How Do I Get a Medical Coder Certification?
Medical coders work for doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies, assigning codes to hundreds of different medical ailments and procedures listed on a patient's medical record for billing and insurance purposes. By assigning universal codes to various procedures, medical and insurance personnel are able to streamline the billing process. However, this task requires extensive knowledge of medical terminology and processes, so medical coders often obtain certification to confirm their abilities and ease the hiring process for future employers. As with most certifications, medical coder certification requires either education or experience to sit for a certification exam.
Though medical coder certification is not required, there are many opportunities available to pursue certification and it will improve chances of hire for those without adequate experience to obtain a job otherwise. Several agencies offer medical coder certification, but the most recognized agency is the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). This agency grants the entry level designation of Certified Coding Associate (CCA). To obtain this beginner's certificate, candidates must have a high school diploma or the equivalent and pass an exam. Though not required to sit for the exam, it is strongly recommended that candidates complete an AHIMA approved coding program or have at least six months of work experience in the field.
The next step in medical coder certification is the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credential. This certification acknowledges higher skill and knowledge than than a coder with CCA certification. Again, the only requirement to sit for the exam is a high school diploma or its equivalent. However, for this exam it is strongly recommended that candidates have at least three years of job experience in medical coding in multiple areas such as hospital based inpatient coding and hospital based ambulatory and outpatient care. It is also recommended that candidates have completed coursework in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology.
Additionally, a special certification for those seeking employment in a physician's office is offered. This is the Certified Coding Specialist-Physician based (CCS-P) certification. The exam requirements for this medical coder certification are the same as for the CCS, but instead of three years experience in multiple areas in a hospital-based setting, candidates should have three years of experience coding for physician services. Whichever certification is desired, all may be achieved with a combination of education and experience, depending on the individual's background. Many have learned coding on the job, but newcomers in the health field will find there are numerous educational programs available of varying lengths to suit each candidate's goals.
Written by Hillary Flynn
