Medical billers and coders are very important for medical billing services. They are the backbone of healthcare organizations and the masters to earn a competitive advantage in the medical field. Coding certification is the best way to know about the coders and verifies that they are skillful and knowledgeable for the medical coding services. Medical billers and coders help healthcare organizations to boost revenue cycle management.
Ucontrol Billing has certified medical billers and coders who can handle all the medical billing processes. Medical billing companies are the best for outsourcing billing processes because they are professional and have years of experience in this field. They will save your effort, time, exertion and expenses. They are also professionals in different specialties, including dermatology medical billing.
Who are medical billers and coders?
Medical coders decode the codes of the diagnoses, treatments, tools, instruments and medical data used by hospitals and physicians to get payment from private, government and insurance companies. Afterward, the medical billers used this data to accurately prepare and send invoices to insurance providers and patients.
What are certified medical coding and billing certification?
Certified medical billers and coders are recognized for their achievements, experiences and judgments. Medical billing certifications are not available everywhere; these are available in some states, and many states prefer certified medical billers with degrees and certificates. The more you have certificates, the more you have the advantage of getting selected as an employee and candidate.
If you want to know more about the best coding certifications, read this article to learn more about the 8 best coding certificates that are in demand:
Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
The program verifies the candidate’s skills to help with medical billing and coding. It is proposed by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). This certification assigns the medical codes for the medical procedures and diagnoses. It also prevents medical billing fraud and promotes the correct billing and submission of claims.
- It includes the provisions which are as follows:
- diploma/degree, or equivalent
- certificate in the practical training of medical coding services
- Or an education program in the last five/three years.
This program exam will include the topics such as revenue cycle management, payment, front-end medical coding, claim processing and extra coding knowledge. The total expense of this course is almost 109 dollars, including the study material. If you want to renew, you must pay a certification fee every 2 years with the requirement of ten CEUs (continuing education units).
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
It is the certificate that is to test the higher skills in the hospital setting. It includes the medical data in terms of the records of the patients. The AHIMA offers this course.
At least one requirement should have in the candidates below:
- Degree/diploma or medical training program
- Must have 2 years of experience in the related field.
- Medical coding certification with one year of experience.
- It can include Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credentials, physician-based (CCS-P) and Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)
This exam has MCQs and medical question sections. The required time is 4 hours for the completion of the exam. Candidates should bring the course book. The total amount of this certification program is about 299 dollars for the members of AHIMA and 399 dollars for the non-members of AHIMA. Every two years, the recertification requires dollars 218 and 20 CEUs.
Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
The AHIMA proposes CCA for beginners in the hospital setting, and it is the standard course recognized in the health information management field (HIM).
It includes:
- Degree/Diploma/equivalent
- six months experience (Optional)
- AHIMA approval in the coding program (Complete/Optional)
- The coding training program includes medical terminologies (CPT, ICD), anatomy and physiology.
It is also a computer-based exam with 90 to 115 total test items. The time is two hours to complete, which requires the procedures, methodologies and essential parts of the medical coding program. Bring your course book to the exam center. The total expense is 199 dollars for AHIMA members and 299 dollars.
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P)
It is the master-level course that the AHIMA proposes. The certified coding specialist verifies the coding in the specialty centers, hospital groups, physician’s offices and different clinics.
Must include one of the following:
- Degree/Diploma/equivalent with one year of experience.
- CCA and one year of experience
- Two years of practice/experience
- AHIMA approval in the coding program
- RHIA, RHIT and CCS credentials.
The exam on a computer has 97 to 121 questions, including MCQs and physical medical scenarios. 4 hours is the time required to complete the test. Bring the current coursebook along with you. The expense for the non-members of AHIMA is 299 dollars and for the members of AHIMA is 199 dollars. 20 hours CEUs and 218 dollars are required for the recertification fee for two years annually.
Certified Medical Coder (CMC)
It is offered by the PMI, also known as Practice Management Institute. Certified medical coders also prefer advanced-level medical coding for medical claims.
Requirements:
- Minimum 1-year experience in medical coding
- Completion of the foundational or training course
133 questions are expected with the fill-in-the-blanks of coding scenarios. It has a time of 6 hours in a secured environment. The total expense of this course is about 1250 dollars and 12 CEUs to renew the certification.
Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)
The most renowned institution, AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders), proposes this course. These coders are proficient in medical coding of the procedural and diagnosis in the current hospital (inpatient) setting.
Requirements:
- Associate Degree/equivalent
- AAPC valid authorization or membership
In this course, the time slot is about 5 and 40 minutes for sixty MCQs with the inpatient cases and fill in the blanks. Topics include ICD-10 diagnosis codes and ICD-PCS procedural codes. The total expense for non-AAPC students is 399 dollars and for AAPC students is 325 dollars. Renewal is allowed for the membership annually and 36 CEUs every 2 years.
Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
The AAPC also offers this course. It is basically for the medical billers to testify their skills to generate high revenue. It provides the different plans of insurance, NCDs, LCDs and experience in payer policy.
Prerequisites include:
- An associate’s degree (recommended, not but required)
- Current AAPC membership
The test exam has two hundred MCQs in 40 minutes. The total expense is 399 dollars for non-AAPC students and 325 dollars for AAPC students, and one retake is allowed. Every two years, renewal needs 36 CEUs and membership of AAPC.
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
The AAPC also offers this course. It is basically for the medical coding field and provides different aspects of the profession, including the procedural and diagnosis codes.
Requirements:
- Present member of the AAPC
- Associate’s degree in medical billing and coding
- At least two years of experience in the medical coding field
There are a total of 105 questions that are divided into twelve parts. It also includes the major topics such as radiology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, evaluation, anesthesia, HCPCS, and ICD codes. People who are without experience can attach the CPC certificates.
Wrap up!
Outsourcing the medical coding and billing process can prevent claim denials, boost revenue and reduce audits. To choose the right medical billing company for your practice, it is essential to make the right choice. As medical coding rules and guidelines keep changing over time, a team of expert coders who stay up to date is necessary for every medical practice. Ucontrol Billing has professional medical coders and billers who know how to handle the complexities of medical billing. To know more about them, visit their website.
