Category: CPMA Exam Tips and Preparation

Know the AAPC and AHIMA’s Tips for Medical Billing and Coding Certification

Medical Billing and Coding Certification


AHIMA and the AAPC talked to a number of recently certified medical coding professionals about their strategies for passing their certification exams. The organizations gained a lot of great insights from these individuals. Here are some of their top tips for getting your medical coding or medical billing certification:
1. Take your exam as soon as you can.
Many students make the mistake of postponing their certification exam for a few months or more after finishing their medical billing course. This is a big mistake. The closer you can schedule your exam to the end of your course, the more likely you will be to pass. It makes perfect sense — you’ll do best when all of the information is fresh in your mind. Delaying will only cause you to lose confidence and forget some of the finer points of the course.
2. Don’t try to cram.
Some people blow off most of their coursework in favor of a last-minute cram session before the medical coding certification exam. This strategy rarely (if ever) works. The skills needed to become a successful medical coder can’t be learned overnight. Your best strategy is to give your coursework the time and attention that it requires. Stay up-to-date on your assignments, and get help as soon as you come across an area that you find confusing. Take advantage of all the resources available to you through your course.
3. Check your problem areas with practice exams.
Practice exams are an incredibly helpful tool while preparing for the actual test. You won’t see the exact same questions on the actual exam, but practice exams can help you get a feel for the format of the test and the types of questions that you’ll see. Practice tests can also help you identify areas where you need more work and give you a sense of whether or not you’re ready for the actual exam.
4. Create a support system.
It’s much easier to learn when you have other people on your side. Whether you’re interested in medical billing or coding, the programs at Allied Prep can provide you with all of the training and support that you will need to succeed. You can study at home through our online program or in class with other students who share your goals. In either case, you’ll have access to knowledgeable instructors who can help answer your questions and guide your studies.

Benefits of Online Learning for CPMA Certification

Get CPMA Certification


If you’ve been working as a medical biller or a medical coder for the last few years, you may feel ready to take the next step in your career. For many medical coders, that step is becoming a certified professional medical auditor, or CPMA.
CPMAs are in demand in hospitals, at doctor’s offices, and in government agencies that regulate health care facilities. They can make substantially more money than billers or coders, because they must have more experience, more training, and a second certification in medical auditing.
If you’re already working full time as a medical biller or coder, how can you find the time to get the training you need to pass the CPMA exam? The answer is online CPMA school.
At Allied Prep, our online CPMA certification program lets you take your career to the next level without sacrificing your current job or your schedule. Online coursework lets you plan your studies around your schedule. You can go at your own pace. Maybe you’d like to cram through the course during a few weeks of vacation. Or maybe you’d like to set aside a few nights a week for regular lectures and study time. If your schedule is unpredictable, you could even fit in coursework here and there as you are able until you have time to finish.
Online learning also has a financial benefit. Allied Prep’s online course lets you get CPMA certification training for a set, low price that is much more affordable than an in-class alternative. All you need to succeed in an online course is an internet connection and a little determination. It’s by far the most flexible option for furthering your learning and moving your career forward.
In our online CPMA course, you’ll learn advanced medical coding, basics of statistical modeling, how to identify and report fraud, and many other skills. Once you pass your exam, you could be qualified for an in-house auditing position at your current workplace, or you could look for a job with an auditing agency. These positions let you travel around and work with new people all the time. There are lots of different ways to be successful as a CPMA, and the room for growth into more senior, even better paying positions is excellent.
Learn more about our online CPMA program by taking the time to contact our team! We’d be happy to address any questions you may have about our CPMA school.

CPMA Exam Tips and Preparation

CPMA Exam Tips


The Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) exam is the test that you must pass in order to step into a job as a medical auditor. These jobs can be quite lucrative and are a great next step for professional medical coders or billers.

CPMA exams cover a number of topics, including general coding concepts, quality assurance, communication of results, the medical record, and government guidelines for medical documentation fraud and abuse reporting. Currently, the exam costs $350 to take and allows one free retake.

CPMA Exam Prep

The first step in CPMA exam prep is understanding the format of the exam and what will be expected of you. In your years of experience as a medical biller or medical coder, you’ll have already gained a lot of the experience necessary to do well on the test. But you will need to expand your knowledge, particularly of fraud detection and other auditing skills, in order to pass the exam.

The exam is a 150 question test made up entirely of multiple choice questions. You’ll be given five hours and forty minutes to complete the test, and you will be able to use your coding manuals during the whole thing. The AAPC recommends that test takers bring their own copy of the Current CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II manuals.

Prepare the Smart Way

CPMA exams are notoriously difficult, so it’s important to prepare diligently in advance.

The best way to do that is with a CPMA certification course. By meeting regularly with a qualified instructor, either online or in a classroom, and practicing your skills in advance of the test, you can greatly increase your odds of passing the first time. Our best CPMA exam tips are to take practice tests early and often, and you’ll be able to do exactly that in our CPMA certification program.

Beyond exam prep, Allied Prep’s CPMA course also helps prepare students for a career as a medical auditor. The course will provide you with practical knowledge and skills that will help you step into a medical auditing job quickly and excel at your work.

Learn more about Allied Prep’s CPMA certification program by contacting our school today. You can also stop by the campus or fill out this form to request more information.