Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking at Wisconsin's joint Revenue Cycle Co-op.  I talked about Certification and the benefits it has for you both personally and professionally.  I spoke with a number of people before and after my "speech" and I was happy to learn that more companies are pursuing technical certification for staff members, and there is a growing interest in professional certification.  For only $100-200 dollars, you can make an investment in your career that will show everyone you know your stuff!  And you will have the satisfaction of achieving something that is difficult and worthwhile.

The drive from my house to Madison WI is a beautiful one.  It was a gorgeous sunny day yesterday, and Highway 151 is an uncrowded road.  What a remarkable opportunity to ponder all the blessings I have.  It also gave me time to think about the certification program and the things we want to work on next.  I believe we are many steps closer to being able to provide feedback on tests.  I'll keep you posted...

Well, it's Friday, and if you're like me, it's the welcome almost-end to a very long week.  One of the things that I like about PFS management is that there's always some new problem to deal with.  It takes a certain kind of person to enjoy that sort of thing, I know.  But in AAHAM you will find a lot of like-minded individuals and you may be one!  Still, dealing with constant change can be time-consuming and exhausting!

This is the week that folks are taking the CPAM and CCAM exams.  If they already took it, they're welcoming this Friday even more that I am, and if they didn't, I bet they're nervous as heck.  I don't know about you, but no matter how much I prepare for something, I am sure that I will fail miserably.  Usually I do OK, but that doesn't stop the freak out!  I hope every one of them does well.  We do try to provide a multitude of tools, and we are constantly trying to improve them.

By the time I make my next entry, we'll be in the thick of grading exams.  Don't forget to help Lois Wakefield out be being a grader!

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 Technology is great- until it doesn’t work.  We’ve been online with our CPAM/CCAM grading for several years now, and until this time it has been very smooth.  This time, however, a glitch caused a problem in getting some of the final results out of the system, and that meant a delay in getting letters out telling people if they made it, or didn’t.

I know how hard it is to wait for something like this.  Back a LONG, LONG time ago, when I took the CPAM, it took several months to find out your results.  We are committed to a far tighter timeline these days, and Lois Wakefield has worked incredibly hard to marshall and guide her graders, but still we fell short of where we wanted to be with getting results out.  The issues have been resolved and the letters are going out today! 

Changing the subject, very soon we will be making some changes to certification procedures.  To quote a letter that was emailed recently:

Effective in January we are rolling out important changes to the way the Professional...

Greetings!  I'm just back from another fabulous ANI- it's always so exciting to see my AAHAM friends, and there was some great education in a wonderful location.  CPAM Coaching was presented by Lois Wakefield, Tamora Ellis and VIrginia Berney- it was well received and we hope to offer an expanded session next year.

Before you know it the CPAM and CCAM exams will be upon us.  If you are taking it this time I hope our initiatives have been helpful.  I believe that the availabity of the Study Manual will lead to higher pass rates, which is a good thing!

There will be more updates to come and I am looking forward to telling you how the tests went.  To anyone reading this who has not signed up to grade, Lois needs you!

 

Liz

It's been longer than I thought since my last post.  I can't believe it's Fall already.  But that means it's almost time for the ANI- this year in sunny Florida.  I hope I will be able to see many of you there. 

Right after the ANI, of course it's time for the Fall CPAM/CCAM exams.  I hope the Study Manual and Webinars have been useful to you.  We are always working on new ways to help you become successfully certified. 

Yesterday the temperature here was around 90 degrees and today it's 64.  That's the way healthcare is a lot of the time, too.  Constant change and other than that, you never can be sure what will happen next.  It's why membership and participation in AAHAM is so important- we strive to keep you updated with current info, provide you with meaningful networking opportunities, and give you exams that show you know what you're doing. 

Your feedback is vital.  I welcome ALL suggestions and feedback.  You can reach me at ebaptist@perrymemorial.org...

I'll tell you a little secret.  I do those webinars for coaching (with a lot of help!) and beforehand, I never feel like doing it.  I say to myself, "Oh, I wish I didn't have to do this today, I have other stuff to do and who wants to talk for 2 hours anyway?  Not me!" 

But I go ahead and do it anyway, for several reasons:

1.  I know that once I start, I will enjoy doing it.  Deep down, I really do want to do it.

2.  It's important for our members,   People who use the webinars score higher on the exams.

3.  It's good to make yourself do something you think you don't want to do.

These reasons can also be translated into good reasons to take the exam.  You probably tell yourself, "Oh, I can't do it.  It's too hard.  It takes too much time,  I will fail and be embarrassed."  If your employer does not require you to be certified, you might just listen to yourself and never jump.  But deep down, you really do want to do it. 

Realistically, you probably won't "enjoy" taking...

For those of you looking for extra ways to glean information, look no further than the current issue of The Journal.  There are a number of fantastic articles in it that reference the subjects often seen in CPAM questions.  You will find articles titled "Auditing the Results of Change," "Patient Receivable Loan Prgrams," "Avoid Bad Debt from Self-Pay Accounts" and more,  All these go into detail about the kinds of issues we face in the revenue cycle, and give the type of info you're going to want to know if you take the test.

Regards,

Liz

It won't be long before the fall exam week starts.  I'm sure those of you who are scheduled to take the test are already studying- at least I hope so.  Anyway, I am often asked for study tips.  Everyone has different methods that work best for them, but I can tell you some things that help me.

- get a partner!  I had a lot more success when studying with a buddy.  It helps keep me focused and we can instantly talk over issues and concerns.

- review difficult material again and again.  And again.  I have trouble memorizing formulas.  I find that by writing them down over and over, I have much better retention. 

- practice writing.  Essay questions are not most people's favorite.  I actually like them, but that's probably because I find it easy to write a good paragraph.  An essay answer needs to show that you understand the concept and can apply it correctly.  Bullet points are helpful but usually not enough.

The other day we were privileged to have Beth Franzak from the Maryland Chapter...

Greetings!  Welcome to the brand new blog for AAHAM Professional Certification.  I’m Liz Baptist, CPAM, and I’ve been the National Professional Certification Chair for a while now.  Here you’ll find all kinds of different information including tips on studying,  writing a good answer, and reasons to become certified, as well as news, upcoming events, and general musings.