2011 Call for Speakers Requirements

To be considered as a speaker for AAPC conferences in 2011, a speaker application must be submitted by September 30, 2010. All applications must be completed and submitted online. Faxed or mailed applications will not be accepted. Online application submission will be available from August 12 – September 30, 2010.

The AAPC Speaker Selection Committee will review all applications and select those topics that are fresh, relevant, and engaging to the intended audience. Sample topic areas are listed below; however, all topics will be reviewed and considered by the selection committee. We specifically would like to encourage submittals from Payers explaining procedures and processes so providers can better understand payer perspective.

Current Hot Issues in Coding - AAPC is looking for experts to present on current topics and the latest trends. Our membership relies on us to keep them informed of the changes they need to know to be the most knowledgeable coders in their profession. Here is a sample list of the types of topics we are looking for:

• Compliance Plans
• Auditing EHR Records
• HCC Coding
• Successful Appeals and Contract Negotiations
• Explanation of Diseases & Associated Diagnostic Coding
• Consults
• Ophthalmology
• Hematology/Oncology
• RAC Audits
• Professional Career Development
• Detecting Health care Fraud and Abuse

Specialty Focus - AAPC will also offer sessions with a specialty focus at our National Conference. Here is a preferred list of specialty topics that we are looking for in 2011, but all topics that are current and timely for your specialty will be considered.

• Family Practice/Internal Medicine
• Primary Care
• Interventional
• Orthopaedics
• Dermatology
• OB/GYN
• Anesthesia/Pain Management
• Gastroenterology
• Cardiology
• Lab/Path
• Trauma/Emergency Department
• Surgery

Level of Difficulty - We are looking for advanced, high-level sessions for our conference. Non-advanced topics, such as E/M, can still be presented on an intermediate to advanced level but we will only accept a few non-advanced presentations. Advanced topics should still be presented in a clear, understandable format despite the advanced nature of the topic.

Be Clear about What Your Session Will Include - If you plan to show an operative video, provide hands-on dissection or have the class access the internet during your presentation, include this detail in your application. The more interactive the session, the more people learn, and this is a consideration when selecting speakers.

Be Concise About Your Goals - Clearly describe your teaching objective. (Example: Attendees will gain insight as to why the 2011 ICD-9-CM code changes were made, and what impact these changes will have on coding and billing. “Hidden” changes from the index, often overlooked when coders update their superbills, will be addressed as well.) What will make your presentation stand out from the rest?

Use Proper Grammar and Spelling - Misspelled words and poor grammar lead to automatic disqualification from consideration. If spelling and grammar are not your strengths, write your proposal in Word®, proofread it several times and run a spelling and grammar check before importing it into the electronic application.

• Speaker can select between a $500 honorarium or complimentary admission to the conference
• Compensation is given per prepared topic (sessions that are selected to be presented twice will not receive additional compensation)

• An honorarium of $1000 per prepared topic (compensation will be split between multiple presenters for a single presentation)
• If the physician brings a coder to co-speak, the coder will receive complimentary admission to the conference
• One night stay at the host hotel
• Airfare reimbursed up to $400

Speakers that are selected will be notified by November 15, 2010, via the email address listed on your application.

Questions concerning the speaker selection process or the speaker application should be addressed to Sandra Nestman in the conference department at: sandra.nestman@aapc.com.