Intro
Are you struggling with choosing the right healthcare coding certification? The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification can be the right choice. If you are a beginner in the healthcare industry, there is no better option than the CCA credential.
An AHIMA-certified coding associate can build a strong foundation in medical coding and step into entry-level medical coding jobs with confidence.
CCA doesn’t need any experience or higher education, making it a great option for newbies. You can work in clinics, hospitals, or medical billing offices.
The benefits of getting CCA certification don’t end here. Explore the complete guide to know what the paper pattern is, the fee structure, and how to qualify for the exam.
Moreover, learn the scoring method to make everything crystal clear before starting to prepare for the exam.
So, let’s get into it!
What is CCA?
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers the Certified Coding Associate (CCA). This certification is a great starting point for anyone interested in medical coding. While holding this certificate, you can work in hospitals, clinics, or physicians’ offices.
Medical coding is a fast-growing field with a lot of career opportunities. If you have a high school diploma, you can easily get CCA certification. You have to clear a multiple-choice exam that tests your knowledge about medical coding and guidelines.
Keep in mind that not every medical coding job needs CCA certification, but having it helps you stand out. Passing the Certified Coding Associate exam shows you know medical coding well and are ready to start a strong and rewarding career in healthcare.
CPC vs CCA
CPC stands for Certified Professional Coder, and CCA stands for Certified Coding Associate. Both offer strong medical coding career prospects, but there is a big difference between them. Here is a clearer explanation:
| Requirement | CPC (Certified Professional Coder) | CCA (Certified Coding Associate) |
| Education Needed | Relevant education and medical coding courses | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Membership Requirement | Must be an active AAPC member | AHIMA membership is optional but you can get a discounted fee |
| Exam Fee | $399 for the first attempt | $299 for non-members and $199 for AHIMA members |
| Recommended Experience | Relevant coding education is required to get CPC certification or similar healthcare experience is a must | 6 months of coding experienceCoursework in physiology, anatomy, medical terminology, ICD, and CPT codingCompletion of an AHIMA-approved coding program |
| Credential After Passing | Get the CPC-A (Apprentice) designation | Earn the CCA credential |
| Additional Requirements After Passing | Two years of experience as medical coder is a must to remove the apprentice status and become a full CPC | No experience is needed after getting CCA certification |
| Best For | Candidates finding a professional coding career with advanced career opportunities | Beginners looking to start a medical coding career |
The CPC certification requires relevant education before the exam and 2 years of work experience afterward, while the CCA is beginner-friendly and only requires a high school diploma or equivalent to get started.
Most importantly, the CPC holders can only work in outpatient settings, while the CCA holders can work in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
How to Keep Your Credentials Current?
You can get the CCA certification to add valuable skills to your existing healthcare training, boost your career opportunities, and increase your income. And we think it’s best not to stop and keep moving forward.
If you want to keep your certification active and stay updated with industry changes, CCA certification holders must complete 20 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every two years. Out of these 20 credits, 5 can be earned through a required annual self-review.
What about the remaining ones? You can complete them through approved training and educational programs. Many institutes provide a variety of CCA-approved courses, especially for coding professionals.
These webinars cover basic topics such as:
- Health informatics
- Medical coding updates
- Information management
- Healthcare privacy
These areas are constantly evolving in the healthcare industry. The following are the popular courses for CCA-certified professionals:
- The challenges of hybrid medical records and their impact on clinical, coding, and financial outcomes
- Introduction to new ICD-10 coding: preparing for implementation
- The ins and outs of separate and distinct services: documentation and coding
These courses are helpful for both beginners and experienced ones.
Who Can Appear in the CCA Exam?
The person who has a high school diploma or equivalent is qualified for the CCA exam. However, AHIMA recommends a few extra steps to help you prepare and improve your chances of passing:
- Complete an AHIMA-approved coding training program
- Complete an AHIMA-approved PCAP program
- Gain at least six months of coding experience
These are not compulsory, but having these extra things can make it easy for you to pass the exam.
What is the Paper Pattern of the CCA Exam?
There are 105 multiple-choice questions that you have to complete within 2 hours. Only 90 questions count toward your final score. What happens to the remaining 15 questions? The remaining 15 questions are called pretest questions.
These questions help to determine whether they are suitable for future versions of the exam. Here’s the twist: you won’t know which questions are scored and which are unscored (pretest) questions.
The exam should be completed in 2 hours, as there are no scheduled breaks. But you can take a restroom break if needed. The exam timer will continue running during any break. But what does the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam contain? Below is the answer:
- Confidentiality and privacy – 6-10% of the exam
- Information technology – 6-10% of the exam
- Compliance – 12-16% of the exam
- Health records and data content – 13-17% of the exam
- Reimbursement methodologies – 21-25% of the exam
- Clinical classification systems – 30-34% of the exam
Hence, you have to prepare for all sections as each section contributes to your final score.
Is there any need for books to study CCA?
Yes, books are essential to study for the Coding Associate credential exam. The following can be the study books for CCA:
- Mandatory Code Books for the Exam Day: ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT
- Recommended Study Guides: Third-party prep guides and the official AHIMA CCA exam preparation book
- Foundation Reference Materials: Medical terminology and anatomy for medical coding
How Is Your Exam Score Conducted?
The CCA test is scored using a scaled scoring system. Here’s how it works:
Each correct answer adds one point to your raw score. Once you finish the test, your raw score is converted into a scaled score that ranges from 100 to 400. You need a score of 300 to pass the exam.
This conversion is compulsory, as not everyone gets the same questions. Some versions are slightly harder or easier than others. Scaling the score helps make the results fair for all test participants.
In case you fail the exam, you can retake it after a 30-day waiting period. You have to pay the full exam fee each time you retake the exam.
What is the Salary Expectation After Completing CCA?
The CCA certification can help you qualify for many entry-level coding certification roles. According to the ZipRecruiter data, in 2023, people with a CCA certification earned about $22 per hour. Today, you can earn up to $23.36 per hour as a medical coder with CCA certification.
FAQs
How is the CCA test scored?
The CCA test is scored using a scaled scoring method. It is required because everyone has a different version of the test, so the scaling method can even out the results for everyone.
How much does the CCA exam cost?
AHIMA members pay $199, while non-members pay $299. The test retake fee is also the same as for the first attempt. If you want to reschedule your test, an additional fee will be added to the original fee.
Can employers hire me before I get certified?
Many employers can indeed hire you before you get certified. For instance, coding Apprentice, billing and insurance specialist, and medical coder trainee are job roles you can apply for as a non-certified medical coder.
But here’s a catch: you have to sign a contract to complete your certification within 6-12 months of being hired.
Does your CCA certification need to be renewed?
Yes, it’s a rule to renew your CCA certification every two years. You can do it by completing 20 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)within 2 years.
What Certified Coding Associate jobs are available?
A certified Coding Associate can work in the health information and revenue management department. Other common job roles may include:
- Health information clerk
- Medical coder
- Medical biller
- Medical records technician
- Coding auditor
Conclusion
Now that you know who is a certified coding associate and how to get this certification. It’s crucial to remember that CCA certification is not compulsory, but it can help you stand out among all medical coders.
Your salary can be increased, your skills can be polished and added to your experience, you get more job opportunities, and more exposure to grow with CCA certification. It’s up to you whether you want to gain this certification first or complete it during your job.
For this purpose, many institutes provide remote ways to complete your course. Hence, you can schedule your job and study side by side. Start your certification today to boost your income.
