December 6, 2017
Opportunity to Attend AHIMA Advocacy Summit March 19-20, 2018
AHIMA has recently announced that Component State Associations may designate up to five members each to attend the AHIMA Advocacy Summit scheduled for March 19 to 20, 2018 in Washington DC. This annual two-day event consists of one day of seminar type presentations on current health care issues, and a second day visiting Capitol Hill for meetings with members of Congress and/or their staffs. There is no registration fee to attend this AHIMA-sponsored event; travel expenses to attend are estimated to be between $1,000 and $1,500 and are the attendee’s responsibility.

CHIA members interested in participating in the 2018 Advocacy Summit are invited to submit their name to CHIA by completing the AHIMA Advocacy Summit Questionnaire .

The opportunity to join the 2018 California delegation will be on a first-come first-serve basis. The Advocacy Summit is a great way to learn about Washington and to have your voice heard on issues of importance to the HIM profession.
CHIA representatives at the 2017 AHIMA Advocacy Summit in Washington DC included (from left to right):

Joanne Hewitt, RHIT; Tracy Elmer, RHIA; Deborah Collier, RHIA; Gina Martinez; and Maria Alizondo, MA, RHIA, FAHIMA
CHIA Recognition Awards - Let's Honor HIM Professionals
Do you know an HIM Superstar? Does a colleague come to mind who has shown exemplary dedication and passion for the HIM profession?

The CHIA Candidates Committee wants your help in recognizing those who make a difference in the HIM profession by submitting a nomination for the CHIA Recognition Awards.

CHIA has a long and cherished tradition of honoring the excellence, dedication, and service of professionals whose steadfast efforts have enriched the HIM field and/or have contributed to the professional development of others. The awards honor exemplary service, reward contributions that build the HIM knowledge base, recognize excellence in preparing future HIM professionals, and encourage new talent and leadership. 

Learn more and nominate a colleague today by completing the online CHIA Recognition Awards Nomination Form by March 1, 2018. 
Apply for CHIA Scholarship Opportunities
CHIA is pleased to be able to assist HIM students and professionals by offering a variety of scholarships and grants. The purpose of these programs is to promote the importance of the HIM professional credentials, strengthen the HIM profession, promote the value of AHIMA and CHIA membership, and to identify and engage future leaders.

CHIA encourages all members, students and HIIM Program Directors to apply for these CHIA Scholarship Opportunities.

  • Exam Fee Reimbursement - Deadline Feb 28. Provides partial reimbursement ($100) of AHIMA's RHIT or RHIA exam fee.
  • Student Scholarships - Deadline Mar 1. Awards $500 to students enrolled in HIA/HIT programs, or members pursuing a specialty or additional credential. 
  • HIIM Program Grant - Deadline Mar 1. Supports improvements in teaching and learning and help meet special needs of HIM programs.
  • Foundation for Active Member Education (FAME) - Submit Anytime. Provides opportunities to attend CHIA programs in instances when member is unable to attend due to financial limitations.
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Latest HIM News Updates
CMS Finalizes Changes to the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model, Cancels Episode Payment Models and Cardiac Rehabilitation Incentive Payment Model
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; November 30 2017

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the cancellation of the mandatory hip fracture and cardiac bundled payment models that were to be operated by the CMS Innovation Center and implemented changes to the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) Model. These changes will offer greater flexibility and choice for hospitals in providing care to Medicare patients. 

“While CMS continues to believe that bundled payment models offer opportunities to improve quality and care coordination while lowering spending, we believe that focusing on developing different bundled payment models and engaging more providers is the best way to drive health system change while minimizing burden and maintaining access to care. We anticipate announcing new voluntary payment bundles soon,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma.
Apprenticeships: An Effective Workforce Planning Model For Employers Webinar
AHIMA Foundation

Searching for an effective workforce planning model? Discover how Registered Apprenticeship can be a very effective component of a health systems' human resource strategy and a talent development pathway for workers to gain the skills and credentials that put them on a path to successful careers - a win-win situation for your organization. 

Date: December 12, 2017 at Noon (CT)  

CMS Did Not Adequately Address Discrepancies in the Coding Classification for Kwashiorkor
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Providers incorrectly billed diagnosis code 260 for Kwashiorkor for inpatients who did not have the disease. We reviewed the medical records for 2,145 inpatient claims at 25 providers and found that all but 1 claim incorrectly included the diagnosis code for Kwashiorkor, resulting in overpayments in excess of $6 million.

The International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification coding classification contained a discrepancy between the tabular list and the alpha index on the use of diagnosis code 260. In the alpha index, four other malnutrition diagnoses corresponded to diagnosis code 260, but in the tabular list, diagnosis code 260 was only for Kwashiorkor.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) did not have adequate policies and procedures in place to address this discrepancy, resulting in a total potential loss of approximately $102 million during calendar years (CYs) 2006 through 2014. Even though CMS was aware of the discrepancy, it did not take any separate action to address it.
CHIA Events Calendar
CHIA Student Chat
Thursday, December 7 - Live Webinar

CDI Application in Renal Disease
Wednesday, December 13 - Live Webinar

HIPAA Compliance on a Shoe String Budget
Tuesday, December 19 - Live Webinar

HIM Professionals Role in MACRA
Wednesday, January 10 - Live Webinar

A Respiratory System A&P and Coding Review
Wednesday, January 21 - Live Webinar

Advanced ICD-10 Coding Workshop - Day 1 PCS
Friday, February 9 - Garden Grove

Advanced ICD-10 Coding Workshop - Day 2 CM
Saturday, February 10 - Garden Grove