Top 10 Medical Scheduler Certifications

Certifications are important for medical schedulers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers expect. By having certifications, medical schedulers can show potential employers that they have the necessary skills and qualifications to handle scheduling duties effectively. Certifications also serve as a way for medical schedulers to prove their dedication to their profession, which is an important factor in gaining employment. Additionally, certifications allow medical schedulers to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and standards, which can give them a competitive edge over other job seekers.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Medical Schedulers and explains how they can help to advance a medical scheduler's career.

What are Medical Scheduler Certifications?

Medical scheduler certification is a professional credential that recognizes the expertise and knowledge of medical scheduling professionals. Medical schedulers are responsible for coordinating patient appointments, ensuring efficient patient flow, and providing quality customer service. They handle all aspects of appointment scheduling, including collecting patient information, verifying insurance coverage, and confirming appointments.

Medical scheduler certification can help those who possess it to stand out from the crowd in terms of job opportunities. It signifies that the individual has taken the time to learn best practices in medical scheduling and has achieved a level of competence in their field. Having certification makes an individual more competitive in the job market and increases their chances of being hired as a medical scheduler or promoted within their current organization.

In addition to providing recognition for individuals’ professional development, medical scheduler certification also helps employers by providing them with qualified candidates who have demonstrated proficiency in medical scheduling. This can save organizations time and money by reducing the need to train new employees or fill positions with less experienced personnel. Furthermore, certified professionals may be better equipped to handle complex tasks such as managing multiple calendars, which can improve efficiency and patient satisfaction within healthcare organizations.

Pro Tip: Make sure you understand the certification requirements for your medical scheduler position. Each state has different regulations and requirements for medical schedulers, so be sure to research the specific requirements for your area before beginning the certification process.

Related: What does a Medical Scheduler do?

Top 10 Medical Scheduler Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Medical Schedulers today.

1. Certified Medical Scheduler (CMS)

Certified Medical Scheduler (CMS) is a credential that recognizes the knowledge and skills of medical schedulers in the healthcare industry. It is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The CMS credential is designed to demonstrate a mastery of scheduling techniques, processes, and tools used in medical offices.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CMS exam. To get started, applicants must have at least two years of experience in a medical office setting or one year of experience as a certified coding specialist. Applicants must also complete an AAPC-approved training program and pass an online exam.

The cost for the certification exam is $250 for members of AAPC and $400 for non-members. The cost includes a practice test, study materials, and access to online resources such as forums and webinars.

Once you’ve passed the exam, you will receive your Certified Medical Scheduler certificate from AAPC. You will then be able to use the CMS designation after your name on business cards, resumes, and other professional documents.

2. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a professional certification for medical coders offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is the most recognized medical coding credential and is considered the gold standard in the healthcare industry.

To become a CPC, one must pass an exam administered by the AAPC. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and takes around 5 hours to complete. It covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding, CPT procedure coding, HCPCS Level II procedure and supply coding, and E/M coding guidelines.

To get certified, you must first complete an approved training program or have two years of on-the-job experience in medical coding. Once you have met these requirements, you can register for the CPC exam through the AAPC website. The cost to take the exam is $399 USD for members of AAPC and $499 USD for non-members.

3. Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)

Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) is a certification program offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). This certification program is designed to help healthcare professionals develop their knowledge and skills in medical auditing. It is specifically designed for those who work in the areas of coding, billing, reimbursement, compliance, and quality assurance.

To become a Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA), you must first complete an approved course or training program. The AAPC offers several courses that are approved for CPMA certification, including their online CPMA Boot Camp. After completing an approved course or training program, you must then pass the CPMA exam with a score of at least 70%. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as medical coding principles, documentation requirements, coding compliance issues, and auditing techniques.

The cost of the CPMA certification varies depending on which course or training program you choose to take. For example, the AAPC’s online CPMA Boot Camp costs $1,495 plus applicable taxes. Additionally, there is a one-time application fee of $299 for all applicants seeking to become certified.

Once you have successfully completed your course or training program and passed the exam with a score of at least 70%, you will receive your official Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) certificate from the AAPC. This certificate is valid for three years from the date it was issued and can be renewed every three years by taking continuing education courses and passing recertification exams.

4. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification program offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The program is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the management and administrative operations of a medical office.

To become certified, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as human resources, finance, billing and coding, patient relations, and other areas related to medical office management. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost for the CMOM certification exam is $399 USD for members of the AAPC or $499 USD for non-members. After passing the exam, applicants must complete an annual continuing education requirement in order to maintain their certification status.

Overall, obtaining the CMOM certification requires dedication and commitment. However, it can provide many benefits for those interested in pursuing a career in medical office management. It can help demonstrate knowledge and expertise in this field, as well as provide recognition from peers and employers.

5. Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)

Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM) is a professional credentialing program offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of healthcare access management. The certification is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years to remain current.

To become certified, an individual must meet certain requirements including having a minimum of two years of experience in healthcare access management and completing an approved educational program or obtaining a degree from an accredited college or university. After meeting these requirements, applicants can take the CHAM exam which consists of multiple-choice questions about healthcare access management topics such as patient registration, insurance verification, appointment scheduling, and customer service.

The cost to take the CHAM exam is $250 for NAHAM members and $350 for non-members. After passing the exam, individuals will receive their official CHAM certification within four to six weeks. Renewal fees are $150 for NAHAM members and $200 for non-members.

6. American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certification in Health Data Analysis

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certification in Health Data Analysis is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the field of health data analysis. It is designed to help healthcare professionals gain the skills necessary to effectively analyze and interpret healthcare data. This certification is ideal for those looking to advance their career in health information technology, or who are already working in the field but want to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise.

It typically takes 12-18 months to complete the AHIMA Certification in Health Data Analysis program. The program consists of three courses: Introduction to Health Data Analysis, Advanced Topics in Health Data Analysis, and Applied Research in Health Data Analysis. Students must successfully pass all three courses before they can be certified.

To get the AHIMA Certification in Health Data Analysis, individuals must first become a member of AHIMA by signing up for an annual membership fee of $150. After becoming a member, individuals must then apply for the certification exam through AHIMA’s online portal. Once approved, individuals will receive instructions on how to register for the exam, which costs $250 per attempt and is administered twice a year at testing centers around the US.

In order to maintain their certification status, individuals must complete continuing education credits every two years as well as pay an annual maintenance fee of $50.

7. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional who has been trained and certified to use electronic health record systems. CEHRS certification is granted by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), an accredited certifying body. The certification is designed to demonstrate that the individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and maintain patient records in an electronic format.

The CEHRS certification process includes passing a comprehensive exam, which covers topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, data entry, security protocols, and privacy regulations. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least one year of experience working with electronic health records or have completed an approved training program.

The exam can be taken at any NHA-approved testing center or online through ProctorU. The cost of the exam is $199 USD. Once the exam has been successfully completed, the applicant will receive their CEHRS certification within 4-6 weeks of passing the exam.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also complete continuing education credits every two years in order to maintain their certification status. The cost for these credits varies depending on the type of course taken but typically range from $50-$100 USD per credit hour.

8. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

A Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a healthcare professional who specializes in the management of medical records and other health information. They are responsible for ensuring that all patient data is accurate, secure, and up-to-date. RHITs work with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to ensure that patient information is properly collected, stored, accessed, and used.

In order to become a RHIT, an individual must complete an accredited associate’s degree program in health information technology. These programs typically take two years to complete and include courses in medical terminology, coding systems, database management systems, computer applications for health information management, and legal aspects of health information. After completing the program, individuals must pass a certification exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The cost of becoming a RHIT varies depending on the school you attend and the type of degree program you choose. Generally speaking, tuition costs range from $2,000 - $20,000 per year depending on the institution. In addition to tuition fees there may be additional costs associated with books and supplies as well as any applicable fees or taxes.

Once certified as a RHIT individuals can expect to earn between $42k - $60k annually depending on experience level and geographic location.

9. Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP)

Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) is a professional certification program offered by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). The CHFP certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in healthcare finance and demonstrate knowledge of the principles and practices of healthcare finance.

The CHFP certification requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as financial management, reimbursement, budgeting, accounting, and regulatory compliance. The exam is offered twice each year and consists of multiple-choice questions. Applicants must also complete an application process that includes providing proof of education, experience, and professional references.

The CHFP certification program typically takes between six months to one year to complete depending on the applicant’s prior experience in healthcare finance. Applicants should plan on spending at least 10-15 hours per week studying for the examination.

To get certified as a CHFP, applicants must first submit an application form with required documentation such as transcripts, proof of experience in healthcare finance, and two letters of recommendation from professionals in the field. After submitting the application form and documents, applicants will receive an email notification with instructions on how to register for the examination.

The cost for obtaining a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) designation varies depending on whether you are an HFMA member or non-member. For HFMA members, the fee is $450; for non-members it is $650. In addition to these fees there may be additional costs associated with taking practice exams or attending review courses which can range from $50-$500 depending on what type of course you take.

10. American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certification in Medical Coding

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a professional organization that provides certification for medical coders. It is the largest professional coding organization in the United States and has over 180,000 members.

Medical coders are responsible for assigning codes to patient records, which are used to accurately document diagnoses and treatments. The AAPC offers several levels of certification, including Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), and Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC).

To become certified through the AAPC, applicants must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of medical coding principles, terminology, and guidelines. The exams are offered in both online and in-person formats. Depending on the level of certification sought, the exams may take anywhere from four to eight hours to complete.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also meet certain educational requirements and demonstrate at least two years of professional experience in medical coding. They must also pay an application fee and an annual membership fee to maintain their certification status.

The cost of AAPC certification varies depending on the type of exam taken and whether or not you choose to join as a member. Generally speaking, it costs between $300 and $500 for each exam plus an additional $50 for membership fees annually.

Do You Really Need a Medical Scheduler Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. For those who are interested in becoming a medical scheduler, a certificate may be beneficial. It can provide the necessary education and training to help you understand the intricacies of medical scheduling and ensure that you have the skills and knowledge to properly do your job.

Having a certificate can also be a great way to show potential employers that you are serious about your profession and dedicated to learning more about it. Additionally, it may demonstrate that you have an understanding of the industry standards for medical scheduling, which can give employers confidence in your ability to get the job done correctly.

However, if you already have experience working as a medical scheduler, or simply want to learn more about it without pursuing a certification, there are other options available. Taking classes or attending seminars related to medical scheduling can give you an understanding of the field without needing to obtain a certificate.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a medical scheduler certificate depends on what your career goals are and how much experience you have in this field. If you feel that having such credentials would benefit your career, then obtaining one is definitely worth considering.

Related: Medical Scheduler Resume Examples

FAQs About Medical Scheduler Certifications

Q1: What is a Medical Scheduler Certification?

A1: A Medical Scheduler Certification is a professional credential that recognizes an individual's knowledge and skills related to medical appointment scheduling. It demonstrates proficiency in the key areas of patient scheduling, appointment reminders, insurance verification, and other related tasks.

Q2: Who should consider getting a Medical Scheduler Certification?

A2: Anyone who works in a medical office setting or is responsible for managing patient appointments should consider getting certified. This includes receptionists, administrative assistants, office managers, and other healthcare professionals who are involved in the scheduling process.

Q3: What are the benefits of having a Medical Scheduler Certification?

A3: Having a certification helps demonstrate your commitment to excellence in the field of medical scheduling. It can also help you stand out from your peers when applying for jobs or promotions. A certification shows employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the workplace. Additionally, it may help you receive higher pay or access to better job opportunities.

Q4: How long does it take to get certified as a Medical Scheduler?

A4: The exact time frame depends on individual circumstances but typically it takes between 4-6 months to complete all required coursework and exams necessary to become certified as a Medical Scheduler.

Q5: What type of examination must I take to become certified as a Medical Scheduler?

A5: You will need to pass both an online exam and an on-site practical exam in order to become certified as a Medical Scheduler. The online exam tests for knowledge of medical terminology, scheduling software, insurance procedures, customer service principles, and other relevant topics. The on-site practical exam focuses on hands-on skills such as setting up appointments, verifying insurance coverage, entering patient data into systems, and more.