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

Marketing for a Beginner!

<< < (2/4) > >>

Michelle1965:
Merry I took a look at the medical billing course website, and was wondering on bundle 4 does that include all of the books that are offered by Alice & Michele in the valuable resources section of this forum or is it completely different?

Michele:
Bundle 4 of the courses includes the courses only, but much of the material in the marketing books is covered in the courses.

I agree with the others that your coding background will be a plus.  Most doctors may not know what a CPC is, but from my experience many are worried about if they are doing things correctly when it comes to coding.  The advantage that you have is that you can say "because I am a CPC I will recognize if there is improper coding and I can bring it to your attention."  That will mean a lot to a provider.  They are all worried that they are doing something wrong, or if they are not coding something properly which may be affecting their reimbursement.

Good luck!

Michelle1965:
I am really going out on a limb here, but I have thought of a plan, and wanted to get some opinions on this idea.  I am currently working as an employee, but in the 10 months that I have been here I can name about 5 things that are affecting the practices A/R.  The main one is the provider doesn't want to upgrade his computer systems, and software.  Computers go down all of the time and freeze up where we can't do anything, and the software doesn't automatically keep track of the patient's balances.
For instance if the patient has a credit on the account, and they want to leave it their for their next visit the system doesn't keep a running balance we have to go in manually and move the credit, apply it to the right dos, do the running total, then generate the patient statements manually, which in my opinion is very time consuming.
I was thinking I could try to market myself with him first, and point out all of the problems with the revenue cycle that I have seen while working for him, and the advantages I could bring to the company by having my own system in place.  What do you all think? Good or Bad Idea?

PMRNC:

--- Quote ---I am really going out on a limb here, but I have thought of a plan, and wanted to get some opinions on this idea.  I am currently working as an employee, but in the 10 months that I have been here I can name about 5 things that are affecting the practices A/R.  The main one is the provider doesn't want to upgrade his computer systems, and software.  Computers go down all of the time and freeze up where we can't do anything, and the software doesn't automatically keep track of the patient's balances.
For instance if the patient has a credit on the account, and they want to leave it their for their next visit the system doesn't keep a running balance we have to go in manually and move the credit, apply it to the right dos, do the running total, then generate the patient statements manually, which in my opinion is very time consuming.
I was thinking I could try to market myself with him first, and point out all of the problems with the revenue cycle that I have seen while working for him, and the advantages I could bring to the company by having my own system in place.  What do you all think? Good or Bad Idea?
--- End quote ---

What you are describing is really a "typical" billing company setup. Billing company buys/subscribes to license PM system, maintains control, sets preferences for staff, etc. It's been like that for many years, what I've found since doing this since 97 is the REVERSE. The potential client you are speaking of is not as common today. Conversions are costly, time consuming and offices who had/have a setup of a PM system in place, dread the loss of control. This doesn't mean if they have an older system or software that needs updating or they are having constant problems with, shouldn't be replaced. I myself have been through 5 systems and countless conversions.. NEVER was there one that was smooth. I also think and some will disagree with me on this and that's ok, it's my opinion, that there really is NO awful PM system or system that can't do what you need it to do. An experienced biller/practice manager can work with almost any system. When I was marketing I found doctors were beginning to be very hesitant if not fully resistant to changing their current system for a variety of reasons, with one being "loss of control".  I spent a long time really watching many of my PMRNC subscribers who start billing companies were losing out on clients that did not want to switch to the system the billing company was utilizing or was planning to utilize. I was running up against the same thing in my own marketing efforts when I realized by taking a client a few years ago that REFUSED to switch.. why does he need to? Most of the billing companies starting up end up using a system they worked on in class or in a course they took or one that everyone else was using it. The costs of some of these systems was borderline ridiculous and a GOOD billing company/biller can work on ANY system and still maintain quality services, PLUS get rid of the overhead costs of the system all-together.  Software companies are not too happy with this new trend but it's working for me and others because we don't have to turn away a client simply because he doesn't want to move to another PM system. With EHR's now in place, this makes it even stickier for us billing companies. ALL of my clients maintain their own PM system costs, technical support and still maintain the control they want, my contract provides me with the protection to do my job and perform all services needed. PLUS since I've got a lower overhead, I'm able to work at more competitive rates :)

Their are pro's and con's to each so you really have to look at the goals of your business, each clients needs and your marketability. If I run across a practice who WANTS or NEEDS to switch or setup a PM system, I give them several options and again, leave it up to them. :)

roxdione:
When one is marketing their service, how far of an area should they be marketing to?  Only an area within a certain radius as to where they are located or anywhere within the US?

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page