Coding Fiesta Tickets

Julie Shay - The Future Coder: From Code Assignment to Clinical Intelligence

Presentation Summary - One code is never just one code.

Every diagnosis, procedure, and documentation decision creates a ripple effect that extends throughout the healthcare system, impacting reimbursement, CDI, quality reporting, compliance, auditing, risk adjustment, analytics, artificial intelligence, and ultimately patient care.

As healthcare embraces AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making, the role of the coding professional is evolving beyond code assignment to clinical intelligence.

This engaging session explores how today's coders, CDI specialists, auditors, and more create organizational value by transforming clinical documentation into trusted data that drives strategic decisions across the healthcare enterprise.

Through real-world case studies and interactive discussion, participants will discover why every coding decision matters, how their expertise influences the success of the entire revenue cycle, and the essential role they play in shaping the future of healthcare.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe how artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven healthcare are transforming the role of coding professionals.

2. Explain how a single documentation or coding decision creates a ripple effect across the healthcare ecosystem.

3. Differentiate between traditional code assignment and the expanding role of clinical intelligence in healthcare.

4. Recognize and articulate the strategic value coding professionals bring to an organization.

5. Identify the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to remain a trusted health information professional in an AI-enabled healthcare environment.

Speaker Bio -  Julie Shay is a seasoned health information leader with 24 years of industry experience and 20 years in academia. A former Health Information Technology Program Director, she is an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer with expertise in healthcare business operations, leadership, revenue cycle management, physician practice management, and payer contracting, operations and relations.

She has held prominent leadership roles in AHIMA and FHIMA, including chairing national curriculum development initiatives and workforce workgroups, and has been recognized with the 2014 John & Suzanne Roueche Excellence Award – celebrating outstanding contributions and leadership by community faculty and staff, 2016 AHIMA Educator Triumph Award, FHIMA Educator Award, and 2025 FHIMA Outstanding Professional. A frequent conference speaker, Julie is most passionate about mentoring students and seeing graduates excel, give back, and lead in the profession.

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Emily Schmidt – Compliance

Presentation Summary – What does an effective compliance program actually look like in practice? The OIG's seven elements provide the framework, but knowing the framework isn't enough. This session takes attendees beyond the checklist to explore how policies, education, communication, auditing, accountability, and corrective action work together to prevent and identify compliance risk. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of their role in the compliance process—and practical ways to apply these concepts within their own organizations.

Speaker Bio - Hey there! I'm Emily Schmidt, and I love coding. I currently work full time as the Program Manager of the Coder/Biller Program at Daytona State College and as a part time Risk Management Lead at CenterWell Senior Primary Care (a division of Humana).

Throughout my career, I've previously held roles as a coder, coding supervisor, coder/physician educator, and leader of internal coding and documentation audit teams. I specialize in risk adjustment and office/outpatient E&M coding, and am passionate about elevating coding standards and making coding compliance both understandable and engaging.

I hold a Juris Master in Healthcare Regulation from Florida State University, a Master of Science in Health Informatics Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Healthcare Management from Liberty University. I also hold several credentials from both AAPC and AHIMA and am the president of the Daytona Beach, FL AAPC local chapter. I <3 local chapters!

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Melissa Caperton -  Cracking the Neurosurgery Report Challenge

Presentation Summary - Attendees review a series of increasingly complex neurosurgical procedures by identifying the clues needed to "escape" common coding pitfalls. Along the way, we'll highlight documentation requirements, audit risks, and coding strategies. 

Speaker Bio: Melissa Caperton leads a team of 65+ certified coders and auditors, driving coding accuracy, compliance, and education across all physician services. With extensive experience in medical coding, billing, and revenue cycle operations, she brings deep regulatory expertise and a strong focus on audit readiness and performance improvement. A certified AAPC instructor and holder of multiple industry credentials, Melissa plays a critical role in sustaining coding integrity and advancing workforce excellence in support of high-quality care and financial performance.

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Cristina Hastings – Getting the Most Out of MDM

Presentation Summary – The components of MDM will be reviewed in depth to help the coder gain a strong understanding of how to properly code MDM, ensuring all codes are captured accurately.  Examples will be given to show coders what to look for when extrapolating clinical notes to arrive at the correct MDM level.

Speaker Bio - Cristina Hastings, CPC, RHIT, CPC-I has extensive experience in auditing and educating healthcare providers. She is highly skilled in utilizing Epic, conducting medical doctor audits, and developing Excel spreadsheets.

Cristina holds several certifications, including Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), and Certified Professional Coder Instructor (CPC-I). These credentials reflect her commitment to excellence in the field.

Cristina began her career at Publix at the age of 19 and worked there for 20 years before deciding to "retire" in 2013. After her retirement, she devoted time to caring for her mother until her passing later that year. This experience inspired her to further her education, and she earned an Associate of Science degree. In 2015, Cristina returned to Publix and graduated with her RHIT certification in the same year. Shortly thereafter, she joined UF Health as an auditor and was promoted to educator seven years later. Cristina currently serves as one of two educators in the Office of Physician Billing Compliance where she continues to apply her expertise in a dynamic environment.

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Sarah Ragan - Coding the Crisis: Opioid Use, Abuse, and Dependence in Medical Coding

Presentation Summary  - Seven years ago, I lost my daughter Madeline to an opioid overdose. She was brave, brilliant, and she knew she wouldn’t survive. Before she died, she asked me to tell her story, and I promised her I would. Today, I’m here not just as a certified coder, but as a mother who understands the urgency behind every diagnosis code. This presentation is for her and for every family navigating this crisis. My goal is to help you code these conditions with accuracy, integrity, and compassion. The data we capture can shape care, funding, and lives.

Presentation Bio - Sarah Ragan, COC, CPC, CPMA, CRC, CEMC, CFPC, AAPC Approved Instructor, has been a certified medical coder since 2014 and a passionate advocate for career development in healthcare. She has served as secretary, vice president, and president of the Daytona Beach, FL AAPC chapter, and has presented at AAPC Regional Conferences in Charleston (2021) and Philadelphia (2024), sharing insights on coding, compliance, and professional growth.

 In 2022, Sarah founded Caffeinated Career Creations, a résumé and career consulting business that blends technical expertise with storytelling flair. She specializes in helping new CPC-As and transitioning professionals craft résumés that reflect their strengths, goals, and unique journeys.

 When she’s not decoding documentation or empowering job seekers, Sarah can be found soaking up the Florida sun, sipping strong coffee, and hanging out with her dogs—who are arguably her most loyal (and least critical) audience.

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Elisabeth Edwards (and Pat Spiro- veteran, Molly Nolan – Oh Hey Dog)-  Healing Paws / Overview of Therapy and Service Dogs in Supporting Mental Health

Presentation Summary:  Therapy and service dogs provide a wide range of mental, emotional, and physical benefits for both veterans and civilians, especially those living with trauma-related conditions. Learn about the vast range of benefits and attaching the correct code(s) to the condition(s).

Speaker Bio:  I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in the Gainesville area.  I am also a Qualified Supervisor for both Registered Mental Health Interns and Registered Marriage and Family Interns with the State of Florida.  I am a current Fellow of the American College of Advanced Psychotherapists.

I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2001 and then went on to get my Master of Arts in Counseling at Reformed Theological Seminary in Oviedo, FL in 2004.  The counseling program at RTS is based on psychodynamic theory and teaches deep soul healing.  This started me on a journey of helping clients find connectedness and life in the healing process.

I specialize in the treatment of Trauma and Abuse, Grief and Loss, Eating Disorders, Adult ADHD, Adult Autism Spectrum, Burnout, and Religious Trauma.  I believe that counseling should be a safe space.  I utilize a client centered and client directed approach to therapy.  I am often heard saying, “So much of trauma is rooted in a lack of control of one’s own story, and it’s very important that the client have control over how their story is processed in the counseling space”.

I use various techniques from Gestalt Therapy, Object Relations Theory, Attachment Theory, Systems Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (Sue Johnson), Existentialism, Cognitive Behavioral, Animal Assisted Psychotherapy, Experiential Therapies, and Creative Therapies into my work with clients.

I live in Gainesville, FL with my family and my three Italian Greyhounds, Conall, Jeannie, and Esme.  I am happiest and most alive outside gardening, spending time with my horses, hiking, and just generally enjoying the wonder and beauty of the outdoors.

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Maryann Palmeter - O Me! O My! OB! (2027 Maternity Care Changes)

Presentation Summary – Effective January 1, 2027, the AMA will completely eliminate traditional global/bundled obstetric codes, replacing them with an unbundled service model across four distinct phases of care: antepartum care, labor management, delivery care, and postpartum care. Attendees will learn how to bill these services under the new AMA guidelines, the difference between the AMA codes and the codes Medicare proposes, the importance of documenting clinical complexity with E/M codes, and how to address hybrid pregnancies crossing from 2026 to 2027.

Speaker Bio: Maryann has over 40 years of experience in the health care arena including numerous increasingly responsible leadership positions with both the local Medicare Administrative Contractor and a large, multi-specialty academic physician practice. Her focus for the past 25 plus years has been on physician billing compliance. In addition to her AAPC credentials, Maryann is also board-certified in health care compliance through the Health Care Compliance Association’s Compliance Certification Board ®. She is employed with the University of Florida Jacksonville Physicians, Inc. as the director of physician billing compliance and is responsible for providing professional direction and oversight to the billing compliance program of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville.

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Angela Spinner – From Broken Bones to Accurate Coding

Presentation Summary:  Learn to identify common fracture types, understand fracture treatment options, recognize common orthopedic CPT codes, and get a review of the documentation requirements to avoid coding pitfalls.

Speaker Bio: A little about myself, I have been in the Medical Billing and Coding field for almost 20 years. I have worked in many specialties including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Advanced Wound Healing, Infectious Disease, Rheumatology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Podiatry, Plastic Surgery, Radiology & Vascular. I have also served on the local AAPC Macon Chapter as President (2021) and Secretary (2017) and recently received my Associate's in Business Management in Health Care. I am currently an orthopedic surgery coder for 5 doctors and am a TA for the AAPC VILT & job ready LVI programs. I was born and raised in southern California but now reside in Georgia. I am a mentor, an animal rescuer, and a cheer coach! I also do stage plays and background acting for movies. I love singing and you can often find me doing karaoke!

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Rita Genovese – Humble Leadership

Presentation Summary - In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving workplace, the most impactful leaders aren’t those who command the loudest, but those who lead with humility, self-awareness, and a genuine commitment to others. This interactive session explores the principles and practices of humble leadership where influence is earned through trust, empathy, and collaboration rather than authority.

Speaker Bio - Rita Genovese has over 35 years of experience working in hospital systems, medical practices and cancer centers, she has exposure to all aspects of the industry. Genovese specializes in Revenue Cycle and practice management, most recently in the areas of family medicine and medical oncology. Genovese received her Six Sigma certification in 2022 and her Masters in Health Administration in 2023 from Rutgers University.

Genovese currently serves as president of the Greater Philadelphia local chapter, after serving as chapter president and vice president in previous years. Genovese previously served on the 2011-2013 National Advisory Board and is a past member of the 2015-2018 AAPC Chapter Association (AAPCCA) Board of Directors. Genovese was awarded the 2019 AAPC Officer of the Year. She served on the National Advisory Board from 2021- 2024 and served as the co-chair of her membership committee during her tenure. Genovese was elected as an officer and Lead Committee chair for the 2025-2025 NAB. Genovese has contributed articles to AAPC Magazine and she is also a frequent speaker at AAPC local, national and regional conferences. Genovese’s passion is mentoring and educating the leaders of tomorrow.

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Jay Jett  – Critical Care and Procedures

Presentation Summary – This session will provide an extensive overview of procedures commonly encountered and coded in critical care.  The procedures will be explained to coders, as well as actual case studies presented for review as a group.  Make sure you are not missing out on this informative presentation to confirm you are coding all the necessary elements of critical care.

Speaker Bio – He was born in 1990, and has lived in Alachua County his whole life.  He attended UF for Undergrad and graduated 2014 and PA School in 2020. His wife is a veterinarian and they have two cats! He works on the Burn ICU now and has been at Shands in some capacity for over 15 years.

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Shanna Bree Pochatko- The Pathology Playbook: Calling the Right Play When Every Diagnosis Counts

Presentation Summary:  Pathology coding can feel like a high-stakes game where every word matters. In this football-themed session, attendees will learn how to navigate pathology diagnoses with confidence by understanding ICD-10-CM conventions, neoplasm morphology, Appendix 4A resources, coding nuances unique to pathology reporting, and common documentation challenges.

Using real-world case studies and a practical playbook approach, participants will develop a repeatable strategy for translating pathology findings into accurate diagnosis code selection while avoiding common coding pitfalls. From kickoff to touchdown, this session will provide the tools needed to confidently call the right play every time.

Speaker Bio:  With more than 25 years of healthcare experience, Bree Pochatko has built a career at the intersection of coding, auditing, education, and leadership. As a Coding Education Analyst, AAPC Approved Instructor, NCFL AAPC Chapter President, and Emerging Leaders Program graduate, she is passionate about helping coding professionals transform complex coding guidance into practical, real-world application.

Bree is known for creating engaging educational experiences that blend technical expertise, storytelling, and critical thinking. Guided by her philosophy that education should illuminate, not intimidate, she is committed to helping coders build confidence, improve accuracy, and discover brighter pathways toward professional success.

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Christina Harris – ICD 11 – The Future of Medical Coding

Presentation Summary: This presentation takes participants inside the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11), and explores what it means for the future of medical coding. It explains why the World Health Organization (WHO) created ICD-11, highlights its most important innovations, and shows how it differs from ICD-10-CM. Topics include ICD-11’s digital-first design, enhanced clinical specificity, cluster coding or post-coordination, extension codes, and stronger interoperability with electronic health records. Participants will see how ICD-11 can improve clinical documentation, quality reporting, public health surveillance, research, and healthcare analytics. The session also examines what this shift may mean for medical coders, providers, clinical documentation improvement (CDI) specialists, risk adjustment professionals, and healthcare organizations preparing for the next evolution in coding.

To bring the concepts to life, the presentation features ten real-world coding scenarios that demonstrate ICD-11 principles, including single stem codes and cluster coding examples. These interactive exercises give participants a practical way to apply ICD-11 concepts and build confidence with the new classification system.

The presentation closes with an update on ICD-11 implementation, noting that the United States continues to use ICD-10-CM for diagnosis coding and has not announced a national ICD-11 implementation date. Participants will leave with a clear foundation in ICD-11, a stronger understanding of its benefits and challenges, and practical steps they can take now to prepare through continued education and improved clinical documentation practices.

Speaker Bio: Christina Harris is a healthcare leader, educator, and certified coding professional with more than 16 years of industry experience, including over 12 years focused on risk adjustment coding, auditing, compliance, clinical documentation improvement (CDI), and provider education. She has partnered with physicians, healthcare organizations, and coding professionals to strengthen documentation accuracy, coding quality, regulatory compliance, and value-based care outcomes.

As a seasoned leader, Christina has managed coding teams, built quality assurance programs, improved workflows, and led initiatives that support coding accuracy, operational efficiency, and organizational performance. Her expertise spans Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) coding, Medicare Advantage risk adjustment, CMS guidelines, coding audits, quality improvement, provider education, and healthcare analytics. She is committed to helping organizations improve documentation practices while supporting patient care and reimbursement integrity.

Alongside her leadership work, Christina has spent more than 14 years educating future healthcare professionals as a medical coding and billing instructor. She mentors students, creates engaging instructional content, and makes complex coding concepts easier to understand so learners can apply them confidently in real-world healthcare settings. Her teaching approach emphasizes knowledge, collaboration, and continuous professional growth.

Her credentials reflect her dedication to excellence, lifelong learning, and high standards in healthcare. A strong advocate for education and quality improvement, Christina presents on medical coding, ICD-10-CM, ICD-11, risk adjustment, provider documentation, compliance, and healthcare quality initiatives.

She views education as a powerful way to improve healthcare outcomes and is dedicated to giving coding professionals and providers the knowledge and resources they need to succeed in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.