The 2011 AAPC National Conference in Long Beach, California proved to be a great success. The 1700+ conference attendees experienced educational sessions, networking opportunities, and the presentation of vendor products, walking away with a plethora of information to assist in working more efficiently and effectively in their professions. The weather proved to be typical spring California weather. In between and after classes, attendees were able to enjoy the sun and see a glimpse of the Long Beach Grand Prix press day, circling the conference center in fast and sporty race cars.

Beginning on Sunday, April 3, classes such as Legal Trends and Issues, Getting to Know Your Local Chapter and the Conference Welcome – Code Watch by National Advisory Board President Terry Leone, were available to get to know information on legal matters in the workplace and who was involved in the AAPC local chapters. Later that evening, Contexo Media sponsored a Happy Hour at The Auld Dubliner across the street from the conference center for all conference attendees. This was a chance for attendees to mingle with other coders to get to know one another by networking and a chance to get to know Contexo Media employees in a relaxed environment.

On Monday, the keynote presentation by Fred Schafer was inspirational and humorous, allowing the audience to get out of their seats and get their blood going by moving with him. The breakout sessions for that day included such sessions as Straight-Up Radiology Coding, EMR Documentation Challenges and Cardiac Catheterization Coding.

On Tuesday, the day started with a general session from Deborah Grider – President and CEO of the AAPC – on how ICD-10 Will Change Everything. During this session, Ms. Grider spoke of the immense changes to specialties such as orthopedics and obstetrics, some of the changes in specific chapters of ICD-10-CM, and how all of the changes will dramatically affect physician practices and hospitals alike. Sessions included High Risk Pregnancy, Meaningful Use Certification, and the Anatomy Expo, presented by specialty physicians, which proved to be fun and informative, leaning about the anatomy, diseases, and disease processes and some of the related procedures of each specialty. The member appreciation lunch announced the 100,000 member of the AAPC as the Coder of the Year, along with the Networker of the Year.

On Wednesday, the last day of the conference, in addition to the general session presented by David Connolly, JD, the AAPC’s National Advisory Board president Terry Leone passed his responsibility on to Cynthia Stewart – the new AAPC National Advisory Board President – who shared her vision of the future. Sessions included Advanced Surgical Auditing and Maternity Care – Conception to Post Partum, wrapping up what was a hugely successful conference in Long Beach, California.

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