What is Health Information Management?

The entire health care system is built upon information – patient data, medical data, insurance and billing information. Throughout the years, health information management professionals have shared a common purpose of providing reliable and accurate information to the health care industry. HIM professionals are experts in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems, and coding the diagnoses and procedures for health care services provided to patients.

Health information management, also known as HIM, is the sub-discipline of health informatics that focuses on the dissemination, analysis and security of medical information. Health information management professionals are responsible for safeguarding the most confidential patient data, including medical histories, lab test reports, diagnoses, treatment plans, insurance information, medications, and the notes of doctors and nurses. Working as a critical link between doctors, insurance providers and patients, they manage health information in a way that is consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements of today’s sensitive environment for protecting health information.

As technology has improved, health information management professionals have worked to implement and optimize electronic health records (EHRs) throughout the health care industry.

UIC’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Information Management allows experienced health care, business, and IT professionals to become eligible for the highly valued Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) Certification. As one of our coveted graduates, you have the potential to help organizations develop and implement clear health information management strategies to improve the quality of patient care and ensure access to information.