What Our Hosts & Clients Say

While the primary focus of PMI is providing education to medical office staff, sometimes the professional benefits to the hosting organization are overlooked.

West Virginia State Medical Association Initiates New Educational Events

The WVSMA recently became the exclusive West Virginia partner with the Texas based Practice Management Institute (PMI), one of three accrediting agencies that are recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). Partnering with PMI will enable the WVSMA to offer a wide range of courses and provide nationally recognized certifications for our physician practices.

"We believe that knowledge is power" says Barbara Good, Physician Practice Advocate for the West Virginia State Medical Association. "We are very committed to providing physicians and staff with the most up to date information and education for their medical practices. We are excited to work with PMI to provide such outstanding courses for our physician practices".

One new certification that is being provided by the new partnership is the nationally recognized designation of Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM). The Inaugural West Virginia CMOM class was held in Charleston in April, 2010, and was extremely well received. Registration for the class was filled and a waiting list begun as soon as the course was announced. Thirty-two ambitious office administrators from throughout West Virginia, along with Ms. Good, attended the four day inaugural class, which was sponsored by the WVSMA and hosted by St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia. Attendees spent four awesome days gaining advanced training on all aspects of physician practice management. The PMI instructor, Rose Moore, kept the class moving at a rapid pace throughout the instructional time.

In addition to completing the course, participants were required to pass the certification exam in order to become Certified Medical Office Managers. Many participants left the exam room with a sigh of relief when they completed the exam. Their newly earned CMOM certification doesn't end with an exam; however, for upon passing the exam, participants must then maintain the CMOM certification by taking at least 12 hours of CEUs (Continuing Education Units) annually.

Here's what some of the CMOM class participants said about the course:

"Thank you for bringing the CMOM seminar to us. I really enjoyed the classes and the time went by very fast. I learned a lot and will be implementing what I learned into the practice." Najima Faheem, Beckley, WV

"I have much more confidence in myself since taking the course. I feel better now with the decisions I need to make." Sharon Cross, Elkins, WV

"Just a note to let you know that I passed the exam and I am proud to be in the inaugural class of CMOMs in West Virginia." LaWanna Wright R.N.,Charleston, WV

"I think it's great that you have made the effort to bring so much to West Virginia for office managers. It's fantastic, keep it up!" Rita Hope, Hurricane, WV

"I have begun implementing what I learned in our class and continue to be excited about how it will impact our practice. What a blessing!" Gloriann Caudill, Charleston, WV

The WVSMA also recently offered two sessions of the PMI's Chart Auditing for Physicians classes. The one-day classes drew attendees who were interested in learning how to implement an internal audit program in their medical practices, as well as ensure that appropriate levels of examinations were billed and reimbursed accurately. Although this class did not offer an official certification, attendees said they felt ready to return to their medical practices and begin the self auditing process. Other classes and conferences are planned throughout the year in order to better assist both physicians and staffs in their medical education. The conferences feature various speakers and topics, and include practice management tips as well as payor updates. The major goal of meetings such as these is to provide practical information that can be utilized every day in the medical office as practices strive for the ultimate goal—that of providing the best patient care possible.

As you can see, keeping physician practices updated and well educated is a high priority for the WVSMA's Physician Practice Advocate, Barbara Good. "Physicians and office staff alike have expressed great appreciation for the opportunity to participate in intense but enjoyable days of learning and networking with other physician practices, says Good. "The time spent learning from presenters and interacting with other attendees can prove of extreme value to physician practices."

If you have questions about upcoming Physician Practice Management Conferences or courses, please feel free to contact Barbara Good, at Barbara@wvsma.com.

Throughout the past year, we have taken a relatively neglected educational market and turned it into one of the most successful in our region. This has led to decreased claims payment errors, increased revenue, improvements in professional conduct, and a greater overall sense of success in our physician offices. In turn, this has allowed my staff to focus on larger issues and I have seen our relationship with both physicians and office staff improve as we all recognize the benefits of our partnership with PMI.

Our PHO is under the leadership of a Board of Directors made up primarily of physicians who daily see the advantages PMI educational programs have brought to their offices. It is in no small part because of this they have wholeheartedly encouraged my rapid promotion from Provider Services Coordinator, to Manager of Operations, to Executive Director in less than one year.

The educational benefits PMI has provided to the medical office staff in our area are invaluable, and hosting the seminars has allowed me to advance both personally and professionally.

Brooke Chodzinski
Executive Director
CHRISTUS Southeast Texas PHO

For the past thirteen years Northwest Texas Healthcare System has partnered with Practice Management Institute allowing an opportunity for us to reach out to the physician offices in our community and the surrounding region on a regular basis. The offices are offered an excellent educational opportunity through the talented speakers of PMI, and see Northwest as a resource, striving to meet their needs. I greatly enjoy working with the professional staff of Practice Management Institute and look forward to our continued partnership.

Jennifer Stanley
Physician Relations Specialist
Northwest Texas Healthcare System
Amarillo, Texas

PMI has played a key role in educating the medical office staff in Maryland over the last five years. I believe the type of education PMI provides has prepared our medical practices for the daily challenges in the ever changing world of healthcare. Knowledge is power and PMI brings a wealth of resources to our physician offices throughout the Midaltantic region.

Jama Allers, Practice Consultant
MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society

PMI has helped my organization and area physician offices by promoting ongoing training and education for medical office staff and physicians. The extensive knowledge of the PMI faculty is one of a kind, it has truly motivated me to motivate others to continue to educate themselves through PMI. The training and education they offers allows medical offices and physicians to stay informed on how to boost their practice performance in many area such as: compliance, reimbursements, staff motivation, coding, collections and so much more. I was always told "Knowledge is power" and "When you know better you do better" PMI has provided us with power for our organization and area physician offices in what they need to better themselves in practice management and performance.

Sherita Eastmon, Education Coordinator
Cape Fear Valley Health System

As Senior Physician Practice Advocate at the Medical Society of Virginia and as an instructor, it is important to have resources that stay on the cutting edge of medical practice management. PMI offers certification in medical office management, medical insurance billing, coding, compliance and a variety of other topics which are crucial for the survival and success of medical practices in today's environment.

It is my expressed opinion that in our society, the professional credentials are invaluable as a means of communicating to the general public and all others that one is a competent, qualified person. The credential is the starting point and tells others the individual has technical training and has proven his/her competency. It is not that mere recognition makes one infallible or gives one special powers but rather the credential is a reference point or benchmark in order that the physicians and managed care companies may know with whom they are dealing.

What have these credentials meant for me?

• I have met nationally recognized standards for providing excellence in practice management, coding, billing and compliance
• Professional recognition of expertise in my career. Travel and networking all over the United States
• I have taken the extra steps to demonstrate my commitment to medical practice management
• Professional career advancement

Rose B. Moore, CPC-I, PCS, CCP, CMC, CMOM, CMIS
PMCC Approved Instructor
Senior Physician Practice Advocate
Medical Society of Virginia

Medical Network One has had the opportunity to increase our proficiency as advanced medical coding professionals. The CMC designation identifies our staff as having exceptional skill in outpatient procedural and diagnostic coding and reimbursement.

At Medical Network One we are excited to work with PMI to offer an environment for coding preparation and examination. This opportunity is available to all of our experienced medical office professionals. We believe that the coding specialist in each of our primary care practices will grow to be more confident in areas of compliance, medical necessity and correct coding concern. Their confidence will transfer into a higher level of practice management engagement.

We are proud to have achieved this certification and are looking forward to an ongoing relationship with PMI that will allow for a transfer of knowledge to our colleagues.

Debbie Rozanski
Corporate Affairs
Medical Network I, P.C.
Rochester, MI

I received my first certification through PMI back in 2002. At the time I was a provider representative for a state contract that was about to end. With my CMC (Certified Medical Coding) certificate and the medical office back ground that I had, I was offered a position with another state contract for medical services. The new position was one of only 17 in the entire State of Texas. I immediately recognized how much the added education from PMI has benefited me. Now I am the Director of Billing Compliance for an internationally known School of Medicine. The choice that I made in 2002 to expand my knowledge and skill base and to continue to be a life-long-learner, taking advantage of the many education opportunities offered through PMI, I now enjoy a meaningful and financially rewarding career and not just a job.

Toni J. Emmons, CMC, CPC
Director of Billing Compliance
TTUHSC School of Medicine at Amarillo

My eight year relationship with PMI has had a significant impact on my career. It began when I was looking for high quality, cost effective training opportunities for my employees. PMI met my immediate need with their excellent CMC training. They have also exceeded my needs and expectations time and again with additional courses and training opportunities. In addition, PMI has given me an opportunity to grow my personal teaching skills, and through their Associate Faculty program, I have been able to expand my knowledge and my relationships with physicians and physician office staff all over the country. I have become known as the "go to" person in my facility, and I credit PMI with helping me to achieve that distinction. Thanks PMI!

Gretchen Pike, CMOM
Director, Hancock Regional Physician Organization
Greenfield, IN