National organization established in 1980 to develop an accreditation program to standardize and improve the quality of medical and surgical care in ambulatory surgery facilities while assuring the public of high standards for patient care and safety in an accredited facility. Its mission is to develop and implement standards of excellence to ensure the highest quality of patient care through an accreditation program that serves both the medical community and the public interest by establishing a means for measuring medical competence and providing an external source for evaluating patient safety in the ambulatory surgery setting. AAAASF accreditation has been approved by some State Departments of Health in lieu of State Licensure. Many private insurance carriers recognize accreditation by AAAASF for reimbursement of covered procedures. For insurance carriers that require Medicare certification, AAAASF has a separate program to evaluate and approve facilities for certification by Medicare, using the same peer inspection process that is used for regular accreditation.

Organization for the home care industry that includes intravenous therapy, medical services and manufacturers, and health providers. AAHomecare was created through the merger of the Health Industry Distributors Association’s Home Care Division (HIDA Home Care), the Home Health Services and Staffing Association (HHSSA), and the National Association for Medical Equipment Services (NAMES).

In 2003 the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA), Group Health Association of America (GHAA), and the American Managed Care and Review Association (AMCRA) merged with American Association of Health Plans (AAHP) and created what is now known as America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). See America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

National organization composed of medical assistants, medical assisting students, and medical assisting educators with state and local chapters. It (1) promotes education for clinical and administrative medical assistants, (2) establishes educational requirements for national certification and continuing education requirements for recertification, and (3) is recognized by the American Medical Association.

National association of network-based preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and affiliate organizations established in 1983 that puts control in the hands of the physician and patient, therefore empowering both results in the best care. PPOs provide easy access to quality care from the right doctor, providing the right care at the right time. AAPPO promotes and supports the PPO industry, consumers enrolled in PPOs, and the collaborative effort of the industry to reduce health care costs. Member organizations include PPOs, provider organizations, network-based health plans, affiliate organizations, and specialty networks including chiropractic, dental, laboratory, mental health, ophthalmic, pharmacy, physical therapy, and workers’ compensation.

A nonprofit organization protecting the rights and needs of retired individuals.

Professional association of allergists and immunologists. Established in 1942, the ACAAI is dedicated to improving the quality of patient care in allergy and immunology through research, advocacy, and professional and public education. The ACAAI’s goals are to (1) improve the quality of patient care in allergy, asthma, and immunology; (2) maintain and advance the diagnostic and therapeutic skills of members and foster their appropriate application; (3) sponsor and conduct educational and scientific programs and publications; (4) develop and disseminate educational information for members, patients, health plan purchasers and administrators, and other physicians and health professionals.

Nonprofit professional coders organization that offers certification as a Physician Coding Specialist (PCS), Facility Coding Specialist (FCS), and Coding Specialist for Payors (CSP).

Nonprofit scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to improve the care of the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice. Examples of activities conducted by ACS include educational programs such as the Clinical Congress and standard-setting programs in cancer and trauma care.