Author Topic: Associations...falsely advertising as a member  (Read 3101 times)

QueenAlicia

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Associations...falsely advertising as a member
« on: July 10, 2012, 06:35:52 PM »
Hello everyone, I am just dropping a few lines about things that I have noticed when it comes to new billers and their websites.  Lately I have noticed some new billers and companies that are falsely advertising that they are members of associations.  If you are displaying that you are apart of an association and have their logo on your website and you have not paid for membership to join, this is unprofessional and also displays that if you are falsely claiming to be apart of an association what else will you do when it comes to your clients. 

Also, if a member of that association was to report you to the board members, you can be sued.  It's very easy for members to look up info about other members to learn about them.  If a member were to research you on the directory and you don't show up you are jeopardizing you business before you before you get a client.  So if you have an association on your website that you claim to be a member of and aren't really a member remove it immediately.





PMRNC

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Re: Associations...falsely advertising as a member
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2012, 06:39:25 PM »
I completely agree...but on the flip side it irks me to know end to see those associations promoting and advertising for offshore billing companies, to the point of even including them on their members directory.. sorry that to me is the polar opposite, misleading on both sides.  I happen to think it would hold me back to put my memberships out there for some associations. I'm not even sure there is an association out there that doctors really would know or care about.  I've never even been asked. JMHO  I'm not about to be held hostage for CEU's or a few letters after my name, to me it's not worth it.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

QueenAlicia

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Re: Associations...falsely advertising as a member
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2012, 06:49:44 PM »
That offshore billing bothers the heck out of me too.  But this is an issue that I have seen as of recent.  It's a bit annoying and it's like "damn" what would you do for a client.  Really just disappointing!  So far the two associations I have seen falsified are a medical billing association and a non medical billing industry related association.

PMRNC

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Re: Associations...falsely advertising as a member
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2012, 09:16:39 PM »
Yes pretty sure we know of the one we know of in common. And HBMA also not only allows advertising for offshore but they actually promote it to physicians to save money. The other association blows my mind because of their name yet in their billing company directory you see "INDIA" with list of companies  :o :o :o  sorry that irks me to no end. I've NEVER ever misled anyone, I've actually been known to talk people OUT of this business before they spend the money. People need to carefully examine these associations.. there's a lot of them out there that hold people hostage to CEU's in order to keep their certifications..that's bull dinky.. Earn CEU's by subscribing to a magazine or buying a book. .it's just a way to get your money! Networking is great..but the main focus behind an Association is to advocate and educate! 
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

QueenAlicia

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Re: Associations...falsely advertising as a member
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2012, 11:47:06 PM »
Yes, and one of the associations is a female entrepreneur site that costs $$ to join.  Even the lowest level of membership is expensive and for someone to claim they don't have money to do this and that it lets me know that all they did was steal the logo from another site and slap it on their page.

Oops, starting to reveal too much.

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Associations...falsely advertising as a member
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2012, 11:47:06 PM »

PMRNC

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Re: Associations...falsely advertising as a member
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2012, 02:48:20 PM »
Very annoying, many of them blackmail you into THEIR certification, purchasing it, purchasing the study materials, and slapping a piece of paper with some letters after your name and voila..   Associations, IMHO are supposed to mainly ADVOCATE and educate. Sure networking is great..but that should be a PERK.. a benefit.. NOT a primary focus. Networking shouldn't cost anyone anything.. it's free because everyone benefits!! And CEU's?? Don't get me started on that scam.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Associations...falsely advertising as a member
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2012, 02:48:20 PM »