1. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Offered By: American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

Focus: Outpatient coding, including physician services and procedures.

Details: The CPC certification covers ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding. It's one of the most widely recognized certifications in the industry.

Eligibility: High school diploma or equivalent, though coding experience is highly recommended.

Exam: 150 multiple-choice questions, open-book, with a 5-hour and 40-minute time limit.

More Information: CPC

2. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

Offered By: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

Focus: Inpatient and outpatient coding, with a strong emphasis on hospital coding.

Details: The CCS certification demonstrates expertise in coding medical records, including knowledge of ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT/HCPCS.

Eligibility: At least one of the following: RHIA, RHIT, or CCS-P certification; completion of a coding training program; or two years of coding experience.

Exam: Includes multiple-choice questions and case studies requiring code assignments.

More Information: CCS

3. Certified Coding Associate (CCA)

Offered By: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

Focus: Entry-level coding in both hospitals and physician offices.

Details: The CCA certification is designed for new coders or those with less experience, covering both ICD-10 and CPT coding.

Eligibility: High school diploma or equivalent, with some coursework in coding recommended.

Exam: Multiple-choice format covering both inpatient and outpatient coding topics.

More Information: CCA

4. Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)

Offered By: American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

Focus: Inpatient hospital coding.

Details: The CIC certification focuses on the use of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes for hospital inpatient services. It demonstrates proficiency in understanding DRGs (Diagnosis-Related Groups) and inpatient reimbursement.

Eligibility: High school diploma or equivalent; inpatient coding experience is recommended.

Exam: 60 multiple-choice questions and 10 inpatient cases, open-book, with a 5-hour and 40-minute time limit.

More Information: CIC

5. Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)

Offered By: American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

Focus: Outpatient hospital/facility coding.

Details: The COC certification is tailored for coding outpatient services in hospital and facility settings, emphasizing knowledge of revenue cycle management.

Eligibility: High school diploma or equivalent; outpatient coding experience is recommended.

Exam: 100 multiple-choice questions and 8 outpatient cases, open-book, with a 5-hour and 40-minute time limit.

More Information: COC

6. Certified Professional Biller (CPB)

Offered By: American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

Focus: Medical billing and the revenue cycle.

Details: The CPB certification covers the complete medical billing process, including claims processing, payment follow-up, and compliance with healthcare regulations.

Eligibility: High school diploma or equivalent; experience in medical billing is recommended.

Exam: 135 multiple-choice questions, open-book, with a 5-hour and 40-minute time limit.

More Information: CPB

7. Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P)

Offered By: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

Focus: Physician-based coding, particularly in outpatient settings.

Details: The CCS-P certification indicates proficiency in coding for physician services, including a deep understanding of CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II.

Eligibility: At least one of the following: RHIA, RHIT, or CCS certification; completion of a coding training program; or two years of coding experience.

Exam: Includes multiple-choice questions and case studies focused on physician services.

More Information: CCS-P

8. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

Offered By: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

Focus: Health information management, including coding, data analysis, and compliance.

Details: The RHIT certification covers a broad range of topics, including coding, but also extends to data management, compliance, and information governance in healthcare settings.

Eligibility: Completion of an associate degree in Health Information Management (HIM) from a CAHIIM-accredited program.

Exam: Multiple-choice questions covering a variety of health information management topics.

More Information: RHIT

9. Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP)

Offered By: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

Focus: Clinical documentation improvement (CDI).

Details: The CDIP certification emphasizes improving the accuracy and completeness of clinical documentation to ensure it accurately reflects the care provided, which is critical for coding and reimbursement.

Eligibility: Candidates typically have a background in coding, nursing, or health information management.

Exam: Multiple-choice questions focused on documentation improvement, compliance, and coding.

More Information: CDIP

10. Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS)

Offered By: American Medical Billing Association (AMBA)

Focus: Medical billing and reimbursement.

Details: The CMRS certification covers a wide range of topics related to medical billing, including coding, insurance claims, compliance, and reimbursement strategies.

Eligibility: Experience in medical billing is recommended, though not required.

Exam: Multiple-choice questions covering medical billing, coding, compliance, and reimbursement.

More Information: CMRS

These certifications are highly regarded in the healthcare industry and can significantly enhance your credibility and career prospects in medical coding and billing. Choosing the right certification depends on your career goals, current level of experience, and the specific area of medical coding or billing you wish to specialize in.