Looking at Earning a Medical Billing and Coding Certification?
Find out where, how and how long it takes to get your medical coding and billing certification, also known as a CBCS certification.
Medical billing and coding specialist jobs are enjoying large growth, according to bls.gov’s latest statistics. At 15% growth over the next decade, the time could not be better to be a (CBCS) Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist!
Our mission at cbcscertification.com is to provide resources that prepare you for your education and help you find accredited schools in your area and online. At any time you can search our directory of schools and programs with the search feature below.
What a CBCS Certification is
A (CBCS) certified coding certification is a certification for becoming a medical billing specialist. With this certification, all medical insurance coders will enjoy the following benefits:
- Increased career potential to earn a higher salary
- Increased professional attitude and your demeanor
- Increase in your professional standards
- Increased ability to command trust and respect
Medical insurance billers and coders have garnered respect within the field and with their peers. By maintaining accurate records for insurance and medical billing, they are immensely needed and extremely useful.
Health care providers could not receive their payments accurately without them. And worse than that, a faulty code could potentially prevent patients from getting their medications and treatments they are supposed to receive. But, lucky for all of us, certified billing specialists are always on the job!
Other Certifications Available Within Medical Coding
CMRS Examination
The (CMRS) exam or Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist exam, The American Medical Billers Association (AMBA) offers this certification for an enhanced certification portfolio.
RHIA Examination
The (RHIA) exam or Registered Health Information Administrator exam is a certification for the ability to manage patient medical records and patient health information and data. The RHIA certification can open your employments opportunities due to the scope of work and necessity of the job.
(CPC) Certified Professional Coding Certificates
Certified Professional Coder Hospital (CPC-H)
Certified Professional Coder Payer (CPC-P)
Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A)
CPC-H and CPC-P licensing or certification is very sought after. You will have had to of been employed as a medical insurance biller and coder or medical billing and coding specialist for a minimum of two years. There is also an annual renewal involved. This certification ensures the knowledge of HCPCS coding manuals, medical terminology, ICD-9, CPT, HCPCS, some pharmacologyand even human anatomy.
Important to remember that the CPC-A certificate does not require two years of experience. Upgrading to CPC status after the two year mark is recommended.
Selecting Medical Billing and Coding Schools
The first step in process towards your certification is to enroll in a medical billing and coding program. Choosing the right school can be difficult in some cases. We try and make that choice easier by providing you with the answers to hopefully, some of your questions and what questions to ask schools. Also, we narrow your search down by your location and have online schools to choose from. Entering your zip code in the top right of website will get you started.
Requirements for Program Entry
Entering a medical coding and billing school has a requirement of a high school diploma or GED. But be aware that employers often prefer their prospective candidates to have at least 6 months to 1 year of study beyond high school. Courses in anatomy, physiology and mathematics can assist you in your quest to become a medical coder greatly.
Locating Medical Coding and Billing Schools
Medical billing certification programs are commonly available through local and state community colleges, four year universities and colleges plus vocational education centers. Just be sure to check the accreditation of your prospective school at AHIMA’s website. There are many online schools to choose from that can get you prepared at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home!
Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools
There are many benefits to online medical billing and coding programs. Online education offers some really big benefits for those that take them. With today’s technology, they are getting better and better everyday. The interaction is stronger and the sites that run the class sessions are faster and much more user friendly. Below we highlight the upside to online coding courses.
- Open up more time for you!
- Online coding programs are much cheaper than traditional programs
- Control the pace you learn
On-the-job Education Options
There are chance for medical coding specialists that have opportunities to be trained on the job. If you have experience in health information management or related field this may be available to you. But, it is up to the perspective employer.
Medical billing and coding is an apprentice-able occupation according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor classifications. Registered apprenticeship programs will in most cases, provide fully paid on-the-job programs. For more resources and information for apprenticeships, contact the state or local chapter of AAPC.
Qualities of a Successful Coder
With most coding rules being extremely complex and at times extremely ambiguous, the work requires a strong analytical mind. The details are what matters in this career. Making the correct decision is a must and one must be comfortable putting themselves out there. Having a strong computer knowledge will only help you. Having a working knowledge of computers is essential. Any additional knowledge pertaining any area of medicine or coding will provide benefits in the short and long run.
What Medical Coders do and Where They do it
Certified coding specialists are absolutely essential to the proper functioning of the healthcare system. Using their alphanumeric diagnostic procedures and coding to detail essential information about about a patient’s illnesses and necessary treatments. In the translation of the medical terminology into nationally recognized standardized code, all info is safely and efficiently transmitted so responsible parties can be billed correctly.
As a working coder or biller you will be using your training, experience and knowledge to get the job done everyday. And that job could be in:
- Long-term care facilities
- Nursing homes
- Dentist offices
- Hospitals
- Physician’s offices
- Group Practices and healthcare centers
- Surgery centers
- Home health care centers
- Mental health facilities
- Insurance companies
- Healthcare providers
- IN RARE CASES – YOUR HOME (Multi Years of Exp. Needed in Most Cases)
Coding specialists in the medical field will spend a lot of their working time analyzing and then coding those patient’s charts. When not doing that they will be doing coding on a computer using CBCS software. In cases where diagnostic questions are raised, medical billers must refer to the code books. The biggest one is the (ICD) or International Classification of Diseases.
In most cases, medical coding and billing specialists work full-time hours. And where there are inpatient settings, they may have to work evenings or night shifts.
Medical Biller and Coder Job and Salary Outlook
There are a few factors listed below that can shape your pay structure and pay level.
Salary Shaping Factors
- Location
- Level of certification
- Experience level
- Type of Employer
The chart below shows what the median wages and salaries are for each employer type per bls.gov. The job and salary outlook is looking fantastic in the medical coding world!
Enroll in a Medical Billing and Coding Certification Programs!
With everything you have read you should be able to find an accredited school and get on your way to a new career as a certified medical billing and coding specialist!!