2008 is just around the corner and everyone is gearing up for a great year. BC Advantage asked the major industry associations about their plans for the coming year!
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
What's New With AAPC in 2008
An additional national conference, new workshop format, new audio conference topics and new Web site features for members are a few of the ways AAPC is Upholding a Higher Standard" for its members in 2008.
National Conferences: To accommodate demand from members, AAPC will host two national conferences in 2008:
- Anaheim, Calif. from Jan. 9 - 12
- Orlando, Fla. from June 8 - 11
Attendees can earn up to 17 CEUs, visit vendor exhibits and peruse the Local Chapter Showcase. Conference agendas and registration information are available online at http://aapc.com/conferences/national-conference.aspx.
Local Workshops: With a completely revised workshop plan, AAPC will be coming to big cities around the country with the hottest, most current topics for coders in '08, including:
- How to Effectively Teach E&M Coding to your Doctor in One Hour (Feb/Mar 2008)
- Coding and Billing in Best Run Practices (April/May 2008)
- How to Dissect Operative Reports & Find Missing Pieces (Aug/Oct 2008)
- Complete 2009 Coding Updates (Nov/Dec 2008)
Visit http://www.aapc.com/education/2008-medical-coding-workshops.aspx for more information.
Audio Conferences: AAPC introduces new audio conferences. Audio conferences are great opportunities to earn CEUs and to learn from coding experts. Topics for 2008 include specialty-specific coding, compliance practice management and annual coding updates. More information about the audio conferences is available online at http://aapc.com/conferences/index.aspx.
Web site: As part of our goal to constantly increase the value of AAPC membership, the Member Area on the AAPC Web site is being expanded to offer more forums, member resources and member networking. The Member Area is a great way to stay up-to-date on your local chapter, chat with coders from around the world and access the information you need. If you haven't signed up yet and are a member of AAPC, visit aapc.com to create a unique user login.
For more information on AAPC or any of programs, visit aapc.com or call 800-626-2633.
Association of Registered Healthcare Professionals (ARHCP)
The Association of Registered Health Care Professionals (ARHCP) has spent over 8 years working to improve the standing of coders and billers through education, advocacy, and increased awareness, and is happy to see the tides starting to turn. According to the AAPC's 2007 annual survey, a certified coder earns an average of 17% more than a non certified coder and 42 percent of survey respondents said that certification was required for employment at their current positions. The ARHCP is dedicated to helping you achieve a higher status in your job. Our mission is to foster a community dedicated to advancing their knowledge of important socio-economic issues through continuing education, exchange of ideas between members, and certification programs that recognize personal educational achievements.
We are very excited about the opportunities available to our members in the upcoming year. Through the support of our Peer Review Editorial Board (PREB) we have received valuable insight into improving our product line to better serve your needs. As you will see, the quality and support you receive from the ARHCP will provide invaluable resources for you as you go through the everyday grind as a medical coder or medical office manager. We have programs geared for beginners through managers to help you succeed in your job. Along with the increased value of our offerings we have also paired with the Medical Management Institute a Contexo Media Company to bring our members more discounts in 2008 on coding products and services. Your membership will allow you to attend over 300 workshops and bootcamps at a significant discount. Visit our website and see for yourself how these improvements can benefit you and your practice.
For more information about the Association and its programs, you may visit the website at www.ARHCP.org.
Medical Association of Billers (MAB)
News for 2008
The MAB has been at the forefront of medical billing since 1995 serving as a credible source of information empowering physician's offices, hospitals and medical billing services in maximizing reimbursement.
Since 1997, their online medical billing classes have provided students with reliable billing and coding knowledge. Their coding classes progress from introductory through intermediate and on to advanced level coding, preparing students to sit for national coding certifications.
The response to the Certified Medical Billing SpecialistTM Examination has been incredible! The number of proctor sites for the CMBS exam is expanding across the country. They now offer a Train-the-Trainer program for those schools who want their instructors to become certified. Upon completion of the three-day training the instructor will become a Certified Medical Billing SpecialistTM - Instructor (CMBS-I).
Mark your calendars now and plan to join MAB at their annual conference in October 2008, in Las Vegas. Some of the top experts in billing and coding from around the country will speak on Starting and Growing Your Home Based Business, Third Party Billing Compliance, Billing and Coding Trends, Coding Updates for 2009, Incident-to and Supervision Rules, and Proper Billing for NPPs and PAs. Their professionals will offer valuable recommendations and vital information on what you need to know to optimize coding and billing to increase office revenues in 2009. When you attend the MAB conference, you can earn up to 14 CEUs from MMI, AAPC and AHIMA! More information will be available on their web site in January.
The MAB looks forward to seeing you at their upcoming events. If you would like information about an upcoming event, please visit their website at www.e-medbill.com or call them at: 702-240-8519.
Practice Management Institute (PMI)
NetworkPMI Offers Medical Office Professionals a New Way to Share Ideas. Network PMI is an all-new gathering place for medical office professionals from all walks of the practice. From coders to office managers, front to back office personnel, members can interact with others in the network on a local, regional or national scale.
Network PMI is the only free national organization that is open to anyone in the medical office. Brought to you by Practice Management Institute® (PMI), NetworkPMI provides fast access to content, tools and a support network to perform better on the job and expand your professional capabilities.
Free/Discounted Resources
Gain access to a national electronic network of medical office professionals, plus:
- Email newsletter
- Discussion forums
- Invitations to local meetings (where available)
- Job bank
- Members-only access to a library of educational resources and tips
- Member discounts on products and services, plus much more to come!
Best of all - becoming a member is completely free and open to anyone who is either currently involved in or has interest in the coding, billing, practice management, compliance side of the medical practice. Members can learn and grow in their profession in the only national network with a local presence.
Groups are now forming across the country offering both local meetings and virtual resources.
Sign up on the web: http://network.pmiMD.com.
For more information about PMIs certifications please also read our article at www.billing-coding.com/pmi/certs.cfm
The Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCS)
PAHCS is planning a great 2008!
The Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCS, pronounced "packs") has scheduled several specialty certification examination sites and dates in 2008, they are:
Las Vegas, NV Jan 17
Tampa FL Jan 19
Chicago, IL May 9
San Francisco, CA May 15
Atlanta, GA June 13
Baltimore, MD Aug 8
Dallas, TX Sept 12
Las Vegas, NV Oct 11
The following specialty coding examinations will be offered at each site: Gastroenterology, Podiatry, Orthopaedics, General Surgery, and OB/GYN (other specialties will be offered as requested) PAHCS also offers specialty examination locations and dates for groups of 5 or more coders at the location of your choice (coders can be from different specialties). Visit our web site at www.pahcs.org/specialty.html to see the latest list of specialty certification examinations. We are continually adding more specialties to our list as demand dictates. For more information on arranging for a custom examination for your group call our national office at 888-708-4707.
All PAHCS exams are proctored and hand scored and 86% of examinees pass on their first try. The specialty certification examination is only available to PAHCS members. Visit www.pahcs.org to review the advantages of PAHCS membership and to join.
Our affiliation with the AGA Institute, ACFOAM, PAHCOM and other associations makes our specialty certifications among the strongest in the country.
Email pahcs@pahcs.org or call our national office at 888-708-4707 for more information.
Give yourself the professional recognition that you deserve! Document your skills and knowledge with your coding certification in your specialty.
Professional Healthcare Institute of America (PHIA/Medical Staff SOS, Inc.)
Where we've been and where we're going!
2007 has been a busy year for PHIA/Medical Staff SOS, Inc. and we are excited about our continued growth as we approach 2008. Over the past months we've been working with several business partners to expand our services throughout the medical community......GLMS, BC Advantage, MediVoxx, and more.
A new joint venture with the Greater Louisville Medical Society entitled "GLMS Physicians take AIM at Diabetes" was developed. This exciting new initiative was launched by the GLMS Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Committee.
We have been contracted to provide the NCQA chart audit and education to GLMS physicians who choose to attain the NCQA DPRP certification which ultimately will enhance much needed revenue and provide better care for the patient.
PHIA/Medical Staff SOS, Inc. is honored to have been chosen to be a part of this initiative.
Our National CEU Roundtable Conference in Louisville, Kentucky was a huge success! If you weren't able to join us this year please visit our home page to view the conference slide show and conference page to view the attendee comments. Preparations have already begun for 2008 and we'd love to see you there next year.
To better enhance our services the website has undergone major changes which will provide certified healthcare employees with the quality education and resources they deserve.
ONLINE certification courses (CCP, CCP-H, CCP-AS) continue to grow. The CMBS is being updated and the CCO is currently under review. To aid our certified members in obtaining their CEUs we have partnered with BC Advantage.
This month, our own Susanne More is interviewed in the magazine. In addition to this, physical Team PHIA Sector groups and ONLINE Discussion Groups were launched this summer.
We continually strive to provide healthcare employees with quality education and services and we are looking forward to another great year in 2008. Visit us at www.phia.com or email us at contactus@phia.com to find out more. BCA