AAPC ST LOUIS WEST CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
February 2014
President: Stacy Blodgett, CPC
Vice President: Joan Barker, CPC,
Email:
Email: vp@aapcofstl.com
president@aapcofstl.com
Treasurer: Lydia Thomas, CPC, CCC, CEMC
Secretary:
Email: treasurer@aapcofstl.com
Email: secretary@aapcofstl.com
Education Officer: Vickie Kuhl, CPC
Member Development:
Email: education@aapcofstl.com
Email: Andrea Neske, CPC
Elizabeth Pryor, CPC. CPC-H
Letter from the President
Greetings and salutations to the St. Louis West Chapter!
You asked, we listened! This month, our local chapter meeting will be held at Anthem College in Fenton, Missouri on
February 20th 2014 at 6pm. I hope to see you all there! The month of February, while the shortest on the calendar, is
packed with things to celebrate. Whether we are shaking our heads at that forsaken groundhog for seeing his shadow and
extending the polar vortex another six weeks, acknowledging the contributions of African-Americans in our society, or
celebrating the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, anyone who has stepped foot into a CVS or WalGreens this month has no doubt seen the abundance of pink and red that symbolizes Valentine’s Day.
We all remember those days back in elementary school; covering those shoe boxes with construction paper hearts and
agonizing over the choice of Valentine for your secret crush, you know, the one whose name was written over and over
again in your diary along with the various permutations of your first, last and middle names. Soon enough, the hours toiling
over the perfect Valentine card give way to angry lip-synching in front of the mirror to, “Nasty” by Janet Jackson every
February 14th. As we get older, we just recognize that love and admiration should be shown year round, not just on a
designated spot on the calendar.
Remember, we are still collecting gloves, scarves, hats and other cold weather items this month so make sure to bring them
in and receive a point for education!
Happy February everyone!
Stacy Blodgett, CPC
Chapter President 2014
From the AAPCCA Chapter Association
I always think first that February is a month about the heart. From Valentine’s Day to the American Heart Association
program, it’s usually all about the heart! This February, we’re going to talk a little about something else. Did you know that
it’s also the month which recognizes the need to screen for Eating Disorders? It’s true, and there is a website that can help
anyone understand these diseases. Please see www.NationalEatingDisorders.org for more information than I can possibly
give in this short article.
NEDA was formed in 2001, when Eating Disorders Awareness & Prevention (EDAP) joined forces with the American
Anorexia Bulimia Association (AABA) – merging the largest and longest standing eating disorders prevention and advocacy
organizations in the world. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for
prevention, cures and access to quality care.
They have many resources available to provide the public with information on eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, as
well as helpful preventive tips and a self-evaluation tool that anyone can use. Eating disorders are very complex conditions
that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and social
factors. In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at
some time in their life, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or an eating disorder not
otherwise specified.
Eating Disorders are often unreported and insight is often not shared. This could be a great and enlightening discussion in
your chapter that might help your members understand these long misunderstood disorders. Check it out…February isn’t
just about the heart!
Barbara Fontaine, CPC
2013 Vice Chair of the AAPC Chapter Association
See information below for opportunities to attend an ICD-10 Boot Camp, get online
training or set up a chapter boot camp. Everyone needs ICD-10 training!
ICD-10-CM BOOT CAMPS ($595) see AAPC.com for a list
Live training and a small group environment in a city near you




16 CEUs
2 Days
ICD-10 code set course manual
Added Value:
o Includes ICD-10-CM online assessment course ($395 value)
 Successful completion of this course will satisfy AAPC’s certification maintenance
requirements for ICD-10-CM.
o Includes ICD-10-CM code set book ($89.95 value)
ICD-10-CM ONLINE ($395) or $195 if taken following a boot camp AND
substitues for your Proficiency Exam – no need to stress over a timed test!
Online training at your own pace




16 CEUs
16 Hours (at your own pace)
ICD-10 code set course manual
Added Value:
o 2014 ICD-10-CM code set book may be added for $89.95 $50
ICD-10-CM LOCAL CHAPTERS - Live training in a group environment at a local chapter near you

16 CEUs
Our two chapter Boot Camps will be announced next month! Get ready to
sign up!







2 Days
ICD-10 code set course manual
Note: Only available with participating chapters. Contact your chapter officers for details.
Added Value:
Includes ICD-10-CM code set book ($89.95 value)
THIS OFFER WILL BE FOR CHAPTER MEMBERS ONLY! MUST HAVE AAPC # TO ATTEND!!
Maximum of 50 attendees allowed for each Boot Camp.
WELCOME NEW ST. LOUIS WEST MEMBERS !!!
Amanda Barginear
Janet Bassel
George Bassett MD
Andrea Bell
Joyce Blumenfeld
Colette Bohon, CPC
Ashley Brickle
Amanda Burke
Angela Cameron
Kiana Chambers
Dawne Christy
Jennifer Cissell
Tiffany Covert
Cortney Crow
Christine Elder
Andrea Erger
Barbara Ferguson, CPC
Robyn Garlington
Chrystal Gilbert
Elizabeth Grillo
Julie M Harris
Drina Hawkins
Linda Henle
Linda Jones
Kartharin Karsten
Julie Konarik
Mary Krankeola
Jeanne Lehmann
Myrna Loewnau
Linda Malone
Monique Mayes
Taylor Lorean McLean
Ruthie Meyer
Deborah Nuernburger
Lea Prost
Helisa Rivera
Melissa Roberts
Michelle Sanders
Ashley Stevenson
Jennifer Thompson
Tammy Vortherms
Aubrey Vuylsteke, CPC
Jenna Walterman
Sandra West
Elizabeth Whitcraft
Mary Ann Wiegers
Kathy Williams
Felicia M Winters
For information about our chapter, to be assigned to a mentor or anything regarding our chapter, please
contact Member Development Officer Andrea Neske at development@aapcofstl.com or any chapter
officer. We would love to get acquainted and help you!
UPCOMING EVENTS
2/20/14 Our next local chapter meeting at 6 pm Different location this month!!!
Anthem College at 645 Gravois Bluffs Blvd, Fenton, MO 63026
Based on the survey we took a few months ago, members asked for a meeting in the south county area!
If you are interested in more south county meetings, please attend this first meeting to show your support!
Program
Jill Tuthill, CPC – Comparison of ICD9 to ICD10 Guidelines, Part 1
3/15/14
Saturday
9 am Our first Saturday Chapter meeting! At St. Luke’s Emerson Auditorium
Jill Tuthill, CPC – Comparison of ICD 9 to ICD 10 Guidelines, Part 2
3/29/14
A&P
Special Senses & Medical Terminology Review
Anita Reger, CPC, CPC-H
5/3/14
A&P
Digestive System
Anita Reger, CPC, CPC-H
7/26/14
A&P
Endocrine System Review Class
Barbara Kisakye, CPC, CPC-I
All A & P classes are held at St. Luke’s Hospital Auditorium 9 am – 11 am
$20 fee for class - 2 CEUS will be awarded
Would you like a mentor or would you like to be one??? Contact Andrea Neske at development@aapcofstl.com
Looking for a job or know of one to post???
Please come to the meeting on February 20th to see our job board for leads on any jobs
We are here to help!
SSM has immediate openings for coders at their St. Charles location
http://www.aapc.com/medical-coding-jobs/JobDetails.aspx?j=ceb2ecae-9f33-4219-b69a-c21b2a50d9a4
Check our job listings on aapcofstl.com
January Chapter Minutes
St. Louis Professional Coders
St. Louis West Missouri Chapter
Chapter Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2014 6 p.m.
Vickie Kuhl, Educational Officer - introduced Rose Donnelly, RN from Barnes-Jewish Hospital who presented her
topic on STROKES. Very good, educational and informative presentation, thank you Rose ! This presentation
was worth 1 CEU and certificates were given to each one in attendance.
Stacy Blodgett, President - asked for volunteers to help with upcoming events such as May MAYnia, meetings,
etc. Also, for months of January and February, Chapter is collecting warm clothing items such as hats, gloves,
scarfs, etc. Please bring to next meeting - good way to earn one point for education!
Lydia Thomas, Treasurer - presented treasury report to cover 2013. Lydia stated at the meeting that the chapter is
in much better financial status than this time last year. Lydia has copies of report if any member would like a
copy. Also, Lydia is in need of two members to come to her house to audit the books from 2013. Please contact
Lydia through the chapter website - email or phone number is listed there.
Andrea Neske, Member Development -announced new members to our chapter as well as newly certified
members. Welcome new members and congrats to the newly certified members! Andrea announced ICD-10
classes being at St. Charles Community College and grant the college has received to offer to CPC’s. Please
contact Andrea for more information. Andrea also asked if any member is interested in becoming a mentor to
provide info, help with resources, etc., to members in our chapter - please contact Andrea if in you are interested in
mentoring!
Joan Barker, Vice President - presented job board that included new job postings to include remote coding (50
coders needed) for 2014 year. Lydia Thomas also announced that she has job openings at SSM for GI, OB/GYN,
cardiology, Internal Med, and general surgery. Please contact Lydia for info or you may go to SSM website to
apply.
Stacy acknowledged the past presidents. Stacy announced the next A&P class on Feb. 8, 2014, at St. Luke’s.
Topic is Musculoskeletal and presenter is Barbara Kisakye. She also announced that March & May A&P classes
may be cancelled due to no instructor. Please contact Stacy if anyone interested in filling these two dates for an
A&P class.
Our next chapter meeting will be on February 20, 2014, Thursday evening at 6:30 pm, at Anthem college 645
Gravois Bluff Dr. Fenton, Missouri. Speaker to be announced.
Lydia Thomas won the 50/50 raffle and kindly donated it back to the chapter! Way to go Lydia and thank you!
$10 Chapter Bucks were won by members Terry Burch, Brenda McNamara, Rhonda Bottoms, Ileana Stewart, Pam
Tarpley and Stacy Blodgett !!!
Brenda McNamara,
Substitute Secretary
February Challenge
To challenge yourself, go to the National Eating Disorders website,
www.NationalEatingDisorders.org
Find and read the article about this health problem.
1. What are some of the causes of these diseases?
2. Who is predominantly affected?
3. Name three eating disorders.
4. What are the main symptoms of these three disorders?
5. What can we do to help a person who is affected by an
eating disorder?
Answers to the
January Member Challenge
January was Thyroid Awareness Month. Did you choose the correct symptoms of
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) vs. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
fatigue, exhaustion
feeling run down and sluggish
nervousness
depression, moodiness
difficulty concentrating, brain fog
irritablility
unexplained or excessive weight gain
dry, coarse and/or itchy skin
shaky hands
panic disorder
dry, coarse and/or thinning hair
muscular weakness especially involving the upper arms and thighs
feeling cold, especially in the extremities
increased perspiration
constipation
more frequent bowel movements
muscle cramps
thinning of skin
insomnia
increased menstrual flow
more frequent periods
lighter, less frequent periods
Fine, brittle hair
infertility/miscarriage
low blood pressure
racing heart
weight loss despite good appetite
February Is a Month to Carry On…
Share some kindness along the way!
The kindness you share will ALWAYS make a difference.
The very best starts with You
Happy Valentine’s Day