National Overview

The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) is a national organization with more than 35,000 members who are employed by hospitals, integrated delivery systems, managed care organizations, medical practice groups, long-term and ambulatory care facilities, public accounting and consulting firms, insurance companies, government agencies, and other organizations. 

Chapters

The chapter is the fundamental level of the organization and provides the primary service opportunity for individual members.  Sixty-nine chapters are chartered in the United States and Puerto Rico.  Chapters are not separately incorporated, yet operate in accordance with individual constitutions and bylaws.  Elected officers and directors manage chapter affairs. Members are assigned to chapters (although they may request a particular chapter affiliation) based on where they live and/or work.

Regions

Regions provide an intermediate organizational grouping within which chapters are encouraged to grow and develop.  The 69 chapters are divided into 11 regions.  Each region elects a Regional Executive (RE), who serves an average of seven chapters.

National HFMA

HFMA is a 501(c)(6) Illinois corporation.  Governed by HFMA’s constitution and bylaws, elected National officers and directors manage HFMA affairs.  Through the chapter and regional structure, all members have a role in providing input to HFMA's Board of Directors as they evaluate and determine HFMA’s policies and direction.  HFMA uses its collective voice to speak out on issues and works to strengthen cooperative relationships with other groups and associations.

HFMA’s Staff Organization

Within policy guidelines set by HFMA's Board of Directors and under the leadership of its President, Richard L. Clarke, FHFMA, HFMA staff carry out the day-to-day affairs of the Association and serve members.  In addition to providing leadership to HFMA's staff organization, the President serves as primary liaison with the voluntary leadership network and, together with HFMA's elected Chairman, represents HFMA to a broad variety of groups and organizations.  HFMA's corporate office is located 15 miles west of downtown Chicago and 20 minutes south of Chicago's O'Hare Airport.  Most functions are carried out from this office.  HFMA established its Washington, DC, office in 1973 to fulfill members’ needs for timely information and action on legislation and regulatory issues.  In 1996, in response to the growing demand for additional technical information, the Washington Office Group began developing the HFMA Knowledge Network®, a technical data and consulting service. The Knowledge Network in turn evolved into the current HFMA Resource Center, which comprises a wide-ranging on-line collection of technical information, HFMA's technical library and reference services.    

National and Regional Leadership

From policy making, to advising, to brainstorming, to representing chapters, HFMA's National and regional leadership group guides the Association.  Through carefully structured criteria and methods for selection, this group also ensures that the membership has a voice in HFMA and keeps the Association close to the interests and priorities of its members.  The primary organizational structures through which these leaders are organized are the Board of Directors and the National Advisory Councils.  In addition to the Board and Councils, there are the following structures:

·         Executive Committee (of the Board);

·        Nominating Committee;

·        Strategic Planning Committee (of the Board);

·        Past Chairmen's Council;

·        Forum Advisory Councils;

·        Board of Examiners;

·        Various judging committees; and

·        Principles and Practices Board.

Chapter leaders serve a significant role in the identification and selection of National and regional leaders. Decisions about nominating or appointing individuals for the following membership year begin in late August.

To recommend yourself or someone else, write a brief letter indicating your recommendations and highlighting qualifications; address the letter to the Chairman-elect or President at HFMA's National office.  Recommendation forms may also be completed. To receive a form, please contact Heather Etheridge, ext. 304, or hetheridge@hfma.org. 

Through several scheduled opportunities, chapter leaders meet with regional and National leaders to provide feedback, discuss concerns, share ideas, and conduct official business.  Through these opportunities, HFMA's leadership network is developed and the Association is strengthened.  These regional and National meetings should be included in the list of responsibilities for the appropriate chapter officer or committee chairman.  There are at least three formal opportunities for dialogue scheduled each year: the Leadership Training Conference (LTC), Annual Chapter Presidents Meeting (ACPM), and the Fall Presidents Meeting (FPM).  It is vital to the overall effectiveness and well-being of the Association that every chapter is represented at these sessions.  Financial assistance may be available to help chapters send representatives to these meetings.  Contact Chapter Relations, ext. 382, or chapter@hfma.org for more information.

Board of Directors

HFMA's Board of Directors bears ultimate responsibility for the affairs of the Association.  It establishes policy, provides direction, and assures adherence to the Association's constitution and bylaws.

The Board of Directors consists of 19 elected individuals, three of whom are the elected officers of HFMA and 12 of whom are elected HFMA Directors, the Association's full-time President, and up to three directors appointed by the elected Directors and Officers.   The three officers serve one-year terms.  The 12 directors serve three-year terms. The appointed directors also serve three-year terms but may not be elected to serve on the Executive Committee and may not be candidates for elective office unless otherwise qualified according to Article VII, Section 1 of HFMA bylaws.   All terms of office begin on June 1. 

Each spring, members elect four Directors, a Chairman-elect, and a Secretary/Treasurer from a slate selected by the Nominating Committee.  The Chairman-elect automatically accedes to the office of Chairman.  Electing four Directors each year makes for a staggered expiration of term and assures continuity from year to year.  Board members have liaison responsibilities either to a region or to the forums as described in the Regional Liaison Program Policy and Procedures. 

To qualify as a Board nominee, a member must be an Advanced Member or National Life Member who is HFMA certified and who has been significantly involved in National HFMA activities through service on the National Advisory Councils or other national committees or boards during the previous five-year period. Individuals must have an expressed interest and documented expertise in healthcare financial management and a willingness to contribute effectively to the decision making of the Board of Directors.   The Board normally meets four times a year—twice during the summer, once in the fall, and once in the spring.  Each meeting normally lasts from one to two days.  Additional meetings may be called as necessary.

 National Advisory Councils

The National Advisory Councils (NAC) are councils charged with the purpose of providing advice and counsel to the HFMA Board of Directors and management and to identify and develop future leaders of HFMA.   Each council has a chairman who is appointed by the Chairman of the Board.  The Chairman of the Board with the advice and counsel of the Board of Directors establishes the number of councils and their scope. 

            The 2005-06 councils are:

·        Forums Council;

·        Professional Development Council;

·        Chapter Services Council;

·        Technical Services Council; and

·          Career Development Council.

The National Advisory Councils consists of six elected directors, the 11 CLRs, and others appointed by the Chairman of the Board for two-year terms.  The 11 CLRs are elected regionally and also serve to represent chapters.  The appointed members (with advanced member status or National Life member status) are selected by HFMA's Chairman based on input from various sources and in recognition of the expertise and seasoning needed to assure that the National Advisory Councils are properly balanced and well-rounded.  All CLRs serve one-year terms.  The National Advisory Councils normally meet two times during the year, in the fall and in the spring during the Leadership Training Conference. HFMA’s Chairman, based on a variety of input, develops charges to the National Advisory Councils.  Charges are designed to aid the Advisory Councils in assisting the Board as it establishes policy and direction for the Association.  Some charges are future- oriented, and others involve current activities or services.