What are the AHIMA Code of Ethics?

The ethical obligations of the health information management (HIM) professional include the protection of patient privacy and confidential information; disclosure of information; development, use, and maintenance of health information systems and health records; and the quality of information. Both handwritten and computerized medical records contain many sacred stories—stories that must be protected on behalf of the individual and the aggregate community of persons served in the healthcare system. Healthcare consumers are increasingly concerned about the loss of privacy and the inability to control the dissemination of their protected information. Core health information issues include what information should be collected; how the information should be handled, who should have access to the information, and under what conditions the information should be disclosed. Please visit the below link for more information: http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_024277.hcsp

Why am I not receiving emails from the Communities of Practice (COP)?

1. Your email address with us is not current, or incorrect.

   You may check and update this by going to the AHIMA Profile section of ahima.org. Sign in with your member ID (in its full seven digit format as it appears on your membership ID card, including any initial zeros) in the "AHIMA ID" box. Then enter your password in the "Password" box. (Your password is the password that you created at AHIMA.org. In many cases it is your last name until you change it. This is also the screen on which you may change your password if you so desire.)

   Make sure that your email address is current and correct. Please note that email addresses never contain spaces, and that your email address must be absolutely correct in spelling and punctuation, or we will be unable to send you messages. Also please make sure that you have not entered a company or personal web page address in the email address area.

2. You have not activated the “external email notification” function on your COP email.

   To check this, log in to your Communities of Practice personal page, using your member ID and password as described above. From there, click on the mailbox icon at the top of the page. When the email screen opens, select the “preferences” link. Another screen will open, with a check box for “external notification of waiting messages”. Check that box, and then click the “save” button.

3. If it is a specific community from which you are not receiving updates, but others are reaching you, you may need to enable the Community Notification feature.

In the upper right hand corner of the page for each community is a link titled “Community Notification”. To enable this, click on the link and on the next screen that opens, check the box for “External Notification of Updates to AHIMA Community” and hit save. This will activate a nightly check for updates on the community, and you will be notified by email of any updates.

If you continue to experience problems receiving emails from the Communities of Practice, please email us at CoPHelp@AHIMA.org, or contact our Customer Service area at 312-233-1100.

What is the procedure for reinstating my credentials?

Beginning January 1, 2005 -- After four years, or two consecutive CE cycles where a credential holder does not maintain their credential, candidates will be required to apply and retake the applicable examination. Candidates must complete the ‘Intent to Restore Credential' application and pay all appropriate examination and restoration fees in order to reinstate a credential. During restoration, an individual is listed as a “restoration candidate” for a maximum period of one year. Please click on the link below for the restoration application. http://www.ahima.org/certification/documents/CREDENTIALRESTORATIONAPPLICATION.pdf

How can I update my profile?

For your convenience, AHIMA now provides an online Profile update mechanism, so we are no longer conducting membership information updates by e-mail. We encourage you to use the online mechanism to keep your contact information current with us, and also to provide us with demographic data as prompted at update page. In this way, we can best provide you with updates and information tailored to your particular needs and interests.

To update your information, please go to the AHIMA Profile update page.

The login procedure is as follows:

Enter your AHIMA ID (in its full seven digit format as it appears on your membership ID card, including any initial zeros) in the "AHIMA ID" box. Then enter your login password in the password box. (Your password is the password that you created at AHIMA.org. In many cases it is your last name until you change it).

If you wish to change your password, you may do so via the "Change my password" link once you have logged in. If you have already done so, be sure that you are using the correct password. If you have forgotten it, just click on “E-mail me my userid and password” below the login boxes, and our automated system will send it to the email address we have on file for you.

Once you are logged in, you can make edits to your AHIMA profile by navigating with the links on the left side of the screen. Notice that you will have different sections listed in this blue area, depending upon your membership type. Please make sure that you use the "Update" or "Save" buttons to save any changes that you make in your AHIMA profile.

If you encounter any problems, please contact us at profilehelp@ahima.org, or by telephone to our customer service area at 312-233-1100.

How can I unsubscribe from your mailings?

To accommodate your request to eliminate the receipt of AHIMA promotional communications we ask that you proceed to https:\\imis.ahima.org/preferences. Because AHIMA sends out a wide variety of promotional correspondence, it is best that you indicate precisely which of these you'd prefer to not receive. Once you have arrived at the site, you need only deselect the applicable mailings and faxes you do not wish to receive.

To complete this process you will need to log in with your AHIMA ID and password. If you need to be reminded of these you may request to have them sent to your e-mail address that is on file with AHIMA by following the procedures also located at https:\\imis.ahima.org/preferences below the log-in boxes.

What activities qualify for CE credit?

1. Participation in educational programs on topics relevant to health information.
   1. Educational portions of AHIMA meetings: national convention, state, local, or regional meetings (One (1) CE hour for each 60 minutes of participation)
   2. Educational portions of programs of allied health and other relevant professional associations (One (1) CE hour for each 60 minutes of participation)
   3. Educational portions of programs sponsored by organizations or vendors on topics that maintain, update, or enlarge knowledge of skills relevant to the coding profession (One (1) CE hour for each 60 minutes of participation)
   4. Telecommunications/teleseminars relevant to the coding profession (One (1) CE hour for each 60 minutes of participation)
   
   
2. Participation in formal educational programs of study addressing subject areas relevant to health information.
   1. Post-secondary courses attended for credit, including guided independent study and residential college or university courses. Courses taken in pursuit of associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees, which are relevant to the profession, are included. All coursework and final exams must be completed by the December 31 cycle end date. (Fifteen (15) CE hours for each semester/trimester credit, ten (10) CE hours for each quarter credit)
   2. Audit of academic course or relevant, noncredit adult education course without completing necessary requirements for full formal credit. Course must be completed by the December 31 cycle end date. (Six (6) CE credits for each semester/trimester credit, four (4) CE credits for each quarter credit)
   3. Formal independent study programs accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council or approved by AHIMA. These must consist of readings and exercises submitted to a knowledgeable instructor for evaluation. Courses normally cover several lessons to be completed in a specific time period. Certificate of completion must show that all coursework and exams were completed by the December 31 cycle end date. (AHIMA will determine CE credits on an individual basis)
   
   
3. Publication or presentation of material relevant to health information.

   Publication is the development of an original work, relevant to the profession that has been reproduced by written or electronic means for general dissemination to the public. Presentation is the development of an original work delivered to an audience.

   • Author of a textbook, workbook, or manual (Thirty (30) CE credits)
   • Author of a chapter in a textbook, workbook, or manual (Ten (10) CE credits)
   • Author of an article in a referenced research journal (Fifteen (15) CE credits)
   • Author of an educational article in a professional or trade journal (Five (5) CE credits)
   • Author of an educational article in a local or state newsletter (Two (2) CE credits)
   • Editor of a textbook, workbook, or manual (Twenty (20) CE credits)
   • Editor of a professional or trade journal (Five (5) CE credits)
   • Speaker at an educational program (One (1) CE credit for each 15 minutes of podium time)
   • Panel participant at an educational program (One (1) CE credit for each 60 minutes of podium time)
   
   
4. Independent study activities relevant to the profession.
   1. Study groups devoted to topics relevant to coding (One (1) CE credit for each 60 minutes of participation)
   2. Enrollment in home study programs relevant to AHIMA core content areas (AHIMA prior approval required)
   3. AHIMA quizzes accompanying a Journal of the American Health Information Management Association article or book published by AHIMA (CE credits predetermined by AHIMA
   
   
5. Other activities.
   1. Supervision of directed clinical practice on behalf of AHIMA-accredited program (Two (2) CE credits per cycle)
   2. Visiting AHIMA exhibits at a national or state meeting (One (1) CE credit per meeting)
   3. Participation in an AHIMA leader conference or workgroup (CE credits predetermined by AHIMA)
   4. Internet educational offerings relevant to AHIMA core content areas (AHIMA prior approval required)

What are some activities that do not qualify for CE credit?

Examples of activities that do not qualify for CE clock hour credit are as follows. The list is illustrative and not intended to be inclusive.

1. Responsibilities that fall within the normal parameters of an individual’s job description, including but not limited to the following: (1) staff meetings; (2) grand rounds; (3) preparation for or participation in Joint Commission visits; (4) preparation of procedure, policy, or administrative manuals; (5) conducting tours; or (6) participation in career day activities
2. Published materials or presentations developed as a direct part of an individual’s employment
3. Serving in a volunteer leadership role for AHIMA or any other professional organization
4. Instructing or teaching a class
5. Summarizing articles or audiotapes or videotapes

What are the benefits of joining AHIMA as a member?

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is America's premier association for health information management (HIM) professionals-now more than 52,000 members strong.

AHIMA is all about information, giving you the inside intelligence you need to thrive professionally. As a member, you're privy to a constant, authoritative stream of information on critical topics such as privacy and security, coding, electronic health records, reimbursement, compliance, and more. Better yet, we offer you the resources you need to make the most of that information, turning what you know into professional opportunity. These resources include exciting online tools such as Communities of Practice, our Web site, e-learning opportunities, regular electronic communications, and more. On the "hard copy" side of things, our members keep informed with the Journal of AHIMA, expert-authored publications, and other newsletters. AHIMA offers a full schedule of seminars and meetings to ensure you're at the very forefront of information regarding topics like HIPAA, privacy and security, e-HIM™, coding, documentation, and much, much more. And finally, AHIMA acts as a real voice for its members, working as a strong advocate for your needs locally, regionally, nationally, and more and more, internationally.

These are just a few of the resources always available to AHIMA members. Find out more about the resources available to you as a member by visiting the Membership Benefits page.

AHIMA will accept returns on individual purchases of books received within 30 days of the date of purchase: received in resalable condition, not visibly damaged or with portions missing: not out of print or discontinued: and returned with the packing slip or a copy of the slip.

Coding Assessment and Training Solutions (CATS) is for coders who need intermediate to advanced training in coding. This program assumes that users have knowledge of medical coding and anatomy and physiology and that they have actually spent some time coding.

The CATS assessment component has four pre-developed assessments that may be utilized or an administrator may create assessments of their own. The assessments may be used to determine areas of proficiency (and deficiency). The results may then be used to develop a training program designed to tackle areas of weakness. Assessments are $150 per person when purchasing the four pre-developed assessments addressing inpatient, ambulatory, physician, and a combination of the three. If you would like the ability to create you own assessments, the cost is $250 (this ability is in addition to the four pre-developed assessments).

CATS training consists of 18 specialty modules that may be purchased within one, two, or three facility tracks (inpatient, ambulatory, and physician). Pricing for this program is highly dependent on what you do purchase and the number of individuals for whom it is purchased. The first module is $150 and the first full track is $725. Discounts may be available based on the quantity of training purchased. So, while it is possible to purchase them on an as-needed basis you will want to weigh whether the cost differential offsets the convenience.

Therefore, where you will want to begin is by reviewing the list of modules/tracks available (please reference http://campus.ahima.org) and determine which are of interest to you. Also, if this training is intended for more than one individual, you will want to determine how much (and what) training will be needed for each person. Please contact dawn.bibbs-morrissey@ahima.org to provide you with answers to any questions that you have as well as a price quote.

AHIMA has many continuing education opportunities: web-based training, textbooks, audio seminars, etc.

If you are interested in pursuing web-based training to refresh your coding skills you will want to consider the “Overview” modules that are offered through Coding Assessment and Training Solutions. These modules are at an intermediate level and offer broad exposure to HCPCS/CPT, Reimbursement, and/or ICD-9-CM coding. You can purchase all of the modules or choose only those that suit you.

After completing the “Overview” modules, deserving further consideration is the Practice Exercise module also within Coding Assessment and Training Solutions. You can locate it listed under the “Supplemental” training. This module presents case studies and then asks that you code them.

For more information on Coding Assessment and Training Solutions visit http://campus.ahima.org/campus/course_info/CATS/CATS_info.html.

And finally, don’t forget the many text and workbooks we offer to facilitate coding training. Of particular interest to you might be Clinical Coding Workout. For more information on this workbook, and others, visit our online bookstore.

Coding Basics is an entry level web-based education program designed to present a strong foundation in coding and healthcare principles. Students participate in web-based study in conjunction with textbook learning.

Coding Basics consists of twelve courses divided into four "clusters" consisting of three courses each. Students who successfully complete all twelve courses will receive a Coding Basics Program Certificate of Completion.

Students are allowed up to fifteen weeks to complete each course. Three courses are normally taken at the same time, and completing the full program typically takes about 18 months.

Completion of the full program results in students being eligible for up to 41 hours of college credit. Completing students also possess the requisite knowledge to sit for the CCA certification exam. For details on this exam visit http://www.ahima.org/certification. To register for the Coding Basics program, or for more information, please visit AHIMA's Coding Basics information page on our online campus at http://campus.ahima.org/campus/course_info/cb/index.html

To register for Coding Basics you must have completed a college level anatomy and physiology course. AHIMA offers a web-based A & P course to satisfy this requirement. You can learn more on our online campus at https://campus.ahima.org/abo/catalog/lms/Index.aspx?CategoryId=239.

This is:
Clinical Coding Workout: Practice Exercises in Skill Development
Product # AC201504
Members: $76
Non-Members: $95

Although it is not officially a study guide, the questions are case study scenarios, very similar in format to the second half of the CCS or CCSP exam, and will aid you in preparing for that portion of the test. You can order Clinical Coding Workout online at https://imis.ahima.org/orders/ or by contacting AHIMA customer relations at (800) 335-5535.

An additional option for you is AHIMA’s web-based program titled Coding Assessment and Training Solutions. Like the exam, the program presents scenarios/case studies and requires that you apply the appropriate codes to them. In preparation for the exams, you should first consider the overview courses, followed by the supplemental practice exercises, and finally the specialty modules. For more information on this program, click here.

There are study guides available through other companies, but since we are not involved in their publication, we do not recommend any in particular. However, this is not to say they may not be helpful to you, and a search at http://www.google.com for "CCS exam review guide" should return several options for you to consider.

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