PAHCOM recognized that no longer can the receptionist / secretary / manager of the 50's "run" a doctor's office. That era ended with the introduction of the Medicare law in 1964. An entire national work force of physician office receptionist / managers was suddenly outdated. That work force has been struggling to keep up with the rapidly changing rules and regulations ever since, and they were struggling independently, without a centralized source for the information they needed. PAHCOM has nationalized that work force into one, cohesive communications network. We have tapped the greatest wealth of knowledge on managing physician practices and made it easily accessible to our nationwide membership.

The structure of the Association has utilized the advantage of its member sensitive orientation to develop local chapters wherever there are members who are motivated toward further education and networking. The local chapters, while still active with national concerns, have the ability to customize their networking on local health care issues. They can, therefore, coordinate the solution to local problems much more effectively by designing training conferences, holding local meetings, and networking with hospitals, medical associations, medical societies, and vendors in the local area. 

The development of the Certified Medical Manager (CMM) program is an indicator of the membership's motivation toward professional recognition of their vocation. The program was developed with strong member participation and set high standards for attaining certification status. The comprehensive three-hour examination covers eighteen areas identified as crucial to the smooth operation of a physician practice: Billing and Collections, Coding Analysis, Communications, Compliance, Conflict Management, Employment and Payroll, Financial Planning, Health Care Law, Human Resources, Managed Care, Managing and Leading, Practice Accounting, Practice Marketing, Practice Structure, Risk Management, Systems Analysis and Design, Third Party Reimbursement, and Time Management.

The Professional Association of Health Care Office Management. Effort is focused on opening the communication links of such practices with each other as well as other health care providers such as hospitals, medical associations, medical societies, vendors and so forth. The motto "PAHCOM Shares Knowledge" states very concisely the purpose of the Association. The continuous pursuit of excellence in the management of physician office practices is the overriding long term strategic goal of PAHCOM.