COVID-19 News & Resources

From testing and contact tracing to disease surveillance and population health management, an effective COVID-19 response rests on accurate and complete health information. Health information professionals are ideally positioned to navigate the complexities of health information, bridge data silos, and connect clinical teams.

These critical capabilities inform patient engagement efforts, determine the allocation of vital resources, and shape policy decisions. AHIMA supports our community through the creation of unique assets and resources, equipping health information professionals with the vetted resources necessary to mount an effective COVID-19 response.

Latest on COVID-19

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March 10, 2021

IFHIMA White Paper Fosters ICD-11 Planning, Adoption Around World

A white paper written by a group of global HIM professionals and published by IFHIMA discusses how early planning, coupled with HIM leadership, is critical for countries transitioning to ICD-11 in an increasingly digital and data-oriented world.

March 1, 2021

The Public and Pandemics

How a century of viruses has shaped health data and communication

COVID-19 News and Resources

This page offers health information management professionals an authoritative source for healthcare-relevant news, resources, strategies, and perspectives on the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Updated 5/22/22

Resources from AHIMA

March 23, 2020

Release of Information Recommendations

AHIMA developed these recommendations to help health information management professionals safeguard the integrity of their health systems’ quality control practices and help patients comply with increasingly widespread shelter-in-place orders.

Webinar

AHIMA Webinar Addresses COVID-19 Medical Record Documentation Challenges

A new AHIMA webinar, “Best Practices for Health Record Management in COVID-19,” aims to help health information professionals learn strategies for success in improving documentation during COVID-19.

AHIMA Releases CDI Query Templates for COVID-19

AHIMA supports CDI professionals by easing administrative burden and providing clear guidelines for the critical data needed to care for and treat COVID-19 patients.

December 14, 2020

AHIMA and AHA FAQ: ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding for COVID-19

The recently updated FAQs were jointly developed and approved by the American Hospital Association’s Central Office on ICD-10-CM/PCS and AHIMA.

March 24, 2020

Telehealth and Relaxed HIPAA Enforcement During COVID-19

AHIMA privacy and security experts convened to make sense of new and existing guidance surrounding telehealth and HIPAA to deal with COVID-19.

Donate to HIRO Fund to Assist HIM Community During Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic presents an unprecedented type of natural disaster and could result in wide-reaching and adverse economic consequences for individuals and their families. In the coming months, the Foundation will utilize the Fund to help.

Guidance from AHIMA for State Associations Planning Meetings

AHIMA is committed to providing our CSAs with the appropriate tools and resources to respond to the growing concern of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the US.

April 1, 2020 - September 30, 2020

ICD-10-CM Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines

Public Guidance & Resources

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

New COVID Policies Due to Provisions of the Cares Act

This resource describes certain provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that relate to IPPS hospitals, LTCHs, and IRFs. These provisions are Sections 3710 and 3711 of the CARES Act.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Get the Facts About Coronavirus

Take steps to care for yourself and help protect others in your home and community.

World Health Organization

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority.

US Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Issues Limited Waiver of HIPAA Sanctions and Penalties During COVID-19 Outbreak

The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak imposes additional challenges on health care providers. Often questions arise about the ability of entities covered by the HIPAA regulations...

Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers

Introductory online course for entry-level COVID-19 contact tracers, for use by health agencies in rapid training of new contact tracers.

American Medical Association

CPT Reporting for COVID-19 Testing

US Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Issues Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During COVID-19 Outbreak

We are empowering medical providers to serve patients wherever they are during this national public health emergency. We are especially concerned about reaching those most at risk...

American Society of Association Executives

Issue Roundup: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

As the worldwide COVID-19 crisis continues, associations are experiencing drastic impacts on their conferences, membership, and operations. These resources are compiled here to help you stay informed.

American Medical Association

Special Coding Advice During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

The coding scenarios in this document are designed to apply best coding practices. The American Medical Association (AMA) has worked to ensure that all payors are applying the greatest flexibility...

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Partner Toolkit

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking action to protect the health and safety of our nation’s patients and providers in the wake of the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Journal of AHIMA

Summary of CMS Waivers for Health Information Professionals

Pursuant to authority granted under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the Secretary has authorized additional telehealth waivers.

Wolters Kluwer

MediRegs COVID-19 Regulatory Search

Our primary goal during this time is to be proactive regarding the health and safety of our customers and our employees. We also remain committed to providing.

New COVID-19 Codes To Be Implemented Soon

In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are implementing six new ICD-10-CM and 21 new ICD-10-PCS codes, effective January 1, 2021.

January 27, 2021

COVID-19 ICD-10-CM Coding Timeline for Outpatient Services

When COVID-19 emerged in early 2020, new ICD-10-CM codes to identify this condition were not available. Subsequent ICD-10-CM codes and guidelines for reporting COVID-19 changed many times as the pandemic evolved throughout 2020.

January 4, 2021

The Impact of COVID-19 on Health Information Management

The pandemic’s impact on the US healthcare system was epochal, the effects of which will reverberate long after COVID-19 ceases to be a public health emergency.