So today we had our first big snow storm of the year. I had my hopes that we would make it thru with a mild winter but Mr. Snowman had other ideas. It started snowing at 8 pm last night and it is suppose to continue until 3 am tomorrow.   Can you say OMG?   Being only 4’11, I hope snow drifts don’t develop or I will be buried alive!    

If you are not able to get out and about on snow winter days like this, it is a great day to review and study for your upcoming certification exam.    Sit back, relax with a hot drink and put your brain to work. Studying should be done at a slow to moderate pace so that all of the information can be absorbed. It should not be done at an accelerated rate because ultimately it could hurt you.   It is like driving in the snow.  If you go slow, take your time and proceed with the upmost caution, you should arrive to your destination safely. But then there are those other drivers. You know, the ones who have 4 x 4 trucks with the mag wheels that sit so high off the ground that...

Well, it is hard to believe that another year in certification has come to an end. However, the certification committee remains strong in bringing you the best in certification. Since my last update, the committee reviewed and revised the 2012 study manual. Here is some of the new material that you will now see on the exams:

Affordable Care Act

Implementation for Tax Exempt Hospitals

Criminal Health Care Fraud Statute

Healthcare Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team

(HEAT)

Mandatory and Permissive Exclusions by the OIG

ABN Triggering Events

Retention of the ABN Form

Calculation Updates

2013 Medicare Updates for Deductibles, Coinsurance and Lifetime Reserves

COB Determining Factors

Functions and Duties of a COB Contractor

Transition to ICD-10

The term UPIN was removed from the manual

Mandatory Filing for Services

Update to the Timely Filing Guidelines

 

Preventive Services were added...

As I was updating the certification manual for 2013 today, I stopped and paused for a moment about the cold weather that is upon us and wondered how the snow may impact us this year. The more I thought about the snow, the more I realized that snowflakes and learning could be easily compared. 

How is that - do you wonder?  Well the concept for both can be exciting and stressful.  The first fallen snow can be beautiful to see but can also be stressful to those of us who must commute in it.  The same thing occurs with learning.  Studying for a national certification exam can be stressful, but think about how beautiful the reward is when you successfully pass.   Suddenly, it all seems worth it.

Many scientists state that snowflakes are like fingerprints and that no two snowflakes are alike. That can be hard to believe considering that billions of snowflakes fall across the country each year.  But, isn’t the same true of us as individuals?  We are all different and while we possess similar qualities,...

Last week I attended the 2012 ANI in Florida.  I had a wonderful time with the exception of those little bugs which bit me everywhere.   I hit myself so much trying to get them off of me; I thought I was creating a new form of suicide!  Other than those pesky little critters, I so enjoyed the conference.  I was able to meet so many individuals who are dedicated to the organization and to its certification program.  I obtained a lot of feedback on certification and the most recent CCT webinar that was held in October.  It was nice to see what inspires individuals to pursue certifications designating them as specialized in their healthcare fields. 

Everything we do requires dedication and determination.  That is exactly what I had while swatting at the pesky critters who attacked me and applying gallons of bug repellent.   What’s life without a little adventure?

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The Certified Compliance Manual has recently been updated and the Certification Committee will now be focusing our efforts on updating the Technical Manual.   As I think about all of the work that the committee has to perform to get the manuals updated and current for our examinee’s, I think about what it is that propels us to take the exam. 

What could it be?  Focus? Determination? Will Power?  Motivation?   It is the same words I think about when I promise myself each year that I am going to lose weight for my New Year’s Resolution.  The problem I encounter is that the words come easier than the effort that is needed to put that action plan in place.   So I was thinking... I know what it is that I want to do, but what can I do to stay motivated?   This same thought process may be what you are feeling as you try to prepare yourself for an upcoming certification exam.  

So let’s begin by defining motivation.  Some say motivation is giving someone a reason or incentive to pursue something.  Others...

Someone said to me this week, “What do you enjoy the most about AAHAM?” Well, that is one question that I didn’t have to ponder about before asking. Not only are the rewards plentiful, with education and networking, but the organization has the best certification of the revenue cycle there is.   Am I a little biased? Being the National Certification Chair that may be a possibility however my answer would still be the same if I were not.

There are so many wonderful things that are occurring in certification. The updated CCT revisions and additions have been forwarded to the publishers. The new CCT manual will be completed in August after the next exam period. What that means for the test takers, is there will be updated questions added to the test databank. Does that sound scary to you? Well it shouldn’t. That is because the Technical Certification Committee is working diligently on educational material to present to you in the form of a CCT webinar. Not only will we be highlighting some of the material on the exam, we will be offering study and test taking tips.   Who wouldn’t be interested in that right?

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Summer has arrived and there is no better time than to go to beach or pool, have a nice cold drink and study for the upcoming technical exam.   Are you worried about passing the exam? Well fear not! The certification committee is diligently working on bring technical certification webinars to you.   The committee is not only looking at providing you with an overview of each individual section but also an exam overview.   We are specifically targeting the areas of Patient Access, UB04 and 1500 billing; Collections, Healthcare Laws and a CCT Overview.  

The overview webinars will provide guidance on what to expect from the exam plus we will be providing tips and techniques for you to use to assist you in taking the exam.  Sounds exciting huh? The technical certification committee is excited as well.

We want all examinee’s to succeed and the more training and education we can provide, the closer we will come to reaching our goal.    More information will be coming your way soon so stay posted and...

Well the May Technical Certification Exam period is over? How did everyone do? Was it as challenging as you thought it would be?   If you reviewed your material faithfully and dedicated time to study, then you should have successfully passed.

If you found that you struggled a little bit, don’t fret. Some people are just not good at taking exams. I am personally one of those people. I study and study but I find the older I get, the more I struggle trying to retain what I am learning. Sometimes, I just wish I could put super glue on my head so everything I am studying will stick.

A few things to remember when taking your exam. Make sure that you read the questions carefully. Look for key words and know your acronyms. Bookmark your questions when taking the exam so that you can go back and review those you’re not sure about. Whatever you do, don’t bookmark them all. I have witnessed many examinees who second guess themselves and change their correct answers to the wrong ones. If you’re comfortable with...

Any changes made to the present CCT guide will occur in August.  If you have already purchased a guide from which you are utilizing, any updates and changes made will be available for review.

The Technical Certification Committee has been busy revising the current CCT Study Guide.  It should be updated by the August exam period.  New information in the study guide will include topics such as RAC’s, ZPIC’s, MIC’s, Collection Laws, and Penalties for non-compliance.  In addition to the new material, exam questions will be revised to reflect the new material.  So get prepared, study hard and good luck.  With dedication and perseverance, your healthcare educational knowledge will be rewarded.