Author Topic: Starting a Business  (Read 10325 times)

Steve Verno CMBS, CEMCS

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Re: Starting a Business
« Reply #15 on: December 07, 2009, 10:04:16 PM »
Ive been in the business since the great flood.  As a coder and biller, I work from my home.  I dont do it as my own business, I do so as an employee of my provider.  I started working in the office.  The doctor trusted me and said, rather than drive 600 miles one way, be away from my family for a week at a time, work out of my home.  He picked up all of the costs to do my work.  He pays the postage, for office supplies and for my internet.  I am sent daily e-mails of things needed to be done along with scanned EOBs and correspondence.  

I did have to go through the local requirements to work out of my home.  That included a county certificate of occupancy.  Register with the State Division of Corporations and an inspection by the local fire marshall. But these were local requirements and I work for other providers as a 1099 employee as a consultant and instructor.  All of this may not be required where you live.  At tax time, I get a W-2 form for taxes from the provider.  All of the other clients I help send me a 1099 form and I end up paying Medicare and SSI taxes because the IRS says I own my own business, hence the red tape from the State and local folks.   BUT, for my provider, I work for him out of my home as his employee.  IT took 6 years to build up the trust to allow me to work from home.
« Last Edit: December 07, 2009, 10:05:59 PM by Steve Verno CMBS, CEMCS »
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Pay_My_Claims

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Re: Starting a Business
« Reply #16 on: December 07, 2009, 10:40:09 PM »
If you are starting your own business it is imperative you have start up funds. You will need more than just your software. The costs you can then incur later with clients will be clearinghouse fees, forms, etc. Depending on what software you purchase you might also consider training and I highly recommend a support plan as well. You are also going to need many other items to start. It's like any other business. For example, you wouldn't purchase a restaurant and not the ovens while you wait for people to enter the restaurant.  There are some of us who will connect with offices and use their PM software but I would suggest you have a vast amount of experience first because you do not want to charge your client to learn their software, one of the advantages to outsourcing for providers is cost, so you have to keep that in mind.

Great Reply!!

joecorso28

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Re: Starting a Business
« Reply #17 on: January 29, 2010, 08:55:04 PM »
I have had formal training in billing and coding and am certified in both, my understanding is that soon billing and coding certification will be mandatory, but I am from New Jersey or some say Joisey, I cannot find a job and I see most billers and coders are uncertified, I am presently targeting small practices with a number of options.  Frustrated yes, I am the only surviving member of my class, everyone else gave up long ago.
Oh yes, I graduated last June!
Joe Corso
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QueenAlicia

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Re: Starting a Business
« Reply #18 on: January 29, 2010, 10:39:10 PM »
I have formal training as well which I got back in 2008 and started my business last year.  It's been really slow getting everything together but it is coming along. Start up funds are a big plus.  I could have been up and running fully if I had paid attention to other softwares. I am looking into other courses just to keep my mind fresh on all the procedures.

Michele

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Re: Starting a Business
« Reply #19 on: January 30, 2010, 01:54:10 PM »
Are you looking for a job in a provider's office, or are you starting a billing service?

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Re: Starting a Business
« Reply #19 on: January 30, 2010, 01:54:10 PM »

PMRNC

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Re: Starting a Business
« Reply #20 on: February 03, 2010, 11:35:55 PM »
Quote
I have had formal training in billing and coding and am certified in both, my understanding is that soon billing and coding certification will be mandatory, but I am from New Jersey or some say Joisey, I cannot find a job and I see most billers and coders are uncertified, I am presently targeting small practices with a number of options.  Frustrated yes, I am the only surviving member of my class, everyone else gave up long ago.
Oh yes, I graduated last June!

Certification is only going to be as good as the course used to obtain the certification. There is NOTHING in the works for "A" mandatory certification. Yes there are organizations out there claiming to offer national certifications.. Offering them nationally <g> There is NO ONE NATIONAL CERTIFICATION. Again.. the certification will only be as good as the course you take and the education coming with it.

BTW. In NJ it is mandatory to register your medical billing company. It's just registration and you have to follow their procedures in doing so.
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rebeccagomez88

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Re: Starting a Business
« Reply #21 on: February 08, 2010, 05:44:27 AM »
I have a question re education vs experience. I am a student at AIU online working on getting my AA/AS in business administration (with a concentration in medical billing and coding). I previously attended CTU online where I was offered an AA/AS in health sciences/medical billing and coding. The problem is that I know I am going to need to know how business works and how to run one just as much as I'm going to need the education in billing and coding and this confuses me. Why? I have read that sometimes your experience (or lack there-of) is over looked due to the degrees that one has acquired from such extensive education. The curricullum differences between the two schools is extremely confusing also. So, between those two courses, I figure I will be going to school for the next three years to earn degrees in a career field that I thought I only needed certification for. I need serious advice, please.  ???
Thank You,
Rebecca Gomez

Michele

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Re: Starting a Business
« Reply #22 on: February 08, 2010, 11:05:28 PM »
I'm not sure what you are confused about.  Your post indicates that you feel you need the education in both business & billing/coding, but then you say your confused.  There is no 'right' or 'wrong' answer.  Everyone is different.  For some, training is all they have and they succeed.  For others all the training in the world wouldn't help!  Yet others go to school and come out successful.  Personally, and I truly mean that personally, I find that it is really dependent on the person.  A fast learner with no training can be taught.  A person with a lot of education but who's not teachable, to me is no good.  I've had a couple interns from medical billing courses and one knew nothing, and I mean nothing, the other was great.  So I also think the education can vary greatly and it's important to get a good one.

If you have the three years to spend, that's ok.  Some don't have the time.  Maybe you could work part time doing billing to get experience while you are going to school.  You have to decide what is best for you, education, certification, training.

Sorry, I wish I could be more help, but not knowing any more about you and your situation makes it hard.  :(


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Re: Starting a Business
« Reply #22 on: February 08, 2010, 11:05:28 PM »