Medical Billing and Coding Resources

Professional Medical Billing and Coding Organizations by State

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

The AHIMA website offers medical billers and coders resources for training and certification, as well as membership opportunities for professionals entering the field. Since 1928, AHIMA has sought to improve the quality of healthcare information management for every party in the healthcare delivery cycle. AHIMA actively advocates in the US Congress on behalf of its more than 61,000 members, 52 state affiliates, and the profession as a whole.

AHIMA Component State Associations

Alaska
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Washington, D.C.
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

The AAPC website lists contacts and resources across the U.S. for professional certification and continuing education. Out of the AAPC’s 100,000 members worldwide, over 64,000 professional coders are currently certified. The AAPC credentials its coders in five main areas, and in 20 specialties. They also offer one certification in auditing, one for compliance, and a certificate of completion for a program on billing and reimbursement.

AAPC Chapters by State

The AAPC has several chapters in each state, but only one in Delaware, one in Guam, and one in Rhode Island. Click here to find a chapter near you.

Medical Billing and Coding Educational Resources

AHIMA Coding Certifications

AHIMA offers three coding credentials. The exams are scheduled through Pearson Vue. Please see the links below for specific details such as eligibility, and the application process.

1. Certified Coding Associate (CCA) The cost is $299 for non-members, and $199 for members.
2. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) The cost is $399 for non-members, and $299 for members.
3. Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based The cost is $399 for non-members, and $299 for members.

AAPC Coding Certifications

AAPC Main Medical Coding Certifications

Each exam costs $300 ($260 for AAPC students), are open-book tests, and allow one free retake. Each exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions, and must be completed within 5 hours and 40 minutes.

1. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
2. Certified Professional Coder-Hospital Outpatient (CPC-H)
3. Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P)
4. Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (CIRCC)
5. Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)

AAPC Medical Coding Specialty Certifications

Each of these exams costs $245, are open-book tests, and allow one free retake. Each exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions, and must be completed within 5 hours and 40 minutes.

1. Certified Ambulatory Surgery Center Coder (CASCC)
2. Certified Anesthesia and Pain Management Coder (CANPC)
3. Certified Cardiology Coder (CCC)
4. Certified Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Coder (CCVTC)
5. Certified Chiropractic Professional Coder (CCPC)
6. Certified Professional Coder in Dermatology (CPCD)
7. Certified Emergency Department Coder (CEDC)
8. Certified Evaluation and Management Coder (CEMC)
9. Certified Family Practice Coder (CFPC)
10. Certified Gastroenterology Coder (CGIC)
11. Certified General Surgery Coder (CGSC)
12. Certified Hematology and Oncology Coder (CHONC)
13. Certified Internal Medicine Coder (CIMC)
14. Certified Obstetrics Gynecology Coder (COBGC)
15. Certified Orthopaedic Surgery Coder (COSC)
16. Certified ENT Coder (CENTC)
17. Certified Pediatrics Coder (CPEDC)
18. Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Coder (CPRC)
19. Certified Rheumatology Coder (CRHC)
20. Certified Urology Coder (CUC)

AAPC Medical Billing and Reimbursement Certificate Course

This course augments the knowledge base of professional coders, enabling them to perform the duties of billing and reimbursing third parties. Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion. The cost is $1,495 for non-members, and $1,195 for members. There is an optional $70 New Student Membership fee, and the 2011 Physician Bundle of three books. These books are the ICD-9-CM Expert for Physicians – Volumes I and II, the HCPCS Level II Expert, and the AMA CPT Professional. The Physician Bundle costs $189.95 for non-members, or $179.95 for members.

Auditing Certification

Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) The cost is $325, is an open-book test, and allows one free retake. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions, and must be completed within 5 hours and 40 minutes.

Compliance Certification

Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO) Like the auditing certification, the cost is $325, and is an open-book test, allowing one free retake. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions, and must be completed within 5 hours and 40 minutes.

Interesting Medical Billing and Coding Articles

• A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the two largest healthcare systems in the nation, the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and their use of electronic medical records.
• Another article from the GAO about the DOD’s initiative to improve their management of EMRs.
• A report about the Department of Health and Human Services’ Electronic Health Record Incentive Program.
• An article about the increased demand for electronic health records.
• A write-up on the new website of the company Bizmatics, best known for their proprietary EMR systems.
• Three out of 10 iPad-owning doctors use their devices to access EMRs.
• A new training program launches in Dallas, Texas at the end of May 2011 regarding EMRs.
• An article about Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque, Iowa using EMRs to display surgery information in real-time.

Studies on Electronic Medical Records

• A 2011 American Cancer Society study of 300 cancer patients for whom EMRs increase satisfaction and reduce anxiety.
• A 2011 study showing U.S. infant mortality can be reduced significantly by using EMRs.
• April 2011 study arguing health data collection is faster with EMRs than recruiting thousands of patients.
• A 2011 study suggesting EMRs improve the quality of healthcare in developing countries.
• Data from a 2009 study of 19,372 marathon runners showing EMRs are viable for injury management.
• Study released November 2008 showing the use of EMRs could lessen the number of malpractice settlements.
• A 2004 study detailing the problems electronic medical records (EMRs) cause for physicians, with suggested solutions.
• “A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Electronic Medical Records”, Wang, et al, April 2003.

About our expert.
Jan Jacobs has worked in medical offices since the early 1980's. Ms. Jacobs has worked for M.D.'s and D.O.'s in primary care and specialty care. She is employed as a senior medical biller and has been at her current job for nearly 10 years, where she uses three different billing systems.