Medical Billing Forum

Starting a Medical Billing Business => Starting Your Own Medical Billing Business => : Asher April 10, 2010, 09:54:44 PM

: Medical Biller Fees
: Asher April 10, 2010, 09:54:44 PM
I have been billing from home for a therapist for 2 years. I have taken medical billing, terminology, etc. classes to improve my knowledge of coding/billing. This has led to more therapists looking for a biller. I am not sure what fee I should be charging. I work part time for 1 provider. Really need help in sorting out the cost to the new therapist. I appreciate your knowledge in the field and hope this subject is ok to inquire on. I do not have certification.

Thank you.
: Re: Medical Biller Fees
: Pay_My_Claims April 11, 2010, 12:41:28 AM
Asher, you don't need certification, thats just a personal preference. As far as what to charge, there is no set fee in that area either. You can charge per claim, percentage or a flat fee. You have to figure out what your time is worth, plus your experience. This is how we determine our fee schedules.
: Re: Medical Biller Fees
: PMRNC April 11, 2010, 12:53:47 PM
I agree with Charlene but also want to clarify that those methods of charging are based on an individual business structure. You mention you work part time for a therapist, if you will take on others you will have better luck in creating a business model rather than as an "employee". That will involve business setup and you will want individual contracts per client.
: Re: Medical Biller Fees
: blhoffman April 11, 2010, 11:51:07 PM
How do you know what to charge, seems to be what is most asked and is at the forefront of my mind also.

I understand taking into consideration the amount of claims you will be billing, the time to load the information and what your time is worth working the account. I guess this is what I need to know.

How do you come to that figure? Example -  never billed for a Chiro provider and you get them as a new client. First client, have no idea how much time it will take to load their info. in your system. Don't know how many claims or how long it will take to bill said claims, yet.

How do you figure the amount out and give a fee to the provider to sign off on a contract, if you have no idea how much time and how many claims you will actually be doing. How do you come up with the first client fee to agree upon?
: Re: Medical Biller Fees
: Pay_My_Claims April 12, 2010, 08:55:41 AM
I ask for their current AR, to do a cost analysis, plus I have a provider form that I send to potential clients. Its just basic information (how many locations, physicians, visits per week, etc) Also even if you have billed for other chiro's, each practice is different as well. One thing I would do starting out is staying true to my own specialty. No biller can bill for every specialty. There are things that occur in each one that can throw you for a loop. I started billing for a lady that was 4 months behind. She hired previous "contract" billers before. She is mental health, but not in the sense most think of. Her billing was horrible. It takes so much out of you to correct what others have done. This messes it up for every other great biller who is looking to obtain a client.
: Re: Medical Biller Fees
: PMRNC April 12, 2010, 11:20:57 AM
The very first question to ask and answer is from you and sets the formula.  "What do I want to make?"  Now of course someone with little or no experience should be starting out with an entry level number.  Once that question is answered by you. Then you figure out costs, examine the individual practice/numbers.
: Re: Medical Biller Fees
: blhoffman April 13, 2010, 12:02:52 AM
Thanks. I guess it is just a little scary because I don't want to price too high and price myself out of a job. I also don't want to price to low and regret it later after the contract is signed. Of course this is all future what if's, but I'm trying to be educated.  ???
: Re: Medical Biller Fees
: PMRNC April 13, 2010, 11:26:11 AM
I know it's the nature of the beast to be "competitive" when you first start out, but honestly and realistically that's not the case. I don't get into bidding wars nor do I negotiate rates with potential clients. If they come back at me with "So and So is only charging $XX.  I don't haggle because they are obviously shopping. I set my fees based on my experience, education and it always benefits the provider. I might not be as cheap as the competition but I'm not here to be cheaper than the competition. I offer quality and value driven services w/professional fees.
: Re: Medical Biller Fees
: Pay_My_Claims April 13, 2010, 04:10:20 PM
I know it's the nature of the beast to be "competitive" when you first start out, but honestly and realistically that's not the case. I don't get into bidding wars nor do I negotiate rates with potential clients. If they come back at me with "So and So is only charging $XX.  I don't haggle because they are obviously shopping. I set my fees based on my experience, education and it always benefits the provider. I might not be as cheap as the competition but I'm not here to be cheaper than the competition. I offer quality and value driven services w/professional fees.

AMEN AMEN AMEN..........DID I SAY AMEN!! Newbies please adhere to this. Providers know there are "hungry" billers out there looking to bill from home, and some are very wise to this. They will low ball you and because we really want to get our "first" client, we may take a client on for too low of a fee. Never underestimate or undersell yourself. Its ok to be competitive, but also don't be afraid to let your provider know......sometimes paying less GETS YOU LESS!!
: Re: Medical Biller Fees
: Michele April 13, 2010, 06:08:29 PM
When a provider tells us that so and so charges less, we say "you get what you pay for, we don't charge xx because we provide yy service".

Michele