News

AHIMA CCS Certification Discounts

CCS Certification Discount
Save 15 percent on the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Exam through June 30, with the code IPMON17!
List Price: $399 | Member Price: $299 | Premier Member Price: $284.08

Coding Education Discount
Save 10 percent on these inpatient coding online education and publication resources through June 30 with the code IPMON17!
Discount Applies to these resources:

Online Education
Coding Practice: Combined ICD-10-CM/PCS Cases
List Price: $195
Member Price: $179
Premier Member Price: $170.05
Product #: C10CMPCS23

Coding Practice:
ICD-10-CM/PCS Hospital Inpatient Cases
List Price: $99.95
Member Price: $89.95
Premier Member Price: $85.45
Product #: C10PRACINP
Coding Practice: ICD-10-PCS Surgical Cases
List Price: $99.95
Member Price: $89.95
Premier Member Price: $85.45
Product #: C10PCS22SR

Publication
Coding and Reimbursement for Hospital Inpatient Services, Fourth Edition
Product #: AC206214
Karen Scott, RHIA, CCS-P, MED, FAHIMA
List Price: $89.95
Member Price: $74.95
Premier Member Price: $71.95

2017 NCHIMA Election Results

We are pleased to announce the results of the 2017-2018 NCHIMA election. We had a 11% voter turnout which is down 3% from last year.

Congratulations to the following:

President-Elect
Mary Gregory, RHIT, CCS, CDIP, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-I

Secretary
Esta Lynn Farmer, RHIA, CHPS, CCS, CCS-P

Treasurer
Joe Naretto, MHA, RHIA

Regional Liaison
Crystal Gooding, RHIA, CPMA

NCHIMA Merit Scholarship Fund Campaign

NCHIMA awards scholarships each year to qualified students in associate, baccalaureate and graduate HIIM programs across the state of North Carolina. We are launching a fundraising campaign to assist in raising funds for this worthwhile effort to grow and support our future professionals.

By contributing, you are not only helping a future professional, but you may benefit too. If you donate directly to our NCHIMA Merit Scholarship Fund by going directly to the AHIMA Foundation website your donation is tax deductible for 2017. Please note this is not tax deductible for your 2016 tax return. Also, all contributions at the $50 level or higher received before 4:00 p.m., April 26, 2017, will be entered in a drawing for one free registration to attend the entire 2018 NCHIMA Annual Meeting & Exhibit in Durham.

To donate today to the NCHIMA Merit Scholarship Fund please follow this link.

https://www.ahimafoundation.org/donate/nchima.html

Call for Award Nominations

NCHIMA recognizes outstanding contributions made by its members every year. The process to nominate is very simple through NCHIMA’s website. The link will give a description of each individual award.

NCHIMA is soliciting nominations for the following categories:

  • Distinguished Member Award
  • Prism (Volunteer of the Year) Award
  • Spotlight Award
  • Special Regional Member Award
  • MaryBeth Hurst Award
  • Honorary Member Award
  • Foster Award

Nominations will be accepted via the NCHIMA website.

Award Nomination Form

AHIMA Recertification and Membership Renewals

Please note the extension for membership renewal and credentials per AHIMA.

Please see important updates regarding CEU Reporting below.

Earned CEUs

Due to technical difficulties and increased demand on the AHIMA’s CEU Center and web store during this peak CEU earning and reporting period, AHIMA is extending the period where you can earn CEUs to January 31, 2017, from the original date of December 31, 2016 (for those whose cycle ended on 12/31/2016).

This means you can continue to earn CEUs through the first month of this year and continue to enter any CEUs earned prior to January 31, 2017, through the end of your grace period on March 31, 2017. Any CEUs earned prior to January 31, 2017 and self reviews (for coding credentials) completed by March 31, 2017, will count toward your recertification requirements.

CEU Deadlines

If your recertification cycle ends on December 31, 2016, you have until March 31, 2017, to report your CEUs without incurring a late fee.

If you are attempting to reinstate a revoked credential prior to the December 31, 2016, deadline, we have extended the deadline for reinstatement to January 31, 2017.

If you are a holder of an AHIMA coding credential (CCA, CCS, CSS-P), the 2016 coding self-review is now available and you will have until March 31, 2017, to complete the self-review.

Membership

If your membership renewal is due on December 31, 2016, you may renew at any time.

If you need additional CEUs through January 31, 2017, don’t forget about the many archived webinars available for purchase through NCHIMA. Please follow this link to view all offerings: http://www.nchima.org/continuing-education/demand-education/

Four-Part Webinar Series: Unlocking the Door to Quality Payment Programs for MACRA

Four-Part Webinar Series

Healthcare is rapidly changing and we must be involved in ensuring our organizations are successful but most importantly ensure we can reach our ultimate goal for total population health management for our patients and communities. We have been on a quality journey for a number of years now but with the upcoming changes, the impact will be greater than ever. Attend this workshop to understand this structure, see how you fit in, and launch your organization to take ahold of the quality revenue cycle. Preparation pays off.

Webinar 1-3 will be pre-recorded and available by 12 PM, ET on the dates below.

Webinar 1: November 9, 2016
Webinar 2: November 16, 2016
Webinar 3: November 23, 2016
Webinar 4: December 7, 2016 – A live webinar Q&A to answer questions.

Speaker: Sharon Easterling, MHA, RHIA, CCS, CDIP

CEUs: 1.0 – Clinical Data Management (for each webinar)

Learn More and Register

NCHIMA Awards

If you ever wondered how NCHIMA ranks among our 52 component state associations within AHIMA, check out how we performed this year with the RACE and CSA Strategic Initiative Achievement Awards.

Coding Roundtable Excellence Honored in Baltimore

The 2016 Roundtable Achievement in Coding Excellence (RACE) Awards were presented to the following individuals and component state associations (CSAs) at the Clinical Coding Community Meeting, before AHIMA’s annual Convention and Exhibit, in Baltimore, MD, last week.

Coding Roundtable Coordinator Recognition for Excellence

First place: Debra A. Beisel Denton, RHIA, CCS, CCDS – Arizona Health Information Management Association (AzHIMA)

Second place: Krystal Haynes, RHIA, CDIP, CCS – North Carolina Health Information Management Association (NCHIMA)

CSA Recognition for Coding Leadership

First place: Oklahoma Health Information Management Association (OkHIMA)

Second place: Georgia Health Information Management Association (GHIMA)

Honorable mention: North Carolina Health Information Management Association (NCHIMA)

CSA Team Recognition for Coding Roundtable Activities

First place: Anita Schmidt, RHIT – Minnesota Health Information Management Association (MHIMA)

Second place: North Carolina Health Information Management Association Coding Roundtable – North Carolina Health Information Management Association (NCHIMA)

Honorable mention: Oklahoma Health Information Management Association (OkHIMA)

CSA Recognition for Advancing Coding Knowledge through Codewrite

First place: Sharon Easterling, MHA, RHIA, CPHM, CDIP, CCS, FAHIMA – North Carolina Health Information Management Association (NCHIMA)

CSA Strategic Initiative Achievement in Baltimore

The 2016 CSA Strategic Initiative Achievement Awards were presented to the component state associations (CSAs) at the AHIMA House of Delegates meeting, before AHIMA’s annual Convention and Exhibit, in Baltimore, MD, last week.

2016 CSA Strategic Initiative Achievement Award
Innovation
North Carolina

Help Hurricane Matthew Victims: A Request from Your NCHIMA Board

Dear NCHIMA Members and Sponsors,

NCHIMA is deeply concerned for those that have been affected by the flooding and hurricane damage in our state. Now that the flood waters are beginning to recede this is the time we need to begin assistance and help our fellow members and professionals.

Donate directly to the AHIMA Foundation HIRO fund.

AHIMA Foundation HIRO Fund

The HIRO Fund can help

Have you been affected by a natural disaster, or know of a member who has? The AHIMA Foundation is accepting applications from members to receive assistance from the Health Information Relief Operation (HIRO) Fund. The HIRO Fund is an ongoing disaster recovery fund to assist HIM professionals and their communities in recovering from natural or man-made events. AHIMA members in recently-declared disaster areas are invited to submit an application for up to $500 to assist in their efforts to return to work while recovering from the disaster. To learn more about the eligibility requirements, please see the HIRO Fund.

This is not the last year that disasters will strike, but it will be the last year that victims of these tragedies have to do without the immediate support of their HIM colleagues —but only with your help and support. For more information on the fund, and to donate to the relief effort, visit the AHIMA Foundation HIRO Fund web page.

Support the AHIMA Foundation HIRO Fund

The Health Information Relief Operation (HIRO) Fund is an ongoing recovery source to assist HIM professionals whose lives and communities have been shattered by natural or man-made disasters. Through the generosity of AHIMA members and HIM’s greater professional community, and begun with a $10,000 donation from AHIMA, the HIRO Fund (pronounced “hero”) provides material relief to those whose professional practices have been significantly shaken.

We can’t predict when disasters will strike, but we can predict there will be help for our members. With your help and support, victims of these tragedies do not have to go without the immediate support of their HIM colleagues.

For more information on the fund, and to donate to the relief effort, visit the AHIMA Foundation HIRO Fund web page. Eligible applicants can apply for financial assistance by completing and submitting the HIRO Fund Assistance Application.

NEW NCHIMA Legal Portal

legalNCHIMA is pleased to announce the launch of our online portal.

Members and non-members may purchase the annual online subscription and learn about pricing based on number of users by clicking here.

But wait there’s more! If you register now you are receiving almost TWO extra months for your first year subscription that runs October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017.

But wait there’s more! If you order and pay for your online portal subscription by September 30, 2016, you will receive a FREE subscription for our 3-part webinar series with the third and final webinar offering a tour and overview of the legal portal.

Click here to learn more about the webinar series.

2016 NCHIMA Election Results

We are pleased to announce the results of the 2016-2017 NCHIMA election. We had a 14% voter turnout which is down 1% from last year.

Congratulations to the following:

President-Elect
Pamela Lail, MHA, RHIA, CHDA, PMP, FAHIMA

Vice President
Krystal Haynes, RHIA, CCS, CDIP

Delegate Legal
Tammy Downum, RHIA

Delegate Strategic Planning
Kris McCall, MHA, RHIA, CHPS

Secretary
Shannon Grubb, RHIA, CMRS

Advanced Anatomy and Physiology and Pharmacology for Coders

With the implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS in 2015, medical coders should continue to enhance their understanding of anatomy and physiology, disease processes and pharmacology. This underpinning assists the coder in appropriate code selection and improves communication with physicians and other healthcare providers. Join us for this four-part series to advance your understanding.

This series is recommended for experienced coders but novice coders will gain additional understanding and expertise too.

All sessions are pre-recorded.  They are not live webinars.

Learn More and Register

Thank You Lee Ford

Lee Ford

NCHIMA Delegate and Past-President, Lee Ford received  a certificate for co-chairing the NCHICA ICD-10 Taskforce from 2009 – 2015 on December 10, 2015 in Cary, NC. Pictured with Lee is the co-chair, Laurie Woodrome, LapCorp. Lee has worked diligently over the past 6 years to ensure North Carolina healthcare providers, hospitals and HIM Professionals were ready for the ICD-10-CM and PCS Implementation. Lee has worked on behalf of NCHIMA to partner with the NC AHEC’s and traveled many miles across the state representing NCHIMA and NCHICA to provide training for healthcare providers and their staff on the ICD-10-CM/PCS coding system. We appreciate all of Lee’s hard work and volunteer service during this time in which he received the AHIMA Triumph Award and NCHIMA Foster Award for his work fostering relationships centered around ICD-10-CM Education, and served as President of NCHIMA during the 2012-2013 year.

ICD-10 Reality

ICD-10-CM/PCS is now a reality. The NCHIMA Board wishes to thank you for your many letters, calls and tweets to Congress to help arrive at this event. As you begin coding I-10 today, we thought this information would be of assistance as provided by CMS. Thank you for continuing to improve healthcare for our consumers and country as we begin capturing better diagnostic and procedural data.

CMS BLOG

http://blog.cms.gov/2015/10/01/welcome-to-icd-10/
October 1, 2015
By Sean Cavanaugh, Deputy Administrator and Director, Center for Medicare

Welcome to ICD-10

Today, the U.S. health care system moves to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision – ICD-10. We’ve tested and retested our systems in anticipation of this day, and we’re ready to accept properly coded ICD-10 claims.

The change to ICD-10 allows you to capture more details about the health status of your patients and sets the stage for improved patient care and public health surveillance across our country. ICD-10 will help move the nation’s health care system to better, smarter care.

You may wonder when we’ll know how the transition is going. It will take a couple of weeks before we have the full picture of ICD-10 implementation because very few health care providers file claims on the same day a medical service is given. Most providers batch their claims and submit them every few days.

Even after submission, Medicare claims take several days to be processed, and Medicare – by law – must wait two weeks before issuing payment. Medicaid claims can take up to 30 days to be submitted and processed by states. Because of these timeframes, we expect to know more about the transition to ICD-10 after completion of a full billing cycle.

Because we know this is a major transition, we’ll be:

  • Monitoring the transition in real time.
  • Watching our systems.
  • Addressing any issues that come to the ICD-10 Coordination Center.

The Coordination Center is a dedicated group of Medicare, Medicaid, billing, coding, and information technology systems experts drawn from across CMS. They have the full support of the entire CMS staff to address any issues quickly and completely.

It’s important that you know help’s available if you have problems with ICD-10:

This important moment is possible because we’ve all worked together to make it happen. We’re grateful for your support and look forward to working with you as we make this transition.

Oppose I-10 Amendments

On June 12, 2015, NCHIMA filed a civil lawsuit in the Mecklenburg County Superior Court (15 CVS 11094) against Mr. Floyd Kevan Weaver, alleging embezzlement of NCHIMA funds while he served as Treasurer for the association, among other claims. Mr. Weaver has thirty days to file an Answer to NCHIMA’s lawsuit. If he fails to file an Answer, NCHIMA will move the Court for an entry of default and default judgment against Weaver, and NCHIMA will be seeking a civil judgment in excess of $350,000. Once a judgment is likely entered, NCHIMA will file the necessary paperwork to execute on the judgment (which is based on an individual’s own collectible assets). If Weaver has no property or insufficient funds to satisfy the judgment, the judgment will continue for 10 years against Weaver, and can be renewed.

Furthermore, there is a separate, criminal investigation into Mr. Weaver, which upon information and belief, is related to the allegations complained of in NCHIMA’s civil lawsuit described above. Members of the Governance Team are cooperating fully with the federal investigators. The NCHIMA Governance Team has worked diligently over the last 2 years to rebuild our finances and implement stronger financial safeguards, including separation of duty, to ensure this does not happen in the future. These steps will ensure transparency and further protect the membership. We provided a detailed financial update at the 2015 Annual Meeting in April which will be provided to the membership annually. NCHIMA takes pride in its members and upholds and adheres to the AHIMA code of ethics, the cornerstone of our profession. Please contact Jolene Jarrell or Valerie Dobson if you have questions.

Tell Congress to oppose H.R.2126!

Recently, US Representative Ted Poe (TX-2) introduced H.R.2126. This bill would prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from replacing ICD-9 with ICD-10 in implementing the HIPAA code set standards.

Send a letter to your US Senators and Representatives and let them know you oppose this bill. ICD-10 must be implemented in 2015.

For additional information, please read the JAHIMA article on the bill.

ICD-10 Grassroots Campaign!

We need your help to ensure that ICD-10 is not delayed in 2015!

If you are passionate about ICD-10, enjoy talking to representatives and senators, are interested in the outreach to our physician offices, or interested in volunteering in any other avenues for this goal, please reach out to Debra Taylor, NCHIMA Coding Roundtable Chairperson. Debra will be leading this effort for North Carolina, and needs your help in order to make this successful.

Please contact Debra at debra.taylor@novanthealth.org.

AHIMA Announcement: HR 1701/S.972

HR 1701/S.972, the Cutting Costly Codes Act(s) which would “kill ICD-10″are still “active” in the 113th Congress and will be until January 3rd 2015. We must continue to monitor this legislation closely to ensure that the language is not included in any amendments or other bills that are considered in this Congress. In addition, we are being pro-active for the 114th Congress (which begins in January, 2015). Many times bills are reintroduced- which will likely happen with both the House and Senate versions of the Cutting Costly Codes Act. This is another reason why we must continue to voice a strong opposition to both of these bills now. We encourage our members to write Congress via the Advocacy Assistant.