Demonstrating revenue cycle excellence just got easier with the newest HFMA certification

The Executive of Healthcare Revenue Cycle (EHRC) certification, HFMA’s newest member recognition, has been quite popular with members since it was announced in mid-February.

As of March 31, 22 HFMA members had applied for the EHRC certification and 18 members earned it, demonstrating excellence in revenue cycle, said Shirley Heavlin, certification operations manager for HFMA.

“The number of applications for the EHRC certification and the number of people earning their EHRC certification are quite impressive, given this certification is so new,” Heavlin said.

Motivation to launch EHRC

“Executives in revenue cycle had reached out to HFMA about creating a certification that would distinguish their contributions to HFMA and to the industry from other certifications,” said Todd Nelson, HFMA’s director of professional practice and partner relationships.

“This certification fills that need by requiring members to go above and beyond in service to their organization, the industry and to HFMA.” Nelson added, “There is no exam to achieve the EHRC designation, but candidates must meet all five of the service and education requirements prior to applying. HFMA membership is required to maintain the designation.”

Said Heavlin, “It is also the first HFMA certification since the launch of the Certified Specialist Payment & Reimbursement (CSPR) certification in November 2022.”

New certification requirements

Here is what is required to satisfy the conditions of the EHRC distinction.

1 Be a current Member with 5+ years of tenure as an HFMA Member (Student membership does not count toward tenure, and non-members are not eligible)

2 Hold the Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) certification

3 Have at least 10 years of healthcare industry experience, with at least two of those years in a revenue cycle management position

4 Submit a letter of recommendation from an industry leader, HFMA chapter leader or national volunteer who is familiar with you and your work on professional level

5 Complete one of the following three activities:

• Be employed by a provider that participates in HFMA’s Patient Financial Communications adopter Recognition Program, has applied for or been a winner in the past two years of a MAP award or is a Map app subscriber
• Be employed by a business partner that has been a sponsor of or a presenter at either HFMA’s Annual Conference or its Revenue Cycle Conference in the past three years or has participated in HFMA’s Peer Review process in the past three years
• Volunteer by demonstrating any one or a combination of activities contributing to HFMA or the industry within the three years prior to applying for the certification.^a

“This certification is aspirational, very similar to the FHFMA designation, and over time it is attainable with hard work and dedication,” Nelson said, acknowledging that not every member will meet all the requirements to apply right away.

Full list of Q1 HFMA certification holders

Eighteen HFMA members earned the EHRC certification in the first quarter of 2024 and were among the 1,904 people achieving various certifications during that time frame. A full list of honorees can be seen at hfma.org/honor-roll. 

Footnote

a. For details of all the volunteer activities, visit hfma.org and search for Executive of Healthcare Revenue Cycle.

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Amy Assenmacher earns HFMA’s first EHRC certification

HFMA named Amy Assenmacher, FHFMA, MSN, MBA, as the first Association member to earn the Executive of Healthcare Revenue Cycle (EHRC) certification. The honor was announced during HFMA’s 2024 Revenue Cycle Conference in San Diego, Calif.

Benefits of certification

“Throughout my career, I have always been a strong proponent of continuous learning and ongoing professional development,” said Assenmacher, senior vice president of revenue cycle for Corewell Health. “I have used these certification learnings to take my leadership to the next level.”

Assenmacher also holds these HFMA certifications: Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA), Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR), Certified Specialist Payment & Reimbursement (CSPR) and Certified Specialist Business Intelligence (CSBI).

The significance of the EHRC certification

“The EHRC signifies that one has mastered the core competencies and standards of revenue cycle management, as well as demonstrated the ability to apply them strategically and operationally in various settings and scenarios,” she said.

Regarding the various requirements for obtaining the EHRC, Assenmacher said she particularly appreciated “the importance that the EHRC placed on volunteering and presenting as a leader in various HFMA forums as well as mentoring other aspiring healthcare leaders.