Certified Healthcare Access Associate: (CHAA)

What is CHAA?

The CHAA is a voluntary certification program that was first offered in 1999.  The Certified Healthcare Access Associate program is open to all current Access Services healthcare staff.

Why should my staff become CHAA certified?  Consider these advantages . . .

• Many consider the CHAA a staff morale boost for being recognized via a national certification examination promoting increased self-esteem, self-confidence, and professional commitment.
• The examination can come to you. There is no need to send your staff off site for this certification examination. The examination may be taken in the traditional paper test method and is now offered on-line with candidates taking the test at an Internet equipped personal computer.
• The cost of the exam includes a comprehensive study guide that can serve as an ongoing reference tool.
• Multiple employees may be tested at the same time.
• The CHAA Recertification Program ensures staff take part in continuing education.
• This is the only nationally recognized certification of its kind for the establishment of competency levels in the field of Access Services designed for the line staff professional.
• This examination is designed to define a measurement of competence of those serving in Access Services.
• Instant results with the Internet based examination.
• Upon successful completion the candidate will receive a letter of congratulations copied to the candidate’s immediate supervisor and facility public relations representative as well as a certificate suitable for framing.

The Exam:

The exam includes questions regarding the following topics:

• Admissions and Registration

• Billing, Insurance, and Financial Information

• Patient Rights and Responsibilities

• Customer Service

• Laws and Regulations which affect Patient Access Services

The examination’s content is dynamic and changing, just as the demands and qualifications change in admissions and registration services. Candidates may expect the examination to measure their access service knowledge and skills. Specific examination topics include:

• Total Quality Improvement/Continuous Improvement Process

• Computer . . .Mainframe and Personal Computer Applications

• Insurance Verification, Pre-Admissions Review, Pre-Authorization, Contracts, HMO Arrangements, Third-Party sources of coverage, etc.

• Medical Terminology and Isolation Techniques

• JCAHO Manual – Guidelines, Hot Areas

• CMS Regulations - Compliance

The examination is a 100 question multiple choice examination. Candidates must correctly answer 75% of the questions in order to pass.