Professional Healthcare Organizations, which is right for you?

Many times we run across the question of whether our clients should participate in one or more of the many professional organizations that are available to medical executives today.  If so, is there one better than the other?  

To help you make the decision, here is a list of several organizations and a brief description of their purpose: 

MGMA - Medical Group Management Association
www.mgma.org
MGMA is national, state, and local, although separate dues are required for each level.  The primary focus is management of medical practices.
The organization offers educational programming, support and resources to practice management professionals, with an opportunity to become certified. 

HFMA - Healthcare Financial Management Association
www.hfma.org
HFMA is a national, state and local organization.  The primary focus is healthcare executives engaged in financial leadership within the hospital and healthcare environment.                       

ACHE - American College of Healthcare Executives
www.ache.org
ACHE is national and local.  ACHE is an international organization with a focus on executives in hospital and other healthcare systems. 

AHIMA - American Health Information Management Association
www.ahima.org
AHIMA is national, state, and local.  AHIMA’s primary focus is EHR, coding and Health Information Management.                               

AAHAM - American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
www.aaham.org
AAHAM has local and national membership.  The organizations primary focus is on patient accounts management in the hospital environment 

Professional organizations hold their weight in gold if they are active, structured organizations with seasoned members involved in the planning of meetings and content.  Observably, an organization can be an invaluable resource in one area of the country and a waste of energy in another.  So do your research.  Go to a couple of meetings as a nonmember before committing to a membership.  At the meeting(s), ask yourself:

  • Do you mesh well with the other members?
  • Will this organization help you and your facility grow?
  • How often does the organization meet?  Do the meeting times work with my schedule?

Does the organization provide resources primarily in the areas you need?

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