Ethics Information

AHIMA Code of Ethics

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics intended to serve as a professional ethics guide for its members and credentialed professionals who are not members.

The Code of Ethics features five sections:

• Preamble – provides the ethical obligation of AHIMA members and credentialed professionals who are not members.
• Values – summarizes core values based on AHIMA’s mission.
• Purpose – delineates the six purposes for the Code of Ethics.
• Using the Code – describes how members and credentialed professionals who are not members should use the Code.
• Ethical Principles – Outlines and interprets the eleven principles that are the Code of Ethics’ foundation and serve as a guide to members and credentialed professionals who are not members.
• Interpreting the Code – guidelines assist members and HIM professionals in interpreting the principles.

Standards of Ethical Coding

Health information coding is one of HIM’s core functions. Due to the complex regulatory requirements affecting the coding process, coding professionals are frequently faced with ethical challenges. The AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding are intended to:

• assist coding professionals and managers in decision-making
• outline expectations for making ethical decisions in the workplace
• demonstrate coding professionals’ commitment to integrity during the coding process, regardless of the purpose for which codes are being reported

The Standards are relevant to all coding professionals and those managing the coding function, regardless of healthcare setting or AHIMA membership status.

Review the American Health Information Management Association Standards of Ethical Coding, which was revised and approved by the House of Delegates in September, 2008.

Code of Ethics Complaint

The AHIMA Code of Ethics applies to AHIMA members and credentialed HIM professionals who are not members.  If you believe an AHIMA member or credentialed professional has violated the Code of Ethics, you may file a complaint with AHIMA. Please see the Professional Ethics Committee Policy and Procedures for filing a complaint.  A completed Ethics Complaint Form must be submitted along with supporting documentation to:

Carolyn Guyton-Ringbloom
AHIMA
233 N. Michigan Ave., 21st Fl.
Chicago, IL 60601-5809

Please see the Policy and Procedures for the deadline for filing a complaint. If the ethics process goes forward, a copy of the complaint will be sent to the respondent. The complainant need not be an AHIMA member or a credentialed HIM professional.

Ethics Complaint Form

Code of Ethics Educational Materials

The Professional Ethics Committee developed a PowerPoint presentation and handouts, which can be downloaded and used at meetings and for student education. 

• Code of Ethics Presentation
• Code of Ethics Handouts  

Articles on Ethics (viewable to members through the AHIMA Foundation Library: HIM Body of Knowledge)

• Code of Ethics
• American Health Information Management Association.  "Statement on Health Information Management (HIM) as a Multi-National Profession" (AHIMA, 2008)
• Bronnert, June. "Coding Ethically." Journal of AHIMA 76, no.9 (2005): 108,110,112.

•  “Committee Outlines History, Future of AHIMA's Code of Ethics.” AHIMA Advantage 11:4 (June 2007), 12.  
• Harman, Laurinda B., and Virginia L. Mullen.  “Emerging HIM Identity Ethical Issues” AHIMA's 79th National Convention and Exhibit Proceedings, October 2007.  
• Harman, Laurinda B., Mullen, Virginia L. and Jacqueline Glover. "Ethics in HIM: a Professional Imperative."  AHIMA's 78th National Convention and Exhibit Proceedings, October 2006
• Harman, Laurinda B., Mullen, Virginia L. "Ethics at Work: a Case Study." AHIMA's 77th National Convention and Exhibit Proceedings, October 2005.
• Harman, Laurinda B., and Virginia L. Mullen. “Health Information Management in the Global Community: Ethical Issues.” AHIMA Convention Proceedings, October 2004. 

2009 Professional Ethics Committee

• Nancy A. Davis, MS, RHIA, Chair
• Donna L. Kraybill, MS, RHIA
• Dana C. McWay, JD, RHIA
• Joseph Rivet, CCS-P, CPC, CICA
• Dawn Thomas-Flowers, MBA, RHIA, CCS
• Andrea B. Thomas, MBA, RHIA, CHPS

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