Exam Overview
This exam was created in 2018 out of multiple needs from the billing and coding community. We’ve worked with medical billers for over 20 years, and one thing we realize is that, billers can be even better at their job if they understand how to correctly code. It is a natural progression for medical billers to need to know about coding. The billing industry is specialized in collecting insurance payments but most are not coding specialists. As more and more payers apply artificial intelligence to single out specific claims for denial, it’s become even more important for medical billers to use every possible and professional means to collect insurance payments. Learning and applying correct coding techniques gives an obvious advantage above and beyond the average biller. The ability to demonstrate proficiency in coding from an exam specifically designed to test a certificant’s knowledge of coding and how to apply guidelines correctly will set them apart from others. Our goal was to create a comprehensive exam that exceeds industry standards and meets the needs of the medical billers and coders we work with.
Our exam was written by certified professional coders with extensive billing and coding experience. We spent months developing it. We included real examples provided by professional coders and billers that are challenging and will demonstrate your proficiency in medical coding.
We realize that billers need and want the convenience of taking a certification exam online. There are no other certifications that offer this convenience. The CMCS Exam is taken online with 10 days, to complete it, from the time of enrollment. There is no set hourly time limit, offering you the freedom to completely review guidelines in selecting the right answer without time constraints. In the real world of getting claims paid, accuracy wins the race over speed, every time.
There are no apprentice restrictions on this exam.
And finally, cost is always a concern for those wanting to better their skills and demonstrate proficiency. We believe in being cost effective and economical when providing certificants with a professional credential. This allows more people to become certified without the high costs associated with other exams.
Our process is simple, fair, credible, and affordable.
We provide multiple free continuing education credits, making it easier to meet annual recertification requirements. The CMCS requires 15 annual CEUs, and all of them can be earned for free! There are 150 questions that, comprehensively and thoroughly, cover the entire CPT® Code book. Also included are questions on ICD-10 coding and HCPCS coding. Thorough doesn’t have to mean harder, but, to us, it means comprehensive. That is why we covered the CPT® book from front to back.
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association
Exam Content
150 multiple choice questions
Covers CPT, ICD-10 and HCPCS Coding
Taken online, 10 days to complete
Two free retakes
Cost is $325 and requires membership which is $99 annually
15 annual continuing education credits are required to recertify
Passing The Exam
Each question can be reviewed before final submission. A final grade for the exam will be provided immediately upon submission. CMCS Certificates are mailed and should be received within about 3 to 4 weeks. Your certificate and credential are valid for one year from the date you complete and pass the exam. A new certificate is provided via email each year to the credential holder after the recertification process is complete.
80% accuracy (120 of 150 correct) is necessary to pass this exam.
Two free retakes are allowed with a mandatory 30 day waiting period between retakes (but not more than 60 days and must be completed within a year from your original test date.