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Best certified professional coder certifications
The best certifications for a certified professional coder are Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).
Certified professional coder certifications demonstrate your competency as a certified professional coder to employers. However, not all certified professional coder certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best certified professional coder certifications. Obtaining a certified professional coder certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
10 best certifications for certified professional coders
| Rank | Certified professional coder certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Professional Coder (CPC) | AAPC |
| 2 | Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) | NHA |
| 3 | Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) | AHIMA |
| 4 | Certified Medical Coder (CMC) | PMI |
| 5 | Medical Assistant | ASPT |
| 6 | Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) | AAPC |
| 7 | Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) | PMI |
| 8 | Certified Evaluation and Management Coder (CEMC) | AAPC |
| 9 | Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) | AMBA |
| 10 | Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) | NHA |
10 best certified professional coder certifications
1. 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.
- 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)
2. 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.
- 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)
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.
- 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.
- 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?
5. Medical Assistant
The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.
- 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 Medical Auditor (CPMA)
Medical auditing is a critical piece to compliant and profitable physician practices. As a Certified Professional Medical Auditor, you will be able to use your proven knowledge of coding and documentation guidelines to improve your or another practice's revenue cycle.
- 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)
7. 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.
- 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?
8. Certified Evaluation and Management Coder (CEMC)
The Certified Evaluation and Management Coder exam was developed by a team of leading E/M coding professionals. Those coders with sufficient experience and expertise in E/M coding are encouraged to sit for the CEMC exam.
- 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)
9. Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS)
Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialists (CMRS) are skilled in facilitating the claims paying process from the time a service is rendered by a health care provider until the balance is paid. The CMRS is knowledgeable in ICD9, CPT4 and HCPCS Coding, Medical Terminology, Insurance claims and billing, appeals and denials, fraud and abuse, HIPAA, OIG Compliance, information and web technology, reimbursement, and much more. CMRS Billers play a critical role in a health care provider's daily business operations.
- 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)
10. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) performs routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians running smoothly.
- 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)
What is the best certification for a certified professional coder?
The best certified professional coder certification is Certified Professional Coder (CPC). The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is awarded by the American Academy of Professional Coders. 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 certified professional coder certification:
- To become a certified Certified Professional Coder (CPC), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 2 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for certified professional coders?
The most in-demand certified professional coder certification is Certified Professional Coder based on all active job postings. Having this certified professional coder certification will give you access to more certified professional coder jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a certified professional coder career and salary?
The Certified Professional Coder 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 certified professional coders make an average salary of $52,683.
The most common combination of certified professional coder certifications include: Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).
Online courses for certified professional coders to earn certifications
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