Ask HIM: How do I earn CEs to maintain my credential without going broke?

Question from @CEsformybudget: How do I earn CEs to maintain my credential without going broke? Trying to earn 20 is nearly impossible. I love my job at the clinic, but there aren’t many opportunities to earn CEs.  Any ideas?

Answer from Marie Janes, MEd, RHIA, FAHIMA:  You’re certainly not alone asking this question. Remember, when you chose the field of Health Information Management--continuing education is not only required, but it is an extremely valuable component. It helps maintain the credibility and viability of the profession!

With a bit of research, I believe you’ll find many affordable options from journal articles to events to webinars and online courses.  Keep in mind that an in-person event, such as attending an Annual Meeting & Trade Show, Coding Roundtable, Symposium, Advocacy Day and more will provide several CEs in an interesting and educational environment and provide networking opportunities at the same time!  As an educator, I’m always reminding fellow HIMers that their service as a Professional Practice Experience Site Supervisor will help them earn valuable CEs during the course of their workday, so keep that in mind, as well.

And don’t forget to ask your fellow HIM professionals!  The grapevine is a proven way to “hear” about upcoming CE opportunities!  I have included some suggestions below.

Follow-up on Earning CEs:

There are many areas in which you can earn CEs. For example, consider the following areas: coding, healthcare laws, informatics, reimbursement, leadership, compliance, quality improvement, project management, and more. Check out the emails from reputable professional organizations to see what is offered before pressing delete.

Also consider the following:

• Provide a Professional Practice Experience for an HIT/HIA student 
• Site supervisors can earn up to 10 CEs in a 2 year cycle, by simply doing what you know best. 
• No matter the facility, exposure to on-the-job activities, whether hands on or observation, is extremely beneficial to students, and mentoring a student advances the perception as HIM being a worthy and integral part of the health care industry.
• Reach out to an accredited HIM or HIT program in your area to find a student!  There is a listing of programs on the OHIMA website.

• The Ohio Health Information Management Association (OHIMA) offers many opportunities for CEUs!
• Online education offerings (online courses and webinars) are available for $25 per CEU (and often will offer promotions and discounts so watch their website and other communications!).
• The largest state HIM Annual Meeting and Trade Show takes place in Columbus, Ohio each year.  The event is in March.  For registration and details, see the OHIMA website in January.
• Annually, OHIMA hosts an HIM Advocacy Day at the Ohio Statehouse for HIM Professionals.  At this event, attendees meet with their Ohio legislators to address issues related to health information management.  There are also speakers and networking opportunities at the event. 
• Other events such as the Fall Coding Seminar and Summer Meeting are posted on the OHIMA calendar - so check it frequently for updates!
• Finally, follow OHIMA's social media pages to receive updates on events, CE opportunities and HIM news.  OHIMA also posts links to free CEUs! 
  
  • OHIMA's Facebook Page
  • OHIMA's Twitter
  • OHIMA's LinkedIn Page 
    
    
• Also, look for a Regional HIM Association in your area!  There are 5 in Ohio.  Find yours on the OHIMA website under Regional Associations.
  
  • Each of the 5 Regional Associations in Ohio host events throughout the year that are very reasonably priced and can be worth up to 6 CEUs!
    
    
• Check out the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) website for CEs as well.
• There are quizzes in the Journal of AHIMA that can be completed online for CEs. 
  
• AHIMA also offers webinars.  Per the NEW membership model, members will receive FREE access to several webinars (the number will depend on your membership category).  For more information, see their website.
  
  
• Also look for webinars by other organizations.  Vendors, CMS, and others will host webinars (often free!) that are worth CEUs.  
  
  

For more information on earning CEUs to maintain your credential, see AHIMA's website under Recertification.

Good Read: AHIMA. "Continuing Education: Resources for Getting Started and Moving Forward" Journal of AHIMA 83, no.8 (August 2012): 46-47.

Do you have a question??  Ask an HIM expert!  We will do our best to answer questions on any topic ranging from HIM, management, beginning your HIM career, CEUs, OHIMA, AHIMA, etc.!  Submit your question HERE.

ICD-10-CM 2017 Guideline Changes: Abnormal Findings, Present on Admission Findings

"In the kNOW" has been presenting a review of the ICD-10 Coding Guidelines and this edition is focusing on ICD-10-CM changes in Section II, Section III, Section IV, and Appendix A.   

The only changes to Section II: Selection of Principal Diagnosis and Section III: Reporting Additional Diagnoses guidelines is the addition in paragraph three of the sentence that instructs coders that the Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set (UHDDS) definitions are applicable to all levels of hospice care in addition to acute care, short term, long term, psychiatric hospitals, home health agencies, rehab facilities, nursing homes, etc. 

Section IV: Diagnostic Coding and Reporting Guidelines for Outpatient Services presents an addition in the first paragraph which states that the guidelines in Section I are applicable to outpatient services including office visits.  There is also an addition to the variations between inpatient and outpatient coding guidelines which states for hospital-based outpatient services and provider-based office visits, the UHDDS definition of principal diagnosis is not applicable.  The final change to Section IV is under P. Encounters for general medical examinations with abnormal findings.  Here the definition of abnormal findings is clarified by stating the meaning is identification of a new condition or diagnosis or the worsening of a chronic condition.  The coding direction remains the same, with assignment of the code for general medical exam with an abnormal finding coded first and an additional code assigned for the specific abnormal finding.

Appendix I which addresses Present on Admission Reporting Guidelines has a few updates.  The first addition is the identification of the CDC website locating all ICD-10-CM codes where Present on Admission (POA) indicator assignment is not necessary.  The codes that are exempt from POA assignment are either always present on admission, or are not considered a current disease or injury.  Two other clarifications to POA guidelines were made.  Under Acute and Chronic Conditions, clarification was added stating that the guideline for codes that contain multiple clinical concepts should be used if one code identifies both an acute and chronic condition.  An additional paragraph was then added to Codes that Contain Multiple Clinical Concepts indicating that the POA assignment “Y” should be entered if all the concepts included in a code were present on admission.  Previous information stating that POA indicator “N” was to be used if even one concept in a multiple concept code was not present on admission still stands.  

This concludes our review of the ICD-10 guideline changes for 2017.  The next posting of “In the kNOW” will look a major CPT coding change for moderate (conscious) sedation upcoming for 2017.

This link will direct you to the CMS webpage for everything ICD-10-CM related:
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/2017-ICD-10-CM-and-GEMs.html

Now you are In the kNOW!!

About the Author 

Dianna Foley, RHIA, CHPS, CCS  is OHIMA's Coding Education Coordinator. Dianna has been an HIM professional for 20 years. She progressed through the ranks of coder, department supervisor, and department director, to her current role as a coding consultant. 

She recently served as the program director for Medical Coding and HIT at Eastern Gateway Community College. Dianna earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati subsequently achieving her RHIA, CHPS, and CCS certifications. She is an AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer and a a presenter at regional HIM meetings and the OHIMA Annual Meeting.

Ask HIM: How do I get recognition without making it look like I am tooting my own horn?

Question from @nominatemeplease:
I am a quiet sort of worker who has provided leadership and service while working on HIM projects and events. How do I get recognition without making it look like I am tooting my own horn?

Answer 3 from Marie Janes, MEd, RHIA, FAHIMA: 
Many HIM professionals have asked this very question. Notice how the OHIMA ballots allow for self-nomination. Because of this option, more worthy individuals are earning recognition for their professional achievement(s). With the number of accredited programs graduating increased numbers of RHITs and RHIAs, it’s impossible to know everyone in the field. Who can speak better of you—than you! Don’t hesitate to nominate yourself and please continue pursuing opportunities to shine in the field of health information management.

Follow-up on Nominations:
HIM professionals come from diverse backgrounds with a variety of talents and expertise. Be proud of your accomplishments and seek credit for your efforts.

• National, state and regional HIM associations accept self-nominations
• Update your resume or CV
• Include service type, title and dates for authentication
• Prepare an HIM philosophy
• Identify opportunities for recognition
• Open your emails to locate information on awards/nominations
• Adhere to the rules for consideration and application
• Engage your closest colleague as an advocate
• Ask  a mentor for their input
• Ask a superior for their input
• List qualifications
• Garner support from other HIM professionals
• Benefits of professional service
• Lends credibility to a resume or CV
• Monetary compensation may be a consideration
• Advances professional standing among your peers

A career in HIM can span many years, thus offering many opportunities for recognition in one or more areas on one or more stage. You may find your good works enable you to achieve notoriety in a variety of professional specialty areas, as well!

Good Read: https://smallbiztrends.com/2015/12/nomination-promotion-promote-award-nomination.html

Do you have a question??  Ask an HIM expert!  We will do our best to answer questions on any topic ranging from HIM, management, beginning your HIM career, CEUs, OHIMA, AHIMA, etc.!  Submit your question HERE.