Why get AAPC certified?
Medical coding standards, regulations, and requirements have become increasingly complex. This critical role in healthcare is best met by a certified medical coder who is trained to transform medical diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment into medical codes. This is why earning a credential in medical coding is an important career milestone. Certification proves the ability to execute this important role and sets a path towards professional achievement.
Here are some important reasons to consider Credentialing Programs:
Meeting the needs of employers, practitioners, and public by identifying individuals with certain knowledge and skills
Demonstrating an individual's commitment to a profession and continuous career development
Assuring employers and practitioners that professionals have met standards of practice
Providing an individual with a sense of pride and professional accomplishment
Certification is the formal process by which a certifying agency, such as AAPC, validates a professional’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in a defined role. It is the official recognition of achievement, expertise, and judgment. Medical coders achieve AAPC certification through specialized education, experience, and examination. This mark of excellence requires continued education and skill development to maintain.
Professional recognition and accomplishment
Certification holds numerous benefits for medical coding professionals. Whether professional or personal, these benefits make a powerful case for pursuing a medical coding specialty certification.
Professional opportunities Certified coders have influence and provide valuable input. Those who prominently showing their professional status are invited to join industry panels, participate in professional development workshops, and contribute their expertise to standard setting. Opportunities abound to network and interact with other certified coders nationally. | Professional achievement Certified coders have distinguished themselves in their area of specialty. As medical coding, billing, auditing, and compliance become ever more complex, the demand for experienced, highly skilled medical coding professionals with a depth of knowledge will continue to rise. Competency requirements for certification renewal ensures certified coders remain up-to-date with the latest developments in their specialties. Certified coders are in demand and raising the stature of the medical coding profession. |
Professional recognition and credibility Certified medical coders are recognized and respected. Certification confirms a coder’s competence and capabilities to peers, supervisors, administrators, and physicians. | Higher compensation Certified specialty coders earn more money. A recent AAPC salary survey found that, among medical coders, those certified in a specialty made nearly $10,000 more per year than medical coders who were not certified. |
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Certifications benefit employers as well
Did you know AAPC works with healthcare organizations to get their staff certified?
Want to move up in your career?
Explore all the directions you can go with AAPC certifications.