Medical coding is one of the most critical roles in the medical field. Suppose you are also thinking of starting medical coding as a career. In that case, you should have a piece of good knowledge of the essential qualifications you should have for it. As many people are passionate about this profession nowadays, competition has arisen in the profession’s demand. Only a few people with the right educational qualifications and experience can get this career opportunity. We provide you with a guide on the Medical Coding Certification Requirements.
Medical coding certification
Having this certification as a career qualification is essential for anyone starting a medical coding career. Although it’s not a legal requirement to find a job, those with this certificate have the potential to move into a higher-paying career. The primary purpose of certification is to give you basic knowledge about the three code sets. A certified medical practitioner is a person of more excellent value to his employer.
There are several certifications you can choose from when coding professionally. The three most important are Certified Professional Coding (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Medical Coding (CMC). In addition, there are many certifications at different levels, such as AAPC, COC, CIC, CRC, CCA, etc. The medical coding certification you choose as a student should be selected to match your future goals. Let us see some details about various certificates below.
Read More about Medical Coding Certification: A Complete Guide 2022
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
A person who chooses this certification can start working in a doctor’s office or an outpatient clinic. We can also introduce CPC as one of the most popular medical coding exams.
CPC Medical Coding Certification Requirements:
Anyone appearing for the CPC examination must have completed a related degree from a recognized institution as the minimum qualification. In addition, it may be necessary for many who qualify for this exam to have experience in the field of medical coding. However, more than completing the CPC exam is required if you want to apply for a career.
Those without professional experience get a CPC-A certificate. He must then spend two years completing the certification and submitting letters of recommendation to the AAPC. You must have continuing education certification among the current CPC certification requirements. You must be a present-day member of the AAPC to qualify for the exam and pay $399 to take the exam.
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Obtaining this certification can begin a medical coding career in inpatient care centers. Mainly you can get CCS certification through the American Health Information Management Association.
CCS Medical Coding Certification Requirements:
To appear for the CCS exam, you must have at least one of the minimum qualifications. These are two years of medical coding experience, a diploma organized by a medical coding training program, and one year of professional experience. To appear for the exam, you must become a member of AHIMA. Then you can take the certification exam for just $299. If not, it will cost $399.
Certified Medical Coding (CMC)
CMC certification is more recognized than CPC or CCS certifications. However, the exam format of this certification is very different from others. This certification is primarily offered by the Performance Management Institute (PMI).
CMC Medical Coding Certification Requirements:
Before completing this exam, you must have a minimum of a year of professional experience in medical coding. PMI also offers a series called Fundamentals of Coding for the less experienced. Depending on your current requirements, CMCs must earn 12 CEUs annually to maintain certification.
Certified Outpatient Coding (COC)
COC certification is essential for coders working in hospital settings. With this certification, fielders specializing in ambulatory surgical centers, hospital groups, coding departments, and hospital billing can advance to higher levels.
Certified Risk Adjusted Coding Certificate (CRC)
This certification is ideal for coders working in the risk adjustment sector. In addition, passing the exam on ICD-10-CM, which specializes in HCC, HHS, and CDPS risk adjustment models, is essential to meet the CRC Medical Coding Certification Requirements.
AAPC – Specialty Medical Coding Certification
Entry-level professionals can complete entry-level qualifications through CPC, CCS, and CMC certifications. However, this specialty is crucial for your professional advancement and higher salary. AAPC and AHIMA experience is essential to AAPC Medical Coding Certification Requirements.
Medical coding certification programs
Medical Coding Certification Requirements do not primarily include a specific academic degree. However, you should choose the right college program to maximize your worth. Many medical coding programs offer career certifications. You can’t get graduate degrees by studying that profession. However, many institutions and schools offer degrees in health information technology and health information management.
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
This association issues various certificates. These include certifications such as Certified Coding Assistant, Certified Coding Specialist, and Certified Coding Specialist – Physician Based. If you opt for the CCA exam from AHIMA, it is essential to have an AHIMA membership. In addition, AHIMA recommends six months of experience in the coding profession in a healthcare institution.
According to this association, CCS or CCS-P Medical Coding Certification Requirements require you to have three years of experience in a hospital or medical-based setting. In addition, they have mentioned that you have completed the courses of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Anatomy as a requirement.
American Medical Billing Association (AMBA)
The American Medical Billing Association is a nationally recognized provider of medical billing certification programs. AMBA recommends that you have a membership as a requirement for your Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) certification. In addition, members must renew annually to maintain CMRS credentials. They have also stated as a requirement that certified members should submit 15 years of continuing education to AMBA.
Medical Specialty Coding and Compliance Board (BMSC)
BMSC offers coding credentials such as Advanced Coding Specialist (ACS), Special Coding Professional (SCP), and Home Care Coding Specialist Diagnostic (HCS-D). A high school diploma and equivalent educational background are the main Medical Coding Certification Requirements for you at BMSC. Also, it includes a registration fee which consists of the exam cost. In addition, they recommend that their candidates have at least three years of coding experience in that specialty.
American Academy of Professional Coders
Among the Medical Coding Certification Requirements, AAPC applicants must have an associate degree. But if you don’t have coding experience of at least two years, you can work as an apprentice when you pass the exam. After you complete the applicable two years, AAPC will remove the post.
Minnesota Western Community and Technical College
You can get an online medical coding specialist diploma certificate from this college. It will take you about a year. After that, the students who complete the certificate can get the Applied Associateship as a Medical Scribe in the same institution.
The certificate curriculum includes medical terminology in health care, diagnostic coding, pharmacology, and medical coding. Also, this college has stated as Medical Coding Certification Requirements that students should have basic knowledge about graphics, telecommunications, spreadsheets, document processing, etc.
California State University
It is another opportunity for you to get an online certificate as a medical technician. It offers you studies on the CSUSB career in medical coding and billing with the PCS program. They are doing it together with CareerStep. It will take you 390 hours to complete the entire training.
In particular, students will be able to study medical coding terminology, healthcare delivery systems, and health information management. Students who complete this certificate can begin a career in hospitals and medical practices, which is essential for job advancement.
Read More: 8 Best Free Medical Billing and Coding Courses In 2022
