Top 11 Billing Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for a billing assistant in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and expertise. Employers are more likely to hire candidates with certifications, as it shows that the candidate has been formally trained and is qualified to do the job. Certifications can also help a billing assistant stand out from other applicants, as it provides evidence that he or she is well-versed in the specific software and procedures used in billing. Additionally, certifications provide an opportunity for continuing education, which helps keep skills up to date.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the certifications available for Billing Assistants and to explain how these certifications can help advance their career.

What are Billing Assistant Certifications?

Billing Assistant Certification is a specialized certification program designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in medical billing departments. This certification program focuses on teaching individuals the fundamentals of medical billing, coding, and insurance reimbursement procedures. It also covers topics such as HIPAA compliance, electronic health records (EHR), and practice management software.

Having Billing Assistant Certification can be extremely beneficial for those looking to pursue a career in medical billing or coding. This certification gives individuals an edge over other job applicants who lack the same level of education and training. It demonstrates to potential employers that applicants possess the technical knowledge needed for these positions. Furthermore, it gives employers confidence that certified professionals are prepared to handle the duties associated with their role in a timely and accurate manner. Finally, having this certification can open up opportunities for higher pay since it demonstrates an advanced level of expertise in this field.

Pro Tip: When considering a billing assistant certification, make sure to research the qualifications of the certifying organization and any relevant accreditation they may have. Additionally, look into any continuing education requirements or other requirements necessary to maintain the certification.

Related: What does a Billing Assistant do?

Top 11 Billing Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Billing Assistants today.

1. Certified Medical Billing and Coding Professional (CMBP)

Certified Medical Billing and Coding Professional (CMBP) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in medical billing and coding. This certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

The certification process typically takes 6-12 months to complete, depending on the individual’s experience level and commitment to studying for the exam. To become certified, individuals must pass an examination that tests their knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, medical billing and coding principles, and other related topics.

In order to take the exam, individuals must first become members of AAPC. Membership costs $99 for one year or $199 for two years. After becoming a member, individuals can purchase study materials from AAPC which cost between $100-$400 depending on the type of material purchased.

Once an individual has successfully passed the exam they will receive their CMBP certification which demonstrates their expertise in medical billing and coding. The cost of taking the exam is $399 for members of AAPC and $499 for non-members.

2. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a professional credential offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a level of proficiency in medical coding. The CPC certification is a nationally-recognized standard for medical coding professionals, and it demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to accurately code diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement from insurance companies.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to prepare for the CPC exam. Preparation includes taking approved courses or studying on your own with AAPC study materials. To become certified, you must pass the CPC exam which consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering topics such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, ICD-10 coding, HCPCS Level II coding, and CPT coding.

In order to get your CPC certification, you must first become a member of AAPC. Membership fees vary based on your location and type of membership you choose. After becoming a member, you can register for the CPC exam online through the AAPC website. The cost of the exam varies depending on whether you are taking it online or in person but typically ranges from $300-$400 USD.

3. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional who has been certified by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to demonstrate knowledge and skill in the area of electronic health records (EHRs). The CEHRS certification is designed to ensure that individuals have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively use EHRs in their healthcare organization.

The CEHRS certification requires a minimum of 150 hours of formal education, including classroom instruction, online courses, or self-study. In addition, applicants must pass an exam administered by NHA. The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, data entry, privacy and security regulations, and other related topics.

To obtain the CEHRS certification, individuals must first complete the required education and then register for the exam with NHA. The cost for registration is $199 USD. Once registered for the exam, applicants must schedule an appointment to take it at an authorized testing center. After passing the exam, individuals will receive their official CEHRS certificate from NHA.

In summary, obtaining a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) certification requires approximately 150 hours of formal education followed by passing an exam administered by NHA which costs $199 USD to register for.

4. Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP)

Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP) is a professional certification offered by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the principles and practices of revenue cycle management.

The CRCP credential requires passing an exam that covers topics such as healthcare finance, reimbursement, coding and compliance, patient access and registration, claims processing and payment, patient accounting, data analysis and reporting. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To qualify for the CRCP certification, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least two years of professional experience in revenue cycle management or related areas. Additionally, applicants must have completed a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education in revenue cycle management within the past three years.

The cost for the CRCP certification varies depending on whether you are an HFMA member or non-member. For HFMA members it costs $395 for the application fee plus $195 for the exam fee; for non-members it costs $595 for both fees combined.

5. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in medical administrative tasks. CMAA certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and is designed to demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skills required for competent performance in the field of medical office administration. It is ideal for those seeking to advance their career, gain recognition from employers, and increase their earning potential.

To become certified as a CMAA, an individual must pass an exam administered by the NHA. The exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, insurance processing, patient scheduling, health information management, and more. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and must be taken at an authorized testing center.

The cost for taking the CMAA exam is $155 for NHA members or $195 for non-members. After passing the exam, individuals will receive their official CMAA certification from the NHA within two weeks.

6. American Academy of Professional Coders Certification (AAPC)

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a professional organization that provides certification for medical coders. The AAPC certification is the most widely recognized and accepted coding credential in the healthcare industry. It is designed to demonstrate a coder’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in medical coding.

Getting certified through the AAPC typically takes about two months to complete. To get certified, you must first pass an exam that covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, coding guidelines, ICD-10-CM/PCS codes, CPT codes, HCPCS codes, and more. You must also have at least two years of experience in a related field or have completed an accredited program.

The cost of getting certified through the AAPC varies depending on your membership status and whether or not you need to take any additional courses to prepare for the exam. If you are already an AAPC member, then the cost of taking the exam is $399 USD. If you are not an AAPC member yet and need to take additional courses to prepare for the exam, then it can cost up to $1,000 USD or more depending on which courses you choose.

Overall, becoming certified through the AAPC can be a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in medical coding and increase your job opportunities within the healthcare industry.

7. American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is a professional association of health information management professionals. It is dedicated to the advancement of health information management, health data analysis, and health informatics through education, certification, research, and advocacy.

AHIMA offers various certifications that recognize individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to manage patient health information. Depending on the certification you are seeking, it can take anywhere from 6-12 months to complete the requirements for certification.

To obtain AHIMA certification, individuals must first become a member of AHIMA. Membership fees vary depending on your profession and level of experience. After becoming a member, individuals must then pass an exam specific to their desired certification. Exam fees also vary depending on the type of exam taken and range from $200-$400 USD per exam.

Once an individual has completed all of these steps they will be awarded with an AHIMA credential that is valid for 3 years before needing to be renewed.

8. National Healthcareer Association Certification (NHA)

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is a non-profit organization that provides certification and credentialing services for healthcare professionals. It is dedicated to providing quality education, assessment, and recognition of healthcare professionals.

NHA offers over 20 certifications in areas such as medical coding, medical billing, pharmacy technician, clinical medical assistant, patient care technician, and many more. Each certification requires different levels of experience and knowledge in the relevant field. The certifications are designed to provide healthcare professionals with the skills they need to be successful in their chosen field.

To get an NHA certification, you must first pass an exam that covers the material related to your chosen specialty. You can take the exam online or at a testing center. Depending on the certification you are pursuing, it may take anywhere from one day to several weeks to complete the exam. After passing the exam, you will receive your NHA certification within two weeks.

The cost of getting an NHA certification varies depending on which specific certification you are pursuing. Generally speaking, most exams range from $100-$400 USD per attempt. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam at a testing center or purchasing study materials or practice tests.

9. National Association for Healthcare Quality Certification (NAHQ)

The National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) is a non-profit, professional membership organization that provides certification programs to healthcare quality professionals. NAHQ offers certifications in the areas of healthcare quality management, patient safety, and performance improvement.

The certification process typically takes about three months to complete and requires passing an exam. The exam tests knowledge of healthcare quality principles, processes, and tools. The cost of the certification program varies depending on the type of certification sought. For example, the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) certification costs $595 for NAHQ members and $795 for non-members.

To get certified by NAHQ, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements such as having a minimum of two years of experience in healthcare quality or related field and completing at least 45 hours of continuing education credits within five years prior to application. After meeting these requirements, applicants can register online for the exam through the NAHQ website. Once they have passed the exam they will be awarded their certification credential from NAHQ.

10. American Academy of Medical Administrators Certification (AAMA)

The American Academy of Medical Administrators Certification (AAMA) is a professional credential that recognizes the highest level of expertise in medical administration. It is designed to recognize those individuals who have achieved excellence in their field and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning, ethical behavior, and professional development.

It typically takes between two and four years to achieve AAMA certification. To become certified, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements, pass an examination developed by the AAMA, and adhere to a code of ethics.

Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree in health care administration or a related field from an accredited institution as well as at least three years of experience in medical management or health care administration. They must also complete continuing education courses each year to maintain their certification status.

The cost for AAMA certification varies depending on the type of application submitted. The initial application fee is $225 for members and $275 for non-members. There are additional fees associated with re-certification and other services such as name changes or address updates.

11. International Association of Administrative Professionals Certification (IAAP).

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes the knowledge and skills of administrative professionals. It is designed to provide recognition for those who have achieved a level of excellence in their field, as well as to promote professional growth and development.

The IAAP Certification program consists of three levels: Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Advanced Certified Administrative Professional (ACAP) and Master Certified Administrative Professional (MCAP). The CAP is the entry-level certification and is designed for those with two or more years of experience in an administrative role. The ACAP is intended for those with five or more years of experience, while the MCAP is reserved for those with eight or more years of experience.

In order to obtain any level of IAAP Certification, applicants must complete an application process that includes submitting documentation verifying their education, work experience and training. Applicants must also pass a comprehensive exam based on the IAAP's Body of Knowledge. This exam covers topics such as communication, customer service, project management, technology skills and office operations.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete all requirements for any level of IAAP Certification. The cost varies depending on the level being pursued; however, it typically ranges from $200-$400 USD per certification level.

Do You Really Need a Billing Assistant Certificate?

Whether or not you need a billing assistant certificate depends on what type of job you are looking for and your overall career goals. If you are looking to move up in the field of billing, then having a certificate can be very beneficial. It is a great way to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the field.

Having a certificate also shows potential employers that you are dedicated to the profession and have taken the time to learn more about it. Employers may be more likely to hire someone who has taken the time to pursue additional education in this area, as it shows them that you take your job seriously and will be an asset to their company. Additionally, having a certification can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions within the field.

However, if you are just starting out in billing or do not plan on advancing further in this area of work, then obtaining a billing assistant certificate may not be necessary. The decision ultimately depends on what type of position you are looking for and how far you want to go with your career path.

Related: Billing Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Billing Assistant Certifications

Q1. What is a Billing Assistant Certification?

A1. A Billing Assistant Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates proficiency in medical billing and coding, as well as other related tasks such as claims processing, accounts receivable management, and electronic medical records (EMR) management.

Q2. How do I become certified as a Billing Assistant?

A2. To become certified as a Billing Assistant, you must complete an approved program of study, pass an examination administered by the certifying body, and maintain continuing education requirements to remain certified.

Q3. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

A3. Benefits of becoming certified include increased job security, higher pay rates, greater job opportunities, improved ability to stay current with industry changes and trends, and recognition from peers and employers for your knowledge and expertise in the field of medical billing and coding.

Q4. How long does it take to become certified?

A4. The amount of time required to become certified varies depending on the type of certification program chosen; however, most programs can be completed within 6-12 months with full-time study or up to 24 months with part-time study.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for certification?

A5: Yes, most certifying bodies require applicants to have some formal training or experience in medical billing/coding prior to applying for certification. Additionally, many programs require applicants to pass an exam prior to receiving their certification credential.