Medical coders categorize health care services by converting medical diagnoses, services, procedures and supplies into codes for billing purposes. An associate or bachelor’s degree in a health-related field may sometimes be required, but certification almost always is. The professional organizations that certify medical coders are the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Among the credentials that may be required for medical coders are:
- RHIA Registered health information administrator (requires a 4-year degree)
- RHIT Registered health information technician (requires a 2-year degree)
- CCS Certified coding specialist
- CCS-P Certified coding specialist, physician-based
- CPC Certified professional coder
- CPC- H – Certified professional coder, hospital-based
