Different Certifications For Medical Billing And Coding – As you consider a career in electronic medical billing and coding (EMBC), you will likely be faced with a decision about the type of education you need to secure your first job.
You’ve done your research, and you’ve probably come across more than a few schools that offer health career education. Each school and each program may have its own strengths and advantages. So how do you evaluate the right program for you?
Different Certifications For Medical Billing And Coding
The answer is deceptively simple. You should choose a program that best fits your specific career plan, as well as your unique personal and professional situation.
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There are two types of educational programs that you will come across in your research which we will define for the purposes of this article as an inclusive curriculum versus a skilled curriculum.
As you can see, the two types of programs differ significantly in the range of subjects covered, the amount of time it takes to graduate, and the cost associated with each program. However, both programs prepare students for the same national certification and qualify students for entry-level medical billing and coding positions.
It is important to note that both types of programs can offer high quality education and can prepare you for a bright future. While all inclusive curriculum programs have more subjects, take longer to complete, and qualify for federal Title IV funding, at ICC, we believe in a skills-based approach that provides the exact skills you need. Need for your chosen career. Many of our students are either unwilling (or simply unable) to take 6-9 months out of their lives to prepare for a new career. Therefore, we design our NY State licensed courses to match the exact needs that prepare our graduates for their future.
The reason for skill-based learning is simple: you can get a national certificate and your first job faster.
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These are the questions we encourage you to consider as you think about your health care career education:
2. How soon do you want to get your certification and be in a position to apply for a new job?
8. After you graduate, and earn your EMBC certification, do you want a school that gives you the flexibility to upgrade your skills and add new certifications as you advance in your career? Are you making progress?
Visit us at 17 Battery Place, Suite 636, New York, NY or call us at 212.335.0711 to learn more about our school, Career Continuation Institute. Your success is the only thing that matters to us!
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We’re women-owned, and like most founders, we’re inspired by our own unique backgrounds and experiences. Our President has spent most of his career in medicine and our Chief Academic Officer is a 35+ year veteran of higher education academic institutions with an advanced degree from Columbia University and 20 years of deanship experience.
We strongly believe that with our unique approach to career planning, education, and employment support, we can make a real and lasting difference in your life.
We have developed more than 20 NY-licensed programs that provide students with nationally accredited credentials in clinical and administrative medical professions.
Call us today! We would like an opportunity to introduce ourselves and help you make an informed decision about your future! You can get your billing and medical coding certification online for as little as $749. Business schools and programs are expected to spend between $1,000 and $2,000 for certification.
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It costs a minimum of $749 to get your certification to become an online medical billing specialist. Most local trade schools and programs cost between $1,000 and $2,500 to attend, while accredited medical billing and coding associate programs at colleges cost between $8,000 and $19,000.
If you are interested in becoming a medical billing specialist, you can start your career in three to four months when you choose a certificate program. Depending on where and how you enroll, the cost of certification is around $1,000, which includes all materials and books needed to complete the course. The total cost depends on any additional programs you purchase for your certification.
Depending on the path you want to take in your medical billing and coding career, you can choose one of two associations to get certified. The first governing body is the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), which offers certifications focused on medical coding/billing, as well as health information management.
In comparison, you can choose the Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), which offers certificate programs that focus on professional services, including coding and inpatient/outpatient billing. AAPC and AHIMA are both nationally and internationally recognized, so which one is “better” depends on your goals.
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Although you can choose one over the other, some coders have certifications from both organizations because hospital coding positions only accept selective certifications. By seeking certifications from both organizations, you can increase the number of career opportunities available.
However, it is important to note that although there are opportunities for individuals who have such certifications, students who pursue a degree earn more than those who only have a certification.
The main entry level certification offered by AHIMA is known as Certified Coding Associate (CCA). To take the exam for this certification, you need a high school diploma or GED. While no special training is required to take the test, it is highly recommended.
Before taking the exam, to ensure your greatest chance of success, it is recommended that you complete at least six months of on-the-job training to build practical experience. You should also understand basic anatomy and physiology, understand medical terminology, and ICD-10 and CPT codes – all of which are offered as AHIMA programs.
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Since you will not join the program and simply take the test for certification, the process will cost you $199 as an AHIMA member and $299 as a non-member. Depending on the length of course you choose, these additional programs will cost you anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000.
If you plan to take your education and credentials to the next level, AHIMA offers a wide range of options, including a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management (HIM). The cost associated with this type of accreditation includes a four-year college program, which typically costs about $30,000 per year.
It is worth noting that AHIMA offers scholarship opportunities, which are categorized into four levels – associate degree, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate. Learn more about eligibility here.
AAPC is known for their certificate programs that focus primarily on professional services, as well as inpatient and outpatient coding and billing. Their CPC preparation course provides you with basic physician-based medical coding skills, allowing you to better prepare for the CPC exam offered through the AAPC. This course can be completed in four months.
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To participate in this online certification program, it will cost you approximately $1,995 for members and $2,495 for non-members. To help you financially, payment plans are offered. There are also “bachelor” courses. Although the final cost will increase when courses are combined, this option offers significant savings.
For example, when you choose this bundle, you get access to the CPC Online Practice Test Bundle — which includes three mock tests with 50 practice questions each. Also, by investing in a package, you’ll be able to try multiple practice tests for up to a year.
Once the time comes to take the actual CPC exam, which consists of 150 questions, you will have the necessary knowledge and experience based on the course material you have collected.
Once you pass, you will receive CPC or CPC-A certification status based on your experience level before writing the exam. For example, to get full CPC certification, you have coding experience. Those without experience will receive a CPC-A designation (which is an education level certification).
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In contrast, if you do not choose the “package” option, it will cost you an average of $2,800 to complete this course module by module. However, the exact cost depends on the models you choose and whether or not you are an AAPC member.
To take the CPC exam, you must be an AAPC member. Membership costs $125 or $0 (if access to your career stage online medical billing and coding course is still active), plus $300 to cover the cost of the exam.
The test itself is relatively difficult, taking an average of five hours and 40 minutes to complete. As stated by the AAPC, this exam covers 24 major subject areas, from medicine to radiology. While you do not need to complete a program before writing the exam, you will be academically prepared for success.
When you are ready for your exam, you need to register at least 3-4 weeks in advance. Be aware of available dates, as local AAPC chapters only offer test dates every few months. This search tool will help you find your nearest exam location.
Fact Sheet: Medical Billing & Coding / Broadband Tech
While these courses are independent from AAPC and AHIMA, they prepare you to take your own
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