In This Issue
CHIA HOD Weighs in on Organizational Governance 
& Strategic Planning Priorities
CHIA President's Message:
Brian Faust, MLS, RHIA; CHIA President 2017-18

Two topics of importance to CHIA were the subject of deliberations at the 2017 CHIA House of Delegates (HOD) earlier this summer. First up was CHIA's organizational governance initiative. In follow-up to deliberations at the 2016 HOD a task force was appointed last year to explore possible alternative governance models for the association. The CHIA Governance Structure Task Force issued a report and SBAR earlier this year outlining three models - Geographic, Statewide and Hybrid - and offering an assessment of the pros and cons of each. 

The task of the 2017 HOD was to assess the relative merits of each of the models, as well as the pros and cons of CHIA's current organizational structure. This input from the Delegates provides a couple of important guideposts for moving forward with CHIA's multi-year governance initiative. The results would seem to suggest a broad-based willingness to consider changes to the current CHIA organizational structure, while also indicating a clear preference for the continuance of a formal regional organizational structure within the larger state-wide organization.

Now it is your turn, what are your thoughts on CHIA's organizational structure? As a proposal on governance is prepared for consideration by the 2018 HOD, individual CHIA members are invited to share their thoughts on enhancements to the way CHIA governs itself by emailing suggestions to President@CaliforniaHIA.org. All input by members will be considered as work on the governance initiative proceeds.  

Read the full summary here and provide your feedback.
AHIMA Ballot Open, Vote Because HIM Matters
AHIMA Vote
The 2017 AHIMA Election is underway. Currently 1.88% of the membership has cast their vote.  We encourage you to vote on or before the August 14th, 5:00 p.m. CT deadline, and contact your colleagues to cast their vote.  Let's increase the voter turnout this year and make history.   Login to vote and let your voice be heard. 

Learn more about the candidates, where they stand on various issues and read responses to member questions at AHIMA Engage or view the 2017 campaign videos to hear directly from the ballot candidates.

The CHIA Board has endorsed Debra L. Hamada, MA, RHIA for AHIMA Council for Excellence in Education (CEE), noting her qualifications for this position and exceptional leadership in health information. Review Debra Hamada's CEE candidate flyer to learn more about her candidacy, and watch her candidate video to hear why she is qualified for the position and deserving of your vote.
Lunch & Learn Webinar Summer Series
CHIA invites you to lunch this summer to participate in important, timely webinars in the Lunch & Learn Webinar Series. Presentation topics focus on governance issues, telehealth, audits, leadership development, and more. Visit the Events Calendar to learn more and register for one of these upcoming webinars:
  • Aug 17 - What Should be on the Radar for Acute Care Hospital Audits
  • Aug 23 - Governing Health Information for Better Health
  • Aug 29 - HIPAA Hot Topics and Current Events

Did you miss last week's webinar? No problem! Catch it again with the Leadership as Practice: A Personal Coaching Approach Webinar on Demand. Presenter Maria Alizondo highlighted the importance of leadership in HIM today and tips to strength the leader within. 

What's Happening in HIM This Week
CMS Finalizes 2018 Payment and Policy Updates for Medicare Hospital Admissions
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Aug 2, 2017
 
CMS issued the fiscal year 2018 Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System final rule, which updates 2018 Medicare payment and policies when patients are discharged from hospitals. The final rule relieves regulatory burdens for providers, supports the patient-doctor relationship in healthcare, and promotes transparency, flexibility, and innovation in the delivery of care for Medicare patients. 

"This final rule will help provide flexibility for acute and long-term care hospitals as they care for Medicare's sickest patients," said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. "Burden reduction and payment rate increases for acute care hospitals and long-term care hospitals will help ensure those suffering from severe injuries and illnesses have access to the care they need." Full article.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long Term Acute Care Hospital (LTCH) Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1677-F)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Aug 2, 2017
 
CMS issued a final rule that updates Medicare payment and polices when patients are discharged from hospitals from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018. The final rule relieves regulatory burdens for providers; supports the patient-doctor relationship in healthcare; and promotes transparency, flexibility, and innovation in the delivery of care. 

This fact sheet discusses major payment and policy provisions of the final rule, including the changes to termination notices for certain providers and the extension of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration. View Fact Sheet.
AMA Released New & Revised CPT Vaccine Codes
 
The American Medical Association (AMA) recently posted a short list of new and revised vaccine codes. These codes are effective July 1, 2017, and will appear in the CPT® 2018 codebook. View codes here.
HHS Unveils Improved Web Tool to Highlight Recent Breaches of Health Information
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; July 25, 2017
 
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) launched a revised web tool that puts important information into the hands of individuals, empowering them to better identify recent breaches of health information and to learn how all breaches of health information are investigated and successfully resolved.The HIPAA Breach Reporting Tool (HBRT) features improved navigation for both those looking for information on breaches and ease-of-use for organizations reporting incidents. The tool also helps educate industry on the types of breaches that are occurring, industry-wide or within particular sectors, and how breaches are commonly resolved following investigations launched by OCR, which can help industry improve the security posture of their organizations.  Full article.  
What Should be on the Radar for Acute Care Hospital Audits
Thursday, Aug 17 - LIVE Webinar
Governing Health Information for Better Health
Wednesday, Aug 23 - LIVE Webinar
HIPAA Hot Topics and Current Events
Tuesday, Aug 29 - LIVE Webinar
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Risk Adjustment Audits
Wednesday, Sep 28 - LIVE Webinar
Fiscal Year 2018 ICD-10-CM/PCS Updates
Tuesday, Sept 26 - Ontario
Wednesday, Sept  27 - Oakland