Starting A Home Baed Medical Billing Business

[kimmie963]

Hello, I am new to the forum, and what I have read so far is very helpful.  What I would like to know is 1) I have about 4 months left  to complete my online course, do I have to be certified to start my business. 2)  What all would I need to get started 3) How would I go about getting my first client and should I offer a free trial to start? 4)  What is the best software (free would be best)to use for a home base business?. 5) Is there a template for medical billing contract.  Any and all advices is much appreciated.

Thank You

[PMRNC]

Certification isn't necessary for billing but very adviseable if you plan do do coding. You'll also want to make sure you have your full compliance plan ready, HIPAA security and risk assessment, BA agreements, contracts and business registration, E/O insurance. You want all of that before marketing.

[williamportor]

Hello, I am new to the forum, and what I have read so far is very helpful.  What I would like to know is 1) I have about 4 months left  to complete my on line course, do I have to be certified to start my business. 2)  What all would I need to get started 3) How would I go about getting my first client and should I offer a free trial to start? 4)  What is the best software (free would be best)to use for a home base business?. 5) Is there a template for medical billing contract.  Any and all advices is much appreciated.

Thank You

To answer questions in order: 1. PMRNC is correct, certification isn't necessary for billing but very advisable if you plan do do coding. I would also add if you've paid for this certification coursework, complete it, and learn all you can from it. 2. You'll need at minimum a small office set up, with files, computer less than 3 years old, an all in one printer, scanner, fax mach. service agreement contract. 3. Getting your first client: Please read through the forums here on that one. The best software. I can recommend Office Ally, it's low cost, and pretty reliable. 5. Medical billing contracts. Google medical billing contracts or agreements, you'll find contracts you can modify to fit your needs.

JMHO- If you're serious about making your business a success, read through these forums thoroughly, especially those related to marketing, since finding clients will be a steep hill to climb. Best of luck     

[Michele]

The only thing I don't see addressed by Linda or Williamportor is the free trial.  I would not recommend offering a free trial.  I think it makes you look unsure of your own worth.  Also, there is so much involved with starting a client and there are usually a few bumps the first month so a free trial may not be a good look at what they would be getting.  Try to find another incentive.  Free setup, free consultation, a free month if they sign a year contract (although this would be my last options). 

[kimmie963]

Thank you everyone, please continue to give me advise as it is extremely helpful as this will be my second career as my first will come to an end within the next 10 to 16 months.  This is the best forum for advice I could not be more excited finding this forum.  As I have mention I expected to completed my medical coding and billing on-line program by September. My next question is that I am just about ready to launch my medical billing service business, except of course my first client.  My concern and nervousness is that I have no recent experience with medical billing so how should I handle this and project the confident that I know what I am doing and what is to be expect when I do get my first client. 

[Michele]

Being confident is the hardest thing when you are first starting out. Some struggle with that even when they have been doing billing for years!  You need to build your confidence in the type of person that you are.  For example, when I started, I didn't have any experience in billing from the provider's side.  My experience was from the insurance carrier side.  BUT!  I know myself and I am the type of person that is going to learn what they need to learn and get the job done right!  I have a good work ethic, and it is my business and I don't want any providers to be not happy.  I did what I needed to do to learn what I needed.  I made mistakes but I corrected them.  You have to be confident in the work you know you will be doing. 

[kimmie963]

Thanks you to all that has provided advice on my questions and to help me overcome my nervousness. I have read a lot  and will continue to read on this forum and it has been a tremendous help and confident building.  This forum has help me narrow down what area that I want to have my business.  This has been staring me in my face and I could and will network with those who have their own agency or will be start one and need a mental health medical biller. I work at a college, that prepare student to become a License Practicing Counselors and some will and have open up there own mental health agency/clinic, Home Health Care, etc  Therefore, I will focus my business on mental health, AODA, etc.  Now for all advice that any one can and will provide and answering my questions.
1) Because I do not have recent experience in medical billing for mental health or any other, is this a good place to begin?, If so why
2) Is there a sample contact and BAA specifically for mental health?
3) Can anyone here on the forum recommend what I should charge percentage rate, flat fee or hourly?
4) What should I include in a welcome package or introduction package?
5) Should I learn credentialing with mental health or is there such a thing? If so how would I go about that if that should ever be ask of me?
6) By starting off working in the mental health, what software is recommended?

Thank you again

[PMRNC]

1) Because I do not have recent experience in medical billing for mental health or any other, is this a good place to begin?, If so why

Yes, it's a good connection to have. I wouldn't necessarily say that one specialty is way to go, but it's a good start, you really should be ready for most specialties and usually you will land at one with good client base.

2) Is there a sample contact and BAA specifically for mental health?

You don't want to use samples. For your contract you really should sit down, make list of terms, services, etc and then get an attorney to either draft or review. As for your BAA you can't do that until all the things necessary to be compliant are done. Doing your own BA Agreement will come after you have everything in place, many billing companies think the BAA is enough when really the BAA outlines your responsibilities and promises compliance therefore you have to do all the things a BA needs to do to .. policies/procedures, risk assessment, etc. The BAA is a very standard and straightforward agreement you can easily do but you'll learn more from doing those things to ensure compliance.

3) Can anyone here on the forum recommend what I should charge percentage rate, flat fee or hourly?

This is a personal choice you want to give a lot of thought to. Some states have fee-splitting laws that prohibit a provider from engaging in % based contracts so research laws in the state you will be marketing. There are many other ways to price your services, Alice and Michele, who own this forum have a book on pricing your services. I myself switched from % to flat fee based on hourly rate because I moved to a state (NY) that was a state that prohibited providers from contracting on a %. I also am glad I switched as I think this fee structure is inevitable as an industry standard down the road as I think it will either be prohibited in most if not all states and transitioning to a new structure can be difficult. By doing the flat fee and having it based on time I make a better profit and all of my time is compensated.

4) What should I include in a welcome package or introduction package?

A cover/introduction letter, brochure, maybe some tips, your paperwork needed for EDI if you will be using your own PM System, etc. I include a resume and I have a separate handout which outlines my compliance plan which they can also request to see. If you are mailing these packets you can leave out the paperwork for EDI, etc and focus just on introducing yourself, outlining your services, show the potential client the benefits of outsourcing, etc. Don't make it too much. Keep it simple. I also would try other direct mail options too such as postcards, invites, etc. We have a good marketing manual with some samples you can even use in our store at www.billerswebsite.com

5) Should I learn credentialing with mental health or is there such a thing? If so how would I go about that if that should ever be ask of me?

Unless you have experience with this it's probably a good idea to wait and learn more about the credentialing process. Some billing companies will just credential by signing provider up, completing the paperwork and that's that but there are more steps that should take place such as reviewing and negotiating fee-schedules, reviewing contracts and terms, etc., When you offer this you want to offer a full credentialing process.

6) By starting off working in the mental health, what software is recommended?

My best advice is not to use specialty software and limit yourself, after you get going with a client or two you will find that if you do a good job you will get referrals for other specialties and you don't want to turn them down for lack of knowledge or software limitations. Research the various ones out there that allow you to bill for any specialty. Also don't rule out using a clients existing software, in fact it will be more beneficial in regards to marketing as providers love to see they wouldn't experience a slow-down in reimbursement during a conversion period AND they love the fact that they don't lose control, you simply step in and work your magic, no conversion, no additional costs to you (means you can be more competitive with your pricing) and in marketing you can market yourself by showing providers how easy it is to step right in. I do this with my clients and they love it. I love it too because I don't have to worry about data conversions, tech support, costs, etc. Plus the diversity is good.  My favorite top three pm systems are  Kareo, AdvancedMD, and CollaborateMD   I've used some specialty softwares for mental health and they are awful in my opinion. I started out specializing in mental health and now I also do pediatrics.