Medical Billing Forum

General Category => General Questions => : marie8480 February 10, 2011, 01:35:14 AM

: Best clients for newbies
: marie8480 February 10, 2011, 01:35:14 AM
what will be the idea clientele for newbies?
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Pay_My_Claims February 10, 2011, 01:52:04 AM
can't answer that....too vague.
Newbie can be someone who just graduated from school, or someone who has decided to leave their job and start their own medical service, or someone with no educational background or experience in billing.

Billing(having your own company) is not meant for anyone who has NEVER billed before. Others will say if you have a background in finance you can do this or that, but it demeans our industry. If billing was so easy, everyone would do it. Anyone can OWN the service, but they need qualified people to run it. I can't bill for every service and I have been in the industry for 15 years. I can easily adapt to different services, however the complexity of some keep me from marketing to those providers until I get trained. What kills the industry is the "fake it til you make it" billing companies.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: QueenAlicia February 10, 2011, 02:04:12 AM
what will be the idea clientele for newbies?

do you mean what to specialize in?
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 10, 2011, 09:22:19 AM
what will be the idea clientele for newbies?

Hi Marie, I'm going to assume you are up and ready to market :)  If so I like mental health providers for a few good reasons.  1) many of them are small and even work by themselves so they are easily accessible. 2.) their offices are very rarely busy, as they do not keep more than one maybe 2 patient's in the waiting room, so they are even easily accessible on walk-in's sometimes. 3) because of their profession they are usually very easy going and much less intimidating than other specialties. 4) They usually only deal with a handful of codes.  Some of your small individual therapists or psychologists even work from within offices apart from their home too.

I have also heard chiropractors are pretty easy market and dentists too. A lot of people skip over dental providers but they can be very lucrative.

I'm sure there are others but these are the ones that stick out in my mind for now.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Pay_My_Claims February 10, 2011, 10:10:08 AM
Mental health is BROAD!! Most mean psychiatry when they state mental health. If you go in that direction I can agree, but there are so many facets to mental health. My first MH provider I obtained (with 15 years experience) and the coaxing into MH wasn't what I thought it was. She does not bill the usual 90801 90804 etc codes you find in the guides and books you can purchase online. They bill using HCPCS codes. I am also billing Mental health in the area of Substance Abuse and it is facility billing. Both areas of MH that I have billed deal a lot with authorization management, different payors using different codes, and units billed differently.

Dental providers are very particular as well. They REQUIRE so many years of dental billing. It is not difficult billing, however different billing. They are not so welcoming to medical billers who want to cross over. This has been my experience when seeking employment (outside of me starting my business). The software system they use is also different. This also applies to DME providers.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 10, 2011, 12:37:14 PM
There are many facets of mental health billing..that's what I think actually makes it more marketable! I have had/have a few mental health providers that I have shown how to get away from doing all the same standard treatment. I have gotten them into prison/county billing, court testimonies, etc. I think with all specialties you can "think outside the box for your own business at the same time as for your clients."

As for dental billing, It's a fact that it's easier to learn, and way more straight forward. I my self have no interest in it. When I processed dental claims I found it incredibly BORING  :o  I know a lot of billers who actually start out with dental because they less stringent on the whole 2 years thing. I see ad's for office managers, billers, clerks in dental offices that say "Will train" I know billing companies who land dentists as a way to break in and then end up sticking with just dental billing.

Just another note about specializing. When you first start marketing DO not just market those specialties. I guess that over 50% of the time the specialty you take on (if any) will find YOU. In my case, I didn't set out for mental health but it just turned out it was a niche and then later on I added GP, and pediatrics, again, those specialties basically found me. Keep all your doors open and if a niche comes along, go with it :)
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: marie8480 February 10, 2011, 01:56:19 PM
Ok, i never done any medical billing before beside what i've learned from school and read anything i could find on it.
i have a diploma as a Medical assistant and also im on my third semester for an Associate degree in Healthcare Mgnt
back in Canada i went to school to become a nurse than realized that it wasn't for me, now that i know what i want im really into it
i know that it won't be easy to start because of no experience but not impossible. It's not possible for me to go out and get a job as a medical biller right now and beside i always wanted to be my own boss
im married with 3 kids,even know that my husband got a good job working for the rail road, it's just too much to pay for decare for all of my kids.
So any advice you can give me will be welcome, don't try to discourage me from doing that and don't need any negative comments or try to put me down because of no experience.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: camedbill February 10, 2011, 02:12:19 PM
I do mental health and is trying to get out to some other specialties.  I find that's it's a bit 'too much sugar for a dime'.  Many providers don't get auths or do benefits verifications which means you can bill but don't get paid :(  Unlike normal insurance, you can just bill from the insurance card, with mental health, you have to take the extra steps to verify billing addresses.
Also, they're also bad at collecting copays because it's a sensitive situation to collect money if the patients come to you in mental distress.  What that boils down to is you spending more money sending out statements and maybe not getting paid.
Chiropractors are great if it's high volume and not so many cash patients since they like to keep cash collections for themselves
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Pay_My_Claims February 10, 2011, 03:06:15 PM
Ok, i never done any medical billing before beside what i've learned from school and read anything i could find on it.
i have a diploma as a Medical assistant and also im on my third semester for an Associate degree in Healthcare Mgnt
back in Canada i went to school to become a nurse than realized that it wasn't for me, now that i know what i want im really into it
i know that it won't be easy to start because of no experience but not impossible. It's not possible for me to go out and get a job as a medical biller right now and beside i always wanted to be my own boss
im married with 3 kids,even know that my husband got a good job working for the rail road, it's just too much to pay for decare for all of my kids.
So any advice you can give me will be welcome, don't try to discourage me from doing that and don't need any negative comments or try to put me down because of no experience.

Well Marie, I don't know how to respond but be honest. Most providers will ask you for experience. Its rare to find a provider that can or will show you how to do the billing and then trust you to do it from home. With myself having 15 years experience, I run into the trust issue of providers not wanting to outsource, or having been burnt from inexperienced billers before. As a biller we control the providers revenue. We can literally BANKRUPT a provider with our lack of knowledge. Continue to learn, and you might find some data entry jobs available. I know at one point I had so much claims and old EOB's to post I needed a part-time person to assist with a client that I had. This will help you gain some experience. If you are not in an association, you may want to join one that offers networking as a benefit. Many home based billers can't afford to hire employees, but may need some billing help from time to time and its a great training time for you. (yes get paid for it)
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Pay_My_Claims February 10, 2011, 03:07:22 PM
I do mental health and is trying to get out to some other specialties.  I find that's it's a bit 'too much sugar for a dime'.  Many providers don't get auths or do benefits verifications which means you can bill but don't get paid :(  Unlike normal insurance, you can just bill from the insurance card, with mental health, you have to take the extra steps to verify billing addresses.
Also, they're also bad at collecting copays because it's a sensitive situation to collect money if the patients come to you in mental distress.  What that boils down to is you spending more money sending out statements and maybe not getting paid.
Chiropractors are great if it's high volume and not so many cash patients since they like to keep cash collections for themselves

So true, the coding for it may be simple, but where the claims go can get complex if not verified right
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: medauthor February 10, 2011, 03:20:12 PM
Well Marie, I don't know how to respond but be honest. Most providers will ask you for experience

I honestly can't imagine a provider outsourcing to someone with no billing experience.....school is wonderful, but there is NOTHING like true billing experience...I tell all my students who want to start their own medical billing business when they finish the program....3-6 months minimum experience before you try your start-up!!
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: QueenAlicia February 10, 2011, 04:05:50 PM
what will be the idea clientele for newbies?

Hi Marie, I'm going to assume you are up and ready to market :)  If so I like mental health providers for a few good reasons.  1) many of them are small and even work by themselves so they are easily accessible. 2.) their offices are very rarely busy, as they do not keep more than one maybe 2 patient's in the waiting room, so they are even easily accessible on walk-in's sometimes. 3) because of their profession they are usually very easy going and much less intimidating than other specialties. 4) They usually only deal with a handful of codes.  Some of your small individual therapists or psychologists even work from within offices apart from their home too.

I have also heard chiropractors are pretty easy market and dentists too. A lot of people skip over dental providers but they can be very lucrative.

I'm sure there are others but these are the ones that stick out in my mind for now.

Linda,

Have you done dental billing?  If so is it difficult?
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 10, 2011, 04:05:58 PM
I do mental health and is trying to get out to some other specialties.  I find that's it's a bit 'too much sugar for a dime'.  Many providers don't get auths or do benefits verifications which means you can bill but don't get paid Sad  Unlike normal insurance, you can just bill from the insurance card, with mental health, you have to take the extra steps to verify billing addresses.
Also, they're also bad at collecting copays because it's a sensitive situation to collect money if the patients come to you in mental distress.  What that boils down to is you spending more money sending out statements and maybe not getting paid.
Chiropractors are great if it's high volume and not so many cash patients since they like to keep cash collections for themselves

I guess it's possible by location but I love my mental health providers. Since I do full practice I get the auth's do verifications and even provide my providers with reports letting them know who needs an OTR and when. Since I do charge flat monthly I am getting paid for every bit of my time so it's like any other specialty, actually more billable time = Higher flat fee :)  I do find the therapists and psychologists to be a bit ...what's the word.. "laid back".. or even lazy sometimes.. ? But they are very easy to please and easy going at the same time. The psychiatrists are much better with the patient volume, they work longer hours, hospital visits, nursing homes, court testimony's, eval's.. etc. but they are a bit more high strung and closely watch their A/R :)

: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 10, 2011, 04:09:03 PM
I have not done dental billing but I could easily make the transition, I did process dental claims when I was a claims examiner but I just found it boring, all those xrays of the mouth.. teeth.. LOL   Dental software is MUCH more user friendly and way less complex. Even today I think dental billing is still the "untapped" market :)
JMO
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: QueenAlicia February 10, 2011, 04:10:28 PM
Ok, i never done any medical billing before beside what i've learned from school and read anything i could find on it.
i have a diploma as a Medical assistant and also im on my third semester for an Associate degree in Healthcare Mgnt
back in Canada i went to school to become a nurse than realized that it wasn't for me, now that i know what i want im really into it
i know that it won't be easy to start because of no experience but not impossible. It's not possible for me to go out and get a job as a medical biller right now and beside i always wanted to be my own boss
im married with 3 kids,even know that my husband got a good job working for the rail road, it's just too much to pay for decare for all of my kids.
So any advice you can give me will be welcome, don't try to discourage me from doing that and don't need any negative comments or try to put me down because of no experience.

Marie, you and I are in the same boat.  My husband has a good job as a Marine but military are underpaid and I too have always wanted to be my own boss.  I have one in daycare and the other is a baby. I know this will be dificult but not impossible.  I am just going to market until I get calls and stay up on all new procedures with billing.  
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: QueenAlicia February 10, 2011, 04:13:44 PM
I have not done dental billing but I could easily make the transition, I did process dental claims when I was a claims examiner but I just found it boring, all those xrays of the mouth.. teeth.. LOL   Dental software is MUCH more user friendly and way less complex. Even today I think dental billing is still the "untapped" market :)
JMO

LOL, that is funny because I love teeth and I used to want to be a dentist when I was 7 years old.  ;D
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: marie8480 February 10, 2011, 04:17:28 PM
I intend to do the same thing Alicia thanks so much!
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 10, 2011, 04:19:04 PM
LOL, that is funny because I love teeth and I used to want to be a dentist when I was 7 years old.  Grin

MY hat is off to you!!  Go for it!! What do you have to lose. If you want to communicate with someone who does dental billing, DME, and other specialties contact me by PM or email and I will put you in touch with her. She also works with MAB and does dental billing courses!  MAB is pretty good Association, they put out some incredible billers ; Dental and medical.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: QueenAlicia February 10, 2011, 04:28:11 PM
Well Marie, I don't know how to respond but be honest. Most providers will ask you for experience

I honestly can't imagine a provider outsourcing to someone with no billing experience.....school is wonderful, but there is NOTHING like true billing experience...I tell all my students who want to start their own medical billing business when they finish the program....3-6 months minimum experience before you try your start-up!!

In a way this kinda discourages me (even though I know that not the intentions).  Lately a lot of the ads I see are for candidates with 2yrs+ experience.  Even if I came straight out of Kaplan or some other school seeking work I would still need that amount of experience.  I have found 2 ads where they are entry level and I am putting together info send to them right now.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: taxlady28781 February 10, 2011, 05:19:19 PM
Ok, i never done any medical billing before beside what i've learned from school and read anything i could find on it.
i have a diploma as a Medical assistant and also im on my third semester for an Associate degree in Healthcare Mgnt
back in Canada i went to school to become a nurse than realized that it wasn't for me, now that i know what i want im really into it
i know that it won't be easy to start because of no experience but not impossible. It's not possible for me to go out and get a job as a medical biller right now and beside i always wanted to be my own boss
im married with 3 kids,even know that my husband got a good job working for the rail road, it's just too much to pay for decare for all of my kids.
So any advice you can give me will be welcome, don't try to discourage me from doing that and don't need any negative comments or try to put me down because of no experience.

Marie, you and I are in the same boat.  My husband has a good job as a Marine but military are underpaid and I too have always wanted to be my own boss.  I have one in daycare and the other is a baby. I know this will be dificult but not impossible.  I am just going to market until I get calls and stay up on all new procedures with billing.  

I am in a similar situation.  But, I have been my own boss for years now, just not in medical billing :)  I have two small children and run my husband's retail store(which keeps itself running, but by no means pays the bills...yet). We can't afford to close it down and lose all that investment.  And I sure can't go out and get a job in a physician's office and be able to pay for daycare and pay someone to run the store.  I'll just keep plugging away trying to get that first client signed and grow from there  :D
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Pay_My_Claims February 10, 2011, 05:48:03 PM
Queen I can only tell you my experience with Dental, and it can be specific to certain areas, but in NC, there is a HUGE volume of medicaid billing, and straight CASH clients. Most providers don't tend to welcome medical billers. My experience with dental actually started by working with a pediatrician and with NC medicaid/HC patients they were able to get dental check ups and we had to bill those codes. My girlfriend finally broke into Dental and it was one of the reasons back then I wanted to do it because of the HUGE BONUSES you get. Dental plans don't cover everything so in order to be seen you pay cash. They make a majority of their money by cash clients. Its not complex like health insurance, the coding is simple, and they usually have the biller doing dental assisting as well.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 10, 2011, 11:14:09 PM
Though Dental coverage is not great at all (it's pretty bad all over the country) there are SEVERAL new products and individual plan's now. Some act like credit cards, some are 50/50 plans, etc. It really is an UNtapped part of the business.  When's the last time you went into a dental office and saw ONLY one person behind the desk? My dentist has 8 OFFICE staff people in addition to their hygienists and 2 Dentists.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Michele February 11, 2011, 10:44:47 AM
We did dental about 15 years ago.  It was actually quite easy.  We had NO experience in dental, and very little in medical.  But we had no problems.  We had and still have a great work ethic, and were determined to do what we needed, learn what we needed, etc to get the job done and done right.  It was actually quite profitable, mostly commercial insurance, little medicaid or cash.  We did one dental group with many foreign docs, for about a year.  We gave it up because they were not on the up and up.  We suspected fraud and we wanted no part of it.  We attempted to 'show' them our concerns but they were obviously not concerned so we gave notice.  I would do it again, but I don't have the time!  I agree I think it's an uptapped market. 

Regarding having no experience, I can relate.  Many of our first appointments were lost due to our "no references, no experience".  But some became clients.  And those clients became experience and references!  We have interviewed employees with no experience and hired them.  They presented themselves with confidence, and an eagerness to learn.  In fact we just hired a girl.  No experience in this field whatsoever.  She has given us more in one week than some employees we hired with YEARS of experience.  When we started, we had to make this work.  I left my job to start my family.  I needed to replace my income AND not increase my expenses with childcare.  I also have that entreprenureal bug so determination was not an issue.  Sometimes you are in a situation where working for someone else won't work for you.  I do think that getting experience by working for someone else is a good idea, so I'm not saying don't do it.  I'm saying that sometimes it's not an option, and you need to make this work.  Soooooo, When you meet with a provider you need to show them that you are a competent, capable, reliable person who even without references or experience will do an outstanding job on their work. 

Please don't mistake my advice for saying that anyone without experience can do this work.  You must do your homework, research, and stay in contact with billers that will be a support system for you.  You are responsible for their receivables and that is a responsibility you shouldn't take lightly. 

Best wishes for your future!

Michele
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 11, 2011, 12:35:41 PM
I agree it is HARD to find work with no hands on experience, but here's a positive note and I just got an email about this this morning from one of our members I was mentoring.
She was brand new to billing. She took both an online course and a few medical administrative courses at her local college. She started her business and began marketing 2 weeks after completing her course. She befriended 2 other billing companies, one had just one small client and the other had a large DME practice.  They got together and rented a medium sized conference room at a nice small but elegant Hotel in the middle of where they all were. They sent out 500 invitations/fliers and some raffle tickets. They invited office managers and physicians to a one hour round table discussion. It cost them each $42 plus gratuity, they had coffee, danish, pastries and 3 tables setup. They received 43 responses and confirmed 39 attendee's of which 37 attended. They each chose one topic and a discussion took back among the three billing companies and the attendee's. They ended up there for an extra hour, the hotel did not charge them since the room was NOT booked AND 2 of the guests stayed there for the remainder of the weekend. At the end they passed out business cards and some marketing goodies from their own tables.  The one I was mentoring got 8 individual appointments setup and this morning she told me she signed 3 of the 8 so far with 4 more meetings to go!  NOT one of them asked her if she had experience. Know why? Because she overshadowed that question with her knowledge and confidence. The other two billing companies also made appointments and from what she told me.. they each have signed contracts as well. Also they now have a foot in the door of all the other practices that attended and they left an impression on. Oh, they invited another local billing company who declined because she felt it was too competitive. Her loss was their gain!

Moral of story.. IT is NOT impossible to walk into this business with no experience.. If you take the time and effort to educate yourself, put your KNOWLEDGE out there, you can take the focus OFF of the "experience" issue! 
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Alice Scott February 11, 2011, 12:45:02 PM
Tha's a great story Linda.  Thanks for sharing it with us.  Newbies love to hear how others succeed.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: QueenAlicia February 11, 2011, 03:23:41 PM
Thanks for sharing that story Linda.  That story has encouraged me.  I sometimes get discourged because I don't have "billing" experience (my background is banking, customer service and finance).  I like to read success story's like these because this shows me that it can be done and is possible to succeed without experience but with hard work.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 11, 2011, 04:39:16 PM
Well now you you find ways to capitalize on your banking experience and your customer service skills..Both qualify in my book. I know it's different, but I can't believe how many accountants add medical billing to their services with NO experience and get clients like flies on..honey <g> it's because they know how to capitalize on their previous experiences
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: DMK February 11, 2011, 07:48:25 PM
And you're miles ahead with your banking, accounting, and customer service background because you realize the importance of CORRECT data entry!  The insurance companies take forever to let you know that there's an error in data!
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: medauthor February 11, 2011, 11:06:40 PM
In a way this kinda discourages me (even though I know that not the intentions).  Lately a lot of the ads I see are for candidates with 2yrs+ experience.  Even if I came straight out of Kaplan or some other school seeking work I would still need that amount of experience.  I have found 2 ads where they are entry level and I am putting together info send to them right now.

Dearest Queen  ;)

I did not mean to discourage you...please understand....I have been in this industry since 1990...I have taught medical billing since 2003....in all of my classes, there are always those whose goal it is upon completion of the program to start their home-based medical billing business...I see it all the time....and believe me, I want every one of them and you to suceed....I just feel it is so important to have the hands-on experience....I have never met with a client who did not ask about my experience....if one can be objective and out oneself in the provider's shoes----he/she is handing us their billing...it is their livlihood.......even if you have to intern for a medical billing company just so you can get some-hands on, take advantage of this--JUMP on the offer should one become available to you!!! :)
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Pay_My_Claims February 14, 2011, 12:53:08 AM
And you're miles ahead with your banking, accounting, and customer service background because you realize the importance of CORRECT data entry!  The insurance companies take forever to let you know that there's an error in data!

DMK as I agree that a background in finances is EXCELLENT for one facet of billing (payment posting, accounting etc) it is not the basics or the heart of it. Coding is the core of billing. Either in the form of raw coding, or knowing how to correctly code (level of care, modifiers, bundled charges, etc) should be entered to process a claim. I know Alice N Michelle started out YEARS ago with no experience and did eventually become experts in the industry, but billing & coding isn't the way it was back then. Everybody is doing electronic, so using that as a marketing ploy hardly works. More providers are knowing more about billing than ever, so the requirements are stricter. A provider would be a poor business man to allow his finances to be handled by someone who has never billed before. What happens is people get into this industry because they read and ad and they think all we do is "data entry". The pediatrician I interviewed with on Wednesday was REQUIRING that her new biller (hopefully me) would be able to train her on knowing more about the billing. I will take 3 years of hands on experience over certification or education every time.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Alice Scott February 14, 2011, 07:31:28 AM
Actually Michele (one L Michele) had five years of experience as a senior claims analyst at a major insurance carrier in our area before we started our business.  She did know medical billing.  I had 30 years experinece running my own business.
Alice
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Pay_My_Claims February 14, 2011, 11:04:24 AM
claims analyst isn't a medical biller, and running a business doesn't make one a biller either, no disrespect. most of my comments come from the introductions you mention in your books. My point is to encourage "newbies" to go for their dreams, but to not give them false hope in thinking its an easy field to jump into or doing it with no experience is easy. What happens is when we speak about oh yeah you have financing experience you are ahead of the game, we downplay our careers to nothing but the stereotypical "data entry" jobs that people think we do. If it was so easy..why are so many people like me with over 15 years experience fighting daily to keep my business up and running and gain clients. I understand the poster doesn't want to hear negativity, and its not what I'm giving. but honesty and straight forward advice about how it really is. Its up to the receiver how they take it.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: DMK February 14, 2011, 01:24:23 PM
And you're miles ahead with your banking, accounting, and customer service background because you realize the importance of CORRECT data entry!  The insurance companies take forever to let you know that there's an error in data!

DMK as I agree that a background in finances is EXCELLENT for one facet of billing (payment posting, accounting etc) it is not the basics or the heart of it. Coding is the core of billing. Either in the form of raw coding, or knowing how to correctly code (level of care, modifiers, bundled charges, etc) should be entered to process a claim. I know Alice N Michelle started out YEARS ago with no experience and did eventually become experts in the industry, but billing & coding isn't the way it was back then. Everybody is doing electronic, so using that as a marketing ploy hardly works. More providers are knowing more about billing than ever, so the requirements are stricter. A provider would be a poor business man to allow his finances to be handled by someone who has never billed before. What happens is people get into this industry because they read and ad and they think all we do is "data entry". The pediatrician I interviewed with on Wednesday was REQUIRING that her new biller (hopefully me) would be able to train her on knowing more about the billing. I will take 3 years of hands on experience over certification or education every time.

I agree with you as well, coding knowledge is imperative!  How else will the biller know if the information input is going to result in a paid claim?!  My point was that the skills she already has will serve her well.  She's already detail oriented (since banking requires it) so she can only build on it. 

I can't tell you how many times I see sloppy input though!  Billers are doomed to fail if they don't tackle details right out of the chute.  If they are not detail oriented, they will NEVER be good at this!

BTW, I'm so glad you're back!!!!
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: marie8480 February 14, 2011, 02:30:54 PM
Us newbies, we know that is gonna be hard to start in this business but i found alot of negativity towards us, some people are trying to put us down because of lack of experience, how much experience did you have when somebody had given you a chance? why can't it be the same for us
We are not stupid, im pretty sure that all of us are dedicated to this business, i heard medical billing wasn't for everyone it could be true but you don't know my strenght or weakness, i love to be challenge, how many times in my life i've  been told you can't do this or that and proved them people wrong.
know that the harder you put me down ,the harder im gonna fight to stay up and that's me.
If someone has years and years of experience why do you still have to prove yourself like a newbie, your experience, references and your reputation should be  enought to show people your knowledge of the business. we ask questions because we want to be good at it when we will start our own, they may seem stupid to some but helpful to others. Do we really want to hear all of this negativity personally i don't , my mother-in- law is doing a great job at it so instead of trying to discourage us ,help us to succeed if you have so much experience than share your knowledge, don't try to crush our dreams.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Pay_My_Claims February 14, 2011, 03:28:49 PM
@ Marie,
I totally understand. I started out as a switchboard operator, moved to ER-Registrar, to Unit Clerk, To Patient Rep, To Team Lead etc etc etc. I WON'T sugar coat anything for anyone. Its never a knockdown of your dreams, but the first question would be why did you choose medical billing? It it a job you are interested in, or a job that you feel "suits" your current situation?? I have had many "newbies" come to me for advice and help, and I have lead them along that path, always being honest and forthcoming with them. Some fell off the trail, others stuck with it. I have seen people start out WITH EXPERIENCE, that quit after 6 months because they can't land their first client. This industry is saturated with medical billers wanting to work from home. Look at the # of members in this forum. I officially got my license 06/01/2009 landed my first client at a flat fee of $500 a month in September of 09. I landed another one in Janurary of 2010 and fired her in april of 2010. I did this while working FULL TIME, and having a son play sports, and my daughter was in college. It has been a LONG HARD struggle for me. Nobody can discourage your dreams, nor can they light that fire. I have been around a long time, and learned a lot in the first 6 months of reading and joining a variety of forums. I learned quickly to trust in myself and go for what I know. I can only tell you what I see, what I know, and what my perspective is, how you interpret or take that information would be your take on it. I can only say if you ask me a question I will answer you in an honest way.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: DMK February 14, 2011, 04:26:36 PM
@marie,  Sorry if it seems like anyone's picking on you.  We ALL started with no experience.  I had to do the billing because we couldn't afford to hire someone to do it.  I had to learn it in a trial by fire!  The ladies and gentlemen on this forum are awesome because no question is a stupid question! 

We all get thrown curve balls and reach out to each other for input.  Sometimes the information is not what we want to hear, but it's all valid!

: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 14, 2011, 04:33:39 PM
A provider would be a poor business man to allow his finances to be handled by someone who has never billed before. What happens is people get into this industry because they read and ad and they think all we do is "data entry".

Well that can't necessarily be true or there would be NO medical billers, now would there?  ;) Everyone starts somewhere, I'm sure none of us were pushed out of the birth canal as a medical biller. 

I know a LOT of accountants who have gotten into medical billing and are quite successful, of course they have to have the training/education like everyone else.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Michele February 14, 2011, 08:12:35 PM
Everyone has a different opinion, and that includes what constitutes experience.  I'm not sure why some feel that the only right way is the way that they chose.  Personally and I will only speak for myself, my five years at a major insurance carrier included extensive training in coding both ICD9 and CPT in multiple specialties.  For me it was exactly what I needed.  Of course there was still a lot to learn, but I did whatever research was necessary and I persevered.  I, like Marie, had drive and commitment.  I chose this field because it is what I wanted to do, at this time, anyway.  Who knows what the future will bring.  I have always been honest with people who ask about entering this field.  Experience is extremely helpful but the right personality can start from scratch and succeed.  I am always saying that it is not 'get rich quick' or simply data entry.  In fact, recently we wanted to put an add in the paper for hiring someone but they wouldn't let us put "data entry with a brain".  They said it was discriminatory to people without brains.

I spent an hour on the phone today with an "experienced medical biller" who owns their own business and I hung up scratching my head wondering how they have gotten this far. 

The reason that we started and maintain this forum is because there was not a lot of help out there when we started and we have always been committed to trying to help others in any way we can.  Sometimes it's by being honest and telling the truth, it's not easy without experience.  But I will never say "you can't do it" because I've never met you.

Best Wishes to All in This Field
Michele
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 14, 2011, 09:00:23 PM
claims analyst isn't a medical biller, and running a business doesn't make one a biller either, no disrespect. most of my comments come from the introductions you mention in your books. My point is to encourage "newbies" to go for their dreams, but to not give them false hope in thinking its an easy field to jump into or doing it with no experience is easy. What happens is when we speak about oh yeah you have financing experience you are ahead of the game, we downplay our careers to nothing but the stereotypical "data entry" jobs that people think we do. If it was so easy..why are so many people like me with over 15 years experience fighting daily to keep my business up and running and gain clients. I understand the poster doesn't want to hear negativity, and its not what I'm giving. but honesty and straight forward advice about how it really is. Its up to the receiver how they take it.

Oh, so you are one of those that came out a biller right out of the birth canal? 

And maybe Michele is too polite to say so ..but you did MEAN dis-respect.  I'm not as polite.

Us newbies, we know that is gonna be hard to start in this business but i found alot of negativity towards us, some people are trying to put us down because of lack of experience, how much experience did you have when somebody had given you a chance? why can't it be the same for us
We are not stupid, im pretty sure that all of us are dedicated to this business, i heard medical billing wasn't for everyone it could be true but you don't know my strenght or weakness, i love to be challenge, how many times in my life i've  been told you can't do this or that and proved them people wrong.
know that the harder you put me down ,the harder im gonna fight to stay up and that's me.
If someone has years and years of experience why do you still have to prove yourself like a newbie, your experience, references and your reputation should be  enought to show people your knowledge of the business. we ask questions because we want to be good at it when we will start our own, they may seem stupid to some but helpful to others. Do we really want to hear all of this negativity personally i don't , my mother-in- law is doing a great job at it so instead of trying to discourage us ,help us to succeed if you have so much experience than share your knowledge, don't try to crush our dreams.

THAT is a winning attitude.  I can SHOW you many that started out with NO experience. It is much easier to start your own business than look for a job. YOU can overshadow no experience with EDUCATION. I am proof of that.

why did you choose medical billing? It it a job you are interested in, or a job that you feel "suits" your current situation??

Why does a proctologist become a proctologist?  Why does a sanitation worker become a sanitation worker?  Do they like looking at people's asses all day? do they like picking up garbage?  I think not. This is 2011..  I'm sorry but most people are thinking LOGICALLY in terms of money, sure people get into this not understanding all that is entailed..but the ones that will NOT succeed are the ones that find that out as they go. The ones that make it.. make it despite the odd's.  Sure some of just LOVE what we do..but not everyone KNOWS that before they get into it.. (especially not the proctologist!! ) I am spelling that right but spell check just don't like it LOL

if you want it and you work at it YOU can make it. If you have NO experience and WANT to learn and you LEARN.. You will make it. Its like any other career.I certainly couldn't just decide to open a restaurant tomorrow w/out becoming educated..And If I really wanted it, to hell with experience, I will make it .. If I don't.. then I won't.  It's that simple.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 14, 2011, 09:06:21 PM
claims analyst isn't a medical biller,

Your very right.. it's 5 steps ahead!  I PROMISE you that a claims examiner / analyst is MORE educated than any medical billing class out there.. 10 fold. hands down.  If you can do that job.. you can certainly bill.. you are only putting things in reverse PLUS you have the inside line.   I processed my first batch of claims for a pediatrician not having even looked at the software (we went from old pegboard to Medisoft) in 20 min start to finish. I remember it like it was yesterday. 2 denied claims of about 100 in the batch and appeals.. i can't even tell you I could do them in my sleep!

 
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Pay_My_Claims February 14, 2011, 11:36:52 PM
@ Linda---OMG here we go AGAIN!!! First off NO I did not come into this world as a biller, but YES I did start off entry level.

@ Michele I have NOTHING against anyone who wants to jump into this industry with NO experience, to each his own, so if you and anyone else wants to twist my words up to be what you constitute them to be its ok. I REFUSE to sugar coat or make things seem easier than what they are. I have both education and experience, and it has been hard for me. As I stated I have had the opportunity to see several of your books and in each of them you mention what you went through in the business. I have no idea why you or anyone else constantly feel that if others give a different opinion on something we are trying to make our way the correct way. Every EXPERT on this forum has complained about getting a billing job from a provider and his accounts were in terrible shape. Why because of either a lazy biller, inexperienced biller, or a biller who was not familiar with that specialty.

At NO point did I ever say to the poster SHE CAN NOT DO IT!! I PERSONALLY would NEVER hire anyone without a minimum of 3 years experience, and i'm not sure if she or another poster was the one I sent one of my "flyers" to, but it clearly states on the flyer that all our billers have 3 years experience!!  Just because my opinion is different doesn't make it right or wrong, just different. And what you do in your reply is to basically say it is incorrect. You are constantly speaking about everyone having a different opinion and if that is the case, just post what you believe and dont criticize other people for what they state.

What the newbies need to do is do a search on different topics in this forum and see how different peoples opinions change depending on who posts the questions and who replies to them. When I first joined this forum even with my 15 years, I was scared shitless with all the talk about OIG, E&O insurance, being sued, fraud & abuse, fee splitting, not knowing how to get my license, how to register your business etc etc. All the experts in here now are just seemingly trying to caudle people for their own benefit.

The claims analyst might be more educated than any billing class that YOU KNOW, but I will stand my experience and education up against any claims analyst. Good God

: Re: Best clients for newbies
: QueenAlicia February 15, 2011, 03:50:17 AM
@ Linda---OMG here we go AGAIN!!! First off NO I did not come into this world as a biller, but YES I did start off entry level.

@ Michele I have NOTHING against anyone who wants to jump into this industry with NO experience, to each his own, so if you and anyone else wants to twist my words up to be what you constitute them to be its ok. I REFUSE to sugar coat or make things seem easier than what they are. I have both education and experience, and it has been hard for me. As I stated I have had the opportunity to see several of your books and in each of them you mention what you went through in the business. I have no idea why you or anyone else constantly feel that if others give a different opinion on something we are trying to make our way the correct way. Every EXPERT on this forum has complained about getting a billing job from a provider and his accounts were in terrible shape. Why because of either a lazy biller, inexperienced biller, or a biller who was not familiar with that specialty.

At NO point did I ever say to the poster SHE CAN NOT DO IT!! I PERSONALLY would NEVER hire anyone without a minimum of 3 years experience, and i'm not sure if she or another poster was the one I sent one of my "flyers" to, but it clearly states on the flyer that all our billers have 3 years experience!!  Just because my opinion is different doesn't make it right or wrong, just different. And what you do in your reply is to basically say it is incorrect. You are constantly speaking about everyone having a different opinion and if that is the case, just post what you believe and dont criticize other people for what they state.

What the newbies need to do is do a search on different topics in this forum and see how different peoples opinions change depending on who posts the questions and who replies to them. When I first joined this forum even with my 15 years, I was scared shitless with all the talk about OIG, E&O insurance, being sued, fraud & abuse, fee splitting, not knowing how to get my license, how to register your business etc etc. All the experts in here now are just seemingly trying to caudle people for their own benefit.

The claims analyst might be more educated than any billing class that YOU KNOW, but I will stand my experience and education up against any claims analyst. Good God



LMAO!! Hahahahahahaha sorry if this is immature but I had to laugh at this. I just took final for 1 of my business classes for my bachelors and it was stressful and this made me laugh.  ;D

Charlene at now way am I laughing at you, your feelings or opinions. I was just amused. 
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: QueenAlicia February 15, 2011, 03:51:07 AM
In fact, recently we wanted to put an add in the paper for hiring someone but they wouldn't let us put "data entry with a brain".  They said it was discriminatory to people without brains.

HAHAHAHA this is funny too LOL!!
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: PMRNC February 15, 2011, 09:27:01 AM
The claims analyst might be more educated than any billing class that YOU KNOW, but I will stand my experience and education up against any claims analyst. Good
God

Oh I'm sorry, I missed the part where you worked as an examiner or analyst.  Sorry.
: Re: Best clients for newbies
: Michele February 15, 2011, 10:52:16 AM
QueenAlicia,

    True story on the ad!