If you want to become a certified medical coder, you should research the certification bodies and their exams to determine which is the best fit for your career goals. The American Health Information Management Association offers three certification credentials, including those for Certified Coding Associates (CCA) and Certified Coding Specialists (CCS). To be eligible to take the certification exams, the only requirement is that you have your high school diploma or equivalent. Obtaining 6 months of experience working with medical coding and completing a certificate program at a career or vocational school are also strongly recommended. (Resource 2)
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is another organization that offers professional certifications. According to its website, it is "the nation's largest medical coding certification body with more than 58,000 credentialed coders." To take its Medical Coding Certification Exam, it recommends that you have an associate's degree. It also requires that all coders carry the "apprentice" status until they have obtained 2 years of experience in the field or completed an 80-hour certificate program and 1 year of work experience. (Reference 1)
Medical coding courses generally take between 9 and 12 months to complete, giving you the ability to train for a new career in a relatively short amount of time. Courses are offered at specialized vocational schools or through local community colleges. Online programs are also available through continuing and distance education. (Reference 3)
In addition to certifying professional coders, certification bodies also function in an oversight role, granting accreditation to institutions that meet their curriculum guidelines. According to the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), educators who wish to apply for accreditation must be accredited by an agency that the United States Department of Education recognizes. It also requires that there is a Medical Coder Program Director who is well qualified to oversee the program and that the class syllabi is submitted to CAHIIM. (Reference 2)
Although medical coders are not required to obtain certifications, most physician's offices, hospitals and insurance companies want to hire professional coders with proven knowledge and credentials in the field. To reach your highest potential as a coding specialist, it is recommended that you meet the certificate requirements of an accredited school and pass a certification exam. Doing so will put you in a position to take advantage of advancement opportunities down the road, which can lead to a significant increase in income. (Reference 3)
Professionals who are trained as medical coders may also be referred to as billing specialists, medical collectors, claim analysts, billing coordinators, patient account representatives and electronic claims processors. Although the job titles may sound different, they all require the same skill set and will require you to understand human anatomy, medical terminology and coding. (Reference 3)