Types of Medical Coding Certification

Here we list the different medical coding certifications, take a look and if you are not certified yet, choose which certification suits you best.

• AHIMA Medical Coding Certifications:
  Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
  Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
  Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P)
  

• AAPC Medical Coding Certifications:
  Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
  Certified Professional Coder-Hospital (CPC-H)
  Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P)

The right medical coding training program will certainly provide you with the medical transcription skills and training necessary to successfully sit for and pass a medical coding certification exam.

Certified Medical Coders Make More!

It turns out that Certified Medical Coders make more money than their non-certified counterparts – as much as 17% more, according to the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Additionally, medical coding career advancement opportunities are far more plentiful for certified medical coders than for those without a medical coding certification.

There are two national organizations that certify medical coders:
1. AHIMA – American Health Information Management Association
2. AAPC – American Association of Professional Coders

Both of these organizations are reputable and respected and offer widely recognized medical coding credentials. Both organizations also offer entry level medical coding credentials as well as advanced medical coding credentials. Once a medical coding certification is achieved, credentialing organizations typically require that members maintain their credentials through rigorous ongoing continuing education. Over time, most professional medical coders will continue to improve their status by completing advanced medical coding certification requirements.

So how do you find a Medical Coding job?

Of course, you can look in the classified ad section of your local newspaper in search of medical coding job opportunities. However, you are always at the mercy of the timing of postings. It is not our preferred method. You should be aware that there are a lot of medical coding industry publications where medical coding jobs are routinely posted. Advance Magazine, an AHIMA (American Health Information management Association) publication, is an excellent resource. Also, in this day and age, there are many medical coding job boards dedicated to opportunities and information in the medical coding field.


If you are not bashful, one of the best ways we can think of to identify medical coding job opportunities is to call or visit the medical records department of local hospitals or clinics. If you ask to speak directly to the medical records director or medical coding supervisor, you may be fortunate enough to catch them at an opportune moment and make a brief introduction. Finding the best medical coding job requires a little networking and proactivity on your part.