Author Topic: Just starting...  (Read 6298 times)

taylor

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Just starting...
« on: October 21, 2011, 07:54:04 PM »
So I'm thinking about getting into the medical billing business, but i have some reservations i hope someone can help me with.

  My main reason for looking into this field is, like many, the working from home aspect. I've noticed on these forums that the transition between working in an office to working from home seems a bit difficult... exactly HOW difficult is that transition?

  I was introduced to this industry by two of my friends. Both were able to receive on the job training. One now works as a coder in an ER and the other owns his own business and has accumulated quite a few doctors. Both make VERY good livings. Granted, they both got started a number of years ago and i know the industry has undergone some substantial changes. Is on the job training still possible or is vocational schooling the best bet?

  Also, all the job listings I'm finding are listing the salary as $12-16 an hour. That is not really practical for the bay area. Am I looking at the wrong listings or is that how much medical billers working out of doctors/dentist offices get today?
our time
  I know this is a lot, but any information would be useful at this time. Thank you sooo much for your time.

ruthie72

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2011, 11:35:46 PM »
Hi there,
I can tell you if you do not have any connections or experience it is very difficult, i got my medical billing certificate last march and i started my own business, got all my licenses, cards made up, put together a marketing package, and went door to door to dr's offices for months, so many are corporate now, and the ones that are not do their own 'in house" billing..i am not giving up , but i still have yet to find my first client...and you have to keep up with things but they are constantly changing things...So although i really like it..i say do your research and have a game plan!!! GOOD LUCK

PMRNC

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2011, 09:47:39 AM »
It's also hard to say without knowing what your training and education, experience is. Certainly if you have little or no experience or little or no training it's going to take much more to get started and it will be a tough transition. As for training via "on the job" vs. a vocational, again, it really depends on what your training is, I would never recommend someone starting this business with no training learn "on the job", it's not practical at all. You will want to find a school or at home course and start there.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

taylor

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2011, 05:46:41 PM »
Well,  have no training right now. I'm trying to research every part of the field before i commit to it. I must say, I'm getting nervous. It's sounding more and more difficult to break into.... I was attracted because it would allow me to work at home and that sounds difficult to do even after a few years in an office. Am i understanding that correctly?

PMRNC

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2011, 06:27:36 PM »
Well, I can only answer for myself. I had background and experience working for insurance companies, and the appeal to work from home was certainly there at time my kids were younger, but really your working longer hours and yes this is a difficult industry to break into w/out any experience, but certainly NOT impossible at all. It does require complete training and you will also need to market yourself and it can take a while to see a profit. If you have  full time job I wouldn't leave it to start this business. What I did was work full time (lot of overtime too) and put away money for start up costs each week.. even when I got my first 2 clients I still wasn't set to leave my full time job and then it became a juggling act trying to balance so I gave notice at work and here it is 20 years later. The work at home is "convenient" at best but it's certainly no picnic, most times I feel like I have less time now than I did working 9-5.   Don't let that discourage you if this is what you want to do, you just really have to be dedicated to getting full training and education.  There are a lot of good courses out there and I have seen billers end up quite successful starting out with no experience but they had good training!
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2011, 06:27:36 PM »

taylor

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2011, 05:39:50 PM »
You can't believe how much help this is for me haha. Thank you so much. You said you had less time that your 9-5. That's dependent on the amount of doctors you're working for, right? Also,about how much does it cost to start up? What are the major costs?

  You mentioned good training. Does that mean certification from a vocational school? Or is the simply the certification enough?

PMRNC

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2011, 07:48:56 PM »
No, actually even in start up phase and with 2 providers my time was limited. I don't care what anyone says, working from home does not have the perks you think it does..maybe you can do an extra load of laundry lol. MAYBE.  There's marketing, training, setup etc.

As for certification, do not fall for the "National Certification" crap. There is NO known national certification for medical billing. Certification is ONLY going to be as good as the training offered. Research your courses on merit alone, not a piece of paper offered "nationally" (meaning in all 50 states) LOL    Seriously.. be cautious and take the time to research your courses, either vocational school or online, they are both good and how you do depends on how you are at learning. 
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

DMK

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2011, 09:02:22 PM »
"I don't care what anyone says, working from home does not have the perks you think it does.."

Amen!  Working at home, I think, is harder!  You have to really be motivated to time management and actually WORK during business hours.  You have to treat your home office like the real office and go to work!  No distractions.  Most people can't do it.  It's also hard to get your family to treat your work like work since you're at home, they seem to think they can interrupt whenever they want.  Not so easy!

If you've never billed, I would take a course at you local community college first.  They usually have a short 3 or 4 session course with just the basics, just to see if it interests you.  Then you may want to go get a part time (or full time) job in a billing office.  Again, to see if you're good at it, interested, and have the desire it takes to do this type of work.  I don't find it difficult, I find it challenging and important.  People's income depends on you, you can't just be frivolous about it.

If you love it, it's really fun (other than the rules constantly changing!).  And I love it! 

Good luck!!!!  Choose wisely!

ruthie72

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2011, 11:04:23 PM »
I went to KAPLAN online...it was one of the most reasonable, and it was very informative and easy to follow!! Plus they have a great support team and teachers...GOOD LUCK

MOTHERWASSIMA44

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2014, 03:51:39 PM »
I look forward to work from home my distractions are the office and co-workers. I'm trying to find a remote job as we speak something I can take with me when family emergency arises.

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Just starting...
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2014, 03:51:39 PM »

PMRNC

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2014, 05:27:29 PM »
Quote
I look forward to work from home my distractions are the office and co-workers. I'm trying to find a remote job as we speak something I can take with me when family emergency arises.

It's pretty difficult to find a job working from home, physicians who will utilize outside services should be saving money, if they hire an employee they increase their liability and costs both. If you have the experience and ability, you are better off to start your own business. You can read an article I wrote about the differences between a work from home job and starting a business.  http://www.billerswebsite.com/jobvsbiz.htm
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

kristin

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2014, 11:13:08 PM »
Quote
I look forward to work from home my distractions are the office and co-workers. I'm trying to find a remote job as we speak something I can take with me when family emergency arises.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you have a family emergency, you will be focused on that, and not doing work for a remote job. Working remotely requires your full attention, at all times. No dealing with sick kids, family emergencies, etc.  I have no kids, no family emergencies to deal with, and working my remote jobs STILL requires more attention from me then when I am at my regular job in my office. People tend to think that working from home is easier than in an office, but it really isn't, depending on your situation. 

shanbull

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #12 on: September 02, 2014, 12:44:24 PM »
I have to say, at this point in my life, I wouldn't be able to do this job from home. I couldn't stay motivated enough. I would find tons of reasons to procrastinate. Having to get up and go to the clinic in the morning keeps me on task. I do also have ADHD so that impacts the decision too. If I didn't have to go to work I'd sleep until noon and still putter around in my pajamas until 4 PM. But that's just me. I'm 25 and have no other responsibilities to keep me on a set schedule. No kids, no significant other. I live in a large city so I could be nocturnal if I wanted to and still get food delivered. And my dog will totally conspire to make me take naps with him when I should be doing other things!

Michele

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #13 on: September 02, 2014, 05:11:54 PM »
I have to say, at this point in my life, I wouldn't be able to do this job from home. I couldn't stay motivated enough. I would find tons of reasons to procrastinate. Having to get up and go to the clinic in the morning keeps me on task. I do also have ADHD so that impacts the decision too. If I didn't have to go to work I'd sleep until noon and still putter around in my pajamas until 4 PM. But that's just me. I'm 25 and have no other responsibilities to keep me on a set schedule. No kids, no significant other. I live in a large city so I could be nocturnal if I wanted to and still get food delivered. And my dog will totally conspire to make me take naps with him when I should be doing other things!

At least you are honest to yourself about it!  Denial would result in failure.  I am a workaholic so I have the opposite problems.  And my dogs sit at my feet making sad eyes at me to pay attention to them.   
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PMRNC

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Re: Just starting...
« Reply #14 on: September 02, 2014, 08:37:54 PM »
Quote
I have to say, at this point in my life, I wouldn't be able to do this job from home. I couldn't stay motivated enough. I would find tons of reasons to procrastinate. Having to get up and go to the clinic in the morning keeps me on task. I do also have ADHD so that impacts the decision too. If I didn't have to go to work I'd sleep until noon and still putter around in my pajamas until 4 PM. But that's just me. I'm 25 and have no other responsibilities to keep me on a set schedule. No kids, no significant other. I live in a large city so I could be nocturnal if I wanted to and still get food delivered. And my dog will totally conspire to make me take naps with him when I should be doing other things!

LOL.. I will sometimes go a few days without a shower.. LOL

Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Just starting...
« Reply #14 on: September 02, 2014, 08:37:54 PM »