Medical coding specialists are the professionals that classify medical data from patient records, and they primarily work in a hospital setting. Still, they are also allowed to work in other health care settings.
The CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) certification is a common advancement for professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records.
Coding specialists generate coded data used by hospitals and medical providers to obtain reimbursement from insurance companies or government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Professionals with certifications are more likely to be employed and earn a better salary than those who have not gotten a certificate.
Because a certificate demonstrates an essential foundational knowledge of the job, certified medical coders can be more efficient and, by extension, offer more value to their employers.
SEE ALSO: How to Become a Medical Coder Online
How to Get a Medical Coding Certificate Online
To get a medical coding certificate either online or offline, you must sit and pass the CCS examination.
Requirements To Sit For CCS Examination
You must have completed courses in all the following topics:
- Anatomy & physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Medical terminology
- Reimbursement methodology
- Intermediate or advanced ICD diagnostic coding
- Procedural coding and medical services (CPT/HCPCS)
- One year of coding experience directly applying codes
- Minimum of two years of related coding experience directly applying codes
- Obtain the CCA credential with one year of coding experience directly applying codes
- Get a coding credential from another certifying organization with one year of coding experience directly applying codes
- Obtain a CCS-P, RHIT, or RHIA credential
However, for someone with little experience, medical coding certification can be a difficult step.
Medical Code Certification can improve an applicant’s chance of landing a job and can come along with a higher salary.
To become certified, medical coding professionals must exemplify a thorough knowledge of one or more of the three code sets currently in vogue.
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), ICD-10-CM, and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II.
Medical coding certification is accessible through a few organizations. However, the perfect certificate for any coder ultimately depends on a candidate’s experience and desired specialization.
CPC Certification Requirements
The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Continuing education must remain certified.
CPCs must be able to complete a minimum of 36 hours of approved Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every two years.
CEUs may be earned by attending conferences, online courses, or other approved events.
How to Become a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
For those who want to jump-start or grow their career in medical coding at inpatient facilities, the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification program is the most popular choice and is most comparative to the CPC.
Certifying Organization
The CCS is accessible through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Conditions for CCS Certification
To sit for the CCS exam, a coder must have obtained one of the following:
- A diploma or degree from a medical coding training scheme
- Two years of medical coding experience
- An existing medical coding certification with one year of medical coding experience
And as for the CPC, candidates must be members of the AHIMA to sit for the examination, and payment for a member is $299, while no member pays $399.
SEE ALSO: Top 10 Companies That Hire for Remote Medical Coding
Information About Certifying Ccs Examination
- Coding Knowledge and Skills
- Coding Documentation
- Provider Queries
- Regulatory Compliance
Information About Certifying CPC Examination
The CPC exam consists of 150 questions, divided into 12 distinct sections.
- Surgical procedures (60 questions)
- Evaluation and management (10 questions)
- Anaesthesia (8 questions)
- Radiology (10 questions)
- Pathology and Laboratory (10 questions)
- Medicine (10 questions)
- Medical terminology (8 questions)
- Anatomy (8 questions)
- ICD-10, volumes 1 and 2 (10 questions)
- HCPCS Level II Codes (5 questions)
- Coding guidelines (6 questions)
- Compliance and regulation (5 questions)
The overall score required to become a certified coder is 70% of 100%.
Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)
The CRC certification is particularly given to those coders working in the risk adjustment sector.
CRC certification is explicitly given to those who pass an exam indicating knowledge of ICD-10-CM specific to risk adjustment models such as HCC, CDPS, and HHS Risk Adjustment.
Other AAPC Specialty Medical Coding Certifications
The AAPC also offers coding certifications in the following areas:
- Rheumatology (CRHC)
- Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery (CPRC)
- Ophthalmology (COPC)
- Cardiology (CCC)
- Interventional Radiology and Cardiovascular (CIRCC)
- Ambulatory Surgical Center (CASCC)
- Chiropractic (CCPC)
- Urology (CUC)
- Emergency Department (CEDC)
- Evaluation and Management (CEMC)
- Family Practice (CFPC)
- Gastroenterology (CGIC)
- General Surgery (CGSC)
- Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (CCVTC)
- Haematology and Oncology (CHONC)
SEE ALSO: 10 Remote Medical Coder Jobs
Conclusion
With all the facts we listed above based on our thorough research, we hope you can find the necessary steps to get a medical coding certificate.
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