I hope everyone survived the winter months. It looks like we are going into the spring slowly and wet, but none the less it is better than ice and snow! First I would like to make a public apology for having to reschedule the March 9th QBM. Unfortunately our registration numbers were too low for the expenses we would have had to incur. I especially apologize to those few who traveled to Frederick, because they did not receive the notice. Please know that we are working on policies to ensure this won’t occur in the future. I also want to thank Christie Ferri for securing the location and we do have plans to return to the area, but will give time for members to plan. As always thank you for your support of the Association.

This is our second E-Newsletter of the year and there are lots of updates of what is going on in the association and with your delegates. I hope that you find it informative. Please remember this e-newsletter belongs to you, so if you would like to let the membership know what is going on with you or your facility and employees, please don’t hesitate to send a submission to Christie Ferri, Chair of the E-Newsletter at the following email: Christie.Ferri@medstar.net

I look forward to seeing you at the March 30th QBM and the Annual Meeting in May!

Sincerely,

Mona

Please see the attached Newsletter and Correspondence to H.S.C.R.C. and the Maryland Insurance Administration, from MdHIMA President, Mona Calhoun, M.S, R.H.I.A.

Over the last couple of months we have asked for your input on two initiatives that either affect us directly or in support of AHIMA supported initiatives. The first was AHIMA requesting our support to encourage the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) to adopt the CAQH Provider Credentialing Application in lieu of the current Maryland Uniform Credentialing Form. CAQH (Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare) is a nonprofit alliance of health plans, networks and trade associations covering more than 100 million Americans. Its Universal Credentialing Datasource® (UCD) is a uniform, electronic data-collection system that eliminates redundancy and inefficiency commonly associated with traditional paper-based credentialing processes. UCD enables physicians and other healthcare professionals to post the credentialing and demographic information required by health plans, hospitals and other healthcare organizations to a secure, national database. A letter was sent to P. Todd Cioni, Associate Commissioner, Compliance and Enforcement. You can find a copy of the letter and more information on our website.

The second was a follow-up to the feedback we gave to HSCRC and MHA back in July 2006 regarding Point of Admission (POA) criteria and guidelines. A letter was sent to Dennis Phelps, Associate, Audit and Compliance for HSCRC and Traci Phillips at MHA. A copy of that letter can be found on the website as well.

Mona Calhoun, MS RHIA

President MdHIMA

The March Q.B.M. date and location has been moved to March 30th at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, Md. On-Line Registration is available.

The Data Quality Group has planned 3 educational programs to address the topic of POA.

In conjunction with the recent changes to AHIMA's Bylaws, MdHIMA will be voting upon its Bylaws changes at the Annual Meeting on May 16, 2007.

AHIMA conducted its annual Capitol Hill Day on March 21st in Washington, DC. This year’s participation included 122 attendees, representing 37 states in 177 meetings with state senators and congressman.

During the meetings, packets containing information about AHIMA and our position on various topics related to health information management were provided to the senators and congressmen. The following key advocacy issues were discussed throughout the meetings:

1. Improved Quality of Health Data and Coding – We requested that any health information technology legislation this is sent to the President include legislative language providing for the adoption of ICD-10-CM and PCS by October 1, 2011.

2. Health Information Management Workforce – “10,000 Trained by 2010 Act” This legislation (HR 1467) authorizes the National Science Foundation to award grants to institutions of higher education to develop and offer education and training programs. We requested co-sponsorship from the House of Representatives and a lead sponsor in the Senate for a companion bill to HR 1467.

3. Genetic Nondiscrimination – We thanked the senators and congressmen who support HR 493 and S 358, both titled the “Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act”. It is critical to enact legislation to prohibit genetic discrimination in healthcare and employment situations and to assure consumers that their information will not be used against them.

MdHIMA was represented by Mona Calhoun, Lori Brown, Dauna Mays, Janice Greenberg and Michelle Engelmann. Meetings were held with the members of the following offices:

• Senator Barbara Mikulski

• Representative Roscoe Bartlett

• Representative Elijah Cummings

• Representative Albert Wynn

• Representative Chris Van Hollen

• Representative John Sarbanes

AHIMA’s Hill Day was a great experience for all participants. Please consider joining in on this opportunity in 2008!

AHIMA held one of its Winter Team Talks in Washington, DC on March 22, 2007. MdHIMA Delegates, Mona Calhoun, Lori Brown, Janice Greenberg and Dauna Mays were in attendance.

The theme for 2007 Winter Team Talks is “Larger, Louder, Faster”. Some of the topics discussed throughout the day to reinforce this theme included:

1. Value of Membership: During this session AHIMA and FORE’s strategic big picture (including the vision, mission, values & key priorities), as well as networking and educational opportunities were discussed.

2. Policies shaping HIM Practice This session focused on the many initiatives impacting the HIM world. Topics included:

• The Legal EHR

• The PHR

• Privacy and Security policy

• Health Information Exchange

• Data Collection and Reporting for Quality

• Clinical Terminologies and Classifications

3. Trends, Threats and Opportunities – Future Strategy

At the last national convention in Denver, CO, David Brailer said that AHIMA is doing the right thing, but …We need to do it Faster, Louder, and Larger. This session provided a SWOT Analysis of AHIMA and an opportunity to complete a SWOT Analysis of our own CSA (MdHIMA).

S - Strengths – to Leverage

W - Weaknesses – to Shore up/Mitigate

O - Opportunities to Capitalize on

T - Threats – to Avoid/Mitigate

4. AHIMA’s Leadership Initiatives Topics discussed during this session included:

• The urgency for identifying talent and leadership amongst our members;

• AHIMA’s Change Agent Program;

• A Diversity Resolution proposed from the members of the Diversity CoP; and

• The PHR Consumer Education Campaign

Every AHIMA member is welcome to attend Team Talks – it offers a wonderful time to network and learn what is going on at the national level. If you were unable to participate but would like to learn more about AHIMA happenings, please tune in to virtual Winter Team Talks on March 29th.

CoP CSA Contest - Log in to the Geographic CoP between April 1st – July 31st 2007 and the three associations with the highest percent increase of members logging in will receive one night’s lodging at the 2007 AHIMA Convention & Exhibit.

Voting for the 2008 AHIMA Board begins June 11th – June 29th 2007. The 3 top CSAs with the highest percentage increase of CSA voter turnout over 2006 will receive one round trip airline ticket to the 2007 AHIMA Convention & Exhibit.

Please be sure to sign up early for the MdHIMA Annual Meeting and Convention. If you register on or before April 1, 2007, then you will be offered a reduced rate and a chance to be entered into a drawing for a free-registration for next year’s meeting. The dates for the meeting are May 16th and 17th 2007 at the Baltimore Convention Center. May 16th is the social event from 5:30-8:30 P.M. The theme this year is Mardi Gras!

If you have not participated in the Silent Auction in the past, then you are really missing out on a fun event! It’s a great way to raise funds for ongoing education and professional development for our members. So get involved, donations and sponsors are still needed. The donation form is located on the MdHIMA website and needs to be completed no later than 5/9/07, for donations to be accepted.

Let the bidding begin!

Please support MdHIMA by recognizing the outstanding contributions made by its members. Nominations are currently being accepted for both the Distinguished Member Award and the Volunteer Award.

On-line voting begins on April 6th for the 2007-2008 election of MdHIMA Executive Board Positions.

Betty Mitchell, Coordinator of the Health Information Technology and Coding Specialist Program for Baltimore City Community College is requesting information from HIM Directors concerning the most recent software used in their facilities. Please see request below from Betty Mitchell:

In order to better prepare our students for the workforce, we strive to set up the labs within the schools as close to those of an actual HIM department. Part of that is having the most current software that is within the healthcare setting. Could you please send your name, the name of your organization and a list of all HIM related software you use within your departments. The information can be emailed to Betty Mitchell at BMitchell@bccc.edu

This information will also be shared with the other program directors. Thank you so much for supporting our schools. Betty Mitchell.