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e-Newsletter
March 2011
President’s Message
Greetings Fellow GHIMA Members!
Spring is just around the corner - plants are blooming and many of us are
gearing up for some serious spring cleaning! In the spirit of
“springing forward”, the GHIMA Board and I met recently to continue our work
towards implementing our strategic plan and planning for future GHIMA
initiatives. In light of the various health information management
issues that face the healthcare industry (i.e. universal adoption of
electronic health records, implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS, meaningful use
of EHRs, privacy/security, etc.), we continue to focus our efforts on
education/training, membership engagement and volunteerism, industry
leadership, and association growth and sustainability. We understand
the need to provide you with affordable and relevant educational
opportunities and to keep you abreast of current health information
trends/topics. In the coming months, look for poll questions on
our GHIMA website and on our Georgia Community of Practice (CoP) in which
you can provide us with your feedback as to what matters most to you.
In addition, we have begun planning an exciting program for this year’s
Annual Meeting, which will be held at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in
Atlanta, GA. For additional Annual Meeting details and health
information news you can use, please take a moment to read this month’s
newsletter. Here’s a peek inside our latest edition:
Jennifer McCollum, RHIA, CCS
GHIMA President
Student/Recent Graduate Resources in AHIMA Communities of Practice
Submitted by Jennifer McCollum, RHIA, CCS
There are a number of communities in the Communities of Practice (CoP)
designed for members (particularly students and/or recent graduates) who are
studying for certification exams. Check out the following communities:
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Recent Graduates including Exam Prep
and Job Hunting
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Studying for the CCA
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Studying for the CCS
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Studying for the CCS-P Exam
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Studying for the CHDA
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Studying for the CHPS
You can join one or all of these communities
by signing into the
AHIMA CoP, then selecting "Search" in the menu bar. Next, choose "Search
for Communities," and then find and join the above communities to share
study tips, gain insight, and strengthen your HIM network!
CMS Raises RAC Record Request Limits
Submitted by Jennifer McCollum, RHIA, CCS
Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently increased
the number of medical records that Recovery Audit Contractors can request in
a 45-day period from hospitals with more than $100 million in annual
Medicare payments. Under the revised policy, RACs can request up to 500
records per period from these hospitals, a significant increase from the
previous cap of 300 records. To determine the $100-million threshold, CMS
counts hospitals' diagnosis-related group payments minus additional payments
for outliers, Disproportionate Share Hospitals, and direct and indirect
graduate medical education. Many healthcare organizations have
expressed concern to CMS over the significant increase in administrative
burden for hospitals impacted by the new policy, which will affect an
estimated 87 hospitals.
As it currently stands, providers respond to documentation requests from
review contractors such as recovery audit contractors (RACs) via mail or
fax. Some providers have had problems with this form of coordination.
However, CMS has announced a new option that allows certain providers to
make electronic data submissions.
CMS is referring to the new option as “esMD,” (electronic submission of
medical documentation), which may potentially offer hospitals an opportunity
to significantly improve their efficiency in managing RAC audits and claim
reviews.
Phase one of esMD will begin in April 2011. During this phase, certain
review contractors will continue to send medical documentation requests via
paper mail and providers will have the option to electronically send medical
documentation back to the contractor.
Phase two of the initiative—which CMS is hoping to implement in 2012—will
entail review contractors electronically sending documentation requests to
providers when their claims are selected for review
For more details visit the esMD web site at
http://www.cms.gov/ESMD
ICD 10 Workshops
Submitted by Ginna Evans, MBA, RHIA, FAHIMA
The road show for Implementing ICD 10 – Welcome to Phase II and Beyond was
held in five different locations throughout the state during the week of
February 7th. 187 people attended the various sessions to hear the
latest news about ICD 10 presented by Katie Carolan, Vice President of
Operations for Health Record Services. Joy King, RHIA, CCS, of Joy
King Consulting, also participated in the presentation. Objectives
covered in the presentation included the current state of ICD 10 and
navigating ICD 10 implementation. The implementation discussion
included the areas of impact as well as the various phases of planning for
ICD 10 including Phase I – What You Should Have Already Done, Phase II –
What You Should Be Doing Now, Phase III – Priorities of 2012-2013, and Phase
IV – Go Live – 10/1/2013. In addition, resources and available tools
were provided to attendees. The information was timely, well
presented, and at times challenged attendees thought processes. There
were several anatomy and physiology quizzes throughout the presentation
which had many people thinking back to their school days! This
definitely made attendees realize the importance of refreshing their anatomy
and physiology skills as well as their medical terminology. GHIMA
graciously thanks Docuvoice and Bob Stewart for their sponsorship of these
regional meetings as well as providing the speakers. Without their
support, this would not have been possible!
AHIMA National Election and Ballot
Submitted by Ginna Evans, MBA, RHIA, FAHIMA
The AHIMA 2011 Nominating Committee recently met in Chicago to prepare the
ballot for the upcoming election. The Committee worked diligently to provide
the best ballot possible that accommodated diversity, complemented the Board
composition, and represented the AHIMA membership. The theme for
the 2011 election is “Leadership in Action: HIM’s Role in
Healthcare Transformation”. This year we will elect the 2012
AHIMA President Elect, 3 Directors who will each serve a three year term,
and 3 Commissioners for CCHIIM. The ballot was shared with all members
the first week in March. The Committee asks that all AHIMA members
join in the efforts to be heard. Help us get the message out to your
fellow HIM professionals to cast their vote. I encourage each of you
to interact with the candidates on the Candidate CoP which will be open
April 19, 2011 thru April 29, 2011. The actual voting will be held May
2, 2011 thru May 20, 2011. Members will be able to cast their vote via
the myAHIMA web page. The May Journal of AHIMA will have the
candidate’s brief bio, job description, and photo and the CoP will house a
more detailed profile of the candidates and their position statements.
Please – take just a few minutes out of your day to educate yourself about
the candidates and vote. Each member’s vote is important!
GHIMA Ballot Update
Our Nominating Committee chairperson, Sandra B. Williams, and committee
members La Sha Cofer and Shelley P. Waid have been working in the past few
months to prepare the 2011-2012 Ballot for GHIMA. Thanks to all who have
agreed to be on the ballot and who are willing to serve the members of our
association. The GHIMA Board members approved the list of nominees at the
March 4, 2011 Board meeting. Next steps in the process are for nominees to
provide the Committee with pictures and biographical information. The
planned electronic voting period is April 15 – May 6, 2011. Stay tuned for
more information!
GHIMA 2011 Annual Meeting
Submitted by Ginna Evans, MBA, RHIA, FAHIMA
Mark your calendars now! The GHIMA Annual Meeting is scheduled for
August 3-5, 2011 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta. Our
theme this year is Educate and Empower – Blazing New Trails
Through Change. The three days will provide educational
opportunities in many different categories. We will continue this year
on Wednesday morning with our half day workshops. Two different
workshops will be offered – Coding Patient Records in ICD 9 Versus ICD 10
and Refresher Course for Anatomy and Physiology and Medical Terminology.
Additionally, new this year are two different all day workshops on
Wednesday. These include a RHIT Exam Prep Class and a CCS Exam Prep
Class.
The annual meeting kicks off on Wednesday afternoon and we are excited to
have Beth Copeland, an executive coach and team development consultant, as
our keynote speaker. Thursday will showcase four track sessions
including management, eHIM, coding, and a variety of non-traditional topics.
Friday morning will begin with a motivational speaker and concludes with our
annual Joint Commission Updates. Sandy Garcia, our Joint Commission
speaker, has already said she has lots of changes to share with us this
year. Watch your emails for more detailed information about our
program.
Click here to give us your feedback on topics for the Coding Roundtable
scheduled during the meeting!
CEUs AHIMA vs. AAPC
Submitted by Ralph Morrison, RHIA, CPC
As we all prepare for ICD-10-CM/PCS, we should remember there will be many
coding education offerings related to this topic over the next three years.
Please remember that AHIMA does accept CEUs when participating in AAPC
sponsored events and AAPC accepts all educational offerings sponsored by
AHIMA and its affiliated component state associations (GHIMA). GHIMA has
reached out to all AAPC chapters throughout Georgia and will be informing
them of any coding education sessions sponsored by GHIMA and will inform our
members of AAPC chapter offerings throughout Georgia. Please remember to
visit the AHIMA or AAPC websites for further information related to CEUs.
Delegate Report
Lori Nobles, 2nd Year Delegate, provided information to the GHIMA Board
about the AHIMA 2011 Winter Team Talks/Hill Day and about the results of an
AHIMA re-assessment of the number members in each Component State
Association (CSA) related to the number of delegates that each CSA should
have based on current membership.
Winter Team Talks will be held in Washington, DC, March 28th, followed by
the 2011 Hill Day on March 29th. GHIMA representatives will be
attending.
2011-2012 House of Delegate Apportionment: The 2011-2012 CSA
Apportionment Report has been completed and Georgia still has 5 Delegates
for the 2011-2012 Delegate term. The apportionment was based upon our
membership: 1824 total members and 1253 voting members.
The Electronic CSA Survey will be available in early April for each CSA to
submit the names of their delegates. Each CSA will also submit the
representatives for one of the six House Teams.
Interested in Volunteering at the GHIMA Annual Meeting?
There are multiple opportunities for GHIMA
members to help at the annual meeting. Examples include assisting with
member check-in at the Registration Area, making a donation for door prizes,
acting as a host/hostess for one of the speakers. To offer your assistance,
please go to the GHIMA Website at www.ghima.org then select the “2011 GHIMA
Annual Meeting” link. Once there, select “Interested
in volunteering for the meeting?” then fill out the form and submit it.
Simple, right?
Still Accepting Nominations for GHIMA Awards
There are eight annual special recognition awards offered by GHIMA. As of
March 4th, the Awards Committee had received no nominations for the
categories of Champion, Distinguished Member, Established Professional,
Mentor or Professional Achievement awards. Nominations will be accepted
through April 30, 2011.
Click here to nominate somone online.
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Champion
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Clinical Site
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Distinguished Member
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Distinguished Service
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Established Professional
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Mentor
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Outstanding New Professional Award
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Professional Achievement
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Recent Graduate Award
Mentoring Program
 DeLeasa
Brown, MHA, RHIA chairs the GHIMA Mentoring Committee. She reported at the
March Board meeting that there are currently 120 mentees and 24 mentors
enrolled in the Mentoring Program. Recently, the Committee assisted with
establishing eight additional successful matches. This Committee also
reached out to students from DeVry and Macon State College to discuss the
value of the mentoring program. If you are interested in becoming a mentor
or mentee, go to the GHIMA Website at www.ghima.org then select the “News
and Events link.” “Once there, select
"Mentoring Program” then “Learn more.”
“Medicare Claim Review Programs: MUE, CCI, CERT, RAC” Booklet Revised
Submitted by: Theresa Hall, RHIT, ACPAR
The Medicare Learning Network® has revised the “Medicare Claim Review
Programs: MUE, CCI, CERT, RAC” booklet, which is designed to provide
education on the different CMS claim-review programs and assist providers in
reducing payment errors – in particular, coverage and coding errors. It
includes FAQs, resources, and an overview of the various programs, including
Medical Review (MR), Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC), and the Comprehensive
Error Rate Testing (CERT) Program. This product is suggested for all
Medicare Fee-For-Service providers and is available in downloadable format
at http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MCRP_Booklet.pdf
Additionally, please visit the MLN Provider Compliance web page at
http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/45_ProviderCompliance.asp for additional
resources designed to educate FFS providers about the common billing errors
and other improper activities identified through these programs.
HIPAA 5010 and ICD-10 Symposiums
My name is Lacy Robinson, I am the current Marketing Manager for The Kiran
Consortium Group LLC. We are a Healthcare IT Consulting Firm that
offers advisory services and Compliance Solutions. With the upcoming
deadline for the transition to ICD-10, we are currently conducting a series
of HIPAA 5010 and ICD-10 Symposiums that address these specific compliance
issues within healthcare.
We are inquiring to see if the local GHIMA has any additional speakers who
have experience in working with Compliance and ICD-10. We are
specifically seeking healthcare professionals who hold expertise in ICD-10
and HIPAA 5010 compliance. If you could assist me or guide me toward
any GHIMA internal or external speakers that would be ideal for our
symposium, that would be great. Since our presentations are
webinars, speakers aren’t required to be local. Feel free to call or e-mail
me if you have any additional questions are concerns. Below you will
find a link to our website which will allow you get a better understanding
of our services. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Lacy Robinson
Marketing Manager
The Kiran Consortium Group LLC
Mobile: 678.698.2608
E-Mail: Lacy.Robinson@Kiran-Consortium.com
Web Site: www.Kiran-Consortium.com
CoP Corner
Georgia Regional Extension Center Updates
Georgia’s Regional Extension Center program led by the Morehouse School of
Medicine has begun to meet some of its major milestones towards preparation
for assisting physicians with EHR adoption and meaningful use. To
assist members in understanding the landscape we have begun communication
via posts within the Georgia Communities topic area of the AHIMA web.
We hope to share information of interest regarding the REC’s goals and
accomplishments over the next several months and receive your feedback &
input as well (as some of you may have direct involvement), so feel free to
chime in.
Reminder on How to Post a Topic and Create a Discussion
It is easy to start a topic if you are looking for some collective wisdom
from your peers. Use this forum to ask a question or discuss an issue.
Members share their expertise with others in these topics.
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From the AHIMA home page Click on
Communities on the right side to arrive at the CoP main
page.
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Click on the Georgia Community name
under the My Communities Drop Down (right side of
page).
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Click on Add a Topic
on the left side of the page.
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Enter a topic title, description,
category and tags.
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Post your information, question or
response to another’s topic.
Student Spotlight
 The
student that we are focusing the spotlight on this month is Lauren
Hall. She attends Georgia Health Sciences University (GHSU),
formerly named The Medical College of Georgia (MCG). Lauren is a 1st year
student in the Master of Public Health in Informatics program after
receiving her BS in Health Information Administration in 2010. She earned
her RHIA credential in October of 2010. Lauren answered some questions for
us so that we could get to know more about her.
I chose HIM as my major because:
I’ve always loved science, biology in particular. When I was younger, I
envisioned myself working at the CDC finding a cure for some rare disease.
As I got older I quickly realized that hands on patient care and lab
environments were not for me. After doing some extensive research, I found
the Health Informatics program at MCG. I enjoy the wide range of
opportunities available to me in healthcare while still having a valuable
impact on patient care.
What do you find most intriguing about the HIM field?
I’m constantly learning something new related to my field. With health
care reform under way, you can’t escape the plethora of information related
to health informatics.
My hardest HIM course has been:
The most challenging course I’ve taken is Pathophysiology.
If you have a HIM mentor, who is it?
During my undergraduate studies my mentor was Melissa Jarriel, Director
of Health Information Services at MCG Health Inc. My current mentor is Dr.
Pavani Rangachari. Dr. Rangachari is one of my instructors and the principal
investigator of one of the Department of Health Informatics federally funded
research studies. I am currently working as a research assistant on this
study. Both Ms. Jarriel and Dr. Rangachari are incredible women that have
achieved much success in Health Informatics. I have learned so much from
both of them and see myself as fortunate for having the opportunity to work
for them.
What course within your curriculum do you feel has been most
beneficial in obtaining a better understanding of the HIM field?
Every course I have taken has provided me with a better understanding of
the HIM field. HIM is a complex field that requires a firm understanding of
a variety of concepts. The Administrative Internship my senior year was a
test of my knowledge in HIM theory that provided me with career skills
necessary to excel in the profession.
What is your career goal or area of work utilizing health
information do you plan to pursue?
I would love to intern at the CDC. I’m interested in research
opportunities in public health informatics.
The GHIMA Board congratulates Lauren on her accomplishments and wishes her
the continued success in the future.
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