Medical Coding

Whilst it is not necessary to have medical billing certification to practice as a medical coder there are numerous professional benefits attached to obtaining this qualification. In today's increasingly complex and fast paced society, credentials that can separate you from your peers are everything. Certification can open doors that leads to new opportunities for job promotion and higher income.

There are several different channels that can be pursued to obtain medical billing and coding certification. The American Health Information Management Association is one such organization. Examples of the available certifications include: Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Coding Specialist - Physician based (CCS-P) and Certified Coding Associate (CCA). This body aims to ensure that its members meet professional standards of excellence by issuing credentials in medical coding through a combination of education, experience and the passing of the national certification exam. To maintain certification, members must meet continuing stringent educational requirements.

The advantage of certification for medical billing is that new coders who earn the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) immediately demonstrate their competency in the field despite the lack of on the job experience. This will distinguish the candidate from other non-credentialed coders and from individuals who hold credentials from other organizations that do not require the higher levels of assessed competency necessary to obtain AHIMA certification.

The CCA credential is seen as the entry level qualification for credentialed coders. The CCA exam is based on ICD-9-CM codes that satisfy current date standards. Students are permitted to bring the current up to date versions of the ICD-9-CM volumes and CPT coding books to the relevant test center. Students are permitted to use any publisher of the ICD-9-CM volumes 1-3 but only the American Medical Association CPT code book is permitted.

The industry benefits that result from the creation of this credential is that employers get to choose from a larger pool of qualified coders who are equipped with the necessary skill levels to perform the requirements of the job competently.

There are other organizations that can provide medical billing certification programs. CMBS offers a Certified Medical Billing Specialist examination which is an entry level billing and coding exam. To sit for this certification you must be a member of the Medical Association of Billers. There are no classroom prerequisites to sit for the certification but the exam is comprised of 100 questions that cover medical office insurance, evaluation of an EOB, Medicare, ICD coding, CPT coding, medical terminology and fraud and abuse. AMBA is another organization that offers a voluntary, national credential for medical coding certification. The Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialists (CMRS) exam is taken online and covers 16 different sections from medical terminology to compliance.

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