Being a medical coder & biller--or at least possessing some considerable experience--automatically makes you eligible for certification. The Professional Association of Health Care Coding Specialists (PAHCS) and the Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC) require that candidates have at least two years of experience.
There are several types of coding/billing certifications that medical associations offer. For instance, the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)--the largest medical coding training and certification organization in the United States--not only offers certification for medical billing & coding, but for procedures such as cardiovascular radiography and reconstructive surgery. There are also billing and coding certifications according to branches of medicine, such as gastroenterology, dermatology and orthopedics.
The exam format varies from one association to another. For instance, the AAPC relies on a multiple choice format that can number up to 150 questions depending on the type of certification. The BMSC employs a mix of multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank questions, and the exams are "open book," which means that takers can bring study materials along with them.
Some professional associations require re-certification and/or continuing education to maintain certification. This is meant to test your knowledge to make sure it is accurate regarding any changes that may have occurred in the field since the original certification date. For instance, with the PAHCS, certified medical coders & billers are required to obtain 24 continuing education units every two years. Otherwise, they would have to undergo re-certification.
There are no official salary figures for certified medical billers & coders, although as of June 2010, salary.com reports that in general, such professionals earn a median annual salary of around $40,000. Moreover, to employers, holding a medical billing certification indicates that you have attained certain standards of knowledge in the field, and may enhance your chances for employment.