1. AAHAM Certification Programs
Presented By:
Kimberly Scribner, CRCE-I & CAC
Amy Weber, CRCP-I & CPC
Karen Moore, CRCE-I
Annual Institute September 15, 2015

2. AAHAM certification options include:
Certifications
AAHAM certification options include:
Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE)
Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP)
Certified Revenue Integrity Professional (CRIP)
Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist (CRCS)
Certified Compliance Technician (CCT)

3. Certifications CRCE Senior and Executive Leaders CRCP
Supervisors and Managers
CRCS
Revenue Cycle Team Members
CCT
Compliance Competency
CRIP
Charge Master Management

4. Exam Information All exams held 4 times per year
February, May, August, November
All exams are taken on line- require proctor
Chapter coordinates exam dates/proctors

5. Certification CRCE I/P
Eligibility- Membership in AAHAM, Minimum 4 years experience in healthcare related field or 2 year Associate degree
Cost- $299 Full Exam $50 per Retake Section
8 Hour On-Line Exam
4 Sections
Patient Access/Front Desk, Billing, Credit Collections, Revenue Cycle Management
Multiple Choice, T/F, F/B, Short Answer, Essay, Quantitative Questions
Grading-Notification within 90 days- 70% on all sections
Must pass 2 sections to qualify for re-take within 18 months of initial exam date
Maintaining Certification: National Member in good standing & 40 CEUs w/in 2 years of certification- 20 obtained from AAHAM Related Educational Programs

6. Certification CRCP I/P
Eligibility- Membership in AAHAM, Minimum 2 years experience in healthcare related field or 2 year Associate degree
Cost- $199 Full Exam $50 per Retake Section
4 Hour On-Line Exam
4 Sections
Patient Access/Front Desk , Billing, Credit Collections, Revenue Cycle Management
Multiple Choice, True/False
Grading-Immediate Results-70% All Sections
Must pass 2 sections to qualify for re-take within 12 months of initial exam date
Maintaining Certification: National Member in good standing & 30 CEUs w/in 2 years of certification- 15 obtained from AAHAM Related Educational Programs

7. Certification CRCS I/P
Eligibility- Membership in AAHAM encouraged, 1 Year Employment in Revenue Cycle
Cost- $100 Full Exam $50 per Retake Section
2 Hour On-Line Exam
3 Sections
Patient Access/Front Desk , Billing, Credit Collections,
Multiple Choice, Grading-Immediate Results-70% All Sections
Must pass 2 sections to qualify for re-take within 12 months of initial exam date
Maintaining Certification: Option 1- Retake and pass exam every 3 years. Option 2- National Member in good standing & 30 CEUs w/in 2 years of certification- 15 obtained from AAHAM Related Educational Programs

8. Certification CCT
Eligibility-Membership in AAHAM encouraged, 1 Year Compliance Experience
Cost- $100
90 Minute On-Line Exam
4 Areas of Focus-Multiple Choice
7 Elements of Compliance Plan
Agencies that oversee healthcare compliance
Knowledge of the OIG Recommendations
Non-Compliance Penalties
Results- Immediate
70% If 70% not achieved. Must retake entire exam
Maintaining Certification - Must be re-taken every 3 years

9. Certification CRIP Eligibility- National AAHAM Member
Cost- $199 Retakes $50 per section
4 Hour On-Line Exam
4 Areas of Focus-Multiple Choice True/False
Overall Review of Charge Capture
Ancillary Services
Surgical Services Procedures
Recurring Outpatients and Clinical Services
Results- Immediate
70% Must Pass 2 of the 4 sections to be eligible to re- take the remaining sections w/in 12 Months.
Maintaining Certification -Maintaining Certification: National Member in good standing & 30 CEUs w/in 2 years of certification- 15 obtained from AAHAM Related Educational Programs

10. Resources www.mdaaham.com www.aaham.org Link to National Website
Schedule for Webinars
Registration
FAQ’s
Costs
Study Resources
Eligibility
Recertification

13. Certification Benefits
Individual
Increased Earnings Potential
Competitive Advantage
Recognition-Opportunities for Growth
Employer
Increased Competency of Staff
Promote Ongoing Training/Education
Develop Career Ladders

14. THE   C R C E   EXAM  

15. CREDIT AND COLLECTIONS
FOUR SECTIONS
ACCESS
BILLING
CREDIT AND COLLECTIONS
A/R MANAGEMENT

16. You must score a minimum of 70% per section to become certified.
EACH SECTION FORMAT
True/False…………2 points each
Multiple Choice…...5 points each
Short Answer……...15 points each
Essay……………….20 points each
Quantitative………..15 points each (but may have several answers)
Each section has a 2-hour maximum completion time; the full exam has an eight hour time limit.
You must score a minimum of 70% per section to become certified.
You can `bank’ two or three sections and re-take only those sections that you did not pass.

17. Preparing for the Exam
The preparation for the CRCE exams can be an overwhelming process. The following slides will assist you in creating a plan to make the most out of the time you have dedicated to prepare.

18. Purchase the Study Materials
Ensure that you have a copy of the CRCE Study Manual. They are available for purchase online at under Certification -> CRCE.
Purchase a Practice Exam. This is a great tool when used in conjunction with a study plan – it will help you to gauge the effectiveness of your studying.

19. Study Guide Loaner Program
Maryland AAHAM is proud to be able to offer loaner study guides for the upcoming CRCE, CRCP and CRCS exams for MD AAHAM members.
The loaner program is for MD AAHAM members only.
The study guides will be on loan to MD AAHAM for six (6) weeks. The study guides are expensive to purchase, so this is a great opportunity to utilize the study guide for free!
The loaner program is on a first come, first serve basis so be sure to act fast!
See the following link for a full description of the program and forms:
certification/

20. Block Time on Your Calendar
Blocking time on your calendar puts accountability on you and keeps your schedule clear. Reading the study guide takes time and digesting the material may require reading it multiple times.
Ensure that you block time for each section. Many test takers find that they study least on the area in which they are most comfortable. The items you think you know best have the highest likelihood to stump you!

21. Keep Your Study Area Quiet
Study time has the best results when done in a quiet area. Distractions such as family and work take away from the effectiveness of your study session. If there is no quiet place in the house, consider visiting a local library.

22. Use the Study Guide
It sounds simple, but take time to read through the study guide.
There are items in the guide that you may find need to be explored further through your own research. If you are researching on your own, ensure that your sources are creditable.
Highlight/Underline and Tag concepts in the book (highlight/underline key concepts to reference back to & tag/flag items that you need to further study).

23. Take Notes/Make Flash Cards
Find out how you learn best and then follow these steps for success:
Auditory – Find a partner to quiz you, quiz yourself, or use a software application
Kinesthetic – Write notes as you study and take notes from your highlighted study manual (writing notes can further your absorption of the material).
Visual – Make flash cards for each key concept
Going through the concepts is important the final week before the exam. Flashcards are an easy way to review all sections

24. Gather Support – Join a Study Group!
Identify a study buddy, join a study group or form your own! The benefits of a study partner or group is the psychological support and accountability to keep you on track.
If there are others in your organization, considering making arrangements to meet up with them after studying each section. It may also be useful to find someone who has recently taken the exam as they will have further insight on key topics.

25. Study Partners/Groups (continued)-
Check with your organization as many offer study sessions (this can be a good way to connect with others in our industry who have successfully taken the exam).
If you want to form your own study group, follow these tips for success:
The first thing that your group should have is a “study plan” (this should include an outline of study topics).
Next you will want to determine a study schedule (more/less study time may be needed depending on the topic and current exposure/lack of to the information). A study schedule should take from six to twelve weeks, depending on the group/individual needs.

26. This will be on the Test! Answering in Paragraph Form
Part of the test will require a response/responses in “Paragraph Form”. Correct paragraph form includes: a topic sentence, three “showing examples” and a conclusion (no paragraph should be less than five sentences).
To be fully prepared, set aside time in your study schedule to practice answering questions in correct paragraph form.
Brush up on your grammar and spelling to ensure that your paragraphs are polished and professional (because it counts)!

27. Practicing Formulas Exam is on online- practice the formulas in Word.
Harder than you think to “show your work” on line.
Even if the answer is incorrect – points are awarded for showing your work

28. Formatting Your Answers
Make it easy on the Grader
Label the sections of your answers to match the questions.
Key words in questions to determine format of answers:
List
Define
Discuss
Advantages-Disadvantages / Pros-Cons
Number the items

29. Formatting Your Answers -Example
Question:
Define DME and list at least five items considered DME
Answer:
Definition:
Items 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

30. Study Tips Make daily study a priority Avoid cramming
Spend more time on your weak areas
Pick a time to study when you are most alert (research shows that the morning and early evening are best)
Stick to the study schedule
Keep breaks short (3-5 minutes is adequate)
Study one topic at a time
The next day review what you learned the day before
Make outlines and map out what you have learned and develop questions from your outline
Reading out loud helps reinforce the material
Tape record important items you want to remember (or have difficulty remembering) and listen to them to and from work

31. Preparing for Test Day Get a good nights sleep
Eat a light, healthy breakfast
During the test, take the time to read each question carefully (especially true/false and multiple choice)
Take a deep breath, relax and do your best!

32. Exam Day Reminders
The exam is written from the typical DRG perspective (this is not a Maryland focused exam) - this information will help you to better understand the material.
If a question asks you to list five items to an answer and you know seven- be sure to list all seven. This increases your chances of getting full credit (in case one of your items are wrong).
Pay special attention to the questions and be sure to provide all the information asked for to receive full credit. Take note as well in case answers with no information is required (don’t use extra time to provide detailed information unless it is asked for).
If you do not know an answer in its entirety, answer as much as you can to receive as much credit as possible.

33. Sample Questions-Formats
TRUE / FALSE
The medical record department is the only hospital department that has to worry about controlling record confidentiality. T/F
PHI Stands for Protected Health Information. T/F

34. Sample Questions-Formats
Multiple Choice
The Statue of Limitations is expiring. What can be done to extend the statute?
Obtain a written “promise to pay”
Obtain a partial payment on the principle amount
Obtain a judgment
All of the above

35. Sample Questions-Formats
Multiple Choice
How many weeks of leave within a 12 month period are employees entitled to under FMLA?
6 Weeks
25 Weeks
12 Weeks
18 Weeks

36. Sample Questions-Formats
Fill in the Blank
Correspondence regarding collections must be retained for years.
The Truth in Lending Act is also known as Regulation Z.

37. Sample Questions-Formats
Short Answer
Define Cash Forecasting
Cash Forecasting is the projection of cash flow for the future based on historical trends and/or anticipated changes.
Define late charges
Charges posted after the bill has dropped

38. Sample Questions-Formats
Essay
 Define DME and list five items that could be considered DME.
Definition:
Durable Medical Equipment is covered under part B as a medical or other health service and is equipment that can withstand repeated use, is primarily customarily used to serve a medical purpose, generally is not useful to a person in the absence of an illness or injury and is appropriate for use in a home.
Items
1.) Crutches 4.) Canes
2.) Hospital Bed 5.) Dialysis Equipment
3.) Oxygen Tanks 6.) Walker

39. Sample Questions-Formats
Quantitative
  Based on the information below, which agency is MOST Effective:
Show all work and calculations.
Agency Net Referred $ Collected %Collected Fee%
A ,000 70, % 25%
B ,000 56, % 30%
C ,000 85, % 35%

40. A Final Message

41. Contact Information
Kimberly Scribner, CRCE-I, CAC Director Revenue Cycle & Financial Clearance Howard County General Hospital State of MD Certified Application Counselor Phone (410) Fax (410)

42. Contact Information
Amy Weber, CRCP-I & CPC Director Non-Governmental Follow-up and Appeals MedStar Health Phone (410)

43. Contact Information
Karen Moore, CRCE-I Senior IT Project Management Consultant United Health Group-Optum 360 Phone (410) W (410) C