to providing more topics and best practices as the year goes on. Put yourself on the RAC education track today!
| DISTANCE EDUCATION |
Online Cancer Registry Management Program Available
Cancer registrars are skilled healthcare professionals who apply clinical and technical knowledge to maintain disease-related data collection systems, in all types of facilities, and manage and analyze clinical cancer information in multiple healthcare facilities. AHIMA collaborated with the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) to build you an online program providing the necessary training to excel in this respected, high-demand profession. The 10-course Cancer Registry Management program is an NCRA-accredited component for Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) exam route two eligibility. For more information,visit here.
| MERCHANDISE |
Display Your Certification with Pride in Select Frames from AHIMA
Your certification is a designation of your achievement and professionalism. AHIMA offers a wonderful collection of precision-crafted frames that add a distinctive, highly professional accent to your certification. Chose from six different AHIMA-approved certificate frames.
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| FAST FACTS |
Physician Practice Fast Facts: Information You Need Now!
Do you work in physician practice? Do you need continuing education that is quick, affordable, and meaningful? You can have all this and maintain your credentials with important CEUs on crucial topics for everyday management of the physician practice environment. Harness the learning benefits of audio seminars, faster! These 30-minute pre-recorded physician practice topics will boost your knowledge and experience in half the time of an audio seminar. Topics include:
- Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN)
Medical Necessity - Developing and Managing the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
- Challenges of Compliance and Ethical Coding in Physician Practice
- Quality Documentation within Physician Practice
- The Importance of the Legal Health Record in Physician Practice
- Developing a Query Process for the Physician Practice or Home Health Agency
- Correct Coding Initiative (CCI)
Claim Rejections and Appeals Process - EHR System Selection
Fast Facts seminars are available via pre-recorded Webcast or CD. An assessment is included with each seminar. Earn one CEU for each seminar and assessment completed. Prices start as low as $49 per seminar! Visit here for more information, including a complete list of topics.
| AHIMA CAREER ASSIST |
One of the benefits of AHIMA membership is use of Career Assist. Presenting special offers for job seekers and discounts for posting employers, AHIMA’s Career Assist is your one-stop HIM health information portal to your new career. A Career Assist customer service staff member is ready to assist you with any questions at (888) 575-9675, or by e-mail at custserv@jobtarget.com. You will get an immediate response to your questions.
To find your perfect job today, go here.
Supervisor, Outpatient Coding
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Lakeland, FL
Billing Specialist/Compliance Analyst
Weiss Memorial Hospital
Chicago, IL
Clinical Systems Analyst/Administrator
Seattle Children’s
Seattle, WA
| MEMBER BENEFITS |
Experiences with Document Management and Imaging Solutions
KLAS, an organization that monitors and reports on healthcare IT vendor performance, is preparing a comparative analysis of document management and imaging (DMI) solutions from the collective experiences of healthcare providers nationwide.
AHIMA members are encouraged to share the successes and challenges they have experienced with their DMI solution by providing a candid, confidential vendor evaluation
before June 23, 2009.
Each participant (healthcare providers only) will receive a complimentary summary of the DMI research findings, comparing a minimum of fifteen (15) DMI systems, and access to online peer reviews.
| DC NOTES |
ARRA Resources
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (PL 111-5) is beginning to take shape in the healthcare arena. Announcements affecting HIM and health information communications and technology under the HITECH Act are also starting to appear. The resources below can be your access to the latest what is happening with ARRA.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ARRA Web site
HHS Office of the Inspector (OIG) ARRA Recovery Oversight Web site
HHS Office of the Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)
These sites are often displaying notices before they appear in the usual publications, but any formal notice, rule, and so forth can always be found in the Federal Register.
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| AHIMA SOCIAL NETWORKING |
Connect with Peers on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter
AHIMA is now "officially" leveraging Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to help us continue to strengthen our connection with members and friends of AHIMA. You can check out AHIMA's pages at the following links:
AHIMA Resources Newsletter Twitter
Of course, don't forget about the Communities of Practice (CoP). Answers, support, and career advice are available through this well-established professional network. AHIMA members enjoy a wide continuum of benefits:
- Current news and practices
- Online forums
- Practical research materials
- Relevant education resources
The Communities of Practice is a benefit of AHIMA membership. If you are already a member, go here. Your user name is your AHIMA member ID including the initial zero(s).
To join AHIMA, go here.
See you on the CoP and as a "fan" and/or group member of one or more of AHIMA's pages!
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