Wiki Is CPC mandated by CMS

[dvneluv]

Can anyone tell me if CMS has mandated the CPC certification in order to work as a coder?

 

[teemarie]

Hi,
it's not mandatory to be a certified coder, but over the years CMS has been contemplating it. However,many large medical facilities now require the coder hold a AAPC or AHIMA cert.

 

[kibdog]

Required Credentials

I worked for Medicare for over 3 years before I got my CPC-H and found a coding job. Medicare does require their medical review RNs to have a coding certification now and I have noticed that some the education specialists also have a CPC. It depends on the position you have with Medicare.

Regards,

Debbie Peterson, CPC-H

 

[kibdog]

Addendum

Yes, to be clear, Medicare does require its providers to hire certified coders.

 

[kevbshields]

OIG's compliance recommendations for providers and hospitals also support the use of certified coders. While there isn't a mandate, there is language that encourages providers to utilize them.