Florida Medical Coding Classes - FL

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 8 2010

Continuing Education Requirements/Licensure Renewal

Like most medical specialties, the more advanced degrees and certifications you’ve earned from Florida medical billing and coding training programs, the better your opportunities to improve starting salaries and be in a better position to negotiate subsequent salaries, promotions, and even work arrangements such as working from home.

The AMBA mentioned above offers the voluntary Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist certification. The AMBA hopes that this certification will ultimately create an industry-wide standard for all billers and coders but, in the meantime, it lets employers know that you’ve gone the extra mile and believe in your own advancement.

This 16-part exam costs $395 and students have 45 days to complete it online. They may retake the exam two times for this fee and, if they don’t pass on the third time, they must wait 60 days before retrying. Details about the test are available at www.ambanet.net/ceu.pdf and study materials are available for purchase for $199.

A note: if you do decide the CMRS is right or you, you will need to complete 15 hours of continuing education each year to keep your certification active. Half of these hours must be completed through the AMBA.  The remainder can usually be completed through a Florida medical billing and coding training institution.

Professional Associations

Medical billing and coding are not governed by state associations but by one national group, the American Medical Billing Association (www.ambanet.net). This organization serves to educate and certify its members, to provide networking opportunities to its members, and to provide a venue to advertise and search for jobs in medical billing and coding. Their website provides access to job opportunities, live and on-line networking venues, study guides and continuing education information. They also offer online courses in a number of specialty certifications.

Prospective and current medical billers/coders are encouraged to join this association at $199 per year.