The catch 22 - medical billing w/out actual experience

[PMRNC]

There has been a lot of talk about most practices/hospital's requiring "experience" While it is true that MOST practices will require 1-2 years of actual experience, there are positions you can take that may or may not lead you in the right direction while gaining experience:  Receptionist, records clerk, patient accounting etc.  But one that most people don't think about first is actually the EASIEST shot you have at not only making more than an entry level medical biller, but gives you FREE training (they all do their own training) and the jobs are always in demand.  Claims examiner and health insurance customer service rep's.  Most of your big carriers such as Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Prudential all will hire with NO experience. Does sound too good to be true right? But it is true. The reason is actually very simple.These companies have their own claim processing systems, and wish to train each person with their own training package.  Most of these companies will hire in groups so that they can train in group sessions. You get paid for training, and not only that you receive all the certifications necessary that even exceed most of your medical billing certifications out there. Not only that, you have an actual HEADS up, above the rest edge.. going behind the scenes is very advantageous, whether you are looking to start your own medical billing company or you are looking for a medical billing position. Your first edge is your strongest one.. You have been on the other side!  The certifications you will get and the ongoing educational courses, are invaluable AND well known across the US.

And the pay?  BETTER than an entry position in a dr's office.  Depending on WHERE you work of course   There are companies that also give bonus's, incentives for quality/production and there are advancement possibilities. 

I never received ANY training in medical billing. NONE. I have full coding certification from the insurance company side (review) which is EQUALLY as valuable, along with your CPC this alone is a great advantage. I have received training and ongoing education in 32 states in regards to state mandates, I have many certifications.. all obtained FREE and I need only do CEU's for a few of them.   The best part.. the minute I tell providers I have worked at 3 insurance carriers as a claims examiner, have experience in underwriting and high dollar review.. I've got them on the line.  NO one knows the other side better.

And the perks.. well 2 of them I worked with had 4 star restaurant style cafeteria's, daycare, gym facilities, pool.    Of course the benefits are excellent as well.

I know this sounds like an ad, but it's not, not for any particular carrier. I am always seeing ad's in paper for claims adjusters, examiners and customer service reps/benefit reps. Most of your BCBS locations are constantly having job fairs. I have a friend who has a tele-commuting position as a claims rep for BCBS (usually those will require you be at the company for at least a year.) She also runs a physicians practice (office manager) which she landed with NO actual billing experience, she started at the physicians office part time and 2 years later is the office manager. I have friends which are making NICE comfy salaries as they stayed put and worked their way up in the company.

Just thought I would put that out there. I did about 12-13 years before starting my own medical billing company.. In fact, the business found me. I couldn't believe the doors it has opened for me.

Just something for those looking for that "experience" to consider

[Pay_My_Claims]

BCBS is a big employer who hires and trains employees with "no experience" with the biggest area of hire, claims processing (keying in claims, or scanning)

[QueenAlicia]

I will be looking into this as a back up.  Right now BCBS doesn't have anything in my area. 

[PMRNC]

BCBS is a big employer who hires and trains employees with "no experience" with the biggest area of hire, claims processing (keying in claims, or scanning)

They don't train the data processors, those are the ones that usually pre/check claims right from mail room and register and batch them. there's a lot more that goes into a claims examiners job that data entry. More so than billing.

I will be looking into this as a back up.  Right now BCBS doesn't have anything in my area.  Undecided

check for ANY insurance companies in your area.. workers comp, etc.

[Michele]

That's exactly what happened to me.  I was fresh out of college and needed a job with medical benefits.  Was having some minor issues.  So I took a job with one of the major insurance carriers.  Training was 12 weeks intensive 40 hours per week in a class of about 25.  Not all of us made it.  Full pay during training.  NO SPA! NO GYM! NO SWIMMING POOL!  (Jealous ~ Jealous)  But I got some great training.  And I love to learn so I sucked it all up.  Funny thing though, after a short time I started not liking so much what happened on our end (insurance carrier) and I wanted to work from the other side (provider).  Having that inside view of how insurance carriers operate has been invaluable to me.  I didn't receive any certificates or degrees, but I know what I know and that's what counts.  I don't know everything!  But I'm always open to learning more!   

Michele

[PMRNC]

How long ago was that? I worked from late 80's to 97/98 yes the training was long.. My first place was Prudential.. no pool there, but killer cafeteria, daycare. not bad <g> and the pay even to start was awesome.. I upgraded from there to another company (don't care to mention ..hint.. BAIL OUT.. LOL)
You didn't get HIAA cert's?  OMG those were hard as heck..makes a medical billing course look like Sesame street.  Did you take Dean Vaughn?  Each carrier I worked for taught terminology that way.. was a blast. Look it up if you never heard of it.

I have to say I hated that end too towards the end.. but when I was transferred to fraud unit.. I got to see that fraud was EVENLY split.. patients, doctors, hospitals, insureds.. equally!  Mostly I couldn't believe how many times we went after this one very very very big lab facility.. (sorry not naming names there either).  But the last company I worked with was the best.. benefits, money.. great. I have a few friends still there and moved up in rank and pay of course.  Honestly when I billed my first batch of claims, I remember saying.. "This is it?"  LOL I couldn't have said that if I had not gotten my education there.

[Pay_My_Claims]

BCBS is a big employer who hires and trains employees with "no experience" with the biggest area of hire, claims processing (keying in claims, or scanning)

They don't train the data processors, those are the ones that usually pre/check claims right from mail room and register and batch them. there's a lot more that goes into a claims examiners job that data entry. More so than billing.

I will be looking into this as a back up.  Right now BCBS doesn't have anything in my area.  Undecided

check for ANY insurance companies in your area.. workers comp, etc.

Sorry, but BCBS of NC does train their employees those positions

[Michele]

It was from 90-95.  Started as Metropolitan, merged with Travelers to become Metra-Health and then got bought out by United Health Care.  So technically, I worked for three!  But it never really changed much.  I could have done well, moved way up the ladder.  When I gave them my notice, they actually made me offers to keep me!  It was a compliment.  But it wasn't my calling.   

Michele

[PMRNC]

Sorry, but BCBS of NC does train their employees those positions

Yes, I'm sure they do, but they don't receive the same training as examiners/analysts, different positions. Sorry I should have clarified that. I didn't want anyone to think examiners and data entry positions are nearly the same.

[Steanie]

Fantastic advice. I believe I will begin working towards working for an insurance company next to move me closer to my dream of opening my own business. Thanks ladies for the advice.