---
title: Types of Health Information Certification
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/types-of-health-information-certification/"
type: post
date_published: 2014-09-15
date_modified: 2025-12-26
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 528
reading_time: 3 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/types-of-health-information-certification/"
categories:
  - "Health & Wellness"
topic:
  - "Medical Billing & Coding"
---

# Types of Health Information Certification

Health Information specialists are responsible for organizing and managing
health information data. They ensure accuracy, quality, accessibility and
security of patient’s health information in both paper and electronic
environments. They use various classification systems to categorize and code
patient information in a variety of settings; including doctor’s offices,
hospitals and billing offices. They organize data for insurance reimbursement,
databases, and registries, and they maintain patient medical information and
treatment plans/histories.

To
[begin a career as a health information specialist (or medical biller and coder)](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-billing-coding/how-to-become-a-medical-coder-biller/)
, you can receive a degree or diploma through formal training at an Accredited
College such as Arizona College. Although, certification is not required for a
career as a Health Information specialist, certification is encouraged as it
enhances your resume and can also set you apart from the competition. There are
various types of certification, however, AHIMA (American Health Information
Management Association) is an industry leader, and has been providing quality
and tend-setting Health Information Management certification since 1928.

According to AHIMA, here are a few reasons to pursue certification:

- Increases earning potential
- Opens the door to more opportunities for career advancement
- Increases job mobility and options
- Helps to reach short term goals, and increases long-term career success
- Allows you to connect and network with fellow AHIMA-certified professionals
- Associates you with AMIMA’s strong and long-standing reputation of integrity
  and excellence

AHIMA offers 3 Coding Certification Examinations that are ideal for medical
billers and coders, who are looking to certify their skills, enhance their
resume and set themselves apart from the competition.

- **CCA**-Certified Coding Associate. The CCA credential distinguishes coders by
  exhibiting commitment and demonstrating coding competencies across all
  settings, including both hospitals and physician practices.
- **CCS**-Certified Coding Specialist. The CCS coder is skilled in classifying
  medical data from patient records, generally in a hospital setting. Their
  detailed work is often used in a hospital setting, but they can also code for
  physicians. The coded data created by CCSs are submitted to insurance
  companies or the government (such as for Medicare and Medicaid recipients) for
  reimbursement.
- **CCS-P**-Certified Coding Specialist-Physician Based. The CCS-P coder
  specializes in Physician based environments such as a Physician’s office,
  group practices, multi-specialty clinics or specialty centers. The data that
  CCS-Ps codes are used for insurance and governmental reimbursement purposes.
  The CCS-P coder demonstrates mastery coding proficiency vs. entry-level
  skills.

Are you a detailed person who would enjoy the medical field, but does not want
to deliver direct patient care? Do you like to use computers and technology? If
so, then a career as a Health Information specialist might be for you. Arizona
College offers both degree and diploma programs for those who are interested in
a career in Medical Billing and Coding. Take the first step to make a change in
your future, and
[Contact Arizona College](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/request-information/)
today to learn more about our degree and diploma programs offered at our
Glendale and Mesa campuses.

---

_Information in this blog post is accurate as of September 15, 2014._

**Categories:** Health & Wellness