Medical Coding Certification

The most important step any potential medical coder can take is getting certified. Certification in any field demonstrates commitment to learning and upholding the highest standards, remaining at the forefront of the industry, and making sure to do the best, most thorough job. In the medical field, where lives hang in the balance, this is especially true, and medical coding is no exception.

What it Takes

There are several levels of certification in medical coding, and quite a few organizations that issue licenses. Among these are the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC), and the Professional Association of Health Care Coding Specialists (PAHCS). Additionally, the National Cancer Registrars Association offers certification as a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR). However, the two most commonly-used certifications come from AHIMA and AAPC.

However, what all of these organizations have in common is that they administer licensing tests, which every student must pass in order to become a certified medical coder. Formal education, in the form of an Associate’s degree in Health Information Technology, Medical Coding, or a related field is strongly recommended, but not required, and many of these groups offer online help and tutorials to help prepare students for the tests. Once exams are passed, regular continuing education classes are offered, usually online, to help coders stay certified, further their knowledge, and pursue promotions. For more information on test schedules and fees, visit the organizational website of your group: AHIMA or AAPC

Types of Certification Available

The type of certificate you earn largely depends on which membership board administers your test and gives you your certificate. Under the AHIMA system, entry-level coders are designated as CCAs, or Certified Coding Associates, with a general stamp of approval for working in any setting. AHIMA also offers certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P), or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). These different degrees signify narrower coding and medical specialties, and, often, noteworthy pay increases (see below).

The AAPC offers 24 different coding certificates, from the general, entry-level Certified Professional Coder (CPC) label to its variations for hospital and payer settings (CPC-H and CPC-P, respectively). Nearly 20 AAPC specialist certificates exist, from cardiology to pediatrics to urology.

Salary Differences by Certification

According to one study done by AHIMA, certified medical coders earn 20% more annually than non-certified coders. Not only this, though, but different certification levels can bring in different salaries. CCA holders earn around $37,000 per year, while higher-level RHIT coders make almost $16,000 more, at $52.8 thousand. Physician-based specialists earn about $56,000 a year, while CCS holders make the most money, at just under $58,000 annually.

So medical coding can be quite lucrative, provided you find the right credential, specialty, and setting. And with many opportunities for advancement into ancillary fields, as well as the chance to work from home or start your own business, it seems like the sky’s the limit for any dedicated, certified medical coder.