NHA CBCS study guide
NHA CBCS · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) is one of the eight certifications offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), an allied health certification agency that states it has awarded over 1 million nationally recognized certifications and describes its certifications as NCCA-accredited and recognized by employers nationwide. NHA summarizes the CBCS role in a single line: specialists "support healthcare organizations by managing claims, invoices and payments." That description frames the credential as a revenue-cycle role rather than a clinical one, which is why candidates typically come from medical billing and coding programs, medical administrative assistant roles, or front-office and reimbursement positions that want a formal, verifiable credential. Because the public NHA pages do not publish a CBCS exam blueprint, treat any detailed content outline you encounter - including the two-domain split used on this page - as an estimate rather than an official statement. Practically, the work the credential covers clusters into two halves: getting claims out the door correctly (patient and payer data, coding accuracy, claim edits, submission, tracking, denial management, appeals) and handling the money that comes back (patient statements, payer remittance, posting, adjustments, aging and collections). The NHA CBCS study guide has 2 sections and about 677 words.
01Claims Management: Clean Claims, Edits, and Appeals
Claims management covers everything from selecting the correct claim format to getting a clean claim paid and, when necessary, appealing a denial. The CBCS exam tests whether you can build a compliant claim, apply payer edits, read remittance messages, and choose the right follow-up action.
353 words, about 2 min02Invoicing and Payments: Posting, Patient Responsibility, and A/R
Invoicing and payments covers the money side of the claim: how an allowed amount splits into payer payment, contractual adjustment, and patient responsibility; how to post an EOB or ERA; and how to manage patient statements and aging accounts receivable. The CBCS exam tests accurate posting and follow-up, not just arithmetic.
324 words, about 2 min