Here is a list of the certifications available through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
If you are preparing to sit for any of these certification exams we recommend reviewing our exam preparation tools in our store. They are among the finest available including a vast library of Medical Terminology questions and Operative Reports that will help you build a solid understanding of the medical coding and medical billing fields.
AAPC Main Credentials
CPC-A – Certified Professional Coder Apprentice
CPC – Certified Professional Coder (Outpatient Physician Office Credential)
CIC– Certified Inpatient Coder – Hospital (Inpatient Hospital/ Facility Credential)
COC– Certified Outpatient Coder – Hospital (Outpatient Hospital/ Facility Credential)
CPC-I – Certified Professional Coder – Instructor
CPC-P – Certified Professional Coder – Payer (Payer Coding Credential)
CIRCC – Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Credential)
AAPC Specialty Credentials
CASCC – Certified Ambulatory Surgery Center Coder
CANPC – Certified Anesthesia and Pain Management Coder
CCC – Certified Cardiology Coder
CCVTC – Certified Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Coder
CCPC – Certified Chiropractic Professional Coder
CPCD – Certified Professional Coder in Dermatology
CEDC – Certified Emergency Department Coder
CEMC – Certified Evaluation and Management Coder
CFPC – Certified Family Practice Coder
CGIC – Certified Gastroenterology Coder
CGSC – Certified General Surgery Coder
CHONC – Certified Hematology and Oncology Coder
CIMC – Certified Internal Medicine Coder
COBGC – Certified Obstetric Gynecology Coder
COSC – Certified Orthopaedic Surgery Coder
CENTC – Certified ENT Coder
CPEDC – Certified Pediatrics Coder
CPRC – Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Coder
CRHC – Certified Rheumatology Coder
CSFAC – Certified Surgical Foot and Ankle Coder
CUC – Certified Urology Coder
AHIMA Coding Credentials
CCA – Certified Coding Apprentice
CCS – Certified Coding Specialist
CCS-P – Certified Coding Specialist – Physician
AHIMA Health Information Credentials
CHDA – Certified Health Data Analyst
CHPS –
RHIA – Registered Health Information Administer
RHIT – Registered Health Information Technician
AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) offers similar medical coding certification including CSS®(hospital coding) and CSS-P® (physician based coding). The main difference
The benefits of certification are many, including higher pay, greater flexibility (working at home) and expanded upward mobility in the medical community. Another perquisite is the prestige that a career in the medical field carries. People that work in the medical profession are held in very high esteem in our society.
The demand for medical coders and medical billers has grown rapidly over the last several years. This growth is due in part to the monetary payoff that awaits medical businesses that employ highly proficient coders. The estimates on the amount of money lost due to incorrect coding are nothing short of astounding.
Another contributing factor to the rapid growth of the profession is the insulating effect it has on potential litigation. This is a very important factor given the pervasiveness of litigation involved in the medical field.
The coding industry is no exception. A qualified candidate in medical coding or medical billing can help insulate the company from any litigation by producing quality, accurate medical transcription and reporting. Thus a highly skilled, certified, coder is a coveted employee to have and gaining certification is your doorway to making these benefits a reality.
The medical field is growing and projections have moderate to accelerated growth over the next decade. One of the areas experiencing the fastest expansion is the medical coding and medical billing field.