Top 10 Patient Services Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for a patient services coordinator in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise, knowledge and commitment to the profession. Certifications also indicate that an individual has taken the time to acquire additional education and training to stay up-to-date on best practices within their field. Having certifications can help a patient services coordinator stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs and show employers that they are dedicated to providing quality care. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities for advancement or specialization in certain areas of patient care.

This article reviews the top certifications for Patient Services Coordinators and explains how they can enhance a patient services coordinator's career.

What are Patient Services Coordinator Certifications?

Patient services coordinator certification is a professional certification offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). The certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s understanding and commitment to providing quality patient services in a healthcare setting. It is intended to help those in the field gain recognition for their expertise and knowledge of patient access management practices, as well as distinguish them from their peers.

The certification program consists of three courses: Introduction to Patient Access Management, Patient Access Services, and Patient Access Leadership & Performance Improvement. Upon successful completion of these courses, individuals will be able to demonstrate their understanding of key concepts such as managing patient access activities, developing and implementing policies and procedures, analyzing data related to patient access performance indicators, and creating strategies for improving patient satisfaction. They will also gain practical skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, communication, customer service, and leadership development.

Having a patient services coordinator certification can help individuals stand out in the job market. It demonstrates that they have a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare field, which can give them an advantage over other applicants who are not certified. Additionally, employers may be more likely to hire someone with this certification since it shows that they are knowledgeable about current best practices in the field. Finally, individuals can use the certification as a stepping stone towards furthering their career in healthcare access management by taking advanced courses or pursuing higher-level positions within the organization.

Pro Tip: When considering a patient services coordinator certification, look for programs that offer comprehensive training in medical terminology, data entry, insurance billing, and customer service. Also, make sure the program provides hands-on experience in the field to ensure you learn how to properly interact with patients.

Related: What does a Patient Services Coordinator do?

Top 10 Patient Services Coordinator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Patient Services Coordinators today.

1. Certified Patient Services Coordinator (CPSC)

Certified Patient Services Coordinator (CPSC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable and experienced in providing quality patient care services. The CPSC certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

To become certified as a CPSC, candidates must meet certain requirements including having at least two years of experience in patient services and/or coding, passing an exam, and completing continuing education credits. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions related to patient services and coding topics. It takes approximately four hours to complete the exam.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on where you take it, but typically ranges from $300-$400. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with obtaining continuing education credits or other materials needed for the certification process.

Once all requirements have been met and the exam has been passed, applicants will receive their Certified Patient Services Coordinator (CPSC) certificate within 4-6 weeks.

2. Certified Medical Office Receptionist (CMOR)

Certified Medical Office Receptionist (CMOR) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of medical office receptionists. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s ability to provide quality customer service in a medical office setting.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient registration, insurance verification, scheduling appointments, and medical terminology. Applicants must also have at least one year of experience working in a medical office environment.

The cost for the CMOR exam varies depending on the testing center. Generally, it costs around $125 to take the exam. The NHA also offers study materials and practice tests for an additional fee.

It usually takes about two weeks to receive your results after taking the exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will be awarded your CMOR certification which is valid for two years from the date of issue.

3. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to perform administrative duties in a medical office setting. The CMAA certification is offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

The CMAA certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, medical law and ethics, insurance processing, coding and billing, scheduling, and other administrative functions. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least one year of experience in a medical office setting or have completed an accredited medical administrative assistant program.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. The cost of the exam is $135 for NHA members or $155 for non-members. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official CMAA certification within 4-6 weeks.

4. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a professional certification for medical coders. It is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The CPC credential demonstrates proficiency in medical coding, as well as an understanding of the legal and ethical issues related to medical coding.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to become a CPC, depending on how quickly you can complete your studies and pass the exam. To get certified, you must first join AAPC and then complete their online or classroom training program. After completing the program, you must take and pass the CPC exam. The cost of joining AAPC and taking the exam is approximately $400-$500 USD.

5. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)

A Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) is a professional who specializes in medical billing and coding. They are responsible for accurately coding medical procedures, diagnoses, and services provided by healthcare providers. This includes assigning the appropriate codes to patient records and submitting claims to insurance companies.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to become a CBCS, depending on the type of program you choose. Most programs cover topics such as medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medical coding systems, reimbursement methodologies, computer applications in healthcare, legal aspects of healthcare delivery, and more.

To become a CBCS you must complete an accredited program from an organization such as the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). After completing your program you will need to pass an exam administered by AAPC or another approved organization.

The cost of becoming a CBCS varies depending on the program you choose but can range from $1,000-$2,500 for tuition and exam fees.

6. Certified Medical Manager (CMM)

Certified Medical Manager (CMM) is a professional certification program for medical office managers and healthcare professionals. It is designed to provide recognition of an individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities in the management of a medical practice or healthcare organization.

The CMM program consists of two parts: a written examination and a practical assessment. The written exam tests the applicant’s knowledge on topics such as medical terminology, coding, billing, insurance regulations, patient privacy laws, HIPAA compliance, and financial management. The practical assessment requires the applicant to demonstrate their ability to manage a medical practice or healthcare organization by completing tasks such as creating budgets and developing policies.

To become certified as a Certified Medical Manager (CMM), individuals must complete both parts of the program within one year. Individuals can take the written exam online or at approved testing centers. The practical assessment must be completed at an approved CMM training center.

The cost of obtaining the CMM certification varies depending on whether you take the written exam online or at an approved testing center. The cost for taking the written exam online ranges from $150-$200 USD while taking it at an approved testing center costs $250-$300 USD. The cost for completing the practical assessment ranges from $500-$1000 USD depending on where you take it and how long it takes to complete it.

7. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional who has been certified in the use of electronic health records (EHRs). The certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and requires individuals to pass an exam that covers topics such as: understanding EHRs, data security and privacy, data entry and retrieval, patient confidentiality, and other related topics.

It typically takes between two to four months to prepare for the CEHRS exam. Candidates should plan on dedicating several hours per week to studying for the exam. Preparation materials can be found online or purchased from the NHA.

To become a CEHRS, individuals must first register with the NHA and pay an application fee of $125. Once registered, they will receive instructions on how to schedule their exam date. The cost of taking the exam is $199. Upon passing the exam, individuals will be awarded their CEHRS certification which is valid for three years.

The cost of becoming a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist varies depending on preparation materials used and any additional fees associated with registering for the exam. However, it typically costs around $324-$400 in total to become certified.

8. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification offered by the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM). It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of medical office managers in areas such as personnel management, financial management, information technology, customer service, and compliance.

The CMOM certification requires candidates to pass an exam that covers topics such as healthcare regulations, patient relations, and medical office operations. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CMOM certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience working in a healthcare office setting or have completed an accredited health care office management program. Applicants must also submit a professional resume along with their application.

The cost of the CMOM certification varies depending on the applicant’s membership status with PAHCOM. Non-members can expect to pay $395 for the exam fee while members pay $295. Additionally, there is a one-time application fee of $50 for all applicants regardless of membership status.

9. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

A Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a professional who specializes in the management of healthcare data and information systems. They are responsible for maintaining patient records, coding diagnoses and procedures, and ensuring accuracy and compliance with government regulations. The RHIT credential is awarded by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), which is the premier association for health information professionals.

To become an RHIT, you must complete an accredited associate degree program in health information technology or a related field. Programs typically take two years to complete and include courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, coding systems, legal aspects of healthcare information management, database management systems, computer science, and more. After completing a program, you must pass the AHIMA exam to earn your RHIT credential.

The cost to take the AHIMA exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $200 - $300 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with enrolling in an accredited program such as tuition costs or textbook expenses.

10. Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR).

The Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) is a professional certification program offered by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). The CRCR certification is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and skill in the revenue cycle management field.

The CRCR certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as financial management, coding, billing, collections, payer contracts, and compliance. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CRCR certification program, applicants must have at least two years of revenue cycle experience or one year of revenue cycle experience combined with a college degree in a related field. Applicants also must have completed an approved HFMA course within the last three years or possess equivalent knowledge.

The cost of the CRCR certification program varies depending on whether you are an HFMA member or non-member. For members, the cost is $395; for non-members it is $595. Additionally, there are fees associated with retaking the exam if you do not pass on your first attempt.

Do You Really Need a Patient Services Coordinator Certificate?

Whether you need a Patient Services Coordinator Certificate or not depends on the job requirements of the position you are applying for. Some employers may require certification in order to be considered for the job, while others may not. Depending on your experience and qualifications, you may be able to demonstrate your proficiency without needing to obtain additional certification.

If you are considering a career as a Patient Services Coordinator, it is important that you understand what the job entails and determine whether or not certification will give you an edge over other applicants. The duties of a Patient Services Coordinator involve providing support to patients by answering their questions, scheduling appointments, coordinating care with healthcare providers, and maintaining patient records. Certification can provide evidence that you have the necessary knowledge and skills needed to perform these tasks effectively.

In addition to demonstrating your knowledge of the field, having a certificate can also show potential employers that you are committed to continuing your education in order to stay up-to-date with industry standards and regulations. Many employers value candidates who take initiative in their own professional development and view this as an indication of dedication and work ethic. It is also important to note that some states may require certain certifications in order for healthcare professionals to practice legally.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Patient Services Coordinator Certificate will depend on what is expected from the employer and your personal career goals. If you would like to pursue this type of role but don’t yet have all of the qualifications required, obtaining certification could help give you an advantage when applying for jobs.

Related: Patient Services Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Patient Services Coordinator Certifications

1. What certifications are available to become a Patient Services Coordinator?

Answer: The most common certifications are the Certified Patient Services Coordinator (CPSC) and the Certified Patient Services Professional (CPSP). Other certifications may be available depending on the state or region.

2. Are there any educational requirements for certification?

Answer: Yes, typically applicants must have at least an associate’s degree in healthcare administration or related field and some experience in patient services.

3. What is the cost of certification?

Answer: Costs vary depending on the certification, but typically range from $400-$600 for both exams and application fees.

4. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: It can take up to 6 weeks for applications to be processed, however once approved, you can be certified within a month after taking the exam(s).

5. What kinds of jobs can I get with a Patient Services Coordinator certification?

Answer: Positions include patient services coordinators, patient advocates, customer service representatives, medical receptionists, case managers, and more.