The medical records field is growing rapidly due to federal requirements set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (also known as HIPAA). One part of this system is medical coding. Coders translate health information into alphanumeric codes that are used for payment reimbursement and data collection.
Because of the need for federal compliance, many employers prefer to hire coders with specialized training and certification. Below are the top coding organizations in the United States that provide education and certification credentials.
Education expectations vary by employer. Some may require at least an associate’s degree in health information and specialized certification. Others will accept certification only, especially if the applicant has coding or medical office experience.
Both AAPC and AHIMA have online courses available. As these organizations also provide the most sought after certification credentials by employers, some students prefer this option to ensure they’re getting proper instruction. The AHIMA website also has a listing of approved online and on-campus schools that have coding programs and heath information management degrees which include coding as part of their curriculum.
Certification Credentials for Coders
While it’s not yet legally required that coders are certified, many employers would rather hire workers that have proven experience or credentials. Both organizations offer coding certification exams for a range of working environments and specialties. The AAPC offers the CPC series and three other types explained here:
– Certified Professional Coder (CPC): For physician-service based coding including diagnosis and procedures.
– Certified Professional Coder – Payer (CPC-P): This certification focuses on coding after it has been submitted to the payer.
– Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (CIRCC): For coders proficient in this field including diagnosis and surgical procedures.
– Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA): This credential is for auditing other coding work to make sure it is in compliance with medical and legal requirements.
– Specialty: For coders who want to prove their skills in a certain specialty.
AHIMA provides the following certifications:
– Certified Coding Associate (CCA): This credential shows proficiency in the fundamentals of coding as a basis for entry-level employment.
– Certified Coding Specialist (CCS): For experienced coding in a hospital setting.
– Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-Based (CCS-P): For experienced coding in a physician-based setting such as a doctor’s office or clinic.
Membership Benefits
Membership in both of these coding groups has several benefits including discounts on classes and supplies. They also provide networking for coders and other health information professionals through conventions and meetings. Doctors and hospitals are seeking medical coders with credentials from AHIMA and AAPC. As the most trusted certification organizations, they’re the best resources for prospective and experienced coders.
