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Best billing coder certifications

Billing coder certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an billing coder to employers. However, not all billing coder certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a billing coder are Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).

Below is a list of the best billing coder certifications. Obtaining an billing coder certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

11 best billing coder certifications

1. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)

A Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) primarily focuses on converting a medical procedure, diagnosis, or symptom into specific codes to submit a claim for reimbursement.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

2. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

A Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is an individual of high professional integrity who has passed a coding certification examination sponsored by the American Academy of Professional Coders (the AAPC). The examination consists of questions regarding the correct application of CPT, HCPCS procedure and supply codes and ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes used for billing professional medical services to insurance companies.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

3. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

Coding accuracy is highly important to healthcare organizations, and has an impact on revenues and describing health outcomes. In fact, certification has become an implicit industry standard. Accordingly, the CCS credential demonstrates a practitioner's tested data quality and integrity skills, and mastery of coding proficiency. Professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records should consider obtaining this certification.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)

4. Certified Medical Coder (CMC)

Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional coding skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Coder (CMC) exam. Practice Management Institute has helped raise the bar of knowledge with its CMC credential, designed to help physicians and their staff ensure ample training in outpatient coding.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying website
Certified Medical Coder
Certifying organization
Practice Management Institute

5. Nationally Certified Insurance and Coding Specialist (NCICS)

The Insurance and Coding Specialist can find a rewarding position as a health insurance claims processor or coder in a medical office practice. The Examination content areas include medical billing procedures, insurance claims processing, medical terminology, CPT coding, ICD-9-CM Coding, and HCPCS Level II coding.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

6. Certified Professional Biller (CPB)

The Certified Professional Biller (CPB™) credential prepares medical billers with skills to maintain all aspects of the revenue cycle. Without expertise in medical billing and the nuances of payer requirements, reimbursement may be compromised.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

7. Certified Coding Specialist--Physician-based (CCS-P)

The employment outlook for CCS-Ps is highly favorable, considering the growth of managed care and the movement of health services delivery beyond the hospital setting. Professionals performing coding in a doctor's office, clinic, or similar setting should consider obtaining the CCS-P certification to testify to their capabilities. The CCS-P certification exam assesses mastery-level proficiency in coding rather than entry-level skills.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

8. Certified Medical Insurance Specialist (CMIS)

Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional coding, reimbursement and claims management skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Insurance Specialist (CMIS) exam. Practice Management Institute® has helped raise the bar of knowledge with its CMIS credential, designed to demonstrate outstanding skill in outpatient claims and reimbursement.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 

9. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional administrative skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) exam. To attain CMOM certification, all candidates must demonstrate a high level of knowledge in financial management, managed care contracting, personnel, and time management. Risk management, medical record keeping and facility management issues should also be mastered.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying organization
Practice Management Institute

10. Certified Code Specialist

A Certified Code Specialist is an inspector that specializes in code inspection.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

11. Certified Outpatient Coding (COC)

A Certified Professional Coder-Hospital (CPC-H) is an individual of high professional integrity who has passed a coding certification examination sponsored by the American Academy of Professional Coders (the AAPC). The examination consists of questions regarding the correct application of CPT, HCPCS procedure and supply codes and ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes used for billing facility services to insurance companies.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

What is the best certification for a billing coder?

The best billing coder certification is Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS). The Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) is awarded by the National Healthcareer Association. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this billing coder certification:

  • To become a certified Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), you need to pass the exam.
  • This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 2 year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for billing coders?

The most in-demand billing coder certification is Certified Professional Coder based on all active job postings. Having this billing coder certification will give you access to more billing coder jobs with higher salaries.

What certifications can impact a billing coder career and salary?

The Certified Billing and Coding Specialist certification will help you to secure a medical coder position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A medical coder's average salary is $41,657 whereas billing coders make an average salary of $37,554.

Best certifications

The most common combination of billing coder certifications include: Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).

Online courses for billing coders to earn certifications

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