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Starting a Medical Billing Business > Starting Your Own Medical Billing Business

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RichardP:
Consider all the vendors pushing EMRs and PMs in the cloud - Software as a Service (SoS). No matter where they are in the world, doctors, nurses, coders, billers - all who have been given access - can get into these systems and work on the stuff there. So, as a coder, you could access the patients charts and read the doctors notes and do the coding and send that off to the PM system(s) for the billers to look it over and send on to the clearinghouse. You could do this part from anywhere.

But what if you have questions about what a doctor has posted to the patient's chart? Or a question about how to code something? Can you get answers to questions as easily from home as you could at the job site? That is going to depend on how the communication within the software is set up.

Billergirlnyc:

--- Quote from: TechieRN on March 04, 2013, 07:41:12 PM ---It is funny you inquired about this, since I am trying to find out more about learning medical coding too and might be able to get an 'in' here at the hospital where I work, I am trying to talk with people.
I am beginning to think that I might have a better chance at the coding piece (more lucrative too) but can a person do coding from home or do a home business for coding as well or is it being hired to do so and being able to work from home. I am just looking for flexible options is all.

Thanks again for your input, I don't take it lightly and do appreciate it greatly.

--- End quote ---

Great! I'm glad you're thinking about going this route as I think it's truly a natural progression for nurses. You'll make an awesome coder. You can work from home. I know coders who work for various hospitals and they work from home. I hire coders to do work on a temp basis when one of our larger clients overwhelms us quarterly and they telecommute with us. We, of course, make them sign all the necessary paperwork, and they have access to web-based software/EHR etc. And if there is EVER a question about how to code something you'd contact the doctor or follow the protocol set by your client or employer. Facilities like hospitals usually have a different set of protocols to follow when coders have questions. I use to spend a lot of time w/the nurse utilization review dept when I did work for a hospital, as it was almost impossible to speak directly with the ER doctor, etc. They would act as liaisons. In the case of having a client (say a surgeon) then you two come-up with the protocol if one hasn't been established on their end - these are just simple steps to take if you have questions about a patient's medical notes/records and these steps can be done regardless of where you're at physically. Make sure it's simple so it doesn't delay your work load. Some places give tests for coders (we do) and some have weekly and monthly quotas, for example code 100 charts a week. I've seen it. Lots of companies hire coders to do work for them on a telecommute basis. So there is money to be made.

I really think you being a nurse and then a certified coder is only going to make you look sweeter to a potential client. You really shouldn't have to do much besides take the prep course to become a coder, but I know nurses who skipped it and just took the test. I'd definitely contact either AAPC or AHIMA (both are great) and get more information. It's up to you which one you choose. I will say I find more nurses go through AHIMA (just a personal observation) than AAPC, again this is not to say nurses don't go through AAPC, they certainly do, but AHIMA is big w/hospitals so I think that's why I notice the nurses more through my AHIMA membership meetings, CEU's, etc. As you were saying that you may have an "in" with the hospital you work for. I say GO for it! Let them pay for you to take any courses required or pay for the test. If I were smart when I worked with the hospital I would've let them pay for mines, haha. Oh, hindsight is a mother, but be sure you know if they have any requirements if they pay for it, like: signing a contract or you'll be required to work for a year or so after you pass the test/get certified. Just know everything and be sure it lines-up with your goals/plans.

davidharvey:
I am also new to this even I want know about medical billing service. Before reading this post I have no clue about it but now I know little bit about it. Thanks for starting this thread...(Y)

TechieRN:
You are very Welcome!
Registering and posting on the www.medicalbillinglive.com/forum was one of the best ideas I have had, since I have received a plethora of information and am thankful for the support folks like Richard and Linda just to name a few.

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