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About the CHIA Monthly Digest
The Digest is a member-friendly, all-inclusive digital communication tool designed around the LEAD values that bring important topics to your email box every month. Find focused subject matter at your fingertips and accessible links to plan your CHIA and AHIMA activities. The Snapshot provides an outline of the stories, like a table of contents, so the reader can find information quickly.
CHIA - Always Connecting the California Health Information Community
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The Snapshot
Scroll to the corresponding section for more detail.
L
EADERSHIP:
President’s Message Freida’s Focus; 2026-27 LEADership Announced; CALLING all Volunteers to Sign-Up
EDUCATION:
2026 Advanced Coding Workshop; CHIACON26 June 7-10 REGISTRATION OPEN; NEW Webinar; Upcoming Community Chats
ADVOCACY:
AHIMA Advocacy Summit, Planning for “The Hill” 3/16,17; CA Legislature Busy in Sacramento; Legislative & Advocacy Committee Monitoring Bills2Watch
DISCOVERY:
Component Group Corner – Updates and Schedules and How to Join; Discover Stefanie Leon in Did You Know?; FAME Scholarships
- Apply Now
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Freida’s Focus: President’s Message
New Leaders, Upcoming Events, and Opportunities to Engage.
Click on the Image and Play to hear directly from Freida
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CHIA's New 2026-27 LEAD
ership Announced
Congratulations to the following CHIA Members who will join the fiscal year 2026-27 CHIA Board of Directors
AHIMA Delegates
Leveta McFarland, RHIA
Roberta Baranda, MS, RHIA, CHP, FAHIMA
Directors
Kathleen Witte, RHIA, CCS
Elizabeth Puefua, RHIA, CCS
President-elect
Freddie Guzman, MBA, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CHC, CHPC, CPC, CRCR, FAHIMA
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CHIA LEAD
ership Begins with Dedicated Volunteers
President-elect Kamar Braish, MS, RHIA Wants Members to Sign Up Now...Do Your Part
Earn up to 5 CEUs per 2-year CEU cycle for your personal volunteer efforts. It’s time to choose where you want to make a difference. If you haven’t signed up for your Volunteer Workgroups of choice, DO IT NOW. CHIA’s strength is directly related to member-leader passion for igniting initiatives that benefit the California health information (HI) community.
Volunteerism “CHIA-style” incorporates member expertise and enthusiasm. Contribute your time and elevate your personal career through
LE
AD
– Leadership,
Education,
Advocacy and
Discovery
!
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Leadership Opportunity: 2026 Nominating Committee
Members interested in serving in a leadership capacity are encouraged to apply for the 2026 CHIA Nominating Committee. This committee plays a critical role in identifying and elevating future CHIA leaders. To be considered, volunteers must complete and submit the Nominating Committee application by March 31.
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CHIACON26 Registration Is Open!
Join California’s largest health information education event of the year
Your Convention Committee is hard at work planning for CHIACON26. It’s not too soon to make travel arrangements and set aside June 7-10 for another exciting Convention and Exhibit back in Northern California. During three impactful days, attendees engage with inspiring leaders, presenters, industry partners and health information professionals coming together for innovative education and meaningful connections through LEAD - leadership, education, advocacy , and discovery
..
Registration is officially open for CHIACON. Earn valuable CEUs, meet your peers, and engage with California’s largest health information network and education event of the year.
This is your opportunity to stay current on industry trends, gain practical insights, and strengthen your professional connections with health information leaders from across the state.
Don’t wait, secure your spot and start planning your CHIACON experience today.
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Calling all Exhibitors:
Several booth packages are available for 2026 and can be tailored
to fit your budget. Excellent opportunities are available to increase
your brand awareness. Plan to join California's health information
leaders and help them discover innovative ideas to enhance their
work lives. Submit your exhibit contract today to optimize your
brand's visibility!
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NEW! Webinar: ICD-10-CM/PCS Code Updates for April 2026
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Plus On Demand Access Included
April 1st-not just April Fool's Day anymore! No. It is also the first day that the spring semiannual ICD-10-CM/PCS codes will go into effect.
Before that happens, join CHIA colleagues to learn what is changing from esteemed medical coding expert, Dianna Foley. She will share the pertinent information needed for this next set of critical medical coding changes and this latest transition. In just one hour, attendees will obtain access to information-rich materials designed to deliver clear, practical takeaways.
CEUs: 1 | HIIM Domain: Data Structure, Content, and Information Governance
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Advanced Coding Workshop
Live Four-part eLearning Series: Thursdays March 5, 12, 19, & 26, 2026 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (PT)
Session One is Available on demand, watch other sessions either on demand or live.
A fast-paced, multi-day workshop for advanced coding and CDI professionals covering MS-DRGs/APR-DRGs, lower extremity interventions, HCC accuracy, RADV audits and 2026 ICD-10-PCS and CPT coding updates. Gain hands-on practice, expert guidance and practical strategies to strengthen coding accuracy, compliance and audit readiness.
This eLearning program will be held on four consecutive Thursdays
beginning March 5th. Best value
is to purchase the full workshop. Sessions can be purchased
separately.
Approved for 3 CEUs per day; 12 CEUs for the full program
Day One
MS-DRG/APR-DRGs using ICD-10-CM to identify Resources,
Severity and Risk
Day Two
Mastering Lower Extremity Interventions: 2026 CPT Coding
Changes and Beyond
Day Three
HCC Accuracy & RADV Audits: Navigating the New Era of Value-Based
Care
Day Four
ICD-10-PCS April 1, 2026 Updates and NTAPs for 2026
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Upcoming Community Chats
Real Talk on Personal Identity Management
March 27 | Noon – 1 pm
Celebrate HIP Week
April 24
| Noon – 1 pm
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Bills2Watch Focus on Assembly Bill (AB 224)-Updating CA Health Benefits
California Legislature Begins Second Year of Its Two-year Term Soon
Assembly Bill 224 (AB 224), passed on October 13, 2025, updates California’s essential health benefits benchmark plan, which defines the minimum healthcare services that health insurance plans must cover. The bill reflects the state’s intention to implement a new benchmark plan beginning in the 2027 plan year.. By updating the benchmark plan, the legislation ensures that health coverage continues to evolve with changing healthcare needs and advancements in medical treatment.
AB 224 expands the range of services that insurers must cover under individual and small-group health insurance policies. Comprehensive fertility services is one of the key expansions. Additionally, the bill broadens coverage for durable medical equipment, including mobility devices, communication aids, (CPAP) machines, portable oxygen equipment, hospital beds, and hearing-related services. These additions aim to address previously limited areas of coverage and improve access to specialized treatments and medical equipment for patients.
As coverage expands, HI professionals will play a key role in ensuring that electronic health records, coding practices, and insurance documentation accurately reflect the newly covered services. As well as ensuring compliance to updated insurance requirements.
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CHIA Gearing Up for the 2026 AHIMA Advocacy Summit
Heading Back to “The Hill” March 16 and 17, 2026 at the Hilton National Mall
Register now for the AHIMA Advocacy Summit. Join health information professionals from all over the nation to meet with members of Congress and their staff. Do your part and advocate for policy issues impacting the HI profession. Make sure your voice is part of the conversation and experience the legislative process firsthand.
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Emerging
Professional
(Student)
Membership
Jumpstart
your
career
with
a
special
“Student”
discount.
Invest
$20
and
unlock two years of member-only values through
LEAD
that
include
scholarships,
mentorship
and
discovering
new
pathways
to
elevate
your
career.
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Discover Another Staff Member Spotlight
Newest Discovery Feature:
Did You Know?
We are delighted to add our new Discovery featuring CHIA staff profiles, Did You Know?
Each month you will meet one
of the Executive Office staff members and
learn how they contribute to CHIA in their
specific roles and how to contact them
at any time. This month we
Get to know Stefanie Leon, Accounting and Database Administrator.
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Discover Our CHIA Component Group Corner
Get the Latest Update on Component Work Group Progress and Join the Meetings
CHIA has three Component Groups hard at work: Medical Coding Community, HI Operations Work Group, and HI & Emerging Professional Mentor Network. If you haven't joined one of these groups yet, consider it for 2026. Each workgroup engages during its Component Group Meetings. Follow the instructions below and then register for these sessions.
Click Join the Group on
the User Platform. Even though the group
is marked as PRIVATE, by clicking join,
you become part of a component group that
is exclusive to CHIA members. Dual
Membership (AHIMA + CHIA) ensures membership
into these CGs.
Don’t wait any longer...Join now!
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Component Group Calendar
Join group to participate.
HI & Emerging Professional Mentor Component Group Meeting
March 12, 2026
HI Operations Workgroup Meeting
March 19
, 2026
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Discover Member Financial Education Support and Register for CHIACON26 | Foundation for Active Member Education (FAME)
The CHIA Foundation for Active Member Education (FAME) Scholarship helps CHIA Professional members attend CHIA-sponsored education programs when financial limitations might otherwise prevent participation.
With CHIACON registration now open, this is the perfect time to apply. Approved recipients receive complimentary registration to a CHIA program, including CHIACON, and may request reimbursement for travel, lodging, and meals.
Applications are accepted year-round and must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the program. If attending CHIACON would not otherwise be possible, we encourage you to apply.
CHIA Professional members in good standing are eligible.
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Have you Discovered CHIA's HI Resources?
Discover HI Access Resources | Privacy & Security in CA
Unlock the knowledge and skills needed to confidently navigate the complex world of patient health information with CHIA’s latest Health Information Access resources. Designed by leading health information professionals and informed by expert legal advisors, these comprehensive tools provide practical guidance to help master the intricacies of managing protected health information, privacy and security regulations and best practices.
Discover eBook Series | Release of Information in CA
CHIA’s Release of Information in California (ROI) eBook series empowers health information professionals to confidently master the complexities of managing and releasing protected health information in California. Featuring eleven (11) detailed eBooks.
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Discover
CHIA’s
Latest
News
A
New
Way
to
Access
CHIA
News
Miss
a
Monthly
digest?
Looking
for
the
latest
member
messages?
CHIA
is
posting
information
to
the
Latest
News
Section
on
the
CHIA
homepage.
Click
here
to
access
the
CHIA
Homepage
and
locate
the
latest
news
by
scrolling
down
to
the
middle
of
the
page,
finding
the
section
shown
below.
By
clicking •••
at
the
top
right
corner
of
the
box,
you
will
be
taken
to
the
latest
news
section
where
you
are
welcome
to
read
and
comment
on
any
posts.
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Discover Upcoming Events
Advanced Coding Workshop
March 12, 19 & 26, 2026
Community Chat: Real Talk on Personal Identity Management
March 27, 2025
ICD-10-CM/PCS Code Updates for April 2026
March 31, 2026
ROI Academy
April 7 & 9, 2026
Community Chat: Celebrate HIP Week
April 24, 2026
In Person eLearning Program: Clinical Coding Symposium: Excellence in Trauma Coding: A Masterclass in Precision and Nuance
June 7, 2026
CHIACON26
June 7-10, 2026
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