AAPC Preview

HEALTHCON Doubles Its Sessions in Las Vegas

By David Blackmer, MSC

AAPC's annual national conference, HEALTHCON, is coming to Las Vegas this month (March 29 to April 1). This health care business event will be the organization’s largest ever, featuring 90-plus sessions (nearly twice as many as last year), with up to 18 continuing education units (CEUs) available. The educational sessions span a wide range of health care industry categories: general coding, specialty coding, ICD-10 coding, outpatient coding, inpatient coding, billing, compliance, auditing, and practice management. In addition to breakout sessions that cater to every occupation in the business side of medicine, there will be 10 general sessions that promise to benefit every attendee. To provide additional learning opportunities, AAPC's two popular expos (Anatomy and Business of Healthcare) will return, highlighting essential information at an engaging pace. The conference also boasts several additional, related events, including a clinical documentation improvement workshop, a variety of ICD-10 trainings, certification preparation classes and exams, local chapter leadership coaching, and a 4K charity run.

Each session features an expert presenter with impressive speaking experience and considerable background in the subject. Only the highest-rated presenters are invited to contribute, as the selection process is vigorous and demanding. Beyond the on-site engagement each session will provide, online handouts from all sessions will be available to attendees for one month after the conclusion of the event.

Another benefit of attending these conferences is the networking component. Thousands of HEALTHCON participants from all over the United States, and a considerable number from other countries, will have many opportunities to interact, building understanding and often forming lasting friendships. Making connections and sharing ideas and experiences can provide an immeasurable benefit to attendees' career advancement and workplace improvement.

The HEALTHCON Exhibit Hall will be full of noteworthy companies that guide success in the many facets of the industry. Exhibitors will showcase their latest products and services, pioneering ways of maximizing efficiency and accuracy for any organization. The Exhibit Hall will also host the meals and breaks that offer a respite throughout each day. In addition to the enticing giveaways, the lively atmosphere in the Exhibit Hall can make it hard to leave when the next session starts.

On the cutting edge of health care, AAPC maintains a strong connection to the most recent technological advancements. This year's mobile app will be updated to include functionality beyond the foundational session and speaker listings. Users will be able to arrange their schedules, record personal notes, explore the Exhibit Hall, review local area info (including dining and transportation tips), visit the virtual Product Store, participate in AAPC's social media outlets, use a QR reader to interact with diverse event features, and more. The HEALTHCON app is available for free download in both the Apple and Google Play stores.

HEALTHCON will be using two local hotel properties, Bally's and Paris, to take full advantage of the space available. As if the conference itself weren't compelling enough, there are plenty of reasons Las Vegas is nicknamed the Entertainment Capital of the World. Nearby area attractions include the world's biggest observation wheel (High Roller, a 550-foot-tall ride), the Eiffel Tower Experience (46 stories high), the Bellagio fountains, Fashion Show Mall, and, for the more adventurous, the SkyJump controlled freefall from 829 feet off the ground. Of course, no Las Vegas visit would be complete without seeing one of the hundred or so available shows over the course of the stay.

AAPC's HEALTHCON 2015 will be the most memorable way to further your health care knowledge, advance your career, network with industry professionals, earn CEUs, and have a blast while doing so! For more information and to register, visit www.healthcon.com.

— David Blackmer, MSC, is senior marketing manager at AAPC.