Top 11 Patient Services Representative Certifications

Certifications are important for a patient services representative in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the individual has the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to excel in the role. They also provide assurance to employers that the candidate is competent in areas such as medical terminology, customer service, and communication. Certifications also show potential employers that the individual is committed to their career and has taken initiative to gain additional training and knowledge that will help them succeed in the position. Additionally, certifications can help an individual stand out from other candidates when applying for positions.

This article reviews the top certifications for Patient Services Representatives and explains how they can help to advance a patient services representative's career.

What are Patient Services Representative Certifications?

Patient Services Representative (PSR) certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties of a PSR. These duties include providing customer service to patients, scheduling patient appointments, verifying insurance coverage, collecting payments, and managing medical records. The certification is offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To become certified, an individual must pass an exam administered by the NHA.

Having a PSR certification can be beneficial for those seeking employment in the health care field. Employers often look for applicants who have received formal training or certification in order to ensure that their staff is knowledgeable about medical office procedures and protocols. Additionally, having a PSR certification can make individuals more competitive in the job market since employers may view this as evidence of commitment to their profession. Furthermore, having a PSR certification may also lead to higher salaries since individuals with certifications are generally more highly valued by employers than those without them.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research and understand what is required for patient services representative certification before beginning the process. Different certifications may require different educational requirements, job experience, or skillsets. Knowing what is expected ahead of time can help you save time and make the process easier.

Related: What does a Patient Services Representative do?

Top 11 Patient Services Representative Certifications

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

1. Certified Patient Services Representative (CPSR)

Certified Patient Services Representative (CPSR) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide excellent patient services. The certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

The CPSR certification program consists of an online assessment that tests your knowledge in areas such as medical terminology, customer service, communication, and problem-solving. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

To become certified, you must first meet the eligibility criteria set by NHA. This includes having at least one year of full-time experience in a healthcare setting or completing a minimum of 10 hours of approved continuing education related to patient services within the last two years. You must also pass the online assessment with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost for the CPSR certification exam is $129 USD. After passing the exam, you will receive your official certification card and be able to use the CPSR credential after your name.

2. Certified Patient Advocate (CPA)

Certified Patient Advocate (CPA) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide patient advocacy services. The CPA credential is awarded by the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC) upon successful completion of their certification program.

The CPA program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person workshop. The online course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of patient advocacy, including legal aspects, ethical considerations, communication strategies, and more. The in-person workshop provides hands-on training in practical applications of patient advocacy.

To become certified as a CPA, applicants must complete both the online course and the in-person workshop within 18 months or less. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by NAHAC to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of patient advocacy principles.

The cost for becoming certified as a CPA varies depending on the type of membership you choose with NAHAC. A basic membership costs $99/year plus $125 for the online course and $395 for the in-person workshop. A premium membership costs $299/year plus $125 for the online course and $395 for the in-person workshop.

3. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a certification program designed to recognize medical office professionals who have demonstrated expertise in the management of medical practices. The CMOM certification is awarded by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

The CMOM certification requires that applicants have at least two years of experience as a medical office manager and pass an exam. The exam covers topics such as patient care, billing and coding, insurance, human resources, and practice management. To prepare for the exam, applicants can take an online course or attend a live seminar.

The cost of the CMOM certification varies depending on whether you take an online course or attend a live seminar. An online course typically costs between $500 and $1,000 while attending a live seminar can cost up to $2,000.

Once you have successfully completed the requirements for the CMOM certification, you will receive your certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks.

4. Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR)

A Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR) is a professional who specializes in providing administrative and clinical support to medical offices. They are responsible for managing patient records, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, collecting payments, and other administrative tasks. CMRs also provide customer service to patients and ensure that the office runs smoothly.

To become a CMR, you must complete an accredited training program or course in medical receptionist skills. These programs typically take between six months and one year to complete. Upon completion of the program, you can then apply to take the Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR) Exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

The cost of taking the CMR exam varies depending on your location and other factors. Generally speaking, it costs around $100-$200 USD for the exam fee alone. You may also need to pay additional fees for study materials or any associated costs with taking the exam.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official certification from NHA as a Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR). This certification is valid for two years before needing to be renewed.

5. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a professional certification for medical coders who work in the healthcare industry. This certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to ensure that coders have the knowledge and skills necessary to accurately assign codes to medical diagnoses and procedures.

To become a CPC, an individual must pass an exam administered by the AAPC. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, ICD-10-CM/PCS coding, HCPCS Level II coding, and medical terminology. The exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

In order to be eligible to take the CPC exam, individuals must have at least two years of professional coding experience or have completed an accredited program in medical coding. Additionally, applicants must pay a fee for their application and exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on whether you are a member of the AAPC or not; however, it typically costs around $400-$500 USD.

Once you have successfully passed the CPC exam, your certification will remain valid for two years before needing to be renewed. To renew your certification, you must complete continuing education credits each year and pay a renewal fee of approximately $100 USD per year.

6. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a certification program designed to provide medical administrative professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their field. The program is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), a nationally recognized certifying body for healthcare professionals. The CMAA certification demonstrates that an individual has met the highest standards of professional competency in medical administrative services.

The CMAA certification requires applicants to have at least one year of experience working in a medical office setting, as well as passing an exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, coding and billing, scheduling, insurance processing, patient registration and more. Applicants must also complete a background check prior to taking the exam.

The exam can be taken at any authorized testing center or online through NHA’s website. It typically takes about four hours to complete the exam and results are available immediately upon completion.

The cost of obtaining the CMAA certification varies depending on whether you choose to take the exam online or at an authorized testing center. The fee for taking the exam online is $179 while it costs $199 if you take it at an authorized testing center. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with purchasing study materials or other resources related to preparing for the exam.

7. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

A Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a professional who specializes in the management of health information and patient records. The RHIT credential is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the field of health information technology.

To become an RHIT, you must complete a two-year associate degree program from an accredited college or university that offers a program approved by AHIMA. After completing the program, you must pass an exam administered by AHIMA to earn your RHIT credential.

The cost of becoming an RHIT depends on several factors, such as the type of school you attend and whether or not you receive financial aid. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 for tuition and fees associated with completing a two-year associate degree program in health information technology.

In addition to tuition costs, there are also registration fees for taking the RHIT exam. The fee for taking the exam is currently $199 for AHIMA members and $299 for non-members.

Once you have earned your RHIT credential, there are no additional costs associated with maintaining it. However, you may be required to complete continuing education credits every three years in order to keep your certification current.

8. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional who has been certified to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the use of electronic health records (EHRs). The CEHRS certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), a national certifying organization for healthcare professionals.

In order to become a CEHRS, one must pass an exam which covers topics such as EHR implementation, data security, privacy and confidentiality, and patient safety. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible to take the CEHRS exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience working with EHRs or have completed an approved training program.

The cost of the CEHRS exam is $299 USD. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CEHRS certification from NHA. This certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by taking continuing education courses or retaking the exam.

9. Certified Professional Biller and Coder (CPBC)

Certified Professional Biller and Coder (CPBC) is a certification program offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The CPBC certification demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and proficiency in medical billing and coding. It verifies that an individual has the skills necessary to accurately code medical services, submit claims for reimbursement, and manage patient accounts.

The CPBC certification requires successful completion of an exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, coding systems, reimbursement methodologies, insurance plans, legal issues, and more. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

To be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have either two years of on-the-job experience in medical billing or one year of experience plus completion of an accredited training program in medical billing and coding.

The cost to take the CPBC exam is $399 for AAPC members or $499 for non-members. This fee includes access to study materials and practice exams that can help prepare you for the test.

10. Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)

The Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) is a certification program that recognizes healthcare professionals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of healthcare quality. It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills necessary for effective management of healthcare quality initiatives. The CPHQ credential is awarded by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ).

To obtain the CPHQ certification, individuals must pass an exam administered by NAHQ. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient safety, risk management, performance improvement, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. Candidates must also complete a minimum of 45 hours of continuing education within the past three years prior to taking the exam.

The cost for taking the CPHQ exam is $395 for NAHQ members and $495 for non-members. It typically takes 4-6 weeks to receive your results after you take the exam.

Once you have passed the CPHQ exam, you will be required to renew your certification every three years by completing 45 hours of continuing education credits and paying a renewal fee of $150 for NAHQ members or $200 for non-members.

11. American Academy of Professional Coders Certification (AAPC).

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a professional organization that provides certification and training for medical coding professionals. The AAPC offers various certifications, such as Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC), and Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM). These certifications are designed to demonstrate a coder’s knowledge and proficiency in medical coding.

It typically takes between three to six months to complete the AAPC certification process, depending on the individual's experience level. The first step is to take an online exam, which covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, reimbursement methodologies, and coding guidelines. Once the exam is completed successfully, applicants must submit their application form and fee to the AAPC. After the application has been approved by the AAPC board of directors, applicants will receive their official certification in the mail.

The cost of obtaining an AAPC certification varies depending on the type of certification being sought. For example, a CPC certification costs $399 for members and $499 for non-members; whereas a COC certification costs $299 for members and $399 for non-members. Additionally, there are other fees associated with taking the exams and submitting applications.

Overall, obtaining an AAPC certification can be a great way to demonstrate a coder’s knowledge and proficiency in medical coding while also providing them with additional career opportunities.

Do You Really Need a Patient Services Representative Certificate?

The short answer is no. A patient services representative certificate is not a requirement to become a patient services representative, and there are many successful professionals working in the field who do not have one. However, having a certificate can help demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the job, which could be beneficial when it comes to finding employment or advancing in your career.

Having a certification from an accredited institution can also provide evidence that you have met certain standards of education and training for the role. Depending on the program, you may learn about topics such as customer service best practices, medical terminology and regulations, billing processes, and communication skills. These skills can help you better serve patients and their families by providing efficient, effective care. Additionally, some certifications may require continuing education credits or other measures to ensure that practitioners are up-to-date with industry changes.

In summary, while having a patient services representative certificate is not necessary to become successful in the field, it may give you an edge when it comes to job opportunities or career advancement. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether investing in this type of certification is worth it for your individual situation.

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FAQs About Patient Services Representative Certifications

1. What is a Patient Services Representative Certification?

Answer: A Patient Services Representative Certification is a credential that verifies the knowledge and skills of an individual who works with patients in healthcare settings. It provides training and education in areas such as customer service, medical terminology, insurance billing, and patient records management.

2. How do I become certified as a Patient Services Representative?

Answer: To become certified as a Patient Services Representative, you must complete an accredited program that meets your state’s requirements for certification. This may include taking courses in customer service, medical terminology, insurance billing, and patient records management. Once you have completed the required courses, you can submit an application to take the certification exam.

3. What types of jobs can I get with a Patient Services Representative Certification?

Answer: With a Patient Services Representative Certification, you can pursue a variety of jobs in healthcare settings such as front desk receptionist, medical office assistant, medical billing specialist, or customer service representative.

4. How much does it cost to obtain a Patient Services Representative Certification?

Answer: The cost for obtaining a Patient Services Representative Certification will vary depending on the program you choose to enroll in. However, most programs range from $500 to $2,000 USD for tuition and fees.

5. Is there continuing education required for maintaining my certification?

Answer: Yes, most organizations require that their certified professionals maintain their certifications by completing continuing education credits every year or two years depending on the organization's requirements.