Medical Billing and Coding Certification
Once you have completed your medical billing and coding training you will be in high demand. Many smaller physician practices and some health care agencies higher new graduates, but many of the higher paying medical billing and coding jobs will require at least 6 months to 1 year of work experience and certification from a professional billing and/or coding association.
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is one of the major providers of certifications for medical billing and coding specialists. Medical coders with credentials from the AAPC are working in hospitals, physician offices and outpatient centers. There are three certifications (CPC, CPC-H, and CPC-P) offered by the AAPC (www.aapc.com/) and are considered the gold standard certification for medical coding.
Another highly respected credentialing association is the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) . They offer certifications based on education, experience and performance on nationally administered certification exams. AHIMA offers credentials including the Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Coding Specialist – Physician Based (CCS-P). Ahima also offers health information management certification which has become very popular in the hospital setting. (www.ahima.org/certification/)
The American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) offers the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist credentials. (www.ambanet.net/AMBA.htm)
Before choosing a certification, please contact the hospitals or office that you are looking to work and ask which credentials they require.
