Medical billing and coding professionals are a group of people with a wide range of responsibilities in healthcare. There are several functions that they perform. Among them are many tasks, such as keeping accurate medical records, making actual bill payments, and assigning specific codes to medical procedures to confirm the accuracy of prices.
Medical billing and coding certification is a critical step, even for someone without experience. Certification is an excellent opportunity for an applicant to increase employment opportunities. Also, if you are currently working as a professional, you have the potential to move towards a higher salary. To obtain medical billing and coding certification, you must thoroughly know the current code sets.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical billing and coding career positions will grow by more than 10 percent between 2020 and 2024. After obtaining medical billing and coding certification, these professionals can work from home with some experience.
Medical coding professionals use code sets.
1. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)
2. ICD-10-CM
3. Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
What is Medical Coding Certification?
By obtaining medical billing and coding certification, any professional has the potential to move into a higher-paying job. The professionals will also learn about the three main code sets mentioned above. It means that coding professionals can provide more excellent value to their employers through medical billing and coding certificates.
How should you get a medical billing and coding certificate?
After graduating from an accredited medical billing and coding school or training program, the next step to becoming a competitive professional is getting certification. Certification for specialists demonstrates your medical billing and coding expertise and shows employers that you are committed to excellence and ongoing education. It can also help you earn a higher salary.
Several organizations offer certification, ranging from accreditation in overall coding for hospitals and insurance environments to certification in specific areas of medicine. Some of the most recognized certifications are:
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certification
- American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certification
- National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) Certification
AHIMA Certifications
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers several types of medical billing and coding certification. AHIMA certifications focus on general excellence in the job description for hospitals, physician’s offices, and insurance settings.
RHIA Medical Billing & Coding Certification
- Overview: The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification is a general credential for medical billers and coders in hospitals and clinical settings. It also has grown in non-patient environments such as insurance providers, software companies, and consulting services.
- Requirements include graduation from an accredited coding school’s bachelor’s degree program.
- More Information: RHIA Certification
RHIT Medical Billing & Coding Certification
- Overview: The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification is similar to the RHIA certification, with the additional aspect that medical billing and coding professionals with this certification may specialize in specific diagnoses and may also specialize in cancer coding.
- Requirements: Graduation from an accredited bachelor’s degree-level billing and coding training program is a requirement for this certification.
- More Information: RHIT Certification
CCA Medical Billing & Coding Certification
- Overview: The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) medical billing and coding certification is a comprehensive certification that demonstrates excellence in hospital and physician settings. The CCA certification is the only certification accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- Requirements: A high school diploma is required for this certification, and graduation from an accredited school, or equivalent work experience, is strongly recommended.
- More Information: CCA Certification
CCS Medical Billing & Coding Certification
- Overview: Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certified professionals are focused on coding medical data from patient records, including conditions and treatments. They work primarily in hospital settings, interacting between the facility and insurance providers.
- Requirements: Before January 2013, certification requirements include a high school diploma and work experience in inpatient and outpatient medical billing and coding.
- After January 2013, requirements include graduation from an accredited training program, relevant work experience, an existing AHIMA credential, or a combination of the above.
- More Information: CCS Certification
CCS-P Medical Billing & Coding Certification
- Overview: The Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CSS-P) certification is similar to the CSS certification but focuses on physician settings rather than hospital settings. Certified medical billing and coding specialists work directly with the CPT coding system and ICD-9-CM and HCPCS Level II codes.
- Requirements: Before January 2013, a high school diploma or equivalent is required for this certification, and completion of an accredited training program and three years of work experience are strongly recommended.
- After January 2013, requirements consist of a high-school diploma, completion of an accredited program, or six months of relevant work experience.
- More Information: CCS-P Certification
AAPC Certifications
The American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers several certifications based on working environments and medical coding specialties. Some of their credentials include:
CPC Medical Billing & Coding Certification
- Overview: The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification from AAPC is a comprehensive medical coding certification demonstrating expertise in coding for various diagnoses and treatments across different care settings. Medical billing and coding specialists with CPC certification work directly with ICD-9, CPT, and HCPCS Level II codes.
- Requirements: To receive the CPC certification, medical billers and coders must have an associate’s degree from an accredited school and two years of work experience or a medical billing and coding apprenticeship.
- More Information: CPC Certification
CPC-H Medical Billing & Coding Certification
- Overview: The Certified Professional Coder-Hospital Outpatient (CPC-H) medical billing and coding certification focus on medical billing and medical coding for hospital outpatient facilities. Medical billers and coders with this certification are proficient in coding for various medical services and coding types.
- Requirements: An associate’s degree from an accredited medical coding school is recommended for the CPC-H medical billing and coding certification, and at least two years of medical coding experience is required.
- More Information: CPC-H Certification
CPC-P Medical Billing & Coding Certification
- Overview: Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P) medical billing and coding certification focus on medical coding for insurance providers and private health plans. CPC-P-certified medical billers and coders work in claims review, auditing, health benefits administration, and other areas related to health insurance.
- Requirements: The AAPC recommends graduation from an accredited medical coding school and having at least two years of work experience to qualify for the CPC-P certification.
- More Information: CPC-P Certification
CIRCC Medical Billing & Coding Certification
- Overview: The Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (CIRCC) certification uses radiology and other imaging technologies to aid minimally invasive surgical procedures. These specialists work in hospitals and other surgical facilities and are among the highest average earning medical specialties.
- Requirements: The AAPC recommends an associate’s degree from an accredited medical coding training program and two years of direct experience in coding for interventional radiology to qualify for this certification.
- More Information: CIRCC Certification
NCRA Certifications
The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) offers CTR certification for medical billing and coding specialists. These specialists summarize the diagnoses, treatments, and medical histories of patients with forms of cancer.
CTR Medical Billing & Coding Certification
- Overview: The Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) certification focuses on medical coding for various forms of cancer, including diagnosis, treatment, and disease status. Medical coders with CTR certification may work in hospitals or outpatient cancer facilities.
- Requirements: To be eligible for this certification, the NCRA requires both associate degree-level training from an accredited medical coding training program and work experience in the cancer registry field.
- More Information: CTR Certification
FAQs
Q- What is the medical billing and coding certification salary?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the average medical billing and coding salary are $45,240 per year. That equates to about $21.75 per hour. However, that value will vary depending on how much you can earn.
Q- How long will it take to get medical billing and coding certification?
It takes between 1 and 3 years. It can initiate a year to earn a medical billing and coding certification and three years to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Q- What is the total cost of medical billing and coding certification?
You must also pay to sit for a medical billing and coding certification exam.
CCA Exam – $299 ($199 for AHIMA members)
CCS Exam – $399 ($299 for AHIMA members)
Q- What is CPC Certification?
The medical coding curriculum, which teaches students how to assign and review medical records according to medical records and coding guidelines, is called the Certified Professional Coding Certification Course (CPC).
Q-Is medical billing and coding worth it?
Definitely Worth it! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth in the job outlook for medical professionals is exceptionally bright. This profession is a futuristic profession according to advanced technology and development in the health sector.
