The AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding are intended to assist coding professionals and managers in decision-making processes and actions, outline expectations for making ethical decisions in the workplace, and demonstrate coding professionals’ commitment to integrity during the coding process, regardless of the purpose for which the codes are being reported.
What are the standards of ethical coding and CDI professionals?
AppendixB The Standards of Ethical Coding and the Ethical Standards for Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Professionals are both based on the American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA’s) Code of Ethics.
What are the standards of ethical coding in AHIMA?
AHIMA Code of Ethics, Standards of Ethical Coding 9.Refuse to participate in or conceal unethical coding practices or procedures. Coding professionals shall: 9.1. Act in a professional and ethical manner at all times. 9.2. Take adequate measures to discourage, prevent, expose, and correct the unethical conduct of colleagues. 9.3.
What is a code of ethics in health information management?
Rather, a code of ethics sets forth values and ethical principles to which a Health Information Management (HIM) professional can aspire and by which actions can be judged. Ethical behaviors result from a personal commitment to engage in ethical practice. Professional responsibilities often require an individual to move beyond personal values.
What happens if you violate the AHIMA code of ethics?
Although in some situations, violations of the code would constitute unlawful conduct subject to legal process. Guidelines for ethical and unethical behavior are provided to assist with the interpretation of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics.
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What is the purpose of the AHIMA code of ethics?
The AHIMA Code of Ethics reflects the commitment of all to uphold the profession's values and to act ethically. Individuals of good character who discern moral questions and, in good faith, seek to make reliable ethical judgments, must apply ethical principles.
Who must follow the AHIMA code of ethics?
The code is relevant to all AHIMA members and credentialed HIM professionals and students, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve. The AHIMA Code of Ethics serves six purposes: Identifies core values on which the HIM mission is based.
How many standards of ethical principles are there in AHIMA?
The 1934 pledge and the six codes of ethics for the HIM professional association have provided guidance for ethical leadership across a continuum of time, roles, and responsibilities. These codes are an invaluable resource to assist the professional faced with complex challenges at work.
What is AHIMA in coding?
What is AHIMA Certification? AHIMA stands for the American Health Information Association. They offer roughly half a dozen certifications, mostly focused on coding and health information management. The most popular AHIMA credential is Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).
Why are ethical standards important for CDI professionals?
A Code of Ethics is important in helping to guide the decision-making process and can be referenced by individuals, agencies, organizations, and bodies (such as licensing and regulatory boards, insurance providers, courts of law, government agencies, and other professional groups).
Which one of the following best describes Ethics?
Which of the following best defines ethics? Moral principles that govern a person or groups behavior.
What are the primary characteristics of AHIMA code of ethics?
The American health information association's code of ethics includes guidelines to create excellence, integrity, reliability, and honor in the profession. Guidelines in the AHIMA code of ethics detail the behavior and professional goals that support the excellence of HIM staff.
Why code of ethics is important in healthcare?
An ethical code can facilitate the discussion of ethical issues in difficult cases, and distinctive ethical positions can be established and argued, leading to broader and more secure moral conclusions.
What are the core values of AHIMA?
ValuesRespects all members whom we serve, and all individuals with whom we work and collaborate.Advances the importance of health information to improve healthcare.Embraces a code of ethical health information management practice.Promotes the public's right to private and high-quality health information.More items...
What is the purpose of coding Clinic?
Published since 1984, Coding Clinic brings the latest official coding information to coding professionals, auditors, third-party payers, government agencies, and consultants who are interested in and dedicated to improving the accuracy and uniformity of medical coding.
What is the difference between AHIMA and AAPC code of ethics?
The AHIMA provides certification for are focused on mastery of in- and out-patient coding. The AAPC, on the other hand, certifies prospective medical coders for outpatient coding and CPC credentials. This allows a medical coder to handle data on physician services, outpatient claims, and to adjudicate physician claims.
What are the coding certifications?
12 in-demand billing and coding certificationsCertified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)Certified Coding Associate (CCA)Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)Certified Coding Specialist - Physician-based (CCS-P)Certified Medical Coder (CMC)Certified Outpatient Coding (COC)Certified Professional Biller (CPB)More items...
What organizations offer a code of ethics for coders?
The American Academy of Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) each have ethical standards for medical coders. A list of those attributes and standards along with links to their websites is included in this blog post.
Why do people in medical billing and coding must demonstrate professionalism?
For medical billers and coders, professionalism helps ensure that patient documentation has the correct codes, so patients receive proper and timely care.
Do doctors have a code of ethics?
Since its adoption at the founding meeting of the American Medical Association in 1847, the AMA Code of Medical Ethics has articulated the values to which physicians commit themselves as members of the medical profession.
Why code of ethics is important in healthcare?
An ethical code can facilitate the discussion of ethical issues in difficult cases, and distinctive ethical positions can be established and argued, leading to broader and more secure moral conclusions.
What is the purpose of the AHIMA Code of Ethics?
The AHIMA Code of Ethics serves six purposes: Promotes high standards of HIM practice. Summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the profession's core values. Establishes a set of ethical principles to be used to guide decision-making and actions.
What are ethical guidelines?
Guidelines for ethical and unethical behavior are provided to assist with the interpretation of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics. The terms "shall” and “shall not" are used as a basis for setting high standards for behavior. This does not imply that everyone "shall” or “shall not" do everything that is listed. This concept is true for the entire code. If someone engages in the stated activities, ethical behavior is the standard. The guidelines are not a comprehensive list. For example, the statement "safeguard all confidential consumer information to include, but not limited to, personal, health, financial, genetic and outcome information" can also be interpreted as "shall not fail to safeguard all confidential consumer information to include personal, health, financial, genetic, and outcome information."
What is a code of ethics?
Rather, a code of ethics sets forth values and ethical principles to which a Health Information Management (HIM) professional can aspire and by which actions can be judged. Ethical behaviors result from a personal commitment to engage in ethical practice.
What are the core health information issues?
Core health information issues include what information should be collected, how the information should be managed, who should have access to the information, under what conditions the information should be disclosed, how the information is retained, when it is no longer needed, and how is it disposed of in a confidential manner. All of the core health information issues are addressed in compliance with state and federal regulations, and employer policies and procedures.
What is the purpose of the 3.2 precautions?
Take precautions to ensure and maintain the confidentiality of information transmitted, transferred, or disposed of in the event of termination, incapacitation, or death of a healthcare provider to other parties through the use of any media.
What are ethical obligations?
Ethical obligations are central to the professional's responsibility, regardless of the employment site or the method of collection, storage, and security of health information. In addition, sensitive information (e.g., genetic, adoption, substance use, sexual health, and behavioral information) requires special attention to prevent misuse.
What are professional responsibilities?
Professional responsibilities often require an individual to move beyond personal values. For example, an individual might demonstrate behaviors that are based on the values of honesty, providing service to others, or demonstrating loyalty. In addition, professional values may require promoting confidentiality, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, and refusing to participate or conceal unethical practices. Professional values could require a more comprehensive set of values than an individual’s need to be an ethical agent in one’s own personal life.
What are the ethical obligations of health information management?
The ethical obligations of the health information management (HIM) professional include the safeguarding of privacy and security of health information; disclosure of health information; development, use, and maintenance of health information systems and health information; and ensuring the accessibility and integrity of health information.
What are the core health information issues?
Core health information issues include what information should be collected; how the information should be handled, who should have access to the information, under what conditions the information should be disclosed, how the information is retained and when it is no longer needed, and how is it disposed of in a confidential manner. All of the core health information issues are performed in compliance with state and federal regulations, and employer policies and procedures. Ethical obligations are central to the professional’s responsibility, regardless of the employment site or the method of collection, storage, and security of health information. In addition, sensitive information (that is, genetic, adoption, drug, alcohol, sexual, health, and behavioral information) requires special attention to prevent misuse. In the world of business and interactions with consumers, expertise in the protection of the information is required.
What does "XI" mean?
XI. Respect the inherent dignity and worth of every person.
What does "IX" mean in a resume?
IX. State truthfully and accurately one’s credentials, professional education, and experiences.
What is the job of an advocate for the profession?
Be an advocate for the profession in all settings and participate in activities that promote and explain the mission, values, and principles of the profession to the public.
What is the purpose of the VI?
VI. Recruit and mentor students, staff, peers, and colleagues to develop and strengthen professional workforce.
How to protect patient information?
1.2. Engage in social and political action that supports the protection of privacy and confidentiality, and be aware of the impact of the political arena on the health information issues for the healthcare industry. 1.3. Advocate for changes in policy and legislation to ensure protection of privacy and confidentiality, compliance, and other issues that surface as advocacy issues and facilitate informed participation by the public on these issues. 1.4. Protect the confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of professional service. Disclose only information that is directly relevant or necessary to achieve the purpose of disclosure. Release information only with valid authoriza- tion from a patient or a person legally authorized to consent on behalf of a patient or as authorized by federal or state regu- lations. The minimum necessary standard is essential when releasing health information for disclosure activities.
What is a coding professional?
Coding Professional: Individuals whether credentialed or not; including but not limited to coding staff, coding auditors, coding educators, clinical documentation improvement (CDI) professionals, and managers responsible for decision-making processes and operations as well as HIM/coding students.
What are the AHIMA standards?
The AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding are intended to assist and guide coding professionals whether credentialed or not; including but not limited to coding staff, coding auditors, coding educators, clinical documentation improvement (CDI) professionals, and managers responsible for decision-making processes and operations as well as HIM/coding students. The standards outline expectations for making ethical decisions in the workplace and demonstrate coding professionals' commitment to integrity during the coding process, regardless of the purpose for which the codes are being reported. They are relevant to all coding professionals, regardless of the healthcare setting (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, post-acute care, alternative care, etc.) in which they work or function.
What is the code of ethics?
The Code of Ethics 1 is relevant to all AHIMA members, students, and CCHIIM credentialed HIM and coding professionals, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve.
What are the standards of ethical coding?
The Standards of Ethical Coding are important established guidelines for any coding professional and are based on the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA's) Code of Ethics. Both reflect expectations of professional conduct for coding professionals involved in diagnostic and/or procedural coding, ...
What is coding in healthcare?
Coding is recognized as one of the core health information management (HIM) functions within healthcare. Due to the complex regulatory requirements affecting the health information coding process, coding professionals are frequently faced with ethical coding and coding-related challenges. The Standards of Ethical Coding are important established ...
What is established practice?
Established practices: Refers to processes and methods that are recognized and generally accepted such as AHIMA practice briefs and accrediting body standards.
What are ethical guidelines?
Guidelines for each ethical standard are a non-inclusive list of behaviors and situations that can help to clarify the standard. They are not meant to be a comprehensive list of all situations that can occur. Apply accurate, complete, and consistent coding practices that yield quality data.