5 Things You Need to Become Medical Coding Certified

Life is a mix of character and character being put into practice. Take riding a bike, for example. The actual balancing and riding of the bike is one thing, but the knowledge of how to ride it is quite another. Miss one of these elements and you’re going to fall over.

Medical coding is the same way.

To become medical coding certified, you need a mix of character and character being put into practice. Let’s talk about five specific things you need — the first three are characteristics, the last two are more practical.

 

1. Desire

For starters? You have to want it! You get as much out of medical coding as you put in. If you don’t have a passion for learning and helping people, medical coding might not be the best industry for you. But for those with the right amount of desire, they’re sure to become medical coding certified.

 

2. Knowledge

Second, you need knowledge. Some medical coding students go through 18 weeks of schooling to try and get the knowledge they need to pass the exam, but still don’t get there. With Medical Coding Academy’s three-day course, however, you can gain the knowledge you need in just one weekend. There’s also an online option.

 

3. Work Ethic

Since you’ll be gaining a lot of knowledge in a short amount of time, you’re also going to need a strong work ethic. Get ready to work hard for the amount of time you’ve invested in, because it will pay huge dividends when it comes to the test. The most successful medical coding students also have a strong work ethic once they land an actual job.

 

4. Books

Now, let’s get into some more practical elements of a medical coding certification. To pass the exam, you’ll need three specific books:

 

• CPT AMA Professional
• ICD-10-CM
• HCPCS Level II

(Medical Coding Academy students receive a discount on all of these!)

 

5. Passing Grade

Finally, you’re going to need to pass the exam to become medical coding certified. This may seem like the most obvious, but it’s really what it all boils down to. By combining a desire to succeed with the necessary knowledge and work ethic (along with the right books), you’ll be well-positioned to pass the exam on the first try.

Ready to become medical coding certified? Sign up for Medical Coding Academy Online today!

 

 

Editor’s note: this post was originally published in December 2019. It has been updated for clarity, accuracy and updated information.