The NHA CCMA exam for Medical Assistants

The National Health Career Association offers the Certified Coding Associate Certification (CCMA) exam for medical assistants. The exam is a 200 question, multiple-choice test completed in three hours and fifty minutes. And to provide the candidates with more information about the exam, we created this article with the help of MedAssistantEdu. 

The certification can be used in vocational or clinical settings, e.g., a doctor’s office, outpatient surgery center, health care facility etc. Many organizations have adopted the CMA credential, including the American Academy of Professional Coders and the American Society of Professional Coders.

The NHA CCMA exam for medical assistants covers topics such as billing and insurance processing; anatomy and physiology; infection control; safety procedures; coding ICD-9 diagnosis and procedure codes; documentation guidelines; compliance with HIPAA regulations; principles of the revenue cycle; patient registration; understanding of current reimbursement system, critical elements to billing and coding for various physician services.

To be eligible to take the NHA CCMA exam for medical assistant candidates must have graduated from a NAACLS accredited medical assisting program or passed an equivalency exam given by Prometric, Pearson VUE Testing Centers. 

NHA’s mission is to advance career opportunities in health care through credentialing programs that demonstrate competency, foster ethical practices and build trust in health care delivery systems. The organization has created school partnerships with leading institutions to provide a quality education that helps graduates meet the needs of employers.

The NHA Certified Coding Associate Certification (CCMA) exam for medical assistants is designed to provide an opportunity for individuals who have completed a course of study in medical assisting in achieving recognized certification. The exam provides an objective assessment of knowledge and skills obtained through training programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or approved by licensure agencies in states without formal requirements. 

NAACLS has developed stringent applicant eligibility criteria that include course completion hours, academic degree(s), GPA, documented hands-on experience and intensive testing procedures. NAACLS recognizes that not all individuals will meet these criteria yet possess skills equal to those candidates who qualify. To acknowledge the expertise of successful candidates, NAACLS offers a certification based on education and training for all individuals who completed a formal medical assisting program.

The National Health Care Association offers the Certified Coding Associate Certification (CCMA) credential. MANY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ADOPTED the CCMA credential, including the American Academy of Professional Coders and the American Society of Professional Coders. To date, more than 60,000 individuals have achieved this certification. It is one of over 20 certifications that NHA offers, from notary public to billing specialist. 

Certification serves two primary purposes: First, it distinguishes qualified professionals from those who merely meet minimum job requirements; second, it affirms commitment/expertise to employers resulting in more excellent compensation and advancement opportunities.

Candidates who successfully pass the exam receive the credential Certified Coding Associate (CCMA). To maintain certification, 15 continuing education units (CEUs) must be earned every two years. Becoming a member of the National Health Care Association also requires attending at least one continuing education workshop or seminar each year.

The material covered on the test reflects knowledge currently being utilized by health care administrators, managers, medical assistants/coding specialists and coders. This test is intended to assess both the knowledge that must be known and the skills that are required for competent performance. 

The NHA CCMA exam for must medical assistant can be taken at Prometric Testing Centers throughout the Unit referenced States. The cost of the exam is $129. 

It is important to note that this certification is different from other certifications since it has been specifically designed for those already working in health care settings who are not performing coding functions but need to know how and why codes are used for billing purposes.