Banner for KZA National Conference, which is held virtually on December 4th and 5th.

Important Dates

Registration Opens

September 1st

Order Deadline for Physical Books

November 13th

Virtual Conference

December 9th-11th

Register Now
Person wearing a mustard yellow sweater working on a laptop at a wooden desk near a window.
A wooden desk with a white ceramic mug of coffee, a black pen on a lined sheet of paper, a silver portable speaker, a black smartphone, a silver laptop, and a black corded headset. The background shows a black cinder block wall and a window.
A computer screen shows a video conference with multiple participants. In front of the screen is a teal ceramic mug on a wooden table.
Close-up of green houseplant with large patterned leaves in front of a blurred computer screen displaying a video call with multiple people.

Join Us at KZA’s
National Conference | Virtual

🎉 Experience the energy of learning from the comfort of your home! 🎉

Join Us Virtually for KZA's National Coding Conference!

Whether you're tuning in from your office or your couch, get ready to gain practical, 2027-ready knowledge across Orthopaedics, ENT, General Surgery, and Revenue Cycle Management.

Why You Should Attend

  • 💡 Top-Level Expertise - Hear directly from seasoned KZA consultants.

  • 📈 Future-Proof Your Skills - Stay current with evolving coding updates.

  • 🎓 Earn Valuable CEUs - Advance your professional credentials.

  • 🤝 Live & Lively - Participate in real-time Q&As and engaging discussions.

Conference Features:

  • 🔍 Focused Sessions - Unpack essential E/M and surgical coding insights.

  • 💼 Compliance Know-How - Learn to optimize accuracy and reimbursement.

  • 🎤 Meaningful Connections - Network virtually with peers in your specialty.

🗓 Dates: December 9th - 11th

📍 Location: 100% Virtual

⚡ Close out the year strong - join us for the final KZA National Conference of 2026! Register now and strengthen your coding confidence for the year ahead.

Register Now
Celebrating 40 years of industry excellence logo with large yellow "40" and + sign, and congratulatory text in white and blue.

KZA is thrilled to commemorate over 40 years of empowering healthcare professionals with expert consulting, audit, and coding education solutions. Since KZA’s founding in 1985, we’ve partnered with practices nationwide, delivering cutting-edge insights and unparalleled support in orthopaedics, otolaryngology, dermatology, and more.

This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration. We thank our incredible team, loyal clients, and trusted partners who’ve made this journey possible. Together, we’ve shaped a legacy of success—and the future is brighter than ever.

Join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement as we continue to lead the way in healthcare consulting excellence!

KZA Celebrates 41 Years in 2026!

Updates for 2027!

Orthopaedic Surgery | Otolaryngology | General Surgery

Agenda

📅Thursday, December 4th

9:00am – 1:00pm

Strengthening Your Evaluation and Management Coding for Orthopaedics 2025

Strengthening Your Evaluation and Management Coding for General Surgery 2025

Strengthening Your Evaluation and Management Coding for Otolaryngology 2025

📅Friday, December 5th

9:00am – 5:00pm

Strengthening Your Surgical Coding Skills for Orthopaedics 2025

Strengthening Your Surgical Coding Skills for General Surgery 2025

Strengthening Your Surgical Coding Skills for Otolaryngology 2025

All course times are listed in Eastern Time.

Digital Coding Guides are included with the registration price. Physical Coding Guides can be purchased for $60 each. To ensure delivery before the conference start date, be sure to order by November 19th. Books can still be ordered after, but may not arrive on time.

Please be aware that some sessions will occur simultaneously. We encourage you to carefully review the schedule and select your courses accordingly, as you may not attend overlapping sessions.

Register Now
Conference registration table with name tags, notebooks, and tote bags, with people checking in or browsing.
A busy conference or expo event with attendees engaging at various booths and displays, featuring banners and signage, including a prominent blue banner celebrating 40 years of industry excellence.
People socializing in a banquet hall with high ceilings, blue accent lighting, and round tables.
A conference room filled with seated attendees viewing a presentation on a large screen. The room features a modern chandelier hanging from the ceiling and paneled walls.

Orthopaedic Surgery

Strengthening Your Evaluation and Management Coding for Orthopaedics 2025

  • December 4th

    9:00am – 1:00pm

    Brenda Thompson, CPC, COSC, CPMA

    Increase your proficiency in coding Orthopaedic Evaluation and Management (E/M) services and office procedures with our course, "Strengthening Your Evaluation and Management Coding for Orthopaedics 2025." This course is designed for professionals who want to gain a deep understanding of E/M coding and ensure compliance and accuracy with the latest guidelines and best practices.

    • Join us for this in-depth 4-hour course!

  • As a result of attending this course, participants will be able to…

    • Conquer the E/M guidelines for Office/Outpatient, Inpatient, Observation, Consultations, and Emergency Department services

    • Clarify incident-to, direct billing, and split/shared reporting rules for PAs and NPs

    • Contrast the different types of Radiology billing and documentation requirements

    • Recognize when reporting an E/M modifier and office procedure is appropriate

  • Earn 3.75 CMEs and 4 CEUs

    CEs: Credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare

    CEUs: This course meets the AAPC guidelines for CEUs

  • Course Price: $250

    Digital Coding Guides are included with the registration price.

    Physical Coding Guides can be purchased for $60 each.

    To ensure delivery before the conference start date, be sure to order by November 19th. Books can still be ordered after, but may not arrive on time.

Strengthening Your Surgical Coding Skills for Orthopaedics 2025

  • December 5th

    9:00am – 5:00pm

    Christine Banks, RHIA, CPC, CPCO

    Dive into the intricacies of Orthopaedic surgical coding with industry experts, gain insights on the latest updates, and enhance your skills to ensure accurate and efficient coding practices.

    Our comprehensive course, "Strengthening Your Surgical Coding for Orthopaedics 2025," is designed for professionals who aim to master the complexities of Orthopaedic surgical coding.

    • Join us for a day of learning, networking, and professional growth!

    • Course Price: $500

  • As a result of attending this course, participants will be able to…

    • Demonstrate an understanding of simple to complex surgical coding procedures

    • Classify benign, malignant, and radical resection procedures in orthopaedic oncology, and understand their respective coding options

    • Identify common complications associated with joint arthroplasty and their impact on coding

    • Recognize the 2025 CPT changes and their applications

    • Navigate and apply CPT, AAOS Global Service Data (GSD) and Medicare NCCI guidelines

  • Earn 7 CMEs and 6 CEUs

    CEs: Credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare

    CEUs: This course meets the AAPC guidelines for CEUs

  • Course Price: $500

    Digital Coding Guides are included with the registration price.

    Physical Coding Guides can be purchased for $60 each.

    To ensure delivery before the conference start date, be sure to order by November 19th. Books can still be ordered after, but may not arrive on time.

Register Now

Otolaryngology | ENT

Strengthening Your Evaluation and Management Coding for Otolaryngology 2025

  • December 4th

    9:00am – 1:00pm

    Deborah Grider, CDIP, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CPC-P, COC, CEMC, CPMA

    Evaluation and Management Services (E/M) are commonly reported in the office and hospital settings in Otolaryngology.  It is important to understand the guidelines, including when to use medical decision-making and when to report time. In addition, this workshop will cover E/M Modifiers, Advanced Practice Providers, and Telehealth. We will end the course with hands-on E/M coding cases. Join KZA to learn about the office services that impact every Otolaryngology provider.

  • As a result of attending this course, participants will be able to…

    • Describe the new telehealth codes and guidelines in 2025

    • Review the changes in telehealth for CMS

    • Identify key requirements for “incident to”, direct, and shared/split billing non-physician practitioners (NPPs)

    • Build upon previous knowledge of the E/M guidelines for Medical Decision Making and Time

    • Review Medical-Decision Making (MDM) elements - Problems Addressed, Data, and Risk (aka Medical Decision-Making elements) and Time that apply in all settings

    • Report on E/M services with modifier 25, compliantly

  • Earn 3.75 CMEs and 4 CEUs

    CEs: Credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare

    CEUs: This course meets the AAPC guidelines for CEUs

  • Course Price: $250

    Digital Coding Guides are included with the registration price.

    Physical Coding Guides can be purchased for $60 each.

    To ensure delivery before the conference start date, be sure to order by November 19th. Books can still be ordered after, but may not arrive on time.

Strengthening Your Surgical Coding Skills for Otolaryngology 2025

  • December 5th

    9:00am – 5:00pm

    Antonia Dietrich, CPC, CPMA, COC

    It is more important than ever to keep current with an understanding of new and existing codes which depend on coding accuracy. The 2025 Otolaryngology surgical procedure coding course sifts through all that is important in Otolaryngology coding and packs it into an intensive, fast paced day. This year's agenda covers all you need to know to code and document accurately and efficiently in 2025 and beyond.

    The course describes why documentation is as essential as the code selected, and how to capture all potential revenue by improving your notes. We'll show you the correct way to use surgical payment modifiers so that you optimize payment. You'll leave armed with ideas and techniques for setting up systems that reduce denials and increase successful appeals.

    The course also provides in-depth and clinically relevant instruction on coding for Otology, Rhinology, Laryngology and facial plastics including repairs, ATTs and Flaps and Grafts.

    Learn the latest coding, billing, and reimbursement strategies for allergy and immunology along with coding audiology services which are new topics this year.

    This course is rich with real-life clinical scenarios and includes a comprehensive workbook that will become your first response coding resource.

  • As a result of attending this course, participants will be able to…

    • Use surgery coding that meets CPT rules and government regulations for commonly performed procedures

    • Integrate ENT subspecialty coding principles in otology/neurotology, rhinology, laryngology, facial plastics, and allergy and immunology services

    • Correctly code common general surgical procedures

    • Accurately apply modifiers when they are required and understand their impact on reimbursement

  • Earn 7 CMEs and 6 CEUs

    CEs: Credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare

    CEUs: This course meets the AAPC guidelines for CEUs

  • Course Price: $500

    Physical Coding Guides can be purchased for $60 each.

    To ensure delivery before the conference start date, be sure to order by November 19th. Books can still be ordered after, but may not arrive on time.

Register Now

General Surgery

Strengthening Your Evaluation and Management Coding for General Surgery 2025

  • December 4th

    9:00am – 1:00pm

    Karen L. Whelan, CPC, CPMA, CPCO, CGSC, COSC, CCVTC

    Identify what is included when reporting E/M services based on time and master the elements of medical decision-making (MDM), including problems addressed by defining the terms to determine where they fit, data reviewed and analyzed by understanding what counts, and risk of patient management by recognizing the risk of treatment options. Recognize the similarities and differences between E/M categories depending on the place of service. Differentiate between Incident-To and Split Shared services and when they apply. Navigate when and how to correctly use modifiers.

  • Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

    • Identify what is included when reporting E/M services based on Time

    • Master the elements of MDM:

      • Problems Addressed – Define the terms to identify where they fit

      • Data Reviewed and Analyzed – Understand what counts

      • Risk of Patient Management – Recognize the risk of treatment options

    • Recognize the similarities and differences between E/M categories depending on Place of Service

    • Differentiate between Incident-To and Split Shared services and when they apply

    • Accurately Navigate when and how to correctly use modifiers

  • Earn 3.75 CMEs and 4 CEUs

    CEs: Credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare

    CEUs: This course meets the AAPC guidelines for CEUs

  • Course Price: $250

    Digital Coding Guides are included with the registration price.

    Physical Coding Guides can be purchased for $60 each.

    To ensure delivery before the conference start date, be sure to order by November 19th. Books can still be ordered after, but may not arrive on time.

  • December 5th

    9:00am – 5:00pm

    Karen L. Whelan, CPC, CPMA, CPCO, CGSC, COSC, CCVTC

    An overwhelming increase in arbitrary denials, a decrease in payor reimbursement, pre-authorization nightmares, and more make it more important than ever to document and code as accurately as possible.  Staying up to date on the latest codes and reimbursement challenges is crucial.

    KZA’s 2025 surgical coding course breaks down these critical issues and condenses them into a comprehensive day of training. 

    In this course, we will cover the most common practice issues, pre-authorization, wRVU issues, dealing with denials, and unlisted codes—all of which present daily practice challenges. 

    Most importantly, the course provides in-depth and clinically relevant instruction on coding for various procedures, including hernia repair, colorectal procedures, bariatric, damage control surgery, gallbladder, liver, endoscopy, breast surgery, intraabdominal tumors/HIPEC, selected surgical oncology procedures, endocrine surgery, and more! 

    With rich clinical scenarios and a comprehensive workbook, which will become your go-to resource for coding challenges, you’ll leave with the skills necessary for accurate and efficient coding and documentation in 2025 and beyond.

  • As a result of attending this course, participants will be able to…

    • Describe the new 2025 CPT codes for general surgery

    • Recognize the impact of modifiers on global periods and reimbursement

    • Identify areas for improvement in surgical documentation

    • Select correct codes for common general surgery procedures

  • Earn 7 CMEs and 6 CEUs

    CEs: Credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare

    CEUs: This course meets the AAPC guidelines for CEUs

  • Course Price: $500

    Digital Coding Guides are included with the registration price.

    Physical Coding Guides can be purchased for $60 each.

    To ensure delivery before the conference start date, be sure to order by November 19th. Books can still be ordered after, but may not arrive on time.

Strengthening Your Surgical Coding Skills for General Surgery 2025

Register Now

KZA National Speakers

  • Professional woman with glasses smiling, wearing a grey blazer and a gold necklace.

    Christine Banks

    RHIA, CPC, CPCO

    Read Bio
  • Professional woman with long brown hair in a pink blazer and white top, smiling at the camera against a plain gray background.

    Antonia Dietrich

    CPC, CPMA, COC

    Read Bio
  • Portrait of a woman with blonde hair wearing a black turtleneck and black blazer, smiling against a white background.

    Deborah Grider

    CDIP, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CPC-P, COC, CEMC, CPMA

    Read Bio
  • A smiling woman with long, wavy dark brown hair, wearing a light-colored top, against a plain white background.

    Brenda Thompson

    CPC, COSC, CPMA

    Read Bio
  • A woman with shoulder-length wavy light brown hair, blue eyes, and a warm smile, wearing a black sleeveless top against a plain light background.

    Karen L. Whelan

    CPC, CPMA, CPCO, CGSC, COSC, CCVTC

    Read Bio

Don’t Miss Out — Register Today!

Register Now

Feedback from Past Conference Attendees

  • "This course was incredibly comprehensive, offering content that was both informative and practical. The structure of the topics made it easy to follow and grasp each concept thoroughly. I appreciated how each module seamlessly built upon the previous one, creating a cohesive learning experience. Overall, I gained significant insights from this course, and I’m confident that the knowledge will be valuable in the future."

    – Edilia Castano Ganan
    Pediatric Orthopedics of SWFL

  • "Educator was engaging and knowledgeable! I am leaving with a ton of ideas and motivation to continue practices that I have implemented!”

    – Melissa Satterfield
    Wooster Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine

  • "Hands down, I prefer to be in person, especially when KZA is presenting. Everyone needs to have the opportunity to participate in this. It is truly time and money well spent. KZA’s knowledge is revenue!"

    – Spine Course Attendee

  • "As always, we have take-a-ways from the courses that we can implement in our practice. KZA is by far THE best conferences that I have ever attended and that is why we keep going back, year after year and why we look forward to learning from them every year."

    – Darcy Crabb
    Ear Nose & Throat Consultants and Hearing Services PLC

  • “I enjoyed the information/topic on spine most. Its hard to find information like this on spine. I'm new to spine coding and haven't found a lot of training information on spine so this was very helpful.”

    – Kim Mathis

  • "Very comprehensive review, this course provides tangible ways to improve documentation and billing."

    – Lya Crichlon

  • "This is my 3rd year attending this course and the 2nd year with Deb. Coding certifications prepare you for the technical aspects of correct coding, but until you're "in the trenches" and working with providers, payors and EHR systems, you can't appreciate the necessity of an annual KZA course. It's not an expense- it's an investment that pays immediately- beginning the Monday after you've spent Fri and Sat with Deb, through improved documentation, coding and appeals mgmt. The information is current and the benefit of attending with coders, providers and billers gives added insight into regional denial trends and perspectives on correct coding, documentation and appeal strategies."

    – Carmen Powell
    Murfreesboro Medical Group ENT/Allergy

  • "I was impressed; several times, a participant had questions about scenarios not given in the workbook, and the presenter confidently navigated and responded to those scenarios, which gave me confidence in the presentation and her representation of KZA."

    – Spine Course Attendee

  • “I enjoyed everything about this course. We were able to cover almost every topic in our workbooks, had the option to ask questions during the course as well as afterwards. Fantastic resource and let me know that I was coding some of the more complicated spine cases correctly. This was an amazing conference that taught me new concepts and let me know I was mostly on track with my spine coding.”

    – Shannon Knight

  • "The workbooks created by KZA (then and now) are excellent reference tools. KZA Presenters are high-energy and very knowledgeable. They never make you feel like you are asking a dumb question, and they are willing to break down a coding issue."

    – Spine Course Attendee

  • “The information in the orthopedic workshops are spot on. They are on point. We cant afford to not go to a KZA ortho workshop.”

    – Megan Williams

  • “I have attended multiple KZA courses—all were outstanding.”

    – Michael Reid, MD, MBA

  • “This course was very informative and provided great resources that can be applied to my organization.”

    – Erin Holmstrom

  • “It gives me a good sense of security to be able to attend a course like this and get confirmation of what we are doing right, what we need to improve and come back with lots of helpful tips.”

    – Eva Gomez

  • “It was a good course that gave great information that I can bring back to the office to help improve our workflow so we can get paid on initial submission.”

    – Shannan Robinett

Have Questions About Registration or Exhibiting at Our Conference?

Our team is here to help with all your registration needs, whether you're signing up, registering a group, or exploring exhibitor opportunities. Contact us today to learn more and secure your spot at the final 2025 KZA Conference!

Attendees
Exhibitors