Health Information Management Certification

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Health Information Management careers by nature are very detail-oriented and require a high-degree of accuracy. In addition, HIM professionals must know and adhere to federal regulations regarding the handling of patient data. Because of the importance of this responsibility, most employers highly value HIM managers who hold industry certifications in the HIM field.

While there are several different types of certifications available to those seeking Health Information Management careers, the following are most often requested by employers (especially hospitals):

Health Information Management credentials:

Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)

An executive-level certification, RHIAs are experts in handling patient data. This includes the physical and electronic collection, interpretation, analysis, protection, classification and storage of medical records and patient information. They must interact with all departments of the organization in order to solve issues and support the facility’s everyday needs. RHIAs are also thoroughly trained on medical, legal, ethical, and administrative regulations and requirements related to the delivery of healthcare services and patient privacy.

Eligibility:

Only those who successfully
1. Complete a bachelor’s degree in an HIM program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) or are enrolled in their last term of study
–OR–
2. Graduate from an HIM program that is approved by a foreign association with which AHIMA has a reciprocity agreement.

Herzing University Online's Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (BSHIM) is accredited by CAHIIM so graduates of the BSHIM are eligible to sit for this exclusive credential. (CAHIIM can be contacted at www.cahiim.org or (312) 233-1100.)

More information on the RHIA certification review the Candidate Handbook from AHIMA at:
http://www.ahima.org/downloads/pdfs/certification/Candidate_Guide.pdf

Insurance Coding credentials:

Since HIM careers require expert analysis and understanding of patient records, professionals in this field must be proficient in medical billing and insurance coding. For this reason, employers often require one or more of the following coding certifications in combination with an HIM credential:

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
• CCA Certified Coding Associate

• CCS Certified Coding Specialist

• CCS-P Certified Coding Professional (physician-based)

American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
• CPC Certified Professional Coder

• CPC-H Certified Professional Coder (hospital-based)

• CPC-P Certified Professional Coder (for insurance payers)

Herzing University student data for Health Information Management programs