AHCAE Certifications

Certification standards have been developed by the Association of Health Care Auditors and Educators Examination Board and include many of the same regulatory information utilized by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  Procedural coding guidelines and standards will follow the interpretation of the American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services when applicable. Applicable ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines and Coding Clinic will also apply.

The AHCAE is committed to raising the bar in health care auditing through it's national certification exams.

Certified Healthcare Chart Auditor (CHCA)

      *Professional Based

Certified Healthcare Chart Auditor -Facility (CHCAF) 

     *Emphasis on Facility (Outpatient/Inpatient)

Certified Healthcare Chart Auditor -Surgical (CHCAS) 

       *Professional Based - Surgical

Certified Healthcare Risk Auditor (CHCRA) 

      *HCC Based  (Exam fee is comped during beta testing)

The examinations will be proctored by AHCAE staff or designated members.  The four different credentials will have their respective focus which may include testing on;

• Compliance and Regulatory Guideline Knowledge
• Scope and Statistical Sampling Methodologies
• Medical Record Auditing Skills and Abstraction Ability
• Quality Assurance, medical necessity and Risk Analysis
• Communication of Results and Findings
• Applicable coding guidelines and rules pertinent to the respective exam taken

 
Examinees must be current members in good standing with the AHCAE. 

Exam Fees:

The exam fee is $350.00                             AHCAE Exam Application Form

Exam Results:

Exams will be graded with results mailed or emailed within approximately 3-4 weeks. Examinees who are not successful on their first attempt, may retake the exam a second time within a 12 month period for free.

Certification Maintenance (CEUs):

Members must be current and will be required to obtain 10 CEU's annually to maintain their AHCAE credential(s). CEUs DO NOT need to be submitted for proof unless requested by AHCAE.   

• 6 CEUs must be auditing related and members are encouraged to obtain these through AHCAE. 
  
  Qualifying CEUs include attending;
  
• AHCAE Intensive Chart Auditing Practicums
• AHCAE Webinars
• AHCAE National Conference 
• AHCAE Conferences and Events
• Participation in the AHCAE Case Study participants will earn AHCAE CEUs)
  

• CEUs may also be obtained from other outside organizations (ie, HCCA, AHIMA and AAPC) and should be compliance or auditing related. Please retain certificates for proof of attendance
  
  

Vendors seeking approval for CEU status with AHCAE may inquire at [email protected].

Get the Ultimate in Training and Auditing Certification Preparation:  Attend a team approached, "Intensive Chart Auditing Practicum"  

Other Certifications (Coding, Compliance and Practice Management)

 The AHCAE is proud to offer various educational programs that include preparation for various coding certification exams, compliance certification and practice management exams.  Instructors are licensed and are highly experienced with multiple years of knowledge from working in the healthcare industry, and are located throughout the U.S.

Inquire at [email protected] for additional information.

 *Exam Retake Information

 If you were unsuccessful in passing your CHCA, CHCAF, CHCAS, or CHCRA exam, you may retake your exam at any Intensive Chart Auditing Practicum location or other AHCAE event.

 Please contact the AHCAE office to let us know which exam you will be registering for or for additional exam locations/opportunities.  For additional questions regarding certification exams, contact at [email protected].