Top 10 Revenue Cycle Analyst Certifications

Certifications can be a great way to demonstrate knowledge and experience to potential employers. For a revenue cycle analyst, having certifications shows that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to handle the complexities of the job. Certifications also show that you are committed to your profession, since obtaining them requires dedication and effort. They also provide an opportunity for professional development, as many certifications require continuing education or refresher courses in order to keep them up-to-date. Finally, certifications show employers that you are willing to go above and beyond what is required of you, which can make you stand out from other candidates when applying for a job.

The purpose of this article is to review top certifications for Revenue Cycle Analysts and explain how they can help develop a successful career in the field.

What are Revenue Cycle Analyst Certifications?

Revenue cycle analyst certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and expertise in the area of revenue cycle management. Revenue cycle analysts are responsible for managing all aspects of a healthcare organization’s revenue cycle, from patient registration to billing and collections. This includes tasks such as verifying insurance eligibility, coding medical services, submitting claims to payers, and following up on unpaid claims.

The Certified Revenue Cycle Analyst (CRCA) program is offered through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The certification exam tests individuals on their understanding of the fundamentals of revenue cycle management, including compliance with regulations, reimbursement methods, and best practices. To become certified, applicants must have at least two years of experience in the field or completion of an approved program.

Having a CRCA certification can be beneficial for those looking to advance their career in revenue cycle management. It provides employers with an assurance that those who hold this certification possess the skills necessary to effectively manage their organization's financial operations. Additionally, it can provide individuals with greater job opportunities and higher salaries due to its recognition as a prestigious credential within the industry.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing a Revenue Cycle Analyst Certification, make sure to research the various certification programs available to ensure that you are choosing the one that best fits your professional goals. Additionally, be sure to take advantage of any continuing education opportunities offered by the certifying organization to stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.

Related: What does a Revenue Cycle Analyst do?

Top 10 Revenue Cycle Analyst Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Revenue Cycle Analysts today.

1. Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR)

Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a mastery of the revenue cycle process. It is offered by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

The CRCR certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in revenue cycle management and demonstrate knowledge in areas such as patient access, coding, billing, collections, denials management, and reimbursement. The program also requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics related to revenue cycle operations.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete the CRCR certification process. To get started, applicants must first register for the program through HFMA's website and pay the associated fee. After registering, applicants must complete a series of online courses and exams before being eligible to take the final exam.

The cost of the CRCR certification varies depending on whether you are an HFMA member or not. For non-members, it costs $1,425 for the entire program; for members it costs $1,125.

2. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a professional certification for medical coding professionals. The certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of competency in medical coding.

To become certified, individuals must complete an accredited training program and pass an exam. Training programs can be completed online or in-person and typically take between 6 months and 1 year to complete. Once the training program has been completed, individuals must register for and pass the CPC exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 5 hours to complete.

The cost of becoming a CPC varies depending on the type of training program chosen. Online courses typically range from $1,000 - $2,500 while in-person courses may cost up to $4,000 or more. In addition to the cost of the training program, there is also a fee for taking the exam which is currently set at $399 for AAPC members and $499 for non-members.

3. Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP)

Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) is a professional certification program for those in the healthcare finance field. The CHFP designation is awarded by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of competency and expertise in healthcare financial management.

The CHFP program consists of three parts: an online self-assessment, an online course, and a written exam. The self-assessment is designed to help applicants determine their readiness for the program and identify areas where additional study may be necessary. The online course provides comprehensive instruction on topics such as budgeting, reimbursement, cost accounting, and financial analysis. Finally, applicants must pass a written exam that tests their knowledge of the material covered in the course.

It typically takes about four months to complete all three components of the CHFP program. Applicants must apply for admission to HFMA before they can begin any part of the program. The application fee is $100 USD. Once accepted into the program, applicants must pay an additional fee of $500 USD for access to the online course materials and exam registration fees.

The total cost of obtaining the CHFP designation is approximately $600 USD (not including any applicable taxes).

4. Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS)

A Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) is a professional who specializes in medical billing and coding. They are responsible for ensuring that medical providers receive accurate reimbursement from insurance companies and other third-party payers. This includes submitting claims, following up on unpaid claims, appealing denied claims, and resolving discrepancies between the provider’s records and the payer’s records.

It typically takes about six months to complete the certification process to become a CMRS. To get certified, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set by the American Medical Billing Association (AMBA). These include having a high school diploma or equivalent, at least two years of experience in medical billing or coding, and passing an exam administered by AMBA.

The cost of becoming a CMRS varies depending on where you take your coursework and how you choose to study for the exam. Generally speaking, it will cost anywhere from $500-$2,000 for tuition and materials related to the certification process.

5. Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)

Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully manage healthcare access services. The CHAM program is offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM).

To become a CHAM, candidates must have at least two years of experience in healthcare access management or related roles, such as patient registration or insurance verification. Candidates must also pass an exam that covers topics such as patient rights and responsibilities, customer service, and health information management.

The CHAM exam takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. The cost of the exam is $225 for NAHAM members and $325 for non-members.

Once a candidate has passed the exam, they will receive their official CHAM certification from NAHAM. This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking continuing education courses provided by NAHAM or other approved organizations.

6. American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a professional organization that provides certification, education, and networking opportunities to medical coders. It was founded in 1988 and is the largest medical coding organization in the world.

To become certified by the AAPC, individuals must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of medical coding principles, guidelines, and regulations. The exam typically takes three hours to complete and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. The cost of the exam is $399 for members or $499 for non-members. To become a member of the AAPC, applicants must pay an annual membership fee of $99.

In addition to passing the certification exam, applicants must also complete a minimum of two years of coding experience or have completed an approved coding program prior to taking the exam. Once certified, coders are required to renew their certifications every two years by completing continuing education credits or retaking the certification exam.

7. American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is a professional organization that provides education, certification, and advocacy for health information management (HIM) professionals. AHIMA is dedicated to promoting the best practices in health information management and providing resources for its members.

AHIMA offers a variety of certifications for HIM professionals, such as the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Certified Health Information Technician (CHT), and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). Each of these certifications requires passing an exam and completing continuing education requirements.

It typically takes 6-12 months to prepare for the RHIT or CHT exams, depending on your experience level. The CCS exam usually takes less time since it focuses on coding rather than overall HIM knowledge.

To get AHIMA certification, you must first become a member of AHIMA. Membership costs $150 per year and includes access to study materials and other resources. After becoming a member, you can register for an exam by completing an application form and paying the associated fee ($299 for RHIT/CHT exams; $349 for CCS exams). Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification from AHIMA.

In addition to providing certifications, AHIMA also offers educational programs such as webinars, online courses, conferences, and publications. These programs are designed to help HIM professionals stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

8. Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)

The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) is a professional organization dedicated to helping healthcare finance professionals succeed. Founded in 1946, HFMA provides members with the resources they need to make informed business decisions and advance their careers. HFMA offers educational programs, certification, research, publications, and networking opportunities.

It takes approximately three months to become an HFMA member. To join, you must complete the online application form and pay the membership fee. The fee varies depending on your profession and type of membership. For example, a full-time financial executive would pay $395 for an individual membership while a student would pay $75 for a student membership.

Once you are accepted as an HFMA member, you will receive access to exclusive content such as webinars, podcasts, industry reports, and more. You will also be eligible for discounts on educational programs and conferences offered by HFMA. Additionally, members can take advantage of career development resources such as job postings and mentoring programs.

9. National Alliance of Medical Auditing Specialists (NAMAS)

The National Alliance of Medical Auditing Specialists (NAMAS) is a professional organization that provides certification and training to medical auditors. NAMAS offers the Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) credential, which is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of experienced medical auditors. The CPMA credential requires successful completion of a comprehensive exam, which covers topics such as coding accuracy, compliance, audit methodology, and reimbursement principles.

To become certified through NAMAS, applicants must have at least two years of experience in medical auditing or related fields. Applicants must also complete an approved training program prior to taking the CPMA exam. There are several approved training programs available online or in-person from organizations such as AAPC, AHIMA, and AMA.

The CPMA exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. The fee for the exam is $399 for members of NAMAS and $499 for non-members. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CPMA certificate within six weeks.

In addition to providing certification services, NAMAS also offers members access to educational resources such as webinars and conferences; discounts on products and services; networking opportunities; job postings; and more. Membership fees vary depending on membership type but start at $99 per year for individual memberships.

10. American Academy of Professional Coders - Physician-based Coding Certification

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a national certification organization that offers professional coding certifications for medical coders. The AAPC Physician-based Coding Certification is designed to provide medical coders with the knowledge and skills necessary to accurately code medical records in accordance with the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) system. This certification is designed for those who are already working in a physician’s office or hospital setting, or those who wish to become certified as a physician-based coder.

It typically takes between 3 to 6 months to complete the AAPC Physician-based Coding Certification program, depending on how quickly you can study and master the material. The program consists of self-study courses, online practice exams, and an online proctored final exam. In order to become certified, you must pass the final exam with a score of 75% or higher.

In order to get started, you will need to register for an account on the AAPC website and purchase the appropriate course materials for your particular certification level. You will then have access to all of the materials needed to complete your studies, including textbooks, practice exams, and other resources.

The cost of obtaining the AAPC Physician-based Coding Certification varies depending on which level of certification you are seeking. For example, if you are seeking Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification, it costs $399 USD for members and $499 USD for non-members. If you are seeking Certified Professional Coder – Hospital Outpatient (CPCH) certification, it costs $349 USD for members and $449 USD for non-members.

Do You Really Need a Revenue Cycle Analyst Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual goals and circumstances. If you are looking to advance your career in the field of healthcare finance, having a Revenue Cycle Analyst Certificate can be beneficial. It can provide you with a competitive edge when applying for jobs, as employers may recognize that you have specialized knowledge and skills related to analyzing and managing the revenue cycle. Additionally, if you are interested in pursuing higher education in the field of healthcare finance, such as a master’s degree or even a doctorate, having a Revenue Cycle Analyst Certificate can be helpful in demonstrating your commitment to the field and your mastery of the subject matter.

On the other hand, if you already have extensive experience working in healthcare finance or if you simply want to gain an understanding of the revenue cycle process without needing validation from a certificate program, then obtaining a certificate may not be necessary. In these cases, taking courses or reading books related to healthcare finance and revenue cycle management may be enough for you to gain an adequate understanding of the topic.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether obtaining a Revenue Cycle Analyst Certificate is necessary for achieving your professional goals. It is important to consider what value this certification will bring to your current job situation or future career aspirations before making any decisions.

Related: Revenue Cycle Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Revenue Cycle Analyst Certifications

1. What is a Revenue Cycle Analyst Certification?

Answer: A Revenue Cycle Analyst Certification is a professional certification that validates an individual's knowledge and experience in the field of revenue cycle management. It demonstrates proficiency in areas such as coding, billing, accounts receivable, and reimbursement processes.

2. What are the benefits of becoming a Certified Revenue Cycle Analyst?

Answer: Certified Revenue Cycle Analysts have the ability to apply their knowledge to improve revenue cycle operations, increase accuracy, reduce costs and optimize reimbursements for healthcare providers. Additionally, earning a certification may give individuals an edge in the job market and may lead to higher salaries or promotions.

3. How do I become certified as a Revenue Cycle Analyst?

Answer: To become certified as a Revenue Cycle Analyst, you must complete an accredited program such as the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). These programs provide comprehensive training and testing on topics related to revenue cycle management.

4. What are the prerequisites for becoming certified as a Revenue Cycle Analyst?

Answer: Prerequisites for certification may vary by program but typically include at least two years of professional experience in the field of health care finance or revenue cycle management and completion of an approved course or program with passing scores on all exams.

5. How long does it take to become certified as a Revenue Cycle Analyst?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified will vary depending on your prior education, experience level and program selection; however most certifications can be completed within 6 months or less if studying full-time.