Judy Milby is presented with the American Academy of Professional Coders award for Networker of the Year in Region 2. On hand to present the award are local chapter officers Sue Bradley, CPC, secretary; Michelle Palagruto, CPC, new member development officer; Michelle Murphy, CPC, president; Sandra Puka, CPC, CPC-H, education officer. Missing from the photo is Lynne Brooks, CPC President Elect.
The American Academy of Professional Coders recently named Crozer-Chester Medical Center employee Judi Milby, CPC, CPC-H, as its “Networker of the Year” for Region 2.
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) selects a Networker of the Year from each of the organization’s eight regions each year based on nominations from local chapters.
Milby, a patient account specialist in the Patient Financial Services Department and a Crozer employee for 28 years, says, “I am very honored and humbled to be nominated by my peers for this award. I enjoy working with this organization and take pride in my performance.”
Milby represents one of the 80 Crozer-Keystone coders who are AAPC members. She serves as treasurer in the local chapter of AAPC, which is based in Upland and comprises of more than 250 members from hospitals throughout Philadelphia County and Delaware County. Milby has served as an officer since the local chapter began in 1998.
Michelle Murphy, CPC, billing coordinator for the Laboratory at Crozer, says, “We are very happy for Judi. She is an asset to the organization. She handles all corporate membership, is extremely enthusiastic and often spends her lunch time tutoring coders who are working toward their AAPC certification.”
Coders are responsible for providing their support and experience when coding claim submissions correctly, resulting in faster payment and accurate reimbursement. As a result of their expertise, the patient receives faster service and concise information passed along to their health insurance company, which ultimately provides better medical care in the long run.
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) aims to elevate the standards of medical coding by providing certification, ongoing education, networking and recognition. There are currently 75,000 members worldwide and more than 58,000 are certified in a various discipline.
AAPC certifications focus on a variety of disciplines. These disciplines focus on coders who work in physician offices, hospitals, outpatient facilities, payer perspective coding and radiology cardiovascular coding. The AAPC offers education through local chapters, workshops, a monthly newsmagazine (Coding Edge), publications and conferences in order to reinforce the coder’s skills and knowledge of the ever-changing claim submission forms.