National Center for Competency Testing

HI all, Don't waste your money on NHA and NCCT, They are not recongized credentials and are useless. I went to Career and tech. school and took an A and P class and their Medical Billing and Coding course,I PASSED NHA certification and became a CBCS, but employers do not recongize or have ever heard of this Certification. I was very lucky, I already worked in a hospital in medical records as an imaging tech for their electronic record. I took credit courses in ICD-9, CPT and Advanced Coding classes at a local community college, and I after I completed my courses got a Job as A ER coder. I then studied and passed the CCS from AHIMA.
IF YOU ARE SERIOUS IN GETTING CERTIFIED THERE ARE ONLY 2 CHOICES
AHIMA- CCS OR CCS-P
RHIT OR RHIA-after you attend a CAHIMA Program(always look to see if the are accrediated by CAHIMA
or AAPC
CPC, CPC-H
ALL OTHERS ARE A WASTE OF YOUR MONEY!

i don't won't to go back to school to retake the course , i'm currently employed at a billing company
which certification would be best for me Ahima or AAPC

Ahima

faye in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana said: i don't won't to go back to school to retake the course , i'm currently employed at a billing company
which certification would be best for me Ahima or AAPC

It depends on your area. Research jobs in the area and see what credentials they require. Since you already have a job as your boss what certification they prefer at the company.

I am currently getting my certification as insurance coding billing specialist through Concorde Career college...and plan taking my CPC thru AAPC this summer thank goodness. I picked a school that is nationally accredited through AAPC and the correct certification...I was really torn between going through a nine month or 2 year program...through AHIMA to obtain my RHIT. I already have my B.A in Political Science and didnot want to wait until this fall of 2010 to start the process through PCC which is only two year college in this area that is certified through AHIMA in this area.

Christine K. in Fort Worth, Texas said: Hi Everyone!

I graduated in Dec 07 from Westwood College recieving a diploma in Medical Billing and Coding. When we took our certification exam it was through NCCT. My certification card says that I bestow the title of National Certified Insurance & Coding Specialist. Ive been told that this is the CCS certification? Does anyone have this same cert? or know anything about it? Im worried that its not a CCS... I started my first coding job in Feb. for a OB/Gyn clinic for a hospital network and I love it and Im doing well at it! If the cert I have is not a CCS...I will be disappointed..being told this since graduating. Besides AHIMA, are there any other places to recieve this cert at?

Thanks for the help and sorry for the long post!

You are one of the lucky ones working with NCCT certification. Sorry to bust your bubble, but you are not a "CCS" which you can only get through AHIMA. Yes, I was scammed too through NCCT. I wrote to the President of NCCT and response. Dig this, a letter to Employers explaning who they are.
Many cannot find a job with these credentials. I have the same cert. as you have and I found out it only means you are a qualified 'biller' which is what AHIMA is telling Employers. AHIMA completely ignored the 'coding' side of it, although everone have went through rigorous courses and testing to achieve it, like myself. I believe NCCT should be shut down since it is not recognizable with the majority of employers. The only up side of NCCT is that it is not as expensive to becoming a member on a yearly basis ($70) while AHIMA and AAPC are in the $1,000 bracket to become members and upgrading your credentials. In all reality it's politics. One company vs. another company and WE are the victims in the middle. My advice to all do not become certified through "NCCT" get certified through AAPC or AHIM to be recognized for employment

I understand that the manager of our Call Center explained to you (earlier today) that candidates who pass our NCCT Insurance and Coding Specialist examination carry only the NCICS credential, but that you wanted to hear it from someone else. Your name was referred to me. These are the facts:

(1) Passing our NCCT insurance exam “certifies” that an individual is a “National Certified Insurance and Coding Specialist” and may use the credentials NCICS. It does not entitle an individual to use any other title, acronym, name, or credential.

(2) Even without a trademark, credentials are proprietary. They are connected to a specific exam from a specific certifying agency. Sometimes certifying agencies will take each other to court if they think that the credential chosen by one certifying agency is too similar to another. Certifiers are very protective of their credentials. They are not interchangeable.

Employers contact us for credential verification if someone lists our credential on an employment application. They want to make sure the applicant is telling the truth, and that they have kept up with CE. If you hold only our NCICS credential but list “CPC” as your credential on an application for employment, any employer that calls the certifying agency that administers the CPC exam will find out that you do not hold their CPC credential. Such an employer may eliminate you from consideration for the job entirely, even if the error was unintentional. It is considered “falsifying” an application, and many organizations have a zero tolerance policy. Using the correct credential is important. Everything that the Call Center manager told you was absolutely correct.

We wish you the best of luck in your job search. You are not alone in finding it difficult in this economy.

Kay C. Bertrand

Vice President
National Center for Competency Testing

I am a current student of Tri-state business in the HIT program. I am doing this as a project for my class. I am wondering if you have any insight on this program or can give me some hints or information of what i can do to become a better biller and coder.

Hi everyone. I have just joined this group as part of an assignment for school. I am going to Tri-State Business for HIT. Ian taking a class, Health Data Content & Structure, seems to be very intersting so far although I am not sure what path I will take with my degree. Can anyone give me any advice or tips on the HIT profession? Thank you so much. I look forward to hearing what anyone might have to say.

Its an amazing thing..very fun amd alot of infomation

Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) -
•Is an expert in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems, collecting and analyzing patient data, and using classification systems and medical terminologies.
•Possesses comprehensive knowledge of medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements and standards related to healthcare delivery and the privacy of protected patient information.
•Manages people and operational units, participates in administrative committees, and prepares budgets.
•Interacts with all levels of an organization - clinical, financial, administrative, and information systems - that employ patient data in decision-making and everyday operations.
Job opportunities for RHIAs exist in multiple settings throughout the healthcare industry. These include the continuum of care delivery organizations, including hospitals, multispecialty clinics and physician practices, long-term care, mental health, and other ambulatory care settings. The profession has seen significant expansion in nonpatient care settings, with careers in managed care and insurance companies, software vendors, consulting services, government agencies, education, and pharmaceutical companies.

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) -
•Ensure the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems.
•Use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs.
•Often specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research. An additional role for RHITs is cancer registrars - compiling and

Audrey Mcg in Portland, Oregon said: I am currently getting my certification as insurance coding billing specialist through Concorde Career college...and plan taking my CPC thru AAPC this summer thank goodness. I picked a school that is nationally accredited through AAPC and the correct certification...I was really torn between going through a nine month or 2 year program...through AHIMA to obtain my RHIT. I already have my B.A in Political Science and didnot want to wait until this fall of 2010 to start the process through PCC which is only two year college in this area that is certified through AHIMA in this area.

Continue to check out listed schools under AHIMA because they have the same programs that are only 1 year, vs. 2 yrs.

I also have the NCCT certification & was told it was not what I needed when I looked for work. I was considering taking more courses to stay certified but think I will look into something else instead.

I have taken the Ncct testing and passed. I received the Insurance billing and coding specialist certification also but I'm finding that many employers are not accepting this. For a total of 10 months and thousands of dollars I know this certification should count for something. Does someone have any one I can contact concerning this matter. If its not accepted why take it!!!!!

I have taken the Ncct testing and passed. I received the Insurance billing and coding specialist certification also but I'm finding that many employers are not accepting this. For a total of 10 months and thousands of dollars I know this certification should count for something. Does someone have any one I can contact concerning this matter. If its not accepted why take it!!!!!

Hello. I'm sorry the NCCT certification was not what you expected. Hindsight is always 20/20. FYI, an official medical billing certification does not exist although plenty of businesses offer them. You want to earn a medical coding certification starting with the CCS - Certified Coding Specialist.

Not knowing your situation, I would inquire with your local junior college to see what classes they offer to put you on the CCS track. Earning an associate's degree and having a CCS could possibly make your job search easier.

I would stay away from vocational colleges. Some charge as much as $10,000 for a certification program and $20,000 for an Associate's Degree. I worked at one of these establishments as an admissions/sales representative.

You should take a look at aapc.com. I checked this organization out a couple of years ago and I believe they offer AHIMA approved coding credentials. What also attracted me was the cost. At the time I could take the program on line - or might have been self study - for about $1,500. Of course this may have changed.

I hope this helps.

David

www.accuclaim.com

You can work here (rxdrugsnetwork.com/?sub=4983) like partner.

Kelly in Lake Mary, Florida said: Does Everest offer a certification program or do you have to take a 2 year course?

Im in the Institute IN hialeah in florida and its an 8th Month course you have externship on your last month

yes ,there r many jobs in the usa ...try assurant.com

I am feeling a little discouraged about this test now. i am scheduled to take mine tomorrow morning. I have already paid my $90 to take the exam through NCCT. i feel that it will help me a little just starting off or at least i hope so. I don't want to take any of the more expensive exams until i get certifiable experience. I have a diploma in Medical Coding and i'm finding it hard just to get someone to let me intern.

I think it is who you know and your networking skills be certified and being detail oriented and knowing your stuff. Be able go thru as many reports as proficient and rapidly as you can...so the the money flows. and being active member with who ever you are certified with such as nccst,ccs-ahmia- aapc-cpc....

the are all excellent comments!

Christine K. in Fort Worth, Texas said: Hi Everyone!

I graduated in Dec 07 from Westwood College recieving a diploma in Medical Billing and Coding. When we took our certification exam it was through NCCT. My certification card says that I bestow the title of National Certified Insurance & Coding Specialist. Ive been told that this is the CCS certification? Does anyone have this same cert? or know anything about it? Im worried that its not a CCS... I started my first coding job in Feb. for a OB/Gyn clinic for a hospital network and I love it and Im doing well at it! If the cert I have is not a CCS...I will be disappointed..being told this since graduating. Besides AHIMA, are there any other places to recieve this cert at?

Thanks for the help and sorry for the long post!

AHIMA owns CCS just like GM owns Chevrolet. It's their property. They were first to market. AHIMA lobbys congress, yada yada

It's their ball, their field. You can choose to lay or not

Christine K. in Fort Worth, Texas said: Hi Everyone!

I graduated in Dec 07 from Westwood College recieving a diploma in Medical Billing and Coding. When we took our certification exam it was through NCCT. My certification card says that I bestow the title of National Certified Insurance & Coding Specialist. Ive been told that this is the CCS certification? Does anyone have this same cert? or know anything about it? Im worried that its not a CCS... I started my first coding job in Feb. for a OB/Gyn clinic for a hospital network and I love it and Im doing well at it! If the cert I have is not a CCS...I will be disappointed..being told this since graduating. Besides AHIMA, are there any other places to recieve this cert at?

Thanks for the help and sorry for the long post!

Well, when you take the NCCT,that is the correct testing for your type of License and Certification,that gives you your CCS and your Nation as well. make sure that when your cert is up that you do both so that if you should decide to move to another state of area you will still be excepted because of the Nations certification that is important, so if you just pay for one and not the other, you will only be able to work in the town where you live and in some cases, some places won't hire you without a Nation Certification. I hope this information was useful to you. Dymon,

SRivera in Arvada, Colorado said: So what about outsourcing. Are alot of medical coders being outsourced??? I want to get my certificate through AAPC but I am afraid that I might not be able to get a job due to getting outsourced. :O{

The percentage of offices outsourcing is still low so there is plenty of opportunity for jobs in offices as well as a great opportunity for those billers who are providing outsourcing services to expand their client base. AAPC certified is always a good thing to get but may not always be what is wanted where you apply. Having experience and education under your belt can only help but may not always be your ticket in. With that said there are plenty of opportunities out there.

Don Franklin
<A HREF="www.medicalbillerresources.com">Visit MedicalBillerResources.Com</A>

Don Franklin in Sacramento, California said: The percentage of offices outsourcing is still low so there is plenty of opportunity for jobs in offices as well as a great opportunity for those billers who are providing outsourcing services to expand their client base. AAPC certified is always a good thing to get but may not always be what is wanted where you apply. Having experience and education under your belt can only help but may not always be your ticket in. With that said there are plenty of opportunities out there.

Don Franklin
www.MedicalBillerResources.Com

Also there are job opportunities working with the outsourcing companies rather than working directly in the medical office. Many Doctor offices who outsource still prefer to outsource locally and not out of the country. So you can look for jobs with these local companies that provide outsourcing services if you don't want to be in business for yourself and prefer to be an employee. Good Luck with your endeavors!

Don Franklin
www.MedicalBillerResources.com

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Please email me I am interested. srhaly_2000@Yahoo.com

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Please email me I am interested. srhaly _2000@Yahoo.com

your best bet is to get certified through Ahima or AAPC

New Class begins February 27, 2012!!! We have updated the website & classroom!! New Dedicated Student Access Center!! Train to become a certified medical biller or coder in 6 months!!! Visit the new website: sites.google.com/site/brookslegacycodingprep/

Thank you for your help, after reading all of the comments I was so confused. God Bless!

Cherellda in Augusta, Georgia said: I'm glad I found this website because I graduate this Friday in Medical Billing and Insurance Coding, and I didn't know NCCT certification was no good. I was making plans to take the test now I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm going to check out AAPC and AHIMA and then I'll decide on which test to take. Thanks to everyone for the info on NCCT.

Do not take the NCCT test. I took it and past it back in 1999. I was fortunate to get an opportunity as a medical biller in a Lab, there I got some experience and moved up after 2 years to coding for a well recognized hospital in Houston, Texas Medical Center. The hospital sent me to get certified through the AAPC as a CPC (Certified Professional Coder) and still moving up in my career. The NCCT certification is not worth anything in the real Job industry. AAPC and AHIMA are the most recognized for this kind of certification.

www.nahcc.com

nancy in Hayward, California said: Does it really cost this much $40k at Everest college ??

Go to SLUSD (San Leandro Adult School) total program is around $500.00....Save your money for the kids.