Hancock, Michigan--"Completing your program and passing the CCS-P exam gave me confidence," said Debra Fasana, during our celebratory lunch with co-workers in the Medical Records Department at Portage Health in Hancock two weeks ago today.

"If it wasn't for the encouragement, I wouldn't be where I am today," added Deb's co-worker Raquel Saari.

Debra and Raquel, both outpatient coders at Portage Health, completed Central Business School's Health Information Coding Certificate Program.  Debra and Raquel then boosted their careers another step when they each achieved the nationally-recognized Certified Coding Specialist credential by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Debra earned AHIMA's CCS-P, Certified Coding Specialist - Physician, in March of this year.

Raquel earned AHIMA's CCS, Certified Coding Specialist - Hospital, in 2006.

"I reviewed all of the books from your program over again during the six weeks before I took the CCS-P exam," said Debra.  "It worked!  The material from your program gave me the specialized focus and information I needed to pass the exam."

"I want to thank you for encouraging me to take the CCS-P instead of the CCA," said Debra.  "I'm so glad I did," she told me, while she gazed at her AHIMA CCS-P certificate and beamed with delight.

The CCA, the Certified Coding Associate credential offered by AHIMA, recognizes excellence in entry-level coding and health information skills.

The CCS-P, the credential Debra achieved, recognizes excellence in advanced physician coding skills.

The CCS, the credential Raquel achieved, recognizes excellence in advanced hospital coding skills. 

The examinations are extremely challenging computerized 4-hour tests full of closed-book, complicated, multiple-choice questions, and loads of medical records to interpret and code according to the latest rules and regulations.

"The CCS coding cases are good sized--most over ten pages.  I have never coded inpatient here at work, so it was a challenge for me," said Raquel.

Results were immediate for Debra this year.  Raquel's results in 2006 took about 6 weeks.  Both Debra and Raquel traveled overnight to the nearest testing site in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, about ten hours roundtrip from Hancock.

"All of the encouragement from our Hospital Administrator, Betty; our Medical Records Supervisor, Gracia; and you has been very beneficial and has increased my desire to continue on with my coding career," said Raquel.

Raquel and Debra said a tough part now in their coding careers is keeping up with changing coding regulations and guidelines.  Nationwide, keeping coders and physicians up with constantly changing coding rules is a major focus of AHIMA.

"Our doctors have been great about communicating with us," said Raquel.  "They work with us to keep us educated on our part."

"It's a continuous learning process," said Debra.  "I'm looking forward to cross-training here in inpatient, emergency department, and physician office coding," said Deb.  "I have the confidence now with the skills learned through your school and with my CCS-P credential."

"Meeting deadlines is our biggest challenge," said Raquel.  "Accuracy and staying current with guidelines is an ongoing focus."

Raquel and Debra, both current AHIMA members, make good use of the resources available through the Association.

"We just had an audio seminar from AHIMA about the coding changes for 2008," said Raquel.

Debra and Raquel shine as two great examples of career women taking professional responsibility in the demanding world of hospital coding.

As their teacher and mentor, I am proud to recognize them for their accomplishments of successfully completing the Central Business School Health Information Coding Certificate Program and for their dedication to excellence by going on to earning their national AHIMA coding credentials.

Certified Coding Specialists Debra Fasana and Raquel Saari are credits to Central Business School, AHIMA, and to Portage Health.

Way to go, Deb and Raquel!

For more information about AHIMA's Certification Examinations, please visit AHIMA's web site at http://www.ahima.org/certification

For more about Portage Health in Hancock, Michigan, visit their web site at http://www.portagehealth.org

Or visit Portage Health's beautiful facility--it looks like an upscale North Woods Lodge!--at 500 Campus Drive in Hancock.  Phone Portage Health at 1.800.483.1000.

My goal as an educator for over 13 years has been to advance people in their health information management careers.
As owner of Central Business School in Marquette, Michigan, I train coders throughout the world. 

My credentials include both the CCS and the CCS-P.
For more information about Central Business School, click on the CBS logo below.

AHIMA Health Information & Technology Week
November 4-10, 2007
"Accuracy you can count on, information you can trust"
Upper Peninsula AHIMA HIT Week Events!

Free Drawings for Gift Baskets, AHIMA Tote Bags
HIM Portfolios, AHIMA Water Bottles, and more!

Medical Terminology Certificate Program Books

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