After completing or pursuing a medical coding training course, you may have been confused about choosing the right industry-relevant medical coding certifications, and it is an important career journey towards starting or enhancing your career in healthcare management. You may already be aware of the importance of industry-relevant certifications like the Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) credential from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) certification from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). It can not decide whether CPC (AAPC) or CCS (AHIMA) is ideal for your professional goals, experience level, and desired work environment. Each certification has distinct benefits, ranging from specialisation opportunities to employer preferences. Choosing the appropriate one can have a major impact on your career employment chances and high salary earnings potential.
In this article, we’ll explore which medical coding certification you should choose? and evaluate CPC vs CCS salary comparison, its criteria, examine their importance, the similarities and differences between CPC and CCS certification, and help you determine which one is ideal for your career path. Whether you’re just getting started or seeking to specialise, understanding these major differences can help you make an informed decision.
What is Medical Coding?
Medical coding is the transformation of healthcare diagnoses, procedures, medical services, and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes. The diagnosis and procedure codes are taken from medical record documentation, such as transcription of physicians’ notes, laboratory and radiologic results, etc.
Who is a Medical Coder?
A medical coder or medical coding professionals ensure the codes are applied correctly during the medical billing process, which includes abstracting the information from documentation, assigning the appropriate codes, and creating a claim to be paid by insurance carriers.
What is CPC (Certified Professional Coder)?
The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification is an internationally or globally recognized medical coding certificate provided by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), you can work worldwide. Earning a CPC certification can demonstrate to hiring managers that you have medical coding training and experience in the healthcare industry.
This certification is for those who are just beginning their career in medical billing and coding, or for someone who are interested in working solely as a medical coder. You can prepare yourself to support general practitioners, work in doctor’s offices, and focus on outpatient services.
CPC Exam Eligibility
To earn the full CPC (Certified Professional Coder) certification, you must have at least two years of professional coding experience. If you pass the exam without meeting this requirement, you will receive the CPC-A (Apprentice) designation instead.
Once you complete the required two years of experience, you can upgrade to the full CPC credential by submitting two letters of recommendation from employers or supervisors verifying your coding work history. The AAPC will then remove the ‘A’ from your designation upon approval.
About the CPC Certification Exam
The CPC exam lasts 5 hours and 40 minutes. To pass, you must properly answer at least 70% of the 150 multiple-choice questions, which translates to at least 105 right answers. The exam includes 17 major areas, including anatomy, medical terminology, radiography, pharmacology, medical coding requirements, and so on.
They assess your ability to assign appropriate diagnostic (ICD-10-CM), procedural (CPT), and supply (HCPCS Level II) codes utilising industry-standard coding systems.
CPC Exam Cost
If you take the CPC exam online, you will only have one chance to pass. However, if you take the exam in person at an approved testing centre, you will have two chances to acquire a passing score of 70% or better. The prices for both choices are published on the AAPC’s website.
What are CCS (Certified Coding Specialists)?
The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Certification is an internationally recognized medical coding certificate by The American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA), which confirms your medical coding knowledge and compliance with industry standards, demonstrates your expertise in diagnostic coding and healthcare data quality.
This certification is for someone suited for those with medical coding experience who are looking to advance their careers and/or earn a higher salary than CPC and can prepare you to evaluate, organize, and code medical information in inpatient facilities such as hospitals and other healthcare environments.
CCS Exam Eligibility
To qualify for the CCS exam, you must meet one of the following criteria:
Option 1: Experience Based Eligibility – 2+ years of direct coding experience (no need for training course)
Option 2: Education + Experience – Complete medical billing & coding courses + 1+ year of coding experience.
Option 3: Existing Credentials + Experience
- Hold a CCA certification + 1+ year of coding experience.
- Hold another coding certification (e.g., CPC) + 1+ year of coding experience.
Option 4: Advanced AHIMA Credentials (No Experience Required)- Hold a CCS-P, RHIT, or RHIA certification.
About the CCS Exam
The CCS exam consists of two sections totalling 115-140 questions, which must be completed within four hours. The first section features multiple-choice questions, while the second presents real-world medical scenarios covering inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department cases.
The exam evaluates five key domains:
- Coding Knowledge and Skills ((39 to 41 percent)
- Coding Documentation (18 to 22 percent)
- Provider Queries (9 to 11 percent)
- Regulatory Compliance (18 to 22 percent)
- Information Technologies (9 to 11 percent)
To pass, you must score at least 300 on a 100–400-point scale, with first-time test-takers achieving an 83% pass rate. This comprehensive exam validates advanced competency in health information management and medical coding practices.
CCS Exam Cost
The cost of the CCS exam varies depending on your AHIMA membership and non-membership status. For the most current pricing information, please visit the official AHIMA website.
CPC Certification Vs CCS Certification
How to Choose Between CPC and CCS Certification?
By comparing these factors, you can determine which path is best suited for you based on career goals, employer preferences, eligibility, and growth potential.
Conclusion:
The decision between CPC vs CCS, which is better, is based on your career objectives, experience level, and chosen work environment. Whether you choose physician-based coding (CPC) or hospital/inpatient coding (CCS), both qualifications will increase your employability and earning potential. CareerInPharma Clinical Research Institute offers comprehensive medical coding training that prepares you for the CPC and CCS certification exams. Enrolling with us will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and assistance you need to succeed whether you choose CPC, CCS, or both for optimum career options.
Join CareerInPharma to become a Certified Medical Coding Professional now!
Reference:
AAPC. Certified Professional Coder CPC Certification Exam. https://www.aapc.com/certification/cpc/
AHIMA. Certifications. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). https://www.ahima.org/certification-careers/certifications-overview/ccs/
FAQs about CPC vs CCS Certification
1. What is the most important distinction between CPC and CCS certification?
CPC (Certified Professional Coder), is focused on outpatient and physician-based coding and provided by AAPC, whereas CCS (Certified Coding Specialist), is focused on inpatient hospital coding and provided by AHIMA.
2. Which coding certification typically earns a higher salary CPC or CCS?
The CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) certification generally commands a higher salary in hospital settings, especially for inpatient coding roles, due to its specialized focus on complex medical records. The CPC (Certified Professional Coder) certification, tends to have slightly lower average salaries in hospital environments.
3. What are the qualifications for CPC and CCS exams?
• CPC: AAPC suggests 2 years’ experience or a medical coding course (If you pass the exam without 2 years’ experience, you will receive the CPC-A (Apprentice) designation).
• CCS: Requires a degree with medical coding course and two years of experience in medical coding or graduation from an AHIMA-approved coding program.
4. Which one is more accepted in the healthcare world?
CPC and CCS are accepted, but CPC is more sought after in outpatient and private practice settings, whereas CCS is more esteemed in hospital and inpatient settings.
5. Can I become certified in both CPC and CCS to increase my career choices?
Yes! Both are achieved by many professionals to broaden career choices and convenience in working in outpatient, inpatient, and hospital settings.
Hi, Thanks for visiting my website. I am Dr Neema Bisht, Director and Co-Founder at CareerInPharma, India’s largest online training company for healthcare professionals in pharma industry. I am a dentist by degree and after working in various pharma companies at several positions, I am now on a mission to guide 1L+ healthcare professionals including doctors and life-science graduates into making amazing careers into pharma companies who are ready to hire them with various perks and benefits.
