AUTUMN INSTITUTE

PURPOSE

The Autumn Institute Committee is responsible for planning and conducting the Chapter's annual Fall Institute. The Committee is responsible for assuring that the seminar topics meet the needs and interests of the membership. The Committee must also evaluate the Institute relative to HFMA traditions and practices.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. Plan, develop, market and conduct the annual Fall Institute. The Institute should include at least one and one half days of educational programming, which is innovative, professional, high-quality, relevant to current events, and based on the needs and interests of Chapter members. The Institute must be planned according the financial budget approved by the Chapter Board.

B. Coordinate the programming with the Education Institute Committee to comply with GLD scoring requirements and to offer a balanced educational opportunity to the membership.

C. Provide detailed registrant information subsequent to the Institute to the Chapter Secretary to facilitate GLD and Founder's Award scoring.

D. Provide the necessary information to the Chapter President to complete the Annual Highlight Report.

E. Complete the monitoring and evaluation of the Institute and communicate the results to the Education Institute Committee.

F. Provide a stimulating environment that promotes classroom learning, member networking and recreational opportunities.

G. Attract potential members who may be involved with complimentary professional organizations and other facets of the healthcare delivery system.

Bi-State Committee

PURPOSE

The Bi-State Institute Committee, in coordination with the Minnesota and Wisconsin Chapters of AGPAM and HFMA, is responsible for planning and conducting the Chapter's annual Summer Institute. The Committee is responsible for assuring that the seminar topics meet the needs and interests of the membership. The Committee must also evaluate the Institute relative to HFMA traditions and practices.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. Plan, develop, market and conduct the annual Summer Institute. The Institute should include at least one and one half days of educational programming, which is innovative, professional, high-quality, relevant to current events, and based on the needs and interests of Chapter members. The Institute must be planned according the financial budget approved by the Chapter Board.

B. Coordinate the programming with the Education Institute Committee to comply with GLD scoring requirements and to offer a balanced educational opportunity to the membership.

C. Provide detailed registrant information subsequent to the Institute to the Chapter Secretary to facilitate GLD and Founder's Award scoring.

D. Provide the necessary information to the Chapter President to complete the Annual Highlight Report.

E. Complete the monitoring and evaluation of the Institute and communicate the results to the Education Institute Committee.

F. Provide a stimulating environment that promotes classroom learning, member networking and recreational opportunities.

G. Attract potential members who may be involved with complimentary professional organizations and other facets of the healthcare delivery system.

COMMUNICATION

PURPOSE

This committee is to function as the focus of membership communications by reporting and promoting Chapter activities through pertinent publications in a cost effective manner. The committee disseminates information to its members about healthcare industry trends and issues. Its responsibilities include publication of the Vikingland Viewpoint, identification and authorship of papers and publication of articles in the newsletter.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

To publish a minimum of six (6) issues of the Vikingland Viewpoint.

To improve the Vikingland Viewpoint rating received from National HFMA’s newsletter evaluation.

To enter the National HFMA Newsletter Contest.

To solicit feedback from members for continually improving the quality of Vikingland Viewpoint.

RESPONSIBILITIES

To provide organizations the opportunity to advertise their products and services in the Vikingland Viewpoint.

To publish at least six newsletters.

To recruit authors or articles for the newsletter and to offer editorial assistance.

To coordinate the publication of information relating to Chapter and Committee activities, institutes, seminars, Davis Chapter Management, continuing professional education, accomplishments, awards, and Board/Officer elections.

To assign a photographer for Chapter programs, educational seminars and awards presented.

To report on significant events within the HealthCare industry.

To publish the fiscal year highlights in the Vikingland Viewpoint.

The Vikingland Viewpoint should include the following basic sections, if feasible:

Chapter President’s report on current events and information regarding the performance of the Minnesota Chapter.

Listing of current Chapter officers, directors, and committee chairs.

Articles on technical issues and recent developments.

Advertising and editorial policy.

A listing of positions available in healthcare financial management or related positions in Minnesota and surrounding area.

Announcement of new HFMA members, transfers, and other significant membership changes during the year (obtained from the Membership Committee).

A calendar of events.

Pertinent HFMA national news.

Announcement of members attaining Advanced Member status and those passing the CHFP and FHFMA exams.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PURPOSE

The Executive Committee is responsible for the administration of the Chapter under the direction of the Chapter Board of Directors and the National Office of HFMA. Members of the Executive Committee communicate with the other Chapters and the National office of HFMA as required by the HFMA organization and/or Chapter bylaws.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Hold regular Committee meetings to undertake the business of the Chapter, as well as coordinate the activities of the various Chapter committees; maintain communication with other Chapters and with National HFMA in order to fulfill the Committee’s administrative role and to further the Chapter’s goals and objectives.

Complete a Chapter Highlights Report for submission to National HFMA on or before May 10. In order to meet this objective, t he Executive Committee shall meet on a regular basis and review all Chapter activities and supporting detail in order to ensure timely completion.

Plan Minnesota Chapter Board meeting agenda and activities.

MEMBERSHIP

PURPOSE

The Membership Committee will process applications for membership and recommend to the Chapter Board of Directors whether they shall be accepted or declined in accordance with provisions of Article V of the By-Laws. The Committee will conduct membership campaigns seeking members from all financial segments of the health care industry. The Committee will encourage members to participate in the activities of the Chapter.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. Review and present membership applications to the Board for endorsement (per Chapter By-Laws). The Committee shall further process all applications with the National office and ensure that new members are placed on the appropriate National and Chapter lists.

B. Increase Chapter membership by:

1. Conducting membership campaigns.

2. Equip each board member to be an effective advocate for HFMA by providing them with membership packets and other information to help encourage recruitment of new members.

3. Communicating with all interested applicants for Chapter membership.

4. Corresponding with non-members attending Chapter programs and inviting them to consider membership.

5. Surveying healthcare and related organizations to ascertain why they do not have members in the Chapter. Recommend how the Chapter could recruit such members.

C. Facilitate the orientation of new members and encourage new member participation in the activities of the Chapter by:

1. Submitting names and their organizations of all new members for publication in the Vikingland Viewpoint.

2. Making special efforts to include new members at educational meetings by introducing them, preparing special nametags, and making personal invitations.

3. Seeking to place the new members with Chapter committees.

4. Arranging a New Member Breakfast at the Autumn and Winter Institutes.

D. Other Membership Committee activities:

1. Regularly assigning persons as greeters at the regular Chapter program meetings and educational seminars. Ensure that, to the fullest extent possible, all members have had the chance to participate and obtain the benefits of Chapter membership. In addition, foster Chapter sociability.

2. Contacting non-renewing former members to discover reasons for leaving the Chapter and determining what steps could be taken to retain Chapter members.

3. Contact members that are inactive and interview them to determine why they are not active. Find ways to encourage members to get involved.

4. Evaluate areas of potential membership and set standards for membership within the guidelines set by National and which are compatible with Chapter aims.

5. Through the activities listed above, ensure that the Chapter meets National membership growth quotas.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

PURPOSE

The Nominating Committee shall propose a slate of candidates for Chapter Officer positions and vacant positions on the Chapter Board of Directors for the ensuing year. The Nominating Committee shall present its nominees to the Chapter Secretary for consideration by the Chapter Membership and shall assist the Chapter Secretary in tabulating those nominees elected as Chapter officers and directors.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Present nominees for Chapter officer positions and membership on the Board of Directors to the Chapter Board of Directors no later than 120 days prior to the end of the Chapter fiscal year.

Propose, if necessary or if requested, additional nominees to fill otherwise vacant officer or Board positions in accordance with Chapter By-Laws.

PATIENT ACCOUNTING

PURPOSE

The Patient Accounts Coordinating Committee is responsible for appraising the Chapter membership of current events in the area of patient accounts management through communications with appropriate Chapter and National committees. The Committee provides coordination of patient accounts programs/projects with regional patient accounts groups. Committee members also represent HFMA in state and local programs/projects, such as Medical Assistance Prospective Payment System, Medical Assistance Demonstration Project, etc.

Goals and Objectives

A. Evaluate the need of patient account managers in the Chapter (statewide) and refer them to the appropriate Chapter committees, including Program, Institute and Regulatory Agencies Committees, and to cooperate and coordinate with these committees whenever necessary.

B. Develop strategies to improve billing and collection performance as it relates to the efficiency of operations and third-party payers.

C. Continue to work with third parties to develop and support verification, billing and reimbursement systems/procedures.

D. Work closely with MHHP by providing feedback as requested through surveys, phone calls, etc.

E. Develop at least one Chapter newsletter article for the Vikingland Viewpoint.

F. Act as Chapter Liaison with the MAMA group, HECAPP, HCPCS and other similar regional and state groups.

G. Individually, or through regional groups, establish at least five new programs/projects during the year.

H. Prepare and submit to the Chapter Secretary by March 31, an Annual Highlights Report.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

PURPOSE

The Professional Certification Committee is charged with promoting professional certification of members. This committee works in coordination with the Membership Committee to encourage certification. Coaching assistance from committee members is offered as preparation aid to successful completion of proficiency exams. The committee promotes the authorship of professional papers by chapter members for the continuing professional education of members. In general, this Committee encourages a high level of professional competence of chapter membership, including attendance at all HFMA sponsored/cosponsored educational activities and other organization's courses that provide CEUs.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. Use a mentor approach to actively recruit advanced members to take the certification exams.

B. Provide assistance to chapter members in preparing for and taking the exams such as through a coaching course

C. Encourage chapter members to seek advanced membership in cooperation with the Membership Committee.

D. Communicate through the Vikingland Viewpoint, mail, and telephone to promote the exams and the respective coaching courses.

E. Encourage all chapters to obtain and maintain certification by pursuing continuing education; writing exam questions, submitting professional/technical papers for publication and meeting other established National criteria.

F. Further the development and recognition of current certified members by making them an integral part of each year’s professional development efforts.

G. Prepare an Annual Highlights Report, an annual budget, and a statement of objectives and responsibilities for submission to Chapter officers by April 25.

Government Reimbursement and Regulatory

Purpose

The Regulatory Agency, Government and Reimbursement Practices Committee reviews actions taken by Congress, HCFA, the State of Minnesota legislature (or any legislature affecting Minnesota healthcare finance), state agencies such as the Departments of Human Services (Medicaid), Health or Commerce, the Medicare intermediary and Medicare carrier and other similar agencies that have a financial impact on hospitals. The committee is charged to make these activities and actions known to the Chapter Board, its Executive Committee and appropriate chapter committees so that information can be disseminated to the chapter membership. The committee, with Board approval, acts unilaterally, or in cooperation with the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership (MHHP) and other healthcare professional groups, to lobby the Healthcare Financial Management Association and/or chapter position on specific issues or actions. On occasion, the activities of the committee may extend to national legislative agency actions in coordination with the Chapter Technical Advisory Committee or a National Matrix Committee.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Work with MHHP and/or other chapter committees or professional groups as requested, on projects of mutual interest in lobbying efforts with Congress, the state legislature and other agencies.

Survey chapter membership as necessary on the impact of various changes in state or federal reimbursement.

Work with the Department of Human Services on the ongoing review of reimbursement rates, methodology, etc.

Inform the chapter membership via minutes reporting to chapter President Elect on reimbursement or agency issues that could substantially affect the financial viability of their institutions. Coordinate any appropriate lobbying effort.

Counsel any legitimate agency, payor, coalition, professional, or trade group on healthcare financial management input on rules, regulations, reimbursement methodology, etc.

Rural Health Care

Purpose

The Rural Health Care Committee is responsible for providing a forum and communication means to identify the needs of HFMA members in rural Minnesota that may not be currently met by the HFMA chapter and/or other organizations.

OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Develop a forum and communications means to meet the needs of HFMA members in rural Minnesota.

B. Coordinate efforts with other related healthcare organizations to effectively deal with rural healthcare issues.

C. Prioritize issues facing rural Minnesota providers through committee forums, membership questionnaires or other means of communication.

D. Develop a plan to identify how HFMA can more effectively assist the rural healthcare membership in dealing with these issues.

E. Provide feedback and recommendations to the Minnesota HFMA Board and appropriate committees as to how HFMA can meet national, regulatory and other needs of the rural members of HFMA.

F. Provide a forum for rural healthcare providers to attend educational programs and networking opportunities within a regional framework that minimizes travel time.

G. Coordinate any educational programming with the Education Institute Committee to comply with GLD scoring requirements and to offer a balanced educational opportunity to the membership.

H. Provide detailed registrant information subsequent to any educational programming to the Chapter Secretary to facilitate GLD and Founder's Award scoring.

I. Provide the necessary information to the Chapter President to complete the Annual Highlight Report.

J. Complete the monitoring and evaluation of any educational programming and communicate the results to the Education Institute Committee.

K. Attract potential members who may be involved with complimentary professional organizations and other facets of the healthcare delivery system.

Sponsorship

Purpose

The purpose of the Sponsorship Committee is to develop a financial support program for the Chapter's educational offerings to provide additional stability for educational sessions.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Develop and update sponsorship parameters for Chapter.

Develop and update recognition criteria for sponsors.

Solicit sponsorships from interested organizations.

Summer Golf

Purpose

The Summer Golf Committee has been established to set up and coordinate the Minnesota Chapter summer social event.

Goals and Objectives

A. To secure a golf course for the event each August.

B. Arrange for meals that include lunch and an awards dinner.

C. Secure sponsorship for prizes on each hole and to cover the awards.

D. Achieve financial and philanthropic mission as defined by the Board of Directors.

E. Guarantee the weather is nice and sunny.

Tax

Purpose

The Tax Committee is responsible for apprising chapter members and their institutions on new developments in various tax areas including exempt status, income tax, property tax, sales tax, payroll tax and employee benefits.

Goals and Objectives

Assist chapter members in understanding proposed legislation and analyzing its potential impact on member institutions.

Hold regular committee meetings to share information regarding developments in tax areas.

Coordinate efforts with other chapter committees or professional groups on projects of mutual interest in order to respond to proposed legislation or rule making.

Coordinate efforts with other chapter committees or professional groups to educate the membership regarding new developments in various tax areas.

Develop articles for publication to educate the membership and possibly the community regarding new developments in various tax areas.

Technical Advisory and Audit

Purpose

The purpose of this committee is twofold. Preparation of position papers on Chapter, as well as national, healthcare financial management issues is the primary function. In this capacity, this committee provides practical advice on a variety of technical issues to organizations, primarily HFMA National, which have identified areas or issues necessitating study. Accordingly, this committee is composed of diverse representation of Chapter membership.

Additionally, the annual audit of the financial records of the Chapter is performed at the close of the fiscal year. The audit ensures that the Chapter funds are managed in a manner consistent with Chapter policies on investments and expense reimbursement.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Serve as the “Chapter Task Force” to HFMA National.

Complete the annual review of the Chapter financial records enabling the Chapter to submit its annual financial report no later than September 30. This review will include the internal controls over Chapter funds to ascertain that they have been handled in accordance with Chapter policies. Accordingly, the committee will recommend to the Board any additional policies that they deem necessary regarding the proper handling of Chapter funds.

Analyze major pending accounting and/or auditing rule changes and advise Chapter membership.

Initiate, when appropriate, Chapter position papers focusing on high priority topics including:

Coordinate proactive initiative activities of Medicare reimbursement for capital costs and the methodology for incorporation into prospective payment;

Coordinate proactive initiative activities of Medicaid reimbursement and the potential for reform;

Coordinate proactive initiative activities of rural vs. urban Medicare reimbursement;

Coordinate proactive initiative activities of physician payment reform on providers, managed care and physician practices and their interrelationships; and

Analysis of health care delivery system on a macro basis, i.e., advantages, disadvantages of various configurations, impact on delivery of care, financial position, etc.

Author technical and current event articles for the Chapter newsletter – Vikingland Viewpoint.

Facilitate informational surveys periodically requested by National.

Winter Institute

Purpose

The Winter Institute Committee is responsible for planning and conducting the Chapter's annual Winter Institute. The Committee is responsible for assuring that the seminar topics meet the needs and interests of the membership. The Committee must also evaluate the Institute relative to HFMA traditions and practices.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. Plan, develop, market and conduct the annual Wall Institute. The Institute should include at least one and one half days of educational programming, which is innovative, professional, high-quality, relevant to current events, and based on the needs and interests of Chapter members. The Institute must be planned according the financial budget approved by the Chapter Board.

B. Coordinate the programming with the Education Institute Committee to comply with GLD scoring requirements and to offer a balanced educational opportunity to the membership.

C. Provide detailed registrant information subsequent to the Institute to the Chapter Secretary to facilitate GLD and Founder's Award scoring.

D. Provide the necessary information to the Chapter President to complete the Annual Highlight Report.

E. Complete the monitoring and evaluation of the Institute and communicate the results to the Education Institute Committee.

F. Provide a stimulating environment that promotes classroom learning, member networking and recreational opportunities.

G. Attract potential members who may be involved with complimentary professional organizations and other facets of the healthcare delivery system.