Can you work as a medical biller with out being certified, or is certification required?
Can you work as a medical biller with out being certified, or is certification required?
Certified or Not Certified?
Yes - you can work in medical billing and coding without certification. At this time 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. If you feel it would make you more confident and help you generate more billing clients, scroll to the "Training" section of this document for good resources to achieve your certification.
Benefits
Certification can 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 can also be 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.
Training
Related Articles
Do You Need Certification for Medical Billing and Coding?
Certification is not strictly required for most outpatient medical billing roles—but pursuing one can strengthen your knowledge, credibility, and long-term career potential. This is especially true if you plan to specialize in coding-intensive roles, ...
Do I need to become a certified biller or coder to process medical claims?
The simple answer is "NO". You are not required to have any certifications for billing or coding to create and process claims for physician "professional" billing. If you specifically want to be able to list the credentials after your name. (e.g. ...
What are the steps in medical billing process?
10 Steps in the Medical Billing Process The medical billing process is a series of steps completed by billing specialists to ensure that medical professionals are reimbursed for their services. Depending upon the circumstances, it can take a matter ...
What are the rules for billing consultations?
What are the rules for billing consultations? As a medical billing professional, it’s essential to understand when a consultation can be billed, who can provide one, and how to properly document and submit these services based on CPT and payer ...
Do we keep up with insurance payer changes in reimbursement schedule?
How do I keep up with insurance payer changes and reimbursement schedules? Yes... and staying current with insurance payer changes is critical to ensuring accurate reimbursements and preventing claim denials. Health insurance payers, including ...