The Winner of the iPad 2!

Winner-Winner-Chicken-Dinner!!!

AAPC and the Conference Team announce the winner of the iPad2….drum roll, please…..

**TINA SMITH, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-I**

Tina lives in Colorado and has been an AAPC member since 1994 and certified since 1997. She has just over ten conferences under her belt, but the conference in Anaheim, California, in 1999 was her favorite. She loves the education she gets at our conferences, as well as the wealth of knowledge she takes home with her every year. Congratulations, Tina – enjoy!!

What to Wear at Conference

Appropriate attire for AAPC conference and networking events is smart casual.  We want you to be comfortable but also look professional.  Shorts are discouraged, but jeans and walking shoes are appropriate. During the conference we like to have some fun, so Wednesday is ‘Local Chapter Pride’ day – so show your chapter spirit by wearing your local chapter region color.  

You may purchase your region t-shirts from Redstone Design Company.

Region 1 (Northeast) Red

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York

Region 2 (Atlantic) Turquoise

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC

Region 3 (Mid Atlantic) Yellow

Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina

Region 4 (Southeast) Green
Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, Bahamas
Region 5 (Southwest) Orange
Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi
Region 6 (Great Lakes) Purple
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio
Region 7 (Mountain/Plains) Blue
Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa
Region 8 (West) Pink
California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska

Wanna win an iPad 2?

Register for conference before December 20 for a chance to win a FREE iPad 2.  The drawing will be on December 21 and announced right here on our conference blog at 12 pm MST.  AAPC will make sure that the winner will receive the iPad 2 before Christmas.  

Sponsoring the iPad 2!

Conference Registration opens on November 21, 2011. 
Details are available at www.aapc.com/lasvegas.

Registration Opens for the Las Vegas National Conference on...

November 21 is the big day, we will be opening up registration for the national conference.  We are very excited to be going back to the Rio All Suite Hotel.  We were there in 2009 for the national conference and loved the location, so we are going back.  More information will be posted on our website in October at www.aapc.com.

Come join us in Las Vegas!

Registration Opens

On Wednesday, September 7 at 2 pm, registration will open for you can check-in and receive your schedule for the conference.

See you in NASHVILLE!

School days, school days

Dear old golden rule days 

Readin' and 'ritin' and 'rithmetic
Taught to the tune of the hickory stick…

With summer waning and the kids all back in school, aren’t you ready for a little ‘me’ time? The Nashville conference is the perfect way to kick off your school year…lots of friends and familiar faces, great classes taught by outstanding teachers, a beautiful city, and hey, even a little fun on the side! Hopefully, this is just what the doctor ordered. Either way, he’ll be impressed with the results you bring back to the office! Can’t wait to see you there…14 days…but who’s counting?

Collin Raye is coming to the Opry

One of the biggest hit-makers in the '90's, Collin Raye will be the performing at the Grand Ole Opry on September 9.  I know you remember his hit songs "One Boy, One Girl" (1995), "In This Life" (1992) and many more that made it all the way to the top.

Raye has five platinum albums, 15 No. 1 hit singles and 24 Top 10 hits.  He also has five nominations for male vocalist of the year from the Country Music Association.

If you haven't already purchased your tickets to the Grand Ole Opry, you may do so online at www.opry.com.

Check out Collin Raye's website:  www.collinraye.com

Getting excited!

Who all is attending the regional conference in Nashville in just a few weeks? If you haven't signed up, it's not too late and it is an AWESOME networking AND educational offering!!! Don't forget the G2KYLC (get to know your local chapter) event too!

Contact me if your local chapter would like to have a table to showcase your chapter at G2KYLC bedwards@aapcca.org. 

Did you know.....

these facts about the Gaylord Opryland????
-The Gaylord Opryland was once called Opryland USA which opened May 27, 1972 and was a musical theme park with rides, shops and food.
-The hotel opened in 1977 and was called the Opryland Hotel.
-The first atrium -Garden Conservatory- opened in 1983.
-Its original name Opryland USA changed when purchased in the 1980s to Edward L. Gaylord.
-The second atrium -Cascades- opened spring of 1988.
-The third atrium -The Delta- opened in 1996 which included 375 full-grown trees.
-In 1997, Gaylord's management decided to replace the theme park with a giant retail and entertainment mall called Opry Mills.
-In May 2010 the Opryland Hotel , at one point, was under ten feet of water.
-The Gaylord Opryland is the largest structural hotel in the world  and has nine acres of indoor gardens.

What to Wear

We want all our attendees at the Nashville conference to be comfortable.  With that being said comfortable dress in encouraged, but look professional. Shorts are discouraged, but jeans and walking shoes are appropriate. Smart casual is recommended.  


If you feel the need to wear your cowboy boots, please do so! 

Get your boots on and come to G2KYLC

TIME IS RUNNING OUT....

One potato, two potato, three potato, four….if you don’t select your sessions, you won’t get in the door-ha! Only this is no joke – if you’re coming to our Nashville conference and haven’t selected the classes you want (and a full 50% have not), please do so asap!

It’s easy – just go to your online member area, click on ‘Purchases/Items’, then click on ‘Conferences’, then ‘Details’. You will see this:

Now hop to it!!

Tasty food to be served at conference....

To start off your morning on Thursday, there will be a continental breakfast to include:

    Whole fruit

    Whole grain muffins

    Bagels

    Philadelphia cream cheese, sweet butter, wild flower honey, and preserves

    Freshly brewed coffees, White Lion teas, and orange juice

For lunch a yummy Italian dish:

   Classic Caesar salad

   Grilled chicken and sun dried tomatoes over penne pasta

   Chef choice of vegetables

   Seasonal fruit tart

   Ice tea, coffee

Friday starts with a continental breakfast similar to Thursday

    Whole fruit

    Blueberry muffins

    Bagels

    Philadelphia cream cheese, sweet butter, wild flower honey, and preserves

    Freshly brewed coffees, White Lion teas, and orange juice

For lunch some southern cookin':

   Tossed garden salad with BBQ dressing

   Burbon reduction chicken roulade with cornbread stuffing

   Chef choice of vegetables

   Individual southern pecan pie with vanilla bean anglaise, caramel sauce

This list is partly an attempt to inform ahead of time those who may have special dietary restrictions or requirements.  Separate accommodations cannot possibly be made for a group this size, so please plan accordingly. Thank you for your understanding.

Get To Know Your LOCAL CHAPTER and Networking WELCOME RECEPTION

Life’s short; actually, this conference is too…let’s save time by eating dessert first! Come to our Get To Know Your Local Chapter (G2KYLC) event and enjoy a warm fudge and blonde brownie sundae station topped with either vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, nuts, and a choice of warm fudge or caramel  syrup.


Local chapters desiring to reserve a table for this event can contact Brenda Edwards at brenda.edwards@aapcca.org.

Gaylord Opryland Airport Shuttle Service

AAPC Group Rate:  $30 round trip ($10 savings - normally $40)

Shuttles run from 5am – 11pm every 30 minutes 

Attendees need to visit the airport desk in baggage claim upon arrival

AAPC Regional Conference Opryland Airport Reservation Link

How to do the BOOT, SCOOTIN', BOOGIE

Put your feet together.

On the balls of your feet, twist both feet to the left.

Put your heels down and twist on your heels to the left.

Now twist on your heels back right.

Twist on the balls of your feet back right.

Step forward to the right.

Step forward to the left.

Kick with your left foot.

Kick with your right foot.

Step back to the right.

Step back to the left.

Kick with your left foot.

Kick with your right foot.

Slide forward and to the left, hips first.

Slide forward and to the right, hips first.

Put your fists on your hips with your thumbs up.

Slide to the right, hips first.

Slide to the left, hips first.

Kick with your left.

Touch your right hand to your left toe.

Kick with your right.

Touch your left hand to your right toe.

Slide to the right twice.

Slide to the left twice.

Step forward with your right and swivel to make a 90-degree turn.

Clap.

Bring your left foot together with your right.

Repeat.

Brush-up On Proper Use of Modifiers

The Nashville Regional Conference has a great post-conference event on modifiers. It is a hands-on four hour workshop on accurate and appropriate use of modifiers.  It is being taught by the author and expert Jennifer Swindle, RHIT, CCS-P, CCP, CPC, CPMA, CEMC, CFPC, she has had over 20 years of experience in the health care industry.

Take the Mod Lib Challenge and have some fun with modifiers! Then register for AAPC’s workshop, Modifiers – The Rest of the Story to earn 6 CEU’s and learn the accurate and appropriate use of modifiers. 

Learn how modifiers impact appropriate reimbursement and how they are used to ‘tell the complete story’. Not only will the presentation demonstrate how appropriate modifier use will allow for payment in certain circumstances, but also how modifiers can be overused or abused for improper payment, opening organizations to risk. Procedural modifiers as well as E&M modifiers will be discussed. Hands-on instruction will include case studies and specific examples, complete with notes to determine appropriate modifier use. Operative notes will be studied as well, in which modifiers would be necessary to show staged or related procedure or unrelated return to the OR type of examples. 

Don't miss this educational workshop held on Saturday, September 10, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.  A continental breakfast will be served with coffee.  Register Now!

Hard Rock Café Nashville

Music City, U.S.A, now where could there possibly be a better place for a Hard Rock Cafe? From Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gil, Dolly Parton to Keith Urban, Reba, Carrie Underwood to Paramore and Kings of Leon, all part of Nashville’s unique musical history. The Nashville Cafe has been rockin’ Music City since 1994! Newly revamped in December 2009, Hard Rock Cafe Nashville contends as one of the city’s premier dining and entertainment destinations.  Housed in the site of Nashville's first brothel, our building stretches half a block long, and the outdoor “Ledge” has plenty of room for you and all your rowdy friends! Jimi Hendrix said it best “That’s where I learned to play really…Nashville.”  

100 Broadway, Nashville, TN  37201

615-742-9900

Hard Rock Cafe Nashville Website

NASHVILLE LIVE MUSIC GUIDE APP

Need to find out where Reba will be performing while you are in Nashville for the AAPC conference?  Or just want to listen to live country music and don't know how to find it......the LIVE MUSIC GUIDE APP is for you!  This brand new app has a city-wide music directory telling users which acts are playing when in the various music venues all of the city.  The app also has a calendar that allows you to search live music events scheduled in the coming two weeks.  Isn't technology wonderful!

The app is currently available for the iPhone, and will be available for the android platform later this summer.

To Eat, Ate, Eaten, Eating

Definition  EAT v. 1. To take into the body by the mouth for digestion or absorption.  2. To consume food.

We all love food and the Gaylord Opryland has lots of it.  For "quick eats" at the Gaylord they have Findley's Irish Pub, Jack Daniel's, Paisano's Pizzaria & Vino, Stax Burgers, Relache and Magnolia Pool Bar and Grill and of course in-room dining.   For casual dining restaurants they have Solario - Authentic Mexican Cuisine, Cascades American Cafe and Wasabi's Sushi. 

Don't forget - AAPC provides breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday of the conference.  We don't want you missing any education!   

What goes around comes around....

or so the saying goes… but in the case of AAPC conferences, it’s true! Our June 2010 Nashville national conference attempt was pre-empted by Mother Nature, but hopefully that won’t be the case this time. The regional conference date of the conference is September 7-9, and barring any unforeseen ‘weather’ situations, we’ll be there!  When it’s not partially underwater, the Gaylord Opryland Hotel is one of the most beautiful and luxurious properties in the country. Not only that, but it’s located right next to the Grand Ole Opry, so grab your tickets today.   Oh, and while you’re at it, dust off your kicks and get ready to boot, scoot, and boogie with your friends. See you there!!


Click here to purchase Grand Ole Opry tickets for the September 9th show.

While at conference....

Do you want to get a massage or keep up on your fitness routine or even take a dip in a pool.  The Gaylord Opryland has it all.


RELACHE The Spa at Gaylord Opryland - is a 20,000-square-foot space facility that you may choose from many spa and salon services, including massages, facials, body therapies, hand and foot therapies, nail enhancements, haristyling, make-up services, waxing and more.  View Relache brochure

Fitness Center - a 3,500-foot fitness center located within Relache Spa is open 24 hours a day. It has state-of-the-art cardiovascular machines, circuit training and more!

Pools - the Gaylord Opryland has three pools!  Are you bringing your kids along, well here is where they can spend their days while you are getting top-notch coding education.  There are two outdoor pools with bar and grills and one indoor pool with a designated lap lane.  

Do you LOVE country music?

You must visit The Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum.  It has been the home of America's music since 1967. In keeping with the cultural significance of the music and the heroic achievements of those who form its membership, the Museum opened in a $37 million landmark, new building in May 2001.
Located on the west bank of the Cumberland River, just a few steps from the historic Ryman Auditorium and the honky-tonks of Lower Broadway, the monumental edifice, a visceral experience for approaching visitors, invigorates the skyline in downtown Nashville's entertainment district.

222 FIFTH AVENUE SOUTH • NASHVILLE, TN 37203 • 615.416.2001
About 11 miles from Gaylord Opryland (20 minute drive)
http://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/

Things to do....and maybe see Reba

The Wild Horse Saloon is Nashville's #1 dining and entertainment destination and a mecca of entertainment in America. To capture the attention of Nashvillians and country music visitors, on June 1, 1994, the history of the World Famous Wild Horse Saloon began with country superstar Reba McEntire hearding a stampede of live cattle through the streets of Music City, also known as Nashville, Tennessee. The cattle were herded down Second Avenue and past the front doors of the newly opened club. Since then, the Wild Horse has continued to capture the interest of visitors with its award-winning menu, unique attractions and one-of-a-kind capabilities.Over a normal year the Wild Horse uses around 3000 gallons of BBQ sauce and about 2 million pickle slices in our famous fried pickle recipe. That is a whole lot of BBQ sauce and pickles! I think this place is a must see.... I mean eat!

Wild Horse Saloon
120 2nd Ave • North Nashville, TN 37201 • 615. 902.8200
http://www.wildhorsesaloon.com/

The Grand Ole Opry....Nashville's #1!

What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is today a live-entertainment phenomenon. Dedicated to honoring country music’s rich history and dynamic present, the Grand Ole Opry showcases a mix of country legends and the contemporary chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps.

The Opry, an American icon and Nashville, Tennessee’s number-one attraction, is world-famous for creating one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences for audiences of all ages.


AAPC has Grand Ole Opry discounted tickets available for $40.  The tickets are for the September 9th, 7pm showing.  Please visit AAPC  to order tickets.

Thank you for making conference a BIG success!

While there’s no place like home, for AAPCs conference team it was bittersweet to leave the sunny skies of Long Beach and travel home last Thursday.  National conference is something we always look forward to, in spite of the craziness, chaos, and long hours required beforehand. Somehow all the hard work is worth it when attendees begin showing up, eager to learn and have a good time. Turns out the missing ingredient is you, our valued attendees, who bring the energy and enthusiasm necessary to give our conference its zip! Thank you all for your patience and support. Herding nearly 2000 people anywhere is challenging, but all in all we think it went well, and we hope you did too. If you haven’t filled out your conference evaluation, please take a minute to do so. Pictures will be available shortly, and we’ll post them on our blog for your enjoyment. Thanks again – see ya next year!

All our bags are packed, we’re ready to go…..

‘Sea’ you in Long Beach!!!!!

Melanie, Amy, Sandra and Daniel

Code Watch: Remember Baywatch?

… or are you just too darn young?  Anyway, if you do (and even if you don’t), be sure to get your little ol’ selves to the Terrace Theatre on Sunday at 1:00 for some good old-fashioned fun!  Dr. Hasselhoffen and the others will be kicking conference off with a bang….better get there early to get a good seat…this can’t be TiVo’d!

You may even score one of these!

Need a lift to and from the airport?

To/From LAX

Shuttle

Super Shuttle runs 24 hours a day for $17 - $20 one way. Reservations are required for the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel and suggested for other hotels. 800-258-3826 or www.supershuttle.com.

Taxis are available 24 hours a day for $50 - $55 one way.

To/From Orange County (John Wayne Airport)

Shuttle

Super Shuttle runs 24 hours a day for $35 - $38 one way. Reservations are required for the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel and suggested for other hotels. 800-258-3826 or www.supershuttle.com.

Taxis are available 24 hours a day for $50 - $75 one way.

To/From Long Beach Airport

Shuttle

Super Shuttle runs 24 hours a day for $17 - $20 one way. Reservations are required. 800-258-3826 or www.supershuttle.com.

Taxis are available 24 hours a day for $20 - $25 one way.

Transportation amounts listed are estimates, not guaranteed rates.

Need Disneyland Tickets???

Did you know that one of the benefits of your AAPC membership is the ability to purchase discounted tickets to Disneyland® Resort online?

Here's how:

1.      Log into http://www.aapc.com/

2.      Click on Resources

3.      Click on Member Savings Benefits

4.      Find the link at the bottom of that page

In addition to Disneyland tickets, you have access to travel savings, discounted movie tickets and factory-direct savings on brand name electronics, clothing, jewelry, appliances and other consumer products. Check it out!

Speaking of Keynote...

Speaking of Keynote - here’s ours….his name is Fred Schafer, and he’s from Redding, California, but this pic was taken right here in Long Beach! His message is simple and straightforward, and guaranteed to move you to be better than you already are.  His topic, “Striking Back at Mediocrity”, is guaranteed to affect  your personal and professional life. See you Monday at the general session. He speaks right after our president’s welcome.

Walk....Don't Run

Don’t plan anything for 6 AM Monday morning (as if) or you’ll miss the fun! The Long Beach Chapter is taking us on an easy walk around Shoreline Park to the lighthouse and back – only one mile each way…come on, you can do it!! Along with lively chit-chat with friends, we’ll view the Long Beach harbor up close and personal. You’ll still have plenty of time to grab breakfast and attend Deb Grider’s opener and the great Keynote we’ve got lined up. So add comfortable shoes to your packing list – we’re assuming  ‘camera’ is already there…can’t wait!!

STANDBY Line

Changed your mind and want to get into a session that is not on your schedule?  Not a problem! New this year is a designated ‘standby’ line at every classroom. Attendees with the session printed on their schedule will be seated first; once they are in, the stand-by line will be seated. So, if you have a session printed on your schedule, get there in time to claim your seat.  We make every effort we can to fit those interested into each session, but there are strict fire code regulations that sometimes limit availability. 

Project AAPC and Feeding America

Last year Project AAPC was a huge success!  The funds raised by the Local Chapters were donated to the American Red Cross for flood ravaged Nashville.  The mission of Project AAPC is to support those in crisis.  This year we are looking at a much larger crisis in America, HUNGER.  Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest) serves over 37 million people a year through their network of food banks nationwide.  We know that our members care about their communities and this is a way to give back to those in need.  It’s time for your Local Chapter to get creative and organize some fundraisers for Project AAPC.   Your Local Chapter donations can then be turned in at the AAPCCA booth during the conference in Long Beach where you will receive the coveted “Project AAPC” Ribbons for your chapter members.  It will be an exciting time to see what the Local Chapters can do Together! 

What Not to Wear

Appropriate attire for AAPC conferences and networking events is business casual. Jeans are discouraged. But because we don’t ever want to be accused of being ‘kill-joys’, Tuesday is ‘Local Chapter Pride’ day – so show your chapter spirit by wearing your local chapter region color. On Wednesday, the last day of the conference, you can switch over to more casual attire and wear your conference T-shirt to reflect your AAPC spirit.  Who says we don’t know how to have fun??

Region 1 (Northeast) Red

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York

Region 2 (Atlantic) Turquoise

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC

Region 3 (Mid Atlantic) Yellow

Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina

Region 4 (Southeast) Green
Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, Bahamas
Region 5 (Southwest) Orange
Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi
Region 6 (Great Lakes) Purple
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio
Region 7 (Mountain/Plains) Blue
Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa
Region 8 (West) Pink
California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska

You may purchase regional t-shirts from Redstone Design Company and their website is www.redstonedesign.com/aapc.

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