HIMT 1205 Syllabus

Subject Code

HIMT

Course Number

1205

Course Title

Review and Practice for the CHAA Exam

Prerequisites

HIMT 1105 with a grade of C or higher

Corequisites

Terms Offered

Credit Hours

Course Description

This course provides students with the opportunity to prepare for the National Association of Healthcare Access Management Certified Healthcare Access Associate certification examination. The course includes a review of the skills needed to prepare for the certification examination. CHAAs are healthcare access associates who ensure the quality of data collection and security of data, as well as provide exceptional customer service. CHAAs use computer applications to schedule services and analyze data to determine patient financial responsibility. The course provides a comprehensive multiple choice practice test data bank with over 300 questions. Topics include a review of content specific to the healthcare access services' field and test-taking strategies.

A work ethic grade is assigned for this course. For more information see Work Ethics.

Course Outcomes

Healthcare Access Services Competency Model

  • Describe the role of a healthcare access associate and its impact on service excellence, quality patient care, and the organization's revenue cycle.
  • Discuss the many competencies required for success as a Healthcare Access Associate.
  • Explain the common patient flow utilized within healthcare access services.
  • Explain NAHAM's Patient Access Services Model.
  • Illustrate the lifecycle of a healthcare entity's revenue cycle.
  • Describe and categorize the levels of care associated with a patient's healthcare experience.
  • Display ability to follow standards of professional conduct within a healthcare setting.
  • Promote quality patient care through teamwork.

Customer Service and Satisfaction

  • Define the data collection and survey initiative of the national Healthcare Consumer Assessment of Health Provider Systems and its importance in healthcare.
  • Demonstrate ways to improve patient relations through performance modification of healthcare access services staff.
  • Identify styles and types of communication.
  • Apply active listening skills.
  • Resolve patient complaints and situational objections.
  • Discuss the role of patient advocacy in healthcare access services.
  • Seek required resources and workplace adaptations based on individual patient needs.
  • Assist patients according to their needs and prepare them for healthcare services.
  • Use appropriate body language when communicating in the workplace.

Professional Ethics

  • Interpret workplace scenarios and serve co-workers and patients (customers) request in light of cultural differences.
  • Adapt revised judgment and change behavior based on facts presented in the workplace.
  • Display professional commitment to ethical practice on a daily basis both personally and professionally.
  • Evaluate situations and provide solutions for patients in need of language assistance.
  • Display respect for individual diversity including areas related to gender, race, religion, age, geographic location and economic status.
  • Differentiate between legal and ethical issues within the healthcare setting.

Healthcare Access Services Administrative Functions

  • Identify types of insurance plans and payers.
  • Describe reimbursement guidelines and how to use procedural and diagnostic coding.
  • Apply health plan payer policies and guidelines.
  • Implement healthcare setting's protocol for determining patient's insurance co-payment.
  • Display sensitivity in communicating with patients, health plans, and providers regarding health insurance.
  • Describe the life cycle of a health insurance claim and the role healthcare access services plays in a clean claim.
  • Demonstrate effective communication with health plans and other payers.
  • Perform the common sequence of steps in processes utilized within healthcare access services - including scheduling, registration, insurance verification, collecting upfront payments from patients.
  • Identify types of records and information systems used to assist and track patient flow prior to and at the time of service.
  • Perform healthcare access services functions following the organization's guidelines.
  • Describe best practice of scheduling, registration, insurance verification and authorization, financial counseling guidelines.
  • Outline critical information necessary to facilitate the scheduling process.
  • Discuss pros and cons of various processes utilized within healthcare access services.
  • Establish and manage job action task lists pertinent to the department.
  • Consider coworker needs to assess necessity for assistance in processing patient data and paperwork.
  • Adapt workplace behaviors to meet time management principles.

Compliance Standards

  • Perform scenarios to communicate the healthcare setting's compliance policies to patients.
  • Discuss various levels of governmental initiatives, legislation, and regulations as they apply to healthcare access services.
  • Describe the implications of HIPAA and its direct impact on health information.
  • Summarize numerous compliance standards and explain how the government's oversight enforcement agencies work.
  • Explain the purpose of The Joint Commission in a healthcare setting.
  • Resolve situations requiring sound judgement in confidentiality.
  • Perform duties and practice within the standards and scope of the healthcare setting.

Data Integrity

  • Discuss the principles of collecting quality data and how it affects the outcome of patient care.
  • Perform data collection scenarios utilizing appropriate soft and technical skills
  • Compare types of patent health data.
  • Describe information systems such as Master Patient Index (MPI) and Electronic Health Record (EHR).

Key Performance Indicators and Benchmarking

  • Compare types of key performance indicators in healthcare access services.
  • Discuss the principles of using key performance indicators as a measurement in job productivity.
  • Compare sample data of healthcare access services peer groups.
  • Review sample customer satisfaction survey results.

Test Taking Strategies and Continuing Education

  • Explain certification as applicable to the healthcare access services.
  • Participate in class discussion on test preparation strategies.
  • Demonstrate test taking ability according to practice guidelines.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skill sets in healthcare access services.
  • Describe NAHAM's continuing education requirements to keep CHAA certification credential valid.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity and acceptance to participate in continuing education programs in the workplace.
  • Construct a sample "continuing education program outline" as a class project.