Medical Billing and Coding Certification

Doctors may get all the attention when people think of healthcare careers, but there are a lot of behind-the-scenes jobs that keep the medical profession running smoothly. One of these essential jobs is medical billing and coding, with many specialists pursuing certification to demonstrate their expertise.

In this blog, we’ll cover what you need to know to pursue your medical billing and coding certification. This helps further pave the way for clear communication between healthcare providers and payers and helps to see that medical services are reimbursed in a timely fashion, while also getting your career off to a good start.

What Is a Medical Biller and Coder?

Before you decide to pursue a career in this field, you should first understand what a medical biller and coder actually does. Technically, this position can be viewed as two different jobs rolled into one.

Medical coders help translate the medical world into a common language that is shared between healthcare providers, insurers, statisticians, and others. They make sure that all of these stakeholders understand what conditions and services are associated with a patient’s medical visit, which involves assigning universal identifiers to each diagnosis, illness, injury, procedure, and treatment.

To do this, coders need a solid understanding of medical terminology so that they know which numeric and alphanumeric codes to apply when entering data into patients’ records and billing programs.

A medical biller is a person who helps ensure the healthcare facility gets reimbursed for all services rendered. This specialist prepares and sends invoices for payment, verifying that all aspects of a hospital admission or office visit have been properly coded before submitting the claim to an insurance company, Medicare, Medicaid, or another payer.

If a claim is rejected for some reason, the biller is responsible for ironing out the issue and resubmitting the claim. Once the insurer or other payer has submitted payment for covered services, the biller will send an invoice to the patient for any remaining balance due.

What Is Medical Coding and Billing Certification?

As you can see, these two job functions are essential to helping ensure the healthcare process runs smoothly. Without a coder, an insurance company might argue that it’s not clear what is being billed for, and without a biller, there would be nobody to ensure the healthcare provider gets paid.

Before hiring workers for these critical roles, employers will want to verify that candidates understand medical terminology and all applicable codes. This is why many employers may prefer to hire candidates with medical coding and billing certification — it shows that coders and billers have the training they need to do their job properly, which can save patients, doctors, and insurance companies from confusion and costly errors.

The CPC Certification Exam

To achieve any type of industry certification, you’ll need to demonstrate your knowledge by passing an exam administered by a major certifying body (eligibility requirements may apply). The AAPC administers the Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) exam, which covers three of the healthcare industry’s most commonly used code sets.

To achieve full CPC status, candidates must pass the exam and have either two years of work experience or 80 contact hours of a coding preparation course plus one year of on-the-job experience. Those who pass the exam but don’t yet meet the full eligibility requirements will be awarded the CPC Apprentice (CPC-A) designation, which can be updated to full CPC status with proof of experience.

Getting CPC Certified

Whether you aim to work as a coder, a biller, or in a combined role that handles both tasks, earning your CPC or CPC-A credential conveys your proficiency in understanding medical terminology and the industry’s universal coding systems.

Keep in mind that this is a process that will take some work, so be prepared to dig in and play the long game. Remember, you’re doing this to advance your career, so put in the work to do it right.

Medical Billing and Coding Certification Requirements

The AAPC recommends that certification candidates hold an associate degree. While full CPC certification requires two years of relevant work experience, the AACP will grant apprentice status (CPC-A) to individuals who pass the exam but do not yet have the necessary work experience.

CPC-A holders may apply to have the apprentice designation removed by either submitting two letters of recommendation confirming two years of experience or submitting proof of 80 hours of coding education plus one letter verifying one year of on-the-job experience.

To maintain CPC certification, medical billing and coding professionals must be current AAPC members. This requires annual renewal of AAPC memberships and completion of 36 continuing education units every two years.

Completing Your Medical Billing & Coding Education

The first step to a medical coding and billing career starts with getting your education. If you know what type of healthcare setting you want to work in, you may find it helpful to review local job postings to see what employers look for when hiring medical coders and billers.

Are they seeking candidates with a certificate or diploma, or do they give preference to those with an associate degree? Is certification required or strongly preferred? This will help give you an idea of where to start.

Career training and certification can help candidates in this field stand out as job applicants. Things you’ll learn to both promote your career and prepare for certification include:

• Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes – These help identify procedures like office visits, physical examinations, flu shots, and more.
• ICD-10 codes from the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems – These indicate diagnoses like diseases of the digestive or nervous systems, pregnancy complications, injuries, and more.
• Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II codes — These represent devices and supplies like prosthetics and durable medical equipment, as well as non-physician services like ambulance transportation.

These codes determine the amount of reimbursement a healthcare provider receives from insurance companies for services provided to patients, which is why the process is so important. Through medical billing and coding training and CPC certification, medical billers and coders become familiar with CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS Level II codes.

Medical billing and coding career training also prepares students to learn how to process healthcare claims, accurately code medical procedures, and use the right medical terminology. These qualifications can assist applicants when competing for coding jobs.

Choosing a Diploma or Degree Program

Most employers don’t require a four-year bachelor’s degree for entry-level medical coding and billing jobs; however, they typically expect candidates to have some type of formal training in medical terminology, standard industry codes, and relevant software. Earning a credential from an accredited health education school is one way to show proficiency in this field.

A diploma program primarily focuses on relevant healthcare classes — such as coding, computers, records management, claims processing, and medical terminology — and usually can be completed in less than a year (depending on the individual student).

An associate degree is considered to be a two-year program, though at some schools it will only take about a year and a half (depending on the individual student).

The degree curriculum will most likely include the same classes as the diploma program, with additional general education courses such as English, math, sociology, biology, etc., to help round out students’ skills.

In addition to deciding between a diploma and a degree, you may also choose from campus-based courses or online learning. While students preparing for clinical roles such as nursing assistant or phlebotomy technician will usually need to take on-campus courses, computer-based work like coding and billing is ideally suited to an online learning environment.

Finally, if you intend to pursue medical coding and billing certification before you begin applying for jobs, it’s wise to choose a diploma or degree program that will help prepare you for industry certification, such as the CPC designation. Even if you don’t yet have the work experience to achieve full CPC status, you can still include the CPC-A designation on your résumé once you’ve passed the exam.

Why Get Your Medical Coding and Billing Certification?

If you’re already earning a diploma or degree, you may wonder if it’s necessary or worthwhile to pursue medical coding and billing certification, especially if employers in your area don’t require certification for entry-level jobs.

While a diploma or degree can help you land your first medical billing and coding job, adding certification can help position you for more competitive jobs with your top-choice employers. It can also help boost your earning potential.

For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that medical records and health information technicians earn a median salary of $45,240 in 2020.

However, attaining industry certification, such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) credential from the AAPC, along with gaining years of experience, could lead to a higher salary.

Now that you understand the value of medical coding and billing certification, we’ll move on to the exam itself.

Benefits of AAPC Certification

Employers usually prefer to hire candidates with a medical billing and coding certificate. The CPC credential from AAPC is generally respected by healthcare providers, medical societies, and government organizations nationwide.

CPC certification signifies that a candidate should be able to:

• Review patient records and assign the right medical codes for treatment, diagnoses, and services.
• Be familiar with healthcare services like surgery, radiology, anesthesia, pathology, and more.
• Apply knowledge of medical coding rules, procedures, compliance, and reimbursement.
• Manage issues like claims denials, medically necessary procedures, and bundling.
• Understand key medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.

Taking the CPC Certification Exam

So, you’ve completed (or are nearly finished with) your education and feel ready to take your medical coding and billing certification exam. What’s the next step?

There are a number of different industry certifications available, and the process may vary depending on which exam you’re planning to take. For this article, we’ll look at one of the field’s most popular certifications — the CPC credential.

According to AAPC, this designation is “the gold standard” for medical coding in physician office settings.

Before you spend the money to register for the CPC exam, make sure you’ve reviewed the eligibility requirements. If your school offers exam preparation, your instructors can provide guidance and advice.

You may need to provide proof that you have completed a coding preparation course and/or have on-the-job experience before you are granted full CPC status, though you are eligible for CPC-A status as soon as you pass the exam. In addition, you will need to have a current membership with AAPC. If you are not already a member, you will need to submit payment for both your membership and the examination when you register.

Once you have submitted payment and registered for a date to take the exam in a city near you, you’ll want to brush up on the topics that will be covered in the examination.

Approved Exam Materials

Candidates are not expected to memorize the many thousands of codes used in this field, so AAPC allows applicants to reference approved manuals during the exam. Keep in mind that only hard-copy manuals may be used, as electronic devices are not allowed in the exam room.

For the Certified Professional Coder exam, you’re allowed to bring the following manuals:

• Current Procedural Terminology: CPT books (AMA standard or professional edition only)
• International Classification of Diseases: Your choice of ICD-10-CM code book
• Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System: Your choice of HCPCS Level II code book

What Does the Certification Exam Cover?

In the case of the Certified Professional Coder exam, you will have four hours to answer 100 multiple-choice questions during the proctored test.

The CPC certification exam is designed to evaluate the candidate’s knowledge of anatomy, medical terminology, laboratory and clinical procedures, practice management, coding guidelines, and others. It also evaluates the candidate’s ability to apply the right procedure, supply, and diagnosis codes.

The exam covers the following topics:

• 10,000 Series CPT (6 questions on integumentary system surgical procedures)
• 20,000 Series CPT (6 questions on musculoskeletal system surgical procedures)
• 30,000 Series CPT (6 questions on surgical procedures performed on the respiratory, cardiovascular, hemic, and lymphatic systems as well as the mediastinum and diaphragm)
• 40,000 Series CPT (6 questions on digestive system surgical procedures)
• 50,000 Series CPT (6 questions on surgical procedures performed on the urinary, reproductive, and endocrine systems as well as maternity and delivery)
• 60,000 Series CPT (6 questions on nervous system surgical procedures)
• Evaluation and Management (10 questions)
• Anesthesia
• Radiology (6 questions)
• Laboratory and Pathology (6 questions)
• Medicine (6 questions)
• Medical Terminology (4 questions)
• Anatomy (4 questions)
• ICD-10-CM (5 questions)
• HCPCS Level II (3 questions)
• Coding Guidelines (7 questions)
• Compliance and Regulatory (3 questions)

After you’ve completed the CPC exam, the results will usually be released within seven to 10 business days. You can view your results online in your “My AAPC” account and a hard copy will be mailed to you. The exam fee includes one free retake (if needed). Once you’ve earned a passing score, you can add CPC-A certification to your resume.

How to Get Your Medical Coding and Billing Certification Online

Medical billing and coding is detailed work and healthcare providers depend on the skill, knowledge, and accuracy of medical billers and coders. If you are detail-oriented, comfortable with computers, and interested in the opportunities presented by today’s healthcare industry, consider enrolling in a medical billing and coding training program.

Ultimate Medical Academy offers two online degree programs — a diploma and an associate degree — and each one prepares you to sit for the CPC exam. When you pass the exam, you’ll be awarded the CPC Apprentice certificate (CPC-A), which can be updated to full CPC status once you’ve completed the necessary work experience and any other eligibility requirements.

If you’re just getting started with the process, check out our online Medical Billing and Coding programs to learn more about your options. If you’re ready to dive in, click over to our Admissions page to start your journey.