Top 11 Patient Access Representative Certifications

Certifications are important for patient access representatives in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has a certain level of knowledge and proficiency in their field. They also show employers that the applicant is committed to learning and staying up-to-date on industry standards and trends. Certifications can help patient access representatives stand out from other applicants, as they demonstrate a dedication to their profession. Additionally, certifications can give patient access representatives an edge when it comes to salary negotiations, as employers may be willing to pay more for higher levels of certification. Finally, certifications can open up new opportunities for career advancement and networking within the healthcare industry.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Patient Access Representatives and explain how they can contribute to a patient access representative's career.

What are Patient Access Representative Certifications?

Patient Access Representative Certification is a certification program designed to give individuals the skills and knowledge needed to become certified in patient access services. This certification is often offered through professional organizations such as the National Association of Healthcare Access Management, or NAHAM. The program covers topics such as customer service, patient registration, insurance verification, medical terminology and coding, hospital billing and collections, legal compliance, and more. It also provides specialized training for those who may work with special populations such as veterans or people living with disabilities.

By successfully completing the certification coursework and passing the exam, individuals demonstrate their knowledge of patient access services to employers and potential colleagues. Having this certification can open up job opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and health plans. It can also provide an edge when competing for promotions or pay raises within existing roles. Additionally, it helps keep professionals current on best practices related to patient access services by providing continuing education credits that are required for recertification every three years.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of the free online patient access representative certification programs available to help you stay up-to-date on the latest industry standards and best practices. This will ensure that you have the most current knowledge and skills needed to provide the best service possible to your patients.

Related: What does a Patient Access Representative do?

Top 11 Patient Access Representative Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Patient Access Representatives today.

1. Certified Professional Patient Access Representative (CPPAR)

Certified Professional Patient Access Representative (CPPAR) is a certification program offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). This certification recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in patient access services.

The CPPAR program requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in patient access services, including registration, scheduling, financial counseling, insurance verification and authorization, or eligibility determination. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service, communication skills, medical terminology and coding, and other healthcare related topics.

It typically takes six to eight weeks to complete the application process for the CPPAR certification. The application fee is $295 for NAHAM members and $395 for non-members. Once accepted into the program, applicants must pay a $225 exam fee before taking the exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours.

Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their CPPAR certification from NAHAM. This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

2. Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)

Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) is a credential offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills in healthcare access management. The CHAA certification is a voluntary certification, and it is valid for three years from the date of issuance.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements such as having a high school diploma or equivalent, two years of experience in healthcare access management, and passing an exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions based on four domains: patient access fundamentals, customer service excellence, financial management principles, and regulatory compliance.

The cost to take the CHAA exam is $250 for NAHAM members and $350 for non-members. After passing the exam, there is an additional fee of $50 to receive the certificate.

3. Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR)

Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) is a certification program developed by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in the revenue cycle process. This certification requires candidates to demonstrate their understanding of the various aspects of the revenue cycle, including billing, coding, collections, and customer service.

The CRCR certification is open to any individual who has at least one year of experience in the healthcare field or related industry. Candidates must pass an exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, reimbursement systems, compliance regulations, and more. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

To get certified as a CRCR, you must first submit an application with AAPC. Once approved, you will be able to register for the exam online or via mail-in application. The cost for the exam is $399 USD plus applicable taxes. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CRCR certificate from AAPC within three weeks of completion.

4. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of experienced medical office managers. It is offered by the National Association of Medical Office Management (NAMOM), which is an organization dedicated to promoting excellence in medical office management. The certification program was created to help ensure that medical office managers have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage their practices.

The CMOM certification process involves passing an examination, which consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as patient care, coding, billing, compliance, and practice management. The exam must be taken at a NAMOM-approved testing center and takes approximately four hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CMOM certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience as a medical office manager or supervisor in a healthcare setting. Applicants must also submit proof of completion of a NAMOM-approved course on medical office management or related topics.

The cost for taking the CMOM certification exam is $350 USD, plus any applicable taxes or fees. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their official CMOM certificate from NAMOM.

5. Certified Patient Account Technician (CPAT)

Certified Patient Account Technician (CPAT) is a professional certification for individuals who work in the medical billing and coding field. The CPAT credential is awarded by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), a professional organization that provides certification and continuing education to medical coders.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CPAT exam, which covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, coding systems, insurance regulations, reimbursement methods, and healthcare compliance. In order to take the exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience in patient accounting or have completed an AAPC-approved training program.

The cost of taking the CPAT exam is $399 for AAPC members and $499 for non-members. There are also additional fees associated with membership in the AAPC. Once you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate of completion from the AAPC and become a Certified Patient Account Technician (CPAT).

6. Certified Patient Access Manager (CPAM)

Certified Patient Access Manager (CPAM) is a certification program that provides healthcare organizations with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage patient access operations. The CPAM credential is awarded by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM).

The CPAM program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course takes approximately 20 hours to complete and covers topics such as patient access operations, customer service, data management, revenue cycle management, and compliance. The exam is administered by NAHAM and is designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge of patient access operations.

To obtain the CPAM credential, candidates must successfully complete the online course and pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The cost for the CPAM program is $395 for NAHAM members and $495 for non-members.

7. Certified Medical Coder/Biller (CMCB)

A Certified Medical Coder/Biller (CMCB) is a professional who specializes in coding and billing medical services. They are responsible for accurately assigning codes to medical procedures and services, as well as submitting claims to insurance companies for reimbursement.

It typically takes between 6 months and 1 year to obtain the CMCB certification. To become certified, you must complete a course of study that covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, ICD-10 coding, HCPCS coding, Medicare regulations and other related topics. After completing the coursework, you must pass an exam administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

The cost of obtaining the CMCB certification varies depending on your chosen course provider. However, it typically ranges from $500-$2000 USD.

8. 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 their knowledge and skills in the use of electronic health records (EHRs). The CEHRS certification is designed for those who have experience working with EHRs and are looking to advance their career.

The CEHRS exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, which must be completed within two hours. To become certified, applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

In order to take the CEHRS exam, applicants must first complete an application and pay a fee of $189. After submitting the application, applicants will receive an authorization letter from NHA that includes instructions on how to schedule and take the exam.

Once applicants have passed the exam, they will receive their official CEHRS certification. This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by completing continuing education activities or retaking the exam.

9. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

A Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a professional credential that verifies an individual's competency in managing and protecting patient health information. RHITs are responsible for ensuring the accuracy, security, and confidentiality of health records in any setting where healthcare is provided. This includes hospitals, long-term care facilities, physician offices, insurance companies, and other healthcare organizations.

The RHIT credential is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). To become an RHIT, applicants must have an associate degree from an accredited program in health information technology or a related field. The program must be approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

It typically takes two years to complete the required coursework for an associate degree in health information technology or a related field. After completing the degree requirements, candidates must pass the AHIMA certification exam to earn their RHIT credential.

The cost to take the AHIMA certification exam varies depending on whether you are taking it through an educational institution or independently. If taken through an educational institution, it may cost anywhere from $200 to $400; if taken independently it may cost up to $500. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with preparing for and taking the exam such as study materials or review courses.

10. American Academy of Professional Coders Certification (AAPC)

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a professional organization that provides certification for medical coders. It is the largest medical coding certification organization in the United States and offers a variety of certifications, including Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), and Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC).

It typically takes between 6-12 months to become certified through AAPC. To get certified, you must first complete an approved training program or have at least two years of on-the-job experience. After completing the training or having the required experience, you can take the CPC exam which consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, coding guidelines, and more. You must pass this exam with a score of 70% or higher to become certified.

The cost for AAPC certification depends on what type of certification you are pursuing. The cost for the CPC exam is $399 USD for members and $499 USD for nonmembers. Other certifications may also require additional fees such as application fees and renewal fees.

11. National Association of Healthcare Access Management Certification (NAHAM).

The National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is a professional organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the practice of healthcare access management. NAHAM Certification is a voluntary certification program for individuals who work in the field of healthcare access management, such as patient registration, appointment scheduling, financial counseling, customer service, and insurance verification.

To become certified by NAHAM, individuals must pass an exam that covers topics such as patient rights and responsibilities, customer service principles, medical terminology, coding systems and reimbursement methods. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least one year of full-time experience in healthcare access management or a related field within the past three years. They must also submit two letters of recommendation from supervisors or colleagues attesting to their knowledge and experience in healthcare access management.

The cost of becoming certified by NAHAM is $350 for members and $450 for non-members. This fee covers the cost of the exam as well as a one-year membership in NAHAM. Upon successful completion of the exam, individuals will receive their official NAHAM Certification certificate and be recognized as Certified Healthcare Access Managers (CHAMs).

Do You Really Need a Patient Access Representative Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's career goals. If an individual is looking to work as a patient access representative, then obtaining a certificate can be beneficial in helping them become more competitive in the job market. This certificate can demonstrate an individual's knowledge and expertise in topics related to patient access, such as medical terminology, customer service, data entry, and insurance verification. Having this certification can also give them a leg up when it comes to applying for higher-level positions within the field.

On the other hand, if someone is already working in the industry or has prior experience with patient access, they may not need to obtain a certificate. In these cases, employers may be willing to accept experience and knowledge of relevant topics in lieu of a formal certification. It really depends on what type of position one is looking for and their current level of expertise.

In conclusion, whether or not someone needs a patient access representative certificate depends on their goals and current qualifications. Obtaining this certification can help those who are just starting out or those who want to further their professional development within the field. However, it is not always necessary for those who already have experience and knowledge related to patient access.

Related: Patient Access Representative Resume Examples

FAQs About Patient Access Representative Certifications

Q1. What is a Patient Access Representative Certification?

A1. A Patient Access Representative Certification is a professional certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills related to the patient access field. It demonstrates expertise in areas such as customer service, financial counseling, insurance verification and billing processes, and medical terminology.

Q2. How long does it take to obtain a Patient Access Representative Certification?

A2. The length of time required to obtain a Patient Access Representative Certification will vary depending on how much experience you have in the field and how quickly you can complete the necessary coursework or exams. Generally, it takes between six months and two years to become certified.

Q3. What are the benefits of having a Patient Access Representative Certification?

A3. Having a Patient Access Representative Certification can help validate your skillset and increase your chances of getting hired for jobs in the patient access field. It can also lead to higher salaries, promotions, and more opportunities for career advancement.

Q4. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Patient Access Representative Certification?

A4. Yes, some providers may require applicants to have completed specific educational requirements before they are eligible for certification testing or training programs. Additionally, many providers require applicants to have at least one year of experience working in the field before they can apply for certification programs or tests.

Q5 How much does it cost to get certified as a Patient Access Representative?

A5 The cost of getting certified as a Patient Access Representative will vary depending on which provider you choose and what type of program or test you decide to take part in. Generally speaking, most certification programs cost between $200-$1000 USD depending on the provider's requirements and offerings