Cassi Birnbaum, MS, RHIA, CPHQ, FAHIMA

Challenges and Opportunities in HI  

Health information management along with all sectors of healthcare continue to be confronted with challenges along with opportunities emerging with advancements in technology across all HIM domains. Challenges remain in the workforce arena on the HIM leadership front with increasing consolidation, mergers and acquisitions among the largest healthcare systems, payors and companies supporting the HIM ecosystem. This often translates into fewer middle and senior management positions, along with transitioning to new EHRs and niche technology which provides opportunities and challenges. Advanced AI and analytics have the promise of increasing efficiency and productivity; however, there is a need to validate the technology, upskill our workforce, and hire our HIM students who can quickly adapt to the changes and opportunities presented by this transition. 

Any Specific Actions You Plan to Take in 2025 to Have Maximum Impact on Healthcare/Patient care 

My role as a Board Member of CAHIIM, and past Board Chair have assisted me in assuring our students are prepared for the challenges and opportunities that technology bring, and enables me to lean in and join the next generation of leaders, analysts, coders and other HIM professional to assure high standards and inclusion of content, relevant to the industry. To be successful we need to make sure we can enable a smooth transition for our coding specialists, project managers, and HIM innovators. Also, I have leaned into AI to assure that we have a seat at the table as AI advances in our domain to assure it brings value to our workforce and senior leadership, and to assure that a firm AI governance structure is in place to realize the vision of improved quality, productivity, reduced denial and an impressive return on investment. I am providing consultative assistance in the areas of HIM leadership, middle revenue cycle, population health and risk adjustment. 

How HI Students and Emerging Professionals Can Thrive in 2025 

Don’t be afraid to lean in and become adept with AI technology, analytics, project management, coding and documentation capture to support your leadership team in innovative and strategic projects in HIM and the middle revenue cycle. Volunteer to be the tester/validator of advanced technologies, and volunteer to project manage strategic projects. Volunteer at the regional, state and national level with AHIMA to take advantage of relevant educational offerings and be sure to obtain your credential post-graduation. As a large health system employer, I always required credentialed HIM professionals to fill all of my HIM, coding, and CDI roles. 

Anything Additional You Would Like to Include 

I have been blessed with decades of opportunities across the HIM, coding, compliance, Quality, CDI, and revenue integrity domains. I never stopped learning, growing, experiencing and contributing to the profession and industry as a leader, employee, educator and consultant. The HI world is an open door to bring value to the HI industry and profession and to make a difference one role at a time. Don’t be afraid to take risks and envision the future of your role, industry, and profession as we confront challenges in reducing inefficiencies while improving quality, lack of data and information integrity, barriers to consumer engagement and the need to leverage technology to improve and support all of our systems and processes. The time is now to make a difference by assuring that you are equipped with the resources and tools to meet the moment!