Pursuing a medical billing and coding profession is one way to enter the healthcare industry. Meanwhile, healthcare is such a vast industry that almost 92.1% of Americans have health insurance. So, medical billing and coding teams never run out of work. In fact, many large practices have to depend on outsource medical billing companies. These outsource medical billing services manage the practice’s workload partially or fully.
Do you know what the key is to being an expert in medical coding services? Well, it’s very simple. To be experts, medical billers and coders need to stay current. Therefore, they undergo different certifications and training over time to enhance their skills.
Healthcare trends change with time, and so do its rules and regulations. See, after ICD-9-CM, now we use ICD-10-CM codes for doing medical coding services. So, all medical billers and coders have to adopt the new coding system and gain sufficient expertise. Likewise, other certifications are also necessary and equally important for a sound career in medical billing and coding. This blog gives valuable insight in this regard. Here, we will tell you about the five top certifications best suited for healthcare billers and coders.
Before discussing them, let’s have a glimpse at the vitalization of certifications in healthcare. Later, we will see some certifications you require to thrive in 2023.
Why do Medical Billers and Coders Need Certifications?
Certifications in medical-related professions are key to a successful career. They hold the bargaining power over your salary as they polish you with professional expertise. The more you specialize in your field, the more in demand you will be. Outsource medical billing companies in the USA will eagerly chase you to cash in on your skills.
Do you know that a single certification may cause up to $5,000 in your paycheck? Isn’t it interesting? It is because when you do a certification, you add certain letters at the end of your name. This increases your resume’s worth and the demand for your medical billing and coding expertise as well.
5 Required Certifications for Medical Billing and Coding in 2023
Getting certified doesn’t always mean physical training and all that. Most of the certification programs in the healthcare industry are online. Thereby, the medical professionals can manage them after their work hours. It might be astonishing to you that most of the billing and coding certification costs less than $400. So, what stops you now from upgrading your professional skills? Buckle up and choose an appropriate certification program for your future growth.
Among many of these certifications, here are the five we recommend for refining your skills.
- Outpatient Hospital/Facility Certification (COC)
- Inpatient Hospital/Facility Certification (CIC)
- Certified Medical Coder (CMC)
- Professional Coder Certification (CPC)
- Risk Adjustment Certification (CRC)
Outpatient Hospital/Facility Certification (COC)
Are you curious about the benefits of a COC certification? Well, it’s a badge of pride that shows off your aptitude for coding in outpatient hospitals. Knowing the basics is not enough; you also need to be proficient. So, COC is simply a validation of your in-depth knowledge of ambulatory payment classifications (APCs), payment status indicators, and Medicare severity-diagnosis-related groups (MS-DRGs).
| Cost | $349 for one attempt and $449 for two attempts |
| Exam Duration | 4 hours (to solve 100 multiple-choice questions) |
| Essential Requirements | Have AACP membership Have two years of experience coding Must complete 36 CEUs (continuing education units) every two years |
Inpatient Hospital/Facility Certification (CIC)
This certification holds a unique distinction. It is the only certification exclusively dedicated to hospital and facility inpatient coding. It is unquestionable proof of one’s proficiency in extracting data from medical records. Thus, those who pass this exam are certified with the skills for accurate ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding.
| Cost | $349 for one attempt and $449 for two attempts |
| Exam Duration | 4 hours (to solve 47 questions: 40 MCQs and seven fill-in-the-blank questions) |
| Essential Requirements | Have AACP membership Should be educated in: ● Inpatient coding ● Reimbursement fundamentals and anatomy ● Medical terminology Must complete 36 CEUs (continuing education units) every two years |
Certified Medical Coder (CMC)
CMC awards the medical billing and coding profession with the necessary skills for outpatient claims work. Also, this certification assures one’s expertise in claim submissions and accurate payments.
| Cost (exam + medical billing and coding online course) | $1,250 |
| Exam Duration | 6 hours |
| Essential Requirements | Have at least one year of outpatient medical coding experience (If not, consider a Principles of Coding course.) Keep current editions of the CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10-CM code books Have a medical dictionary on exam day |
Professional Coder Certification (CPC)
Now, let’s talk about the CPC (Certified Professional Coder) certification. It’s your gateway to a wide array of promising positions in the field. The CPC stands as one of the most esteemed credentials in medical billing and coding. CPC is equally beneficial for you, whether you’re seeking opportunities in the hospital or private practice.
| Cost | $349 for one attempt and $449 for two attempts |
| Exam Duration | 4 hours (to solve 100 multiple-choice questions) |
| Essential Requirements | Have AAPC membership An understanding of anatomy, pathophysiology, and medical terminology Get a 70% passing score. |
Risk Adjustment Certification (CRC)
It serves as a sort of endorsement of your abilities to crunch data and determine risk assessments. Additionally, it demonstrates your aptitude for managing clinical documents and writing accurate diagnosis reports.
| Cost | $349 for one attempt and $449 for two attempts |
| Exam Duration | 4 hours (to solve 100 multiple-choice questions) |
| Essential Requirements | Have AACP membership Have two years of experience coding Must complete 36 CEUs (continuing education units) every two years |
Conclusion
Are you feeling excited after exploring these certifications? They hold the keys to better-paying roles and increased competitiveness in your career. So, if you want to make a real impact in your healthcare career, these certifications are the opportunity. Nonetheless, you are not alone in your efforts to grow your profession and improve yourself. There are a ton of people who are eager to provide advice and support as you work to improve yourself in the medical billing and coding industry.
