What is CAHME?

Healthcare is a business, and the organization charged with educating the business managers is the Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Management Education or CAHME. The burgeoning healthcare field represents billions of dollars in medical service delivery and in facility upgrade and technology. The “industry” needs professionals who can competently balance the business needs with the customer expense that affects all of us.

The Commission, recognized in the US and Canada, is interdisciplinary. That is to say, it is made up of educational, clinical and professional people as well as commercial organizations. The CAHME is the only organization recognized by the Secretary of the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Its charge is to assure the quality and content of education for healthcare managers.

CAHME consists of a board with directors and members from many disciplines as well as corporate sponsors. A glance at the list of 2013-2014 board members on their website shows the diversity represented. The board chair person has a PhD and an MHA (Master’s in Healthcare Administration). Degrees held by other board directors and members at large include MS, PhD, CPA, MBA, RN and PsyD. The corporate sponsors represent the medical and business field with names such as: The American Hospital Association, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association, Cedars-Sinai Association and the American health Association.

What Does a Healthcare Manager Do?

Healthcare is a big business in today’s economy. Just as any industry, healthcare must balance its assets and its liabilities. Patients know that the cost of healthcare is rising, and new technologies and treatments add to the expense of the delivery of services. In addition, research and development of technology occur at many healthcare facilities. Insurance companies, legal issues and ethical problems complicate the financial aspect of running a healthcare organization.

Healthcare managers plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the delivery of healthcare. Their positions are more important as the healthcare industry grows and diversifies. The Affordable Care Act is expected to impact the industry as well by making the cost-effective delivery of services critical. The professionals at the helm of the businesses must be competent in assessing the needs of their facilities or, in macro-management, in setting universal policies that affect the entire industry. Comprehensive education of these individuals is vital to the survival of the healthcare system and to the consumer. CAHME assures that the content of the courses taught at universities and the quality of the teaching are adequate.

How Do Schools become Accredited Through CAHME?

According to the Explore Health Careers website, schools must “submit to a rigorous examination of its purpose, the curriculum, the student experience and the success of the graduates in the competitive job market.” To remain accredited, they must perform periodic self-examinations and pass review by an outside panel of judges.

The people who manage the multibillion-dollar healthcare industry must be well educated and competent. Assuring their quality education is the charge of the CAHME.