Health information organization that brings together health care associations in a specific geographical area and governs health information exchange between them to improve health and care in that community.

Four national Medicare fiscal intermediaries contracted to process Medicare home health and hospice claims, audit home health physicians, and check on the quality of home health care. Also called contractor .

Location where comprehensive medical services are provided to serve a large area. Not a tertiary care center.

1. Social Security state office. 2. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has 10 ROs that work closely together with Medicare contractors in their assigned geographical areas on a day-to-day basis. Four of these ROs monitor network contractor performance, negotiate contractor budgets, distribute administrative monies to contractors, work with contractors when corrective actions are needed, and provide a variety of other liaison services to the contractors in their respective regions.

Electronic data file used by the insurance company or administrator of a group insurance plan that lists the insured, insurance coverage, amounts of insurance, beneficiary, and other information. Also called record card or insurance register .

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) certification describing medical record administrators; formerly known as registered records administrator (RRA) .

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) certification describing medical records practitioners; formerly known as accredited records technician (ART) .

Professional title earned by completing appropriate training and by passing a registry examination administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Education places emphasis on administrative and clinical procedures performed in a medical office.

Professional title awarded after completion of coursework given by the Medical Management Institute (MMI) with recertification requirements.

Individual who has graduated from a course of study at a state-approved school of nursing, passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), and been licensed by appropriate state authority. RNs are the most highly educated of nurses with the widest scope of responsibility including, at least potentially, all aspects of nursing care. RNs work in a variety of settings (e.g., hospital facilities, medical offices and clinics, public health departments, schools).