Medical Billing Forum

General Category => General Questions => : QueenAlicia January 13, 2012, 02:11:38 AM

: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: QueenAlicia January 13, 2012, 02:11:38 AM
So today I received a call from this employment counselor at UEI asking me if I was hiring. Like the many times before I told them know.  He asked why and I told him ( one women show here). Then I asked him about the UEI guarantee, you know they one that all the schools are doing to entice aka trick people into spending money to go to their schools.  Well he said he has found 18 new graduates jobs in my area.  I said "really because I've looked all over and even on craigslist and other sites they tell you to not apply if you are a graduate".  He says "well this is a new year love and doctors need billers".  I say "uh huh" ( crock of bull) and I say well good luck with finding the others jobs".

Honestly I don't think this is true.  Anyone think this could happen?  I could be wrong.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: PMRNC January 13, 2012, 01:59:58 PM
I never heard of them.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: Michele January 14, 2012, 09:00:23 AM
Me either.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: QueenAlicia January 19, 2012, 06:05:00 PM
It is like a Penn Foster or technical school. I think they may only be out here in CA.  It's one of those techincal colleges like Everest that say they will find you a job once you graduate to get you to go to their school.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: PMRNC January 19, 2012, 07:31:03 PM
I can't believe they asked you "Why" At that point I would have said.. Because I'm not. LOL sheesh.   I wouldn't hire anyone from those schools, I see a lot of them coming out of there thinking they are gonna land some dream job and they really are not even ready.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: QueenAlicia January 19, 2012, 07:49:29 PM
The convo I was like "uh huh... hmm" and I know it was a bunch of bull.  18 people really they are not ready for anything.  I still consider myslf new but goodness. 

Oh and then I had this one guy call and say his girlfriend is coming out of school what are the odds of her getting hired anywhere.  I told him what I thought and then he asked about her starting her own business and offering providers half of whatever their current billing office is charging them.  I said if you did that:

1. you look so desperate to get work that you would take anything
2. you won't know the first thing to do, probably won't have a good contract in place and will probably get sued.
3. you'll give other services a bad rep because you will mess up so badly they won't charge another service again.

Wasn't trying to be rude but that was sounding desperate.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: PMRNC January 20, 2012, 10:54:55 AM
I do get calls like that and a ton of emails. The fact is that in this economy most coming out of school expecting to land a job in this business are naive and uninformed. It actually amazes me still that many actually expect to graduate from their course and WORK FROM HOME. They have no concept of the differences between just "working from home" and starting a business. They actually think (or were told) that doctors will just hire them to work from home. UM No, it doesn't work like that. A provider hiring an "employee" to work from home is LOSING money and adding to their risk and liability right off the bat it's a dangerous situation, and most physicians know this. I have no problem with people going to school to learn this trade, but they need to be realistic..Yes MOST want experience and YES it's going to be tough, you might need to start at $10 an hour.  I also tell people they have to think in terms of how to get that experience. Many insurance companies will hire with no experience so they can train you right from their systems and the way they like. What better way to learn this business by working on the other side with PAID training, PAID hands on experience and PAID continued education on coding, compliance, fraud, abuse. Etc.  Worked for me :)
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: DMK January 20, 2012, 01:23:13 PM
It's truly a national problem that people (kids and adults) come out of school (trade or academic) and expect to land a job immediately that pays 100K, because they have a diploma.  You always have to work your way up, in any job.

The flip side of that is that people think that because you're a doctor and you opened a practice that you automatically get 100K a year.  Um....no.  A new medical practice is a store with no customers.  Until that first customer comes in there is no income but LOTS of overhead.

What I find sad is that so many employers think that a degree means a good employee.  I've worked since I was 15 and don't have a degree, I've only been out of work one time.  And when I couldn't find a job in the field I wanted, I went to a new industry, started from scratch and the rest is history.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: DMK January 20, 2012, 01:36:31 PM
And the "boyfriend" calling for his girlfriend (or a parent calling for their kid) really insures that you have a grown up looking for potential employment doesn't it?
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: ruthie72 January 21, 2012, 01:49:10 PM
WOW...talk about crushing a person's dreams..I went to school and I worked very hard to learn this trade, and it is so difficult, yes to break into the field with no experience..which is really awful when you know you are smart and can do this job..I have been trying for over a year...I am not giving up either. So yes, maybe people do have high expectations when they put their money and effort into learning a new field....You really cannot blame them. SO ALL YOU NEWBIES out there. WORK your butt's off and keep on GOING. IT will pay off soon!
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: QueenAlicia January 21, 2012, 11:35:18 PM
I don't necessarily think it was crushing a persons dreams but giving them a reality check.  Why do you think people want experience?  For that very reason because this is the providers livelihood. I still consider myself a newbie and I see how providers act when it comes to getting paid so I see why the want experience.  I try to tell people who call to try and look at other positions in the clinic that deal with ICD/CPT codes so that they can learn the trade and gain the oh so dreaded word aka experience.  It is hard but anything is possible it just won't be with my business lol.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: ruthie72 January 22, 2012, 02:12:00 AM
Alicia,
I was not referring to what you said...you have always been very helpful..and I do know that experience is very important. It is just hard when noone will give you a chance to get that experience..its frustrating...Anyway...i am sure it will happen when the time is right.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: PMRNC January 22, 2012, 05:34:14 PM
WOW...talk about crushing a person's dreams..I went to school and I worked very hard to learn this trade, and it is so difficult, yes to break into the field with no experience..which is really awful when you know you are smart and can do this job..I have been trying for over a year...I am not giving up either. So yes, maybe people do have high expectations when they put their money and effort into learning a new field....You really cannot blame them. SO ALL YOU NEWBIES out there. WORK your butt's off and keep on GOING. IT will pay off soon!

Most people who do come out of school after taking these classes do have genuinely false expectations of what to expect. Your determination and dedication to continuing is not the norm.  Most do give up, the fact is that in order to break in with no experience, it sometimes means having to prove yourself, take lower paying positions or work in other areas.  I would rather be honest with the newbies coming into this than to be one of the various vendors and biz op owners out there who will tell you whatever you want to hear to get you to buy. I have been in the business long enough to see it how it works. I don't mean to offend, I'm very honest because I do not like to see anyone taken advantage of.  I admire anyone who can rise above these obstacles, those are the few who do survive, go on, and are successful.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: billingandscanning January 23, 2012, 01:21:51 PM
I think that it is said that schools give people the false hope that they will graduate from school (Medical Billing) and tell them that they can make $40,000 per year upon graduation. I worked for this doctor's office and we had an opportunity to help one person complete their intership. We had several students come in and we asked them some basic questions about billing, what is an HMO, PPO? When would you use a 25 modifier? What would you do if a claim denied because Insurance coverage canceled before date of service? These students who were near the end of the course for their certification on Medical Billing could not answer these questions. This is sad that these students are paying all this money and not getting a feel for what the job requires or what they would need to do in some basic situations. This school did not even have them do situation calls to the insurance company to check eligibility. These students did not even know how to check eligibility.

I feel that the schools that do teach students Medical Billing need to go in more detail and give the students scenarios that would happen on the job and what it would require to get those problems resolved.

I would just like to wish all those that are recent graduates the best of luck. I have over 15 years experience and I think that these schools need to reconstruct their programs to what it really takes to get the job done. I feel that these schools need to give students a reality check on the $ amount that they will make without the experience.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: DMK January 23, 2012, 02:10:08 PM
And I apologize for seeming to "crush someone's dreams".  Not my intention.  It is a reality check that MANY people need.  Old and young.  I'm not bashing the young people.  I was there myself and went to a trade school and was made promises that were NEVER going to happen.  I would have rather been told the truth so I could have made better choices.  I still went out and took a lower paying job than I thought I should have had to take (because I thought I knew the job), with my training, and WORKED MY FANNY OFF.

My point is, that just because you have a degree or certificate or diploma it doesn't mean that you KNOW the industry you're trying to work in.  You try to get your foot in the door (understanding that employers don't know if you'll even show up for work, much less be able to do the job) and you PROVE yourself.  And you should assume that you will HAVE to prove yourself.  I'm not talking about "Horrible Bosses" prove yourself and be someone's dog, but you have to earn your employer's  and co-worker's respect for your work ethic and abilities.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: ruthie72 January 23, 2012, 06:09:50 PM
Thank you to all...in all honesty i love the feedback and I now realize that you are right..I think the school I attended actually did teach me well. ( I guess I am lucky) and i would love to even be considered for one of these "lower paying jobs", Unfortunately where I live right now there are about 500 people (experienced, most likely) to one position..SO like I said, I am keeping abreast on the changes, I keep referring back to my books to keep my mind sharp, and I am not giving up! I am also taking MT, and MTE courses in order to try to get some kind of a job...SO I will keep checking in to get all the great advice and read the forums!!! Have a great day!
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: DMK January 23, 2012, 06:59:41 PM
Brilliant!  Your "can do" attitude will go a long way in your career future!  The fact that you're willing to keep trying is what will ultimately get you the job.  And don't turn down any opportunity!  Work for an insurance company, a doctor's office, another billing company, doing whatever!  You will learn  something in whatever job you take!
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: PMRNC January 24, 2012, 11:04:57 AM
I think that it is said that schools give people the false hope that they will graduate from school (Medical Billing) and tell them that they can make $40,000 per year upon graduation.

I do tend to agree with you somewhat, but I also believe there is a responsibility to the student/consumer to verify and check things before they dish out the cash. That aside, I have had people come to me before they seek membership wanting me to tell them how much they could make if they got into this business and I just wont' do that. I have also had billers that get into this and really do think it's an easy business and they don't take the time to research. There are actually laws against companies making earning claims that are outrageous unless they can back them up. So a school telling someone they could make $40,000 really isn't a stretch, but it is up to the consumer to research and not just think they can do that coming out of the gate.  Consumers need to take some responsibility as well.
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: billingandscanning January 29, 2012, 01:29:33 AM
I agree with you Linda, that consumers do need to do research. However, I can understand where those that are going to school can get excited at the fact they think they are going to make $40,000.00 right out of school. However, reality is that is not going to happen without experience. Ruthie72, keep your head up and keep trying!
: Re: UEI employment found 18 newbies a job
: PMRNC January 29, 2012, 11:15:12 AM
I think that it is said that schools give people the false hope that they will graduate from school (Medical Billing) and tell them that they can make $40,000 per year upon graduation.

I don't, and I'll tell you why. In almost EVERY email I get form people researching this business (or really any other) they want to know "How much money can I make" it makes sense that would be a question anyone would ask when going into business.  If you as a school, MOST likely they have done their market research and know about the laws of stating embellished numbers. $40,000 per year upon graduation is really NOT an exaggeration.. I have to put some responsibility on the consumer..any consumer going into this business. Remember that most that go to school, don't do so to start their own businesses, most do it to enter the work force.. If you are going to school in today's economy you HAVE to have some real practical sense to know your not going to walk out of any school with any degree and land that ONE job. You might have to start in the mail room, records department, receptionists job and receive on the job training.. but again, $40,000 is not a stretch.  Where I think the problem with stating figures is with the business opportunities.. the ones that tell you you can start your own business and proceed to paint a picture of someone in their pj's sitting on computer with their kid on their lap. That upsets me.. but I still believe responsibility has to go to the consumer as well.   If I went to school for Restaurant management and wanted to open a restaurant and the school told me I could earn $50 or 60,000 a year after graduation, I'm not going to just accept their word for it, that IMO, would be irresponsible. I'm going to do my research. If I have NEVER run a restaurant Iam going to expect to struggle, I might even go work in another restaurant for a while as that's just "logical" 

I'm not saying we shouldn't have consumer laws like we do, I just get really tired of getting inquiries where the focus is all about the money they can make and so and so told them this.. "They could make money the first year in business"  but it also irritates me that many people really buy that!! :???   I also come in contact with a LOT of wanna be medical billing companies that right off the bat have decided they are going to hire 30 people when they start up and just let them run it.. or the wives or even husband's that throw the money out for training and do all the research to sit their significant other at the desk and the money will just roll in.  I get those types all the time! unrealistic expectations. That's not dream bashing in my opinion, I'd rather they hear it from me for nothing than to go spend all that money only to be led through wrong path!