Health Information Management Initial Accreditation

Step 1. Letter of Intent & Credentialing Disclaimer 

Once the program verifies that it meets the minimum requirements for application and has begun enrollments, the program's President / CEO submits the letter of intent describing its readiness to pursue accreditation.

Content Description:

 

1. Describe support for the program.

2. State reasons for the program inception or program need.

3. Confirm state and institutional authority to provide the degree granting program.

4. Indicate the month and year of the program launch.

5. Indicate projected month and year of first graduation class.

Credentialing Disclaimer

In addition to the Letter of Intent, programs must sign the Credentialing Disclaimer statement found here. The document must be signed by someone with signing authority at the institution.     

Letters of Intent and the signed Credentialing Disclaimer statement should be submitted to George Payan, Accreditation Operations Manager, at george.payan@cahiim.org

Step 2: Program Submits Application

Programs will be invoiced an application fee when submitting their application for accreditation, prior to acceptance into candidacy.  Please refer to the Fee Schedule for up-to-date information about fees.

When applying for CAHIIM accreditation there are 6 required items that must be included in the submission to CAHIIM: 

Once all documents are completed, email them to the following email address: HIMApplicationSubmission@cahiim.org

Once the application is submitted, programs will be invoiced the application fee.  Please refer to the Fee Schedule for up-to-date information about fees.

Step 3: Application Reviewed for Candidacy Eligibity

The application will be reviewed upon receipt of all application requirements by CAHIIM staff. An assessment will be provided within 90 days of receipt of application. Program may be requested to provide additional information or clarification. 

CAHIIM senior staff reserves the right to make final administrative decisions of a program's application status with CAHIIM.

Step 4: Candidacy Status Granted

Denied: An application may be rejected if it does not meet the conditions for application or there are documented issues of non compliance with the Standards at anytime.

Accepted: If program is accepted into Candidacy Status, an EPC code & Self-Assessment due date is assigned and the Candidacy status fee is invoiced.

CAHIIM Candidacy Status Description - An application stage while the Candidate program is allowed to complete the Self Assessment information and documentation in the online system.

An applicant program allowed into Candidacy Status is:

1. Assigned a CAHIIM Educational Program Code (EPC)

2. Assigned a Self Assessment Due Date (1 year from date of when Candidacy Status was achieved)

3. Assigned a Candidacy Status expiration date (2 years from date of when Candidacy Status was achieved)

4. Sent Invoice for the Candidacy Status Fee

Expiration of Candidacy Status

This status will be terminated if it is found that the Requirements for Candidacy have not been maintained at any time or the maximum 2-year period has elapsed. If the program has been informed of this action, the program must reapply by submitting a new Application for Candidacy.

Step 5: Program Submits Self-Assessment 

The program’s Self-Assessment is due by the date provided in the Candidacy Status notification letter or a late fee is assessed. We encourage early Self-Assessment submissions.

Required Forms for completion and file uploads in this stage:

1. Program Evaluation Plan (required template for Standard #3. Program Effectiveness Measures)
2. Budget Template (required template for Standard #16. Financial Support)
3. Synopsis of Curriculum
4. Learning Management System

Academic technologies, software applications and simulations, and online or web-enhanced courses, have a significant role in the learning environment. To fairly evaluate online content the program must provide CAHIIM with full access to all online course content and relevant education applications used to deliver this content.

Helpful Tips:

1. Remove text formatting using a Text editor or Notepad software.
2. PDF documents should be uploaded unless its a specific CAHIIM form. 

HIM Process Forms

Step 6: Self-Assessment Reviewed

A formal staff review and assessment of the information submitted. CAHIIM’s preliminary assessment  will be provided within 90 days. A request for clarification or additional information may be requested and is reviewed by CAHIIM quality education staff in the order received. The program’s site visit date is coordinated during this time.

Step 7: Site Visit Conducted

The site visit of the program verifies the accuracy of documentation submitted by the program. The site visit team will meet with program officials to seek conformity with the CAHIIM Accreditation Standards. After the site visit is concluded the site visit team will complete a Site Visit Report that is generated within 10 days of the conclusion of the visit.

The program is invoiced the Site Visit Fee once the program approves the site visit team.

Download the following documents for this stage:
1. Site Visit Checklist
2. Site Visit Itinerary Template

Step 8: Program's Response to Site Visit Report

A formal response to the site visit results is requested from the program director within 30 days.

Step 9: Accreditation Council Review

The CAHIIM accreditation council reviews program’s response to the site visit report to verify compliance with the CAHIIM Accreditation Standards. The Council makes a recommendation motion for the program’s accreditation status. Any program may be awarded a 6 month Progress Report to be submitted if there exists Standard deficiencies that remain that require time for implementation. This information will be required to be completed in the CAHIIM Accreditation System by the CAHIIM specified due date.

Step 10: Board of Directors Review

The CAHIIM Board of Directors reviews the recommendation motion presented by the council and makes the final vote on the program’s accreditation status.  The program is notified of decision within 10 days.

Step 11: Progress Report 

In order to maintain accreditation status the program must submit a 6 month progress report that satisfies the remaining Standard deficiencies that resulted from the review process.

The Board Report will reflect the current Not Met or Partial Met Standard deficiencies that require the institution’s attention and provides guidelines for resolution and evidence of implementation in order to achieve full compliance for the program.

Progress Report Deficiency Validation Tool template: This format must be used for completing partial met and not met curricula considerations for Standard 18.

Failure to submit this report by the due date may place the program on Administrative Probationary Accreditation. An unsatisfactory progress report or a Substantive Change in Program Director during the progress report process may result in a Focused Review and site visit of the program.