Knowledge
Release of Information:
Release of Information (ROI) has changed tremendously since CMIS was founded in 1986. ROI today requires highly skilled personnel who understand the legal, technical, and procedural issues governing the handling of confidential health documents. CMIS’s comprehensive, on-the-job health document specialist training program distinguishes us from our competitors. This commitment to our personnel has built CMIS’s successful reputation for ROI services in the upper Midwest.

Confidentiality:
With CMIS, protected health information and the equipment that supports our work always stays onsite.

CMIS health document specialists process requests by mail, fax, or electronically in the quickest possible timeframe at your location. There is no central server causing backlogs. Quick turnaround and onsite equipment minimizes the chance of protected health information ending up where it does not belong or being seen by unauthorized persons. This CMIS policy limits liability exposure and improves efficiency. And with CopyMed Secure, the requestor has nearly instant access resulting in faster turnaround time and faster payments on claims.

Experience:
Release of Information (ROI) is the basis upon which CMIS’s reputation has been built. Since our founding in 1986, ROI has evolved well beyond the simple photo copying of a medical record. Today’s process involves validating authorizations, pulling only the portion of the chart required (designated record set), interpreting a facility’s policy, deciding on a method of delivery and so much more.

Professional Affiliations

CMIS is a member of:

• American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
• Minnesota Health Information Management Association (MHIMA)
• Association of Health Information Outsourcing Services (AHIOS)

Our People
CMIS health document specialists are known for their excellent customer service, knowledge, expertise, reliability and flexibility. CMIS’s commitment to our health document specialists is reflected in our health document specialists’ long-term commitment to our company and to the clients we serve. The result is increased efficiency and enhanced customer service.

CMIS offers a full cadre of technical experts who are knowledgeable in related legal issues, electronic medical record systems, hardware and software technology, and industry trends. Our expertise is available whenever you need on a consulting basis.

CMIS’s Values
We are results oriented and achieve your objectives.
We take pride in working with you to create the best health document solution for your facility. Our technology bridged with your EMR enables us to get the health documents to the requester in seconds, and benefiting you by getting your claims paid faster.

We deliver superior quality in all that we do.
Our highly trained staff is committed to releasing only the medically necessary health documents of the highest quality.

We are resourceful in overcoming obstacles.
We are open to change; we are flexible and adaptable. We take pride in the challenges of creating solutions to serve your health document needs.

Procedures
Legal/ethical:
CMIS routinely reviews its internal procedures to ensure our staff understands the legal and ethical implications of their work. Additionally, CMIS managers oversee the work of its health document specialists to ensure staff compliance of specific hospital/clinic procedures and policies regarding the release of protected health documents.

Background checks:
Background checks are performed on all CMIS prospective health document specialists.

Yearly statement of confidentiality.
Yearly, each CMIS health document specialist signs this statement of confidentiality:

“CMI, Inc., is a business which is specifically designed to provide administrative assistance to hospitals and healthcare professionals. Specifically, CMI provides copies of existing medical records pursuant to valid requests from those entitled to have access to the requested information.

Because of the nature of this work, CMI, Inc., and its officers, health document specialists, and agents all have been specifically instructed that any and all information regarding any medical request will be held in the strictest confidence in a manner consistent with the high ethical and legal standards imposed upon health care professionals. As such, CMI Inc., its officers, health document specialists and agents, will never release any information to any individual or to any business in any manner whatsoever other than providing copies of the duly requested material to the duly authorized party.

CMI Inc., and its officers, health document specialists and agents, will never discuss or otherwise divulge any medical, personal, or financial information regarding any patient for whom a request for medical information is made. All officers, health document specialists, and agents of CMI, Inc. have been informed that any violation of CMI, Inc. policy of complete confidentiality of patients’ records is grounds for termination of employment. CMI Inc., and its officers, health document specialists, and agents shall at all times be subject to all rules and regulations including those pertaining to confidentiality of medical records of the party contracting for the services of CMI Inc.”

Service
Flexibility:
CMIS’s flexibility can adapt to any client size. Whether you require one person, once a week for one-half hour, or you require multiple shifts to fit your needs, CMIS can help. We provide trained personnel to meet your ROI requirements and provide HIPAA complaint services from traditional paper copying to cutting-edge, encrypted electronic data transfer.

Customer Service:
Tremendous customer service is our strength. We customize the level of services based on the facility’s need. CMIS can answer phones, assist patients in person, help train your staff in basic ROI principles, address space concerns and scan patient charts to disc.

We are experts in our industry. Not only do we take pride in satisfying our clients, but CMIS management is always available when you need them. You receive timely, polite responses and you will routinely see CMIS management on-site.

Quality Checks:
CMIS health document specialists quality check their own work for accuracy, quality and adherence to facility policy based on stringent training. In addition, every health document specialist is subject to an unannounced quarterly quality review to guarantee quality compliance. This process promotes high quality workmanship, professional standards, and customer satisfaction.

Job training & follow up:
CMIS’s on-the-job training involves a committed manager who stays with health document specialists for an average of four weeks. Additionally, annual classes for all health document specialists address policy and legislative updates. Yearly testing evaluates health document specialist understanding of statutes and procedural issues.

• Training: CMIS’s health document representatives receive extensive on-the-job training and regular follow-up training. They also receive continued education through seminars and other course work. CMIS values the dedication and contributions of our health document specialists and appreciate the difference they make. CMIS health document specialists receive annual training, and after three successful years, are certified by the Association of Health Information Outsourcing Services (AHIOS).
• HIPAA: CMIS health document specialists receive regular HIPAA training. CMIS’s management team is responsible for disseminating HIPAA related amendments through regular communications. This team interaction keeps CMIS health document specialists abreast of changing legislation and industry trends. CMIS employs HIPAA consultants to perform gap analysis to ensure policies, designated record sets and other related issues are in compliance.