Chapter Four
Preparing for Your Exam
If you pick up the latest copy of Advance for Health Information Professionals and browse through the job ads, or check out the classifieds in your local newspaper, you'll likely find numerous ads seeking qualified medical coders.
In addition to the importance of education and experience, if you're to work in the medical coding industry, you need to be certified.
Certification sets you apart and shows potential employers you're knowledgeable of coding procedures and capable of coding.
The two industry leaders - The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and The American Academy of Professional Coders - both offer certification to eligible medical coders.
Regardless of which exam you decide to sit, you'll want to make sure you allow yourself adequate time to prepare.
Check with the AHIMA or AACP to determine what fees and the length of the waiting period if you should fail an exam on your first try.
Both the American Health Information Management Association and the American Academy of Professional Coders offer study materials.
You can also find study materials at:
Next: Chapter Five: Finding An At-Home Medical Coding Job
Previous: Chapter Four: Certification - American Academy of Professional Coders
Table of Contents for the Medical Coding Career Guide:
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