Is Medical Billing Certification Required?

by Anonymous

Can you work as a medical biller with out being certified, rather is it a must that you are certified?

Answer:
Yes - you can work in medical billing and coding without certification. There are no state or federal government requirements for medical billing and coding certification to practice medical billing (or coding). However some employers do require certification - especially for coding positions. It's not uncommon for an inpatient facility such as a hospital to have certification as a qualification requirement.

To be honest in the 10+ years I've been in the profession both as an employee or business owner, I have not been asked if I have a medical billing or coding certification. And it's not something I require when looking for help. But I certainly admire those who dedicate the time and effort to become certified and respect their efforts.

Benefits
Certification does enhance your credibility and salary potential and I think it's a great way to show commitment and dedication to the profession. But certification seems to be more common for medical coders - especially those wanting to work for a hospital (or nursing care facility), insurance company, or government agency.

Medical Coding Salaries do tend to be higher for these types of employers. It's also helpful in marketing yourself - either when trying to get a job or get clients for your medical billing business. Certification also shows you meet minimum standards of competency and knowledge in the field of medical billing.

If you are interested in medical billing certification, the American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) offers the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist certification. More information on medical billing certification through AMBA can be found here.

Find more information on medical billing and coding certification here.