A Guide to Medical Coder Certification
A medical coding career involves working at physician’s offices, clinics, and hospitals, reviewing and processing medical claims and procedures. Obtaining a medical coder certification is considered a key credential to show your level of knowledge in your field.
Medical coding knowledge and skills can be learned through a variety of associate and certificate degrees, as well as a variety of training programs. A coding certification can be obtained from a program that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or the United States Department of Labor.
Obtaining one or more certifications in the medical coding and billing sectors might significantly improve your earnings and chances of getting better jobs.
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Major Medical Coding Certifications You Should Know About
Aspiring medical coders can earn certificates from three major medical coding schools. Some of the most popular certifications offered by these three medical coding organizations are listed below.
Practice Management Institute (PMI) Certifications
PMI is a nationally recognized organization that provides medical coding training and certification. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the United States Department of Labor both accept this certification.
1. Certified Medical Coder (CMC)
PMI offers CMC, an 18-hour course that comprises 1,080 minutes of medical coding training and an assessment. A paper course handbook, digital course materials, and access to the proctored certification exam are all included.
To get started in the medical coding field, you’ll learn everything you need to know about ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS, and advanced coding terms in this session. The course and certification exam are the only ones offered by PMI, and they combine all of your medical coding knowledge into one.
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certifications
AHIMA is a professional association that currently offers three NCCA-accredited medical coding qualifications.
2. Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
The CCA certification gives qualified coders the credentials they need to demonstrate coding competency in hospitals, medical facilities, and physician practices. You’ll learn everything you need to know about medical coding, including how to use several sets of codes and medical terminology.
3. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Medical coders who have earned the CCS certification can classify medical data from patient records. Obtaining this certification validates your ability to review and assign numeric codes to patient records, as well as your knowledge of the CPT and ICD-10-CM coding systems and medical terminology.
4. Certified Coding Specialist Physician-Based (CCS-P)
Medical coders with the CCS-P certification have unique abilities for physician-based settings. Obtaining this certification demonstrates your mastery of the CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS level II coding systems, as well as analyzing patient records and assigning numeric codes for diagnoses and procedures.
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certifications
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a professional organization that offers four major medical coding certificates as well as 18 specialty medical coding certifications for coders who want to demonstrate their degree of experience in a certain sector.
5. Certified Professional Coder (CPC-A)
The CPC credential certifies your understanding of CPT, HCPCS level II supply and procedure codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. You can use this certification to classify medical claims in a doctor’s office or other comparable situation.
6. Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)
Your expertise in CPT, HCPCS level II supply and procedure codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes is validated by the COC certification. You can code at an outpatient hospital or facility after earning this certification.
7. Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)
The CIC credential verifies your knowledge of ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, which are used to code medical claims in inpatient facilities and hospitals.
8. Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)
The CRC credential verifies your understanding of the ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes used in risk adjustment payment schemes.
9. Ambulatory Surgical Center Coder (CASCC)
The CASCC credential demonstrates your understanding of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II coding, with a focus on surgical procedures, medicines, and biologics.
10. Anesthesia and Pain Management Coder (CANPC)
Being a CANPC demonstrates that you are familiar with CPT, ICD-10-CM, and NCCI coding, with a focus on surgical and anesthetic situations.
11. Certified Cardiology Coder (CCC)
The CCC credential validates your competence to code in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II, with a focus on cardiologists’ surgical procedures.
12. Certified Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Coder (CCVTC)
The (CCVTC) certificate verifies your ability to code in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II for surgical operations done by cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons.
13. Certified Professional Coder in Dermatology (CPCD)
A CPCD designation displays your expertise in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II coding, with a focus on dermatologist-performed surgical procedures.
14. Certified Emergency Department Coder (CEDC)
The CEDC certificate demonstrates that you have a specialty in surgical operations performed by emergency department physicians and can use ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II coding.
15. Certified Evaluation and Management Coder (CEMC)
The CEMC credential demonstrates ICD-10-CM, CPT, and NCCI coding competency, with a focus on time-based coding and risk assessment.
16. Certified Family Practice Coder (CFPC)
Becoming a CFPC certifies your knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II coding, with a focus on ancillary and minor surgical procedures conducted in a family medicine practice, as well as accurate Relative Value Unit sequencing.
17. Certified Gastroenterology Internal Medicine Coder (CGIC)
The CGIC credential demonstrates that you can code in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II for surgical operations performed by gastroenterologists.
18. Certified General Surgery Coder (CGSC)
With a specialty in surgical procedures done by general surgeons, the CGSC credential confirms your expertise in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II coding.
19. Certified Hematology and Oncology Coder (CHONC)
Being a CHONC demonstrates that you can code using ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II for surgical operations performed by hematologists, oncologists, and auxiliary personnel.
20. Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (CIRCC)
The CIRCC credential verifies your understanding of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II coding, with a focus on interventional radiology and cardiovascular coding.
21. Certified Obstetrics Gynecology Coder (COBGC)
Being a COBGC demonstrates your knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II coding, as well as your expertise in surgical procedures performed by OB/GYN specialists.
22. Certified Ophthalmology Coder (COPC)
The COPC credential verifies your knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II coding, with a focus on ophthalmology surgical procedures, moderate sedation coding, and time-based coding.
23. Certified Orthopedic Surgery Coder (COSC)
The COSC certification demonstrates that you are knowledgeable in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II coding, with a focus on orthopedist-performed surgical procedures.
24. Certified Pediatrics Coder (CPEDC)
The CPEDC credential verifies your knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II coding, with a focus on auxiliary and surgical procedures performed by pediatricians or in a pediatric practice.
25. Certified Rheumatology Coder (CRHC)
The competence to code in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II with a specialty in surgical procedures routinely performed by rheumatologists is demonstrated by becoming a CRHC.
26. Certified Urology Coder
The CUC certificate verifies your ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS level II coding skills, with a focus on ancillary treatments in urology practices, surgical procedures performed by urologists, and time-based coding.
Get the Right Medical Coder Certification to Kickstart Your Career!
Medical coding certificates are a testimony to your knowledge of one of three code sets and three levels of code. Whether you get a basic or a specialist medical coding certification, the certificate verifies your competency in one or more types of medical code sets and paves the chances for you to work as a professional medical coder. With the plethora of opportunities opening up, interested individuals should certainly seek adequate training and certification before they start applying to their target jobs.
