Today we can find several programs accredited by AHIMA or the American Health Information Management Association around the world. To find such an accredited program in your state, you first study the PCAP directory on the AHIMA official website. PCAP is a program approved by AHIMA for non-degree programs. Any user can find the required program according to the state.
What you need to know about AHIMA
The American Health Information Management Association is an organization that plays a significant role in improving the healthcare industry. For over 90 years, they have fulfilled most healthcare professionals’ needs. This organization’s main tasks are educating the public about health information and developing professional guidelines for the medical coding industry.
They are mainly focused on improving health education. For that, AHIMA works with health information professionals and college administrators. This association has given great attention to education in many fields, including extensive updates.
Apart from this, AHIMA also offers scholarships to students for career merit and mentoring programs. They approve field school programs and perform tasks such as awarding certificates and credentials to health IT professionals. After completing an AHIMA program, graduates can apply for jobs.
How to find an AHIMA program in your state?
If you are looking for an accredited medical coding program in your area, you can choose an AHIMA-certified program. You can check the PCAP directory by visiting their official website. Additionally, several AHIMA-accredited schools offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Health Information Management (HIM).
Master’s degree programs allow you to study for careers in HIM. You won’t find it difficult to search the directory either. You can use the program name, state, degree level, and delivery method you are looking for.
What makes AHIMA unique for accrediting medical coding programs?
Did you know that many other organizations accredit medical billing and coding programs in addition to AHIMA? But what makes an AHIMA program unique is that it is the only institution that accredits full degrees. What they do in accreditation is to review and approve the curriculum of an AHIMA institution. Then, they allow for special programs that meet strict standards.
How AHIMA Accredits Programs
For a school to become an AHIMA-accredited school, it is essential to fulfilling specific requirements. For this, it is important to have regional accreditation with the provision of schools and education departments. The medical coding certificate program offered for some time in those six schools is also a significant factor. Schools applying for accreditation must have a self-assessment.
In addition, the school system must meet the relevant curriculum standards. The program should also have vocational training experience. After a thorough review of such conditions, a committee makes the final decision regarding the award of accreditation. AHIMA standardized institutions also review schools in various ways annually for their standard requirements.
Why get an AHIMA credential?
AHIMA is the most recognized certification in medical billing and coding. If you get a credential from a school with an AHIMA program, you have the potential to become a professional with sound industry knowledge. This coding certificate gives you a perfect opportunity for higher specialization.
There are various ways for individuals to obtain this certification. Also, if you don’t want to pursue graduation in HIM, you can get an AHIMA medical coding certificate and the graduation standard. According to that qualification, you can connect with valuable job opportunities.
AHIMA certificates you can earn
RHIA Certification (Registered Health Information Administrator)
RHIA certification is essential in building a vital relationship between care providers, payers, and patients. The focus is on operating units and management. Also, professionals with this certificate have the right to use patients in daily tasks. It is also essential that any qualified candidate holds a bachelor’s degree from an HIM program accredited by CAHIIM.
RHIT Certification (Registered Health Information Technologist)
Those who have completed an HIM program approved by foreign associations with a countervailing agreement with AHIMA may obtain this certification. Applicants, CAHIIM-accredited associate degree holders, also have significant qualifications. RHIT-certified professionals are committed to maintaining the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness.
CCA credentials
Acquiring a coding-related certification allows professionals to demonstrate their skills and professionalism to their employers. It is also essential for a student to have a high school diploma and at least six months of professional coding experience to qualify for this.
It is also important that those students have completed an AHIMA-approved coding program. If not, the fact that they have participated in a coding training program focused on medical terminology, physiology, and anatomy is also an essential factor.
CCS Credential
Candidates must have completed the RHIA, CCS-P, or RHIT certification to complete the Certified Coding Specialist certification. Or they should complete the ICD diagnosis, CPT coding, anatomy, pathophysiology, physiology, and pharmacology courses.
Students can also apply for CCS if they have two years of coding experience or a CCA credential with one year of experience. After obtaining this certificate, among the tasks assigned to them, they can perform tasks such as reviewing patient records and setting codes for diagnoses.
CCS-P
Applicants must have completed the RHIA, RHIT, or CCS certification to obtain the Certified Coding Specialist Medical Foundation certification. Eligible students can also have a coding certificate or CCA certificate with at least two years of coding experience. Professionals who eventually complete the CCS-P certification can specialize in assigning codes for diagnoses and procedures.
CHPS credentials
Certification in healthcare privacy and security enables professionals to design, administer and implement security programs across healthcare organizations. Anyone with an associate degree with six years of experience in an HIM discipline is eligible to apply for CHPS. Also, they can apply for CHPS if they have an RHIT certificate, four years degree, an RHIA certificate, or a Master’s degree.
CHINA
A certified health data analyst certification can facilitate career development and gain recognition for expertise. It is essential for a candidate who completes the qualification to have a degree with an RHIT credential or three years of experience. If not, the RHIA credential or a Master’s degree in an HIM-related discipline is also an essential qualification.
CDIP Certificate
By earning the Certified Documentation Improvement Professional certification, you can learn about high-quality clinical documentation in patient health records. It also enables you to act as leaders in the HIM nation.
Candidates eligible for certification must have RHIA, RIT, CCS, or CCS-P certification and two years of professional experience. A person with an associate degree or higher qualification with three years of professional experience can also apply.
AHIMA Recertification
After you complete certification, it is essential to recertify bi-annually. There are several requirements for that. But they can be updated.
For that, you must earn 80% of CEUs in the HIM field. Also, if you have more than one certification, you must earn ten credits in addition to one certificate.
You must complete and submit an annual self-review exam to AHIMA with a CAA, CCS, or CCS-P credential.
And you must submit your CEUs by the due date. You can enter CEUs on the AHIMA website within one year. Also, you must submit the CEUs 3 months after the end of the cycle.
You must also pay the recertification fee. AHIMA membership fees include a recertification fee. Non-members will have to pay $218 for one paper.
