Our President’s Message Next Meeting Date:

November 1, 2011

Location:

Lutheran General Hospital

Program:

“What is a Compliance Plan and Do

you Really Need One?”

Erin Whaley, JD

Page 1

The Greater Chicagoland Chapter of

PAHCOM

Volume 3, Issue 9 OCTOBER, 2011

RSVP WWW.GCPAHCOM.COM

Dear Pahcom Friends and Colleagues:

This has been such an incredible

month, both personally and profes-

sionally. Personally, my husband has

finally sent his first book off to the

publisher. It is titled, “Diets and

Other Unnatural Acts” and is about

how to “LiveWellthy,” focusing on a

lifestyle that rejects diets, instead

teaching us how to make small posi-

tive changes toward health in many

areas of our life. Hopefully, it will be

out by December. Changing hats, at

the office, we finished our 90-day

Meaningful Use period and attested to

successful completion of Stage 1 re-

quirements. We’ll see if the govern-

ment comes through!

Now, you might think that would be a

great month. However, because I am

a member of Greater Chicagoland

PAHCOM it just gets better and bet-

ter. Please hang on for the ride. Octo-

ber’s Vendor’s Fair was a great suc-

cess and we want to thank all of the

vendors who participated. It was a lot

of fun to be able to spend the evening

chatting with each of them in a lei-

surely and informal setting to learn

more about their businesses and prod-

ucts. Ike Schreibman, JD, a third

party collection specialist, and Holly

Faris, from Availity, provided a deli-

cious dinner and dessert and we thank

you very much. Thank you all for

your continued support through the

years.

We began our Armed Services Collec-

tion Drive which will continue

through our November meeting.

Please check our chapter website for

the list of acceptable donations. Our

servicemen and women give so much

to all of us. Please support us in what-

ever way you can to add to our collec-

tion. Karen Spellman is coordinating

the drive (847-846-2130). Please call

her with any questions.

On October 18-20, 2011, a group of us

represented our chapter at the National

Conference in Clearwater, FL. If you

haven’t heard the news, GCPAHCOM

won Chapter of the Year for 2011. I

want to congratulate each of you

and thank each you for the work

you did that earned us this award.

Each point we accrued toward our

total represented the positive action

of one of our members. This is

what a team can accomplish.

The sessions were very educational;

and, as in any conference, some

were better than others. There was

a session on ERISA and claim deni-

als that many of us found extremely

informative. I have an old product

from the speaker that I will be up-

dating in order to use his forms and

approach. I certainly hope his ap-

proach helps my bottom line.

Another presenter talked on com-

munication and made the point that

conversation had two parts: feel-

ings and content. She also spent a

lot of the session talking about atti-

tude. She wanted us to think about

the attitude we projected when we

walked into the office on Monday

morning. Was it positive or nega-

tive? She wanted us to understand

that our staff responded to our ex-

ample. Do your own self-

evaluation. What do you think your

staff sees?

Another speaker talked about influ-

ence and impact. He said that, ra-

ther than worrying about how

something is going to affect “me,”

we should be the secret word is

winner concerning ourselves with

the effect on the other person. We

should be concerned about the val-

ue of the product or service to oth-

ers. In a medical practice, patients

want the reassurance of the office.

We need to connect with people. If

you want to influence people, “ask”

questions and show interest.

The last session I’ll comment on

was the one on responding to a

Payer Audit. It was a good session,

but there was one great take-away:

Never perform a statistically signifi-

cant audit on your own practice

Jeff Cumbee PLATINUM Ph: 630-375-6800

David Heller H Group Benefits, Inc. Ph: 847-564-1640

Mike Hattie POS Professional Office Services Ph: 800-707-5310

Michael Thoney Professional Facility Care Ph: 888-241-4665

Jeri Stenhouse InHealth Ph: 800-477-7374

Jayme Matchinski Hinshaw & Culbertson Law Ph: 312-704-3574

Sponsors:

because you will be bound by repay-

ment rules. I thought this was great

advice.

The conference ended on Thursday,

October 20 with a short session led by

Karen Blanchette, who is the Execu-

tive Director of PAHCOM. She

shared some initiatives and certifica-

tions that are in the works for PAH-

COM members that are very exciting.

Currently, they are working with

some educational institutions that

would give credits for our CMM to-

ward a Bachelor’s Degree. The se-

cond initiative is that the CMM PAH-

COM Accreditation would work in

conjunction with an Associate Degree

Program of an affiliated educational

program.

In addition to these initiatives, PAH-

COM is working with outside entities

to offer two new certifications that are

very much in line with today’s medi-

cal office’s needs: Health Infor-

mation Technology and Claim Man-

agement ERISA & PPACA.

The conference itself was held at the

lovely Hilton Clearwater, right on the

beautiful white sand beach. Our hotel

rooms were right upstairs from the

meeting rooms, making trips back and

forth very convenient and fast. Res-

taurants, shopping, and transportation

were right outside the hotel, putting

the geographically challenged very

much at home in a very short time.

Yes, that would be me! As this

year’s site worked out very well and

having our conference there again

next year will dramatically reduce

costs and logistical planning time,

thus allowing National to be able to

pursue the above Initiations and

CHAPTER OF THE YEAR 2011

Dan Frasier Associated Band 847-239-3775

Tami Gilbert Spectrum Training 312-213-7008

Advocate Lutheran General 847-723-7025

Page 2

Greater Chicagoland Chapter of PAHCOM

Facebook

Linkedin

Twitter

Connect with us online we have groups setup on both sites. If you have questions let us know. Keep

connected and sharing your experiences online. We are always looking for ways to expand our internet

reach. Hope to see you online!

We are Online

Greater Chicagoland Chapter PAHCOM

Date: October 4, 2011 (Abbreviated Meeting)

Minutes

Board and Chairpersons Present: Renee Segal, CMM, President, Violet Elieff, CMM, Vice-President, Janice

Goodyear, CMM, Membership, Karen Spellman, CMM, Membership, Jo Dick, CMM, CENTCS, Kelly Dietrich,

CMM, Sponsor Chair, Lizz Dietrich, CMM, Communications Coordinator, and Roxie Esposito, CMM, Secretary.

Members: Jody Berman, Cindy Penar, CMM, Danielle Schroeder, CMM, Laura Bohler, CMM, Cindy Penkala,

CMM, Donna Weinstock, Nancy Frait, CMM, Polly Walgren, CMM, and Jennifer Brown. In addition, we have a

new member in attendance: Guilia Alexandro.

Sponsors: None.

Minutes:

Old Business: None.

New Business: 2012 Board Nominations:

President: Renee Segal, CMM

Vice-President: Violet Elieff, CMM

Treasurer: Roberta Malloy, CMM was nominated but was unable to run and declined. Jo Dick, CMM, CENTCS,

was nominated and accepted the nomination.

Secretary: Danielle Schroeder, CMM

Membership: Karen Spellman, CMM/Janice Goodyear, CMM.

Renee Segal, CMM, stated that nominations to do not have to be seconded, and more than one person can run for

each board position. An email will be sent to the membership to vote.

Attending National Conference are Renee Segal, CMM, Violet Elieff, CMM, Jody Berman, Kelly Dietrich, CMM,

Cindy Penkala, CMM, Janice Goodyear, CMM, Lizz Dietrich, CMM, and Danielle Schroeder, CMM, Sue Zumwalt,

CMM. The Chapter agreed to buy raffle tickets at National Conference as a donation to National Scholarship Fund.

Jody Berman made a motion, and Violett Elieff, CMM, seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting ad-

journed at 8:47pm.

Respectfully submitted:

Roxie Esposito,CMM

Secretary

HOLIDAY

DINNER

DECEMBER

6, 2011

OFFICER

IN-

STALLATION

NOV. 1, 2011

DATES

TO

REMEMBER

Wear your PAHCOM pin(s) 1

(no matter how many you wear)

The following will be awarded after the event

and only awarded once per year:

Your guest becomes a member

(manager or sponsor) 2

Serve as an officer 5

Chair a committee 4

Serve on a committee 3

Participate in a chapter

sponsored activity 2

Attend National conference 4

"Each of us alone is one; to-

gether we are the Professional

Association of Health Care Office

Management."

Richard Blanchette

Founder

CONFERENCE CON-

TEST GUIDELINES

On to the year 2012 Contest!

This year you will be able to

earn a raffle ticket for the list

below as you have in the past,

the difference is this year you

will be filling out your own tick-

ets. You will need to remember

to complete your tickets month-

ly.

The raffle tickets will be availa-

ble at the registration desk and

you will put your name on the

ticket and place it in the “Drum”.

Please be sure to review the list

so that you are ready to start the

race for 2011 this August. The

drawing will be held at the June,

2012 meeting – so good luck to

everyone!

Attend a meeting 1

RSVP on time 1

Bring a guest (manager) 1

Bring a guest

(potential sponsor) 1

Submit an article for the

Newsletter 1

Spiral bound-easy reading books-National Press Publications, Inc. Communication & Leadership Series:

Techniques of Successful Delegation – by Carla Brown Assertiveness: Get What You Want Without Being Pushy – by Carla Brown How to Manage Conflict – by Carla Brown Getting Things Done – by Kristine C. Brewer Team Building – by Charles Mallory The Supervisor’s Handbook – by Mark R. Truitt Techniques to Improving Your Writing Skills – by Robert L. Iles Lifestyle Series:

Balancing Career & Family: Overcoming the Superwoman Syndrome– by Marian Thomas The Stress Management Handbook – by Kristine C. Brewer Powerful Leadership Skills for Women – by Dr. Patricia Murdock Mil-ler Dynamic Communication Shills for Women – by Carla Brown Self-Esteem: The Power to Be Your Best – by Mark Towers Your Perfect Right A Guide to Assertive Living – by Robert E. Alberti, Ph.D & Michael L. Emmons, PhD. Time Power – by Charles Hobbs How To Collect At Time of Service – Video training for healthcare professionals How To Speak Up, Set Limits and Say No* - by Maria Arapakis

[*Without Losing Your Job or Your Friends] audio cassette program

TREASURER’S REPORT

AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

By MEMBERS Page 3

Pronto Connections Ph: 312-649-3621

Bert Rosenberg Clifton Gunderson Ph: 630-573-8600

Karla Weisberg Transworld Systems, Inc. Ph: 847-709-0001

Piyush Kedia EMP Claim Solutions Inc. Ph: 312-842-7822

Joe Balice Cunningham Group

Isaac Schreibman Attorney at Law

Holly Ferris Availity

Sponsors(Cont.):

Greater Chicagoland Chapter of PAHCOM

Road to Conference

Library

2011 Calendar

November 1 Installation of 2012 Officers December 6 Holiday Dinner

Page 4

PRESIDENTS LETTER CONT….

Certifications, we will be returning to the Hilton in Clearwater for our conference October 16-18, 2012. I know

many of you like to travel to different places (so do I) and I hope that this will be in future plans as the economy

allows. However, I hope we will look at priorities and weigh the importance of conference destination vs. PAH-

COM Programs. I hope the Programs come out on top. They do for me.

On November 1, 2011, our speaker will be Erin Whaley, JD, and her presentation will be, “What is a Compliance

Plan and Do you Really Need One?” Our dinner will be hosted by Dan Frasier from Associated Bank. We will

have our Annual Installation Ceremony and officially present our Chapter of the Year Banner. Our speaker will be

flying in from Richmond, VA and we have a lot to celebrate. We need and want to congratulate each other, hug

each other, and give some high fives.

Chicagoland, it’s been a great year. Thank you. You are truly “CHAPTER OF THE YEAR 2011.”

Respectfully,

Renee Segal, CCM, CPC

President, GCPAHCOM

********************************************************************************************

We have a new CMM.

Sue Zumwalt, our chapter member from California, took the CMM exam at con-

ference and is now a new CMM.

Congratulations Sue Zumwalt, CMM

******************************************************************

Human Resource

A New Liability Concern for Your Practice: Textual-Sexual Harassment

Text messages, unlike graffiti, cannot be permanently erased from a wall. Even when text messages are deleted,

they still can be retrieved.

Employers should also be aware that lawsuits and court cases involving texting and harassing behaviors are in-

creasing.

We recommend that you treat textual harassment like any other harassment. In other words, you should do the fol-

lowing:

have a policy in place;

keep it updated;

regularly remind employees to review it; and

ensure that employees understand the consequences for not following it.

Generally speaking, textual harassment is when someone sends inappropriate or offensive messages via electronic

devices over a cellular network.

Apparently, as evidenced by recent court cases, some people will do and say things in text messages that they

might not consider doing or saying in face-to-face situations. Examples includtexting lewd photos and messages

asking for sexual favors.

Greater Chicagoland Chapter of PAHCOM

2011 Chapter Officers President:

Renee Segal, CMM Ph: 847-540-8020

renee@gcpahcom.com

Vice President:

Violet Elieff, CMM Ph: 312-642-9858

violet@gcpahcom.com

Parliamentarian:

Elizabeth Dietrich Ph: 847-677-1170

lizz@gcpahcom.com

Secretary:

Roxie Esposito, CMM Ph: 847-698-1487

roxie@gcpahcom.com

Treasurer:

Roberta Malloy Ph:

Roberta@gcpahcom.com

Membership:

Karen Spellman, CMM Ph: 847-985-0881

Karen@gcpahcom.com

Janice Goodyear, CMM Ph: 773-775-0811

Janice@gcpahcom.com

!!!! We are Online !!!! Pay your yearly membership dues

or sponsorship online via PayPal

@ www.gcpahcom.com

Greater Chicagoland Chapter of PAHCOM

Page 5

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Communications: Sponsor Coordinator: Historian:

Elizabeth Dietrich Kelly Dietrich, CMM Jo Dick, CMM, CENTS

Ph: 847-677-1170 Ph: 312-464-5491 Ph:

lizz@gcpahcom.com Kelly@gcpahcom.com Jo@gcpahcom.com

******************************************************************************************

RSVP BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2011

DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED BY

Dan Frasier from Associated Bank

Greater Chicagoland Chapter of PAHCOM

Fellow PAHCOM Members and Sponsors:

At our August meeting it was discussed and agreed to initiate an additional service project for our chapter. We are going to gather items that will be sent to the troops overseas. Also in this newsletter is a listing of the approved items that can be sent overseas to the troops. We are asking for you to look over the list and assist us in providing items to our soldiers. I will be collecting items at our Members Only meet-ing in September and also at the October Vendor Fair/Meeting. We will also send out an e-mail blast to all Members and Sponsors with the list of items as a reminder. It was approved for the chapter to bear the cost of shipping the items and I have tak-en on the task of organizing this project, but welcome anyone who wants to assist. If any of you have a family member or friend that is serving overseas and wants to provide me with their name so that we can send it to a specific soldier or troop please feel free to e-mail me with the information. This is just a small way that we wish to thank the soldiers' that are serving and pro-tecting our country. Thank you all for your cooperation, assistance and donations. Please fee free to call me if you have any questions. Karen A. Spellman, CMM PLEASE BRING YOUR DONATIONS G & G Medical Billing TO THE NOVEMBER MEETING 1100 Nerge Road, Suite 200 Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 Phone: 847-985-0881 Fax: 847-985-0882 Cell: 312-968-8443

Greater Chicagoland Chapter of

Page 6

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Greater Chicagoland Chapter of PAHCOM

Page 8

Greater Chicagoland Chapter of PAHCOM

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR CHAPTER MEMBERS

**************************************************************

Medicare The Latest on the ACO Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has sent a Shared Savings/ Accountable Care Organizations final

rule to the Office of Management and Budget for review. OMB review is one of the last steps before publication of

a rule in the Federal Register.

The rule would establish the Medicare Shared Savings Program authorized in the health reform law. Under Shared

Savings, provider organizations are encouraged to form accountable care organizations to tightly coordinate the

care of chronically ill patients across the continuum of care, and to share in the savings that may result.

Industry concerns raised during the comment period on the proposed rule included:

The proposed set of 65 measures would be too burdensome for newly formed accountable care organ-

ization and should be cut in half;

The threshold for providers to share in savings, at least 2 percent above the benchmark, has been dif-

ficult to achieve in earlier pilot programs;

A final rule should include an option allowing ACOs to receive shared savings without the downside

risk;

Giving patients enrolled in an ACO the ability to restrict access to their health information could com-

promise an ACO's ability to improve individual health;

The definition of eligible physicians should expand to include pathologists and laboratory profes-

sionals; and

Requiring 50 percent of participating primary care physicians to demonstrate meaningful use of elec-

tronic health records by their second year could reduce interest in the program and should be cut to 25

percent.

PAHCOM

CHAPTER OF

THE YEAR

2011

Page 9

Greater Chicagoland Chapter of PAHCOM