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Mar15
Medical Billing: A Work From Home Option or Scam?

Before I answer that question I just wanted to quickly introduce myself and my blog. The times they are a changing and the work at home world is getting bigger and bigger.

On this blog you'll find reviews and spotlights of different work from home companies and opportunities - the good, the bad and the ugly - (Okay, maybe even the cute!) as well as a dash of humor and a pinch of how-tos. So dive into this blog on medical billing and puruse the rest of my web site for topics ranging from an interview with a JetBlue employee to a spotlight on WorkingSolutions. While you're at it why not subscribe to my blog through this feed! Now, on with medical billing!

What is medical billing? Basically, it is a service that helps your doctor get moola from  your insurance company by properly handling and filing insurance claims. Sounds pretty simple right? Fill out some forms, submit them and ba da bing you've got yourself a ready-made home-based business.

Nah! Nothing is as simple as it seems. In order to be able to properly handle medical billing  you need to know quite a bit first. Here's a few things you will need to know:

 

  • Basic medical terminology (the real big words not the dumbed down versions)
  • Claims processing procedures
  • HIPPA compliance laws
  • ICD-9 CM codes
  • Diagnoses
  • Diagnostic and procedural coding systems
  • Various computer software programs
  • Insurance forms
  • CPT codes
  • and more!

The thing about this type of work-from-home business is that you need to know your stuff since there is no way to wing it and keep your clients. And speaking of clients, many doctors handle their own medical billing or contract with large firms. You will need to be very proactive in order to build your clientelle.

If you are already doing this kind of work and just want to take your experience and build a work-at-home medical billing service then at least you have the leg up in that regard. Besides training there is the expense you will incur in order to purchase equipment, coding and reference books, software, supplies, liability insurance, and more.

If you aren't already trained in medical billing practices you are probably researching the many companies that advertise about starting your own medical billing business. This is where the scams are plentiful. Before you spend a dime 'investing' in one of these 'you don't need experience' training courses do your homework.

Check out the companies creditentials, past clients, length of time in business, and reputation. Be realistic about whether or not you will be able to get trained, outfitted, and hired within a reasonalble amount of time.

A business is tough to start, no matter what kind of business. The business of medical billing isn't any different.


29 Comments/Trackbacks




Hi, Nice to read the explanation about the home based medical billing, I have 4 years of exp in the same industry, Where do i get the business ? can anyone help me out in this regard.

Regards
Satish

Satish,

You will just need to get out there and network to find available work. Check all the doctors and medical facilities in your area to start with. Branch out from there to outlying areas and even out of state. This is the hard part so don't give up! Good luck.

Marta

Hi there, I am also interested in taking Medical Billing and Medical Coding Courses online. Can you recommend a good online training site that won't waste my money? Thanks.

» Medical Billing: A Work From Home Option or Scam? from Offshore Medical Billing
I’ve stated this before, but I have an acquaintance who purchased a “medical billing at home kit” and because of no background in the field never “took off”.Others - who’ve earned their stripes, so to speak, in a medical office - could just pu [Read More]

This seems like a tough one to break into, especially with large businesses taking the liability if something goes wrong. If I were a medical provider, I'm not sure what incentive I would have to use a work-at-homer for this. That said, I have read (like most of you) that this can be a very lucrative endeavor.

SimplifyThis.com

Sanjay,

The doctors who I do know of that work at home workers do so with someone they have already worked with. They know and trust their work. Tough one to crack into I must agree.

Hi, Nice to read the explanation about the home based medical billing proccesing and adjudication., I have 6 years of exp in the same industry, claims HCFA1500, UB92 and DENTAL and have perfection in bill payment POS -Anesthesia.COB, COB with EOB,11,21,22,81,41,65, surgery and newborn ,trained by US Trainers Where do i get the business ? can anyone help me out in this regard.

Regards
laxman singh kirola

Hi Laxman!

Thanks for stopping by. I think that Marta has given some good advice about networking. As she explained earlier, it can be a hard field to break into.

Good luck!

hi nice and good things from u ,
i am a physiotherapist,m i had 7 experiance in my field[ acadomic and clinical. now i like to change my field that is medical coding please give me study materials through my mail id please help me and guide me please...

Hi Mariafrancis!

We don't actually provide study materials through this site. I believe the post only meant to let people know that some people do this type of work from home.

Best wishes!

i am interested in having some knowledge regarding about medical billing and medical coding. i just finished my medical transcription course here in the Philippines. i appreciate your response. thank you and have a nice day.

Hi Catherine

We don't actually provide study materials through this site. Have you tried using the Google search engine to find other posts and articles about Medical billing?

Best wishes!

» Medical Transcriptionists: What We Do At Home from WorkFromHomeMomma
Are you looking for the perfect work-at-home job? Many medical transcriptionists work from home. Read this post to learn more. [Read More]


hi there,i have six years of experience in medical coding and billing and presently working as a medical coder and biller,but unfortunately i don`t have certification from any,like AHIMA etc.i learn medical billing and coding through the help of our company,they let us attend seminars conducted by the certified coder from las vegas. from then on we learn coding and billing and untill now i`m still applying it.

I want to become a certified coder and biller would you please help me how.Is there a way of having certified through internet?

thanks for you help.

In every good wish i remain

Ella


Hi Ella!

First of all, I wish you good luck on your job search. Have you considered Medical Transcription? I wrote about that field here: http://www.workfromhomemomma.com/2007/10/medical_transcriptionists_what.html

Ms. laura,
Thank you for the info that you gave to me regarding medical transcription.I have interest in medical transcription but not as much as my interest in medical coding and billing.That is why i want to pursue medical coding and billing as one of my career.can you recommend a good online that can help me to become a certified biller/coder that won`t waste my money.

Thankyou and good day.....


Ella

Hi,
Nice to read the explanation about the home based medical billing, I have 3 years of exp in the same industry, Where do i get the business ?We are capable to start with more money also, can anyone pls help me out in this regard.

Regards,
Supraja devi

Hi Ch.supraja devi!

Thanks for coming by. I hope you find what you are looking for.

Dear sir,
Do hope we will be able to establish a long term business relationship between us.
We will be glad to be at your service. For your info- We, The BNS COMPTER, are having a highly skilled team/ computer professional/ typist for doing any type of data entry job for you. We are having more than 25 persons to do the work in to different shifts with more than 25 p c s to meet your demand & thus we will be able to do 25x3 shift=75 p c s job per day.
Therefore, requesting you to offer us the Data Entry Projects, Data Processing Projects, Data Conversion Projects & Medical transcription. If we can satisfy you, you can offer us in large volume. Our aim is to prove ourselves in the international market. We will not claim for volume job unless you are satisfied with our service. We can assure you of more than 98% accuracy & timely deliver of the job.
Please send us the detail of the work soon. Awaiting your soonest hearing. Feel free to ask more if you have any queries.
BNSKULAKARI
BNS Computers

Hi BNSRINIVASA KULAKARNI!

This blog doesn't actually employ typists. I went ahead and removed your personal information. You should be careful about where you post personal information because you can get a lot of spam.

Best wishes to you in your job search.

I was wondering if you could help me. I took the course for medical billing and passed with a 95%. I have passed my test and got my certifications from medicare. I have tried to start my own business by contacting dr's etc. in the surrounding area here im my home town. Every Dr, I have talked to has there own in house people I was even willing to do it very inexpensive on their part. But have had no luck. I prayed on this for a while and I found an add in the local paper that this company had it's own Dr's and needed billing associates. So I called and talked to a gentleman who convinced me to sent him $189.00 for the software. I got the software a couple of weeks later but it consist of going thru the crash course of medical billing again. So I thought ok I'll refresh myself again can't hurt me. At the end of all of this it was supposed to give me a phone number to start with them doing claims. I GOT SCAMMED. I HAVE WROTE AND I HAVE CALLED GOT AHOLD OF THE PERSON FINNALLY, CAUSE I CALLED THAT SAME NUMBER WHEN I FIRST SEEN THE ADD. THIS PERSON GAVE ME A NUMBER AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS AN OK LIGETIMATE BUSINESS. NOT SO. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE POLICE HERE AND TO THE POLICE IN WASHINGTON WHERE I SENT THE MONEY. SO FAR NOTHING. I HAVE SINCE BEEN TRYING DESPERATLY TO FIND SOMEONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO HIRE ME TO DO MEDICAL BILLING I HAVE MY CERTIFICATIONS AND HAVE PUT ALOT OF MONEY AND ALOT OF TIME INTO THIS TO JUST FORGET ABOUT IT. CAN YOU OR DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO CAN HELP ME. I WAS WANTING TO DO THIS BY PIECE WORK FROM MY COMPUTOR AT HOME. SINCERELY MARY WHEELER

Hi Mary,

It does sound like you were scammed. I'm sorry to hear it. One rule of thumb is that you should never have to pay someone to find work for you.

We are a group of people here in Bangladesh we are experienced in medical transcription. The thing that we need is that an opportunity. We can give the same amount of accuracy and in a lower rate. You can test our work. I am looking forward to this .

This blog does not hire transcriptionists. Best wishes as you search for work.

Hi there,

I am a full time data encoder/typist and interested to of taking medical transcription but i found it very expensive and one of my friend told me that she was having difficulty specially when taking dictation. I felt discourage about it. I have already a sample of different reports given to me by my friend who undergone a seminar in MT. Can you help me about this.

Hi Brenda!

Hmmm! You might consider using your typing skills to earn money while your are learning a new skill. Whatever you decide, best wishes to you!

Hai
i am settelled in south India.gods own contry"Kerala" i have been working in this field for the last 2 years as an AR Executive as well as medical coder. I am a doctor. Now i left that job and taking care of my kids. Now am planing to work from my home. S please give me some good companies addresses who are outsourcing the coding or ar job

Hi Lysa,

We don't actually place people here at Work From Home Momma.

Best Wishes!

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