the 40% rule for AHIMA CEUs -- an update starting 2024
AHIMA “has” updated their policy for holders of AHIMA credentials … that is, the CEUs needed to continue certification and use of the AHIMA certifications. This includes a significant number of Health Information Professionals, Medical Coders and others throughout the healthcare domain, especially those engaged with Data.
The AHIMA Certifications & Careers FAQ page notes:
“To ensure the quality and efficacy of learning experiences, a minimum of 40% of CEUs are now required to come directly from AHIMA.” …. This means 40% of the number of your required CEUs must be obtained from AHIMA events and activities. This is a major change ~ ~ strategically and monetarily.
Do the math ---
>>>> The CHDA, RHIA, CDIP, or CHPS credentials require 30 CEUs for the two-year recertification cycle.
30 * 40% = 12 …. 12 CEUs must come directly from AHIMA events.
>>>> The CCA, CCS, CCS-P, or RHIT credentials require 20 CEUs for the two-year recertification cycle.
20 * 40% = 12 …. 8 CEUs must come directly from AHIMA events.
Correct ???
The AHIMA membership includes free CEUs == each year: 5 CEUs for professional membership and 8 CEUs for Premium membership. So many of the CEU requirements can be accomplished with the free CEUs. Are the free AHIMA events “relevant” and “valuable” for all members? Probably not, but this is a valid “start” to meeting the 40% requirement.
2024 AHIMA Recertification Policy Updates ….
“Beginning January 1, 2024 updates to the recertification process recently approved by the Certification Commission for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM) will take effect. The new policy provides more options for earning CEUs, recognizes a wider range of experiences for CEU reporting, and elevates the authority and credibility of AHIMA certifications. The changes will be required of anyone beginning a two-year recertification cycle in 2024.”
The Value -- you might ask?
Yes, I agree with AHIMA that an update for certification is warranted to “stay current” in the constant evolving world of healthcare and Health Information. AHIMA notes … “A comprehensive review and revision or update on the recertification requirements has not been completed in more than 10 years.”
I ask AHIMA, “Why”? Why is our leadership so slow to recognize, assimilate and take action on the current and changing landscape for healthcare? (More later.)
Yes, I agree with AHIMA that the updates to CEUs “strengthening the value of AHIMA Certification for certified professionals.” AHIMA credentials are not easy to obtain; they require dedication and focus to acquire --- survival of Pearsons and the “exam”. AHIMA credentials add much Value to one’s career (monetarily as well as professionally) and all of Healthcare.
AHIMA notes the change will bring “a wider range of experiences for reporting CEUs”. I hope this is true and will come to pass.
AHIMA notes that this change in CEUs is a decision from >>>> CCHIM. Toooooo easy, AHIMA, to give the “ownership” of the change to another governing body.
My main question to AHIMA???
Why have you not shared the changes industry-wide with the membership? Meaning, could we not hear from you personally – an email, a social media post, etc? Instead, we had to find the Credential Change in the “fine print” (one might say) written in the FAQ page. AHIMA members come in many different categories – some pay individually for membership and some receive membership from an employer. So, “reading” the AHIMA website might not be a frequent task … and thus, serious consequences for a credential holder.
Yes, I understand that the changes were presented at the AHIMA Convention but, the same opportunities/restrictions with membership apply --- how many members have the opportunity to listen to the state presentations and how many state chapters have presented to their members before the changes will take place?
Sources:
Certification & Careers page at AHIMA (covering recertification, earning & recording CEUs ... all things CEU) :
AHIMA FAQ page: https://www.ahima.org/media/fzxpvsil/2024-ahima-recertification-policy-updates-frequently-asked-questions.pdf
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