Medical claims billing (employment, profit, degree, job)

[Magnolia Bloom]

I have been looking for a part-time job that I can do on a part-time basis at night along with my mom, who will do it during the day. Can it be done from home? Does anyone have any advice on how to get started or words of wisdom- the good, the bad and the ugly!

[cassy1]

I think you have to have a degree to do medical billing, at least years back when I worked in a hospital they did. It is complicated, especially now with the different types of insurance. If you had a degree they would probably set you up at home, as with medical transcription.

[Synopsis]

I don't think you need a degree, just the funds for equipment and advertising your services, and of course - the training. However, that whole medical billing thing is a bit of a scam and has been for some time. I almost got into it back in the mid 90s because it looked to be very profitable. It turned out not to be so, and the folks that were pushing it were scam artists. That's not to say your situation could be different, but watch your step and I wish you the best of luck.

[MoMark]

I'd look into a well-known and respected on-line university like the University of Phoenix and see if they offer courses and a degree/training, whatever in medical billing.

[Crew Chief]

I've heard that medical billing is yet another occupation being outsourced overseas. I'm sure plenty of opportunities still exist in this country, but be aware of scam artists when it comes to training. Might consider talking with the folks at some doctor's offices before making the commitment to train... Get an idea how large the market is. What's turnover like? What do they pay for services, etc, Good luck!

[I LOVE PA!]

hereinfla...don't know what to say!

[Magnolia Bloom]

I know that there are a lot of scam artists in this business in south Florida.
I've followed up on some of the research suggestions and have decided not to pursue it.

Thanks, all.

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

I've heard that medical billing is yet another occupation being outsourced overseas. I'm sure plenty of opportunities still exist in this country, but be aware of scam artists when it comes to training. Might consider talking with the folks at some doctor's offices before making the commitment to train... Get an idea how large the market is. What's turnover like? What do they pay for services, etc, Good luck!

[vpcats]

There are many, many, "schools" that teach you medical billing, on site or on line courses. There is even a certificate type of thing through some community colleges.
If you learn to do medical billing, which is a changing field anyway, you're better off working in a billing office - doctors office, multispecialty clinic setting, or hospital. Hospital billing and physician billing are two totally different animals. So medical billing as a general term is not accurate. You could be able to do both if you're very good and experienced.

OK now, to do it as a side job, from home: You need equipment and you need clients. There are several good, well-known Billing agencies and this is what gets the little person. It is not easy to get clients. Much is word of mouth and you need many clients to stay afloat. You need liability insurance for yourself also. How about what specialty? You CAN be good at many specialties but usually will be the best at only one, so how many of those clients can you get?

The real important thing nowadays though: Any third party billing company must have a compliance plan in place and it needs to follow the rules and guidelines that have been published by CMS and the OIG.
In the end, you will have physicians who want to do something other than what you know is right and you either have to lose that client, be an accomplice, or turn them in.

Go into something else.

[DGEORGE1961]

Hi. The "billing from home" employment opportunity is a sales gimmick used by a wide range of organizations - from companies selling medical billing software to allied health colleges trying to enroll you in their training program. I strongly suggest that anytime you see a company marketing their products and/or services using a billing from home sales pitch, forget about it. You should also contact the BBB to save other people from the pain of getting scammed.

Dave

Medical Billing, Billing Medical, Medical Billing Services

[Padgett2]

There used to be a chance that you could make money doing Medical Billing from home.

But that has all changed. Just about every doctor's office now has computer systems, even if it's just one terminal. The software for in-office billing is very good and inexpensive. Super Bill firms print up specialized bills for just about every and any type of medical practice. All the clerk has to know is how to type and click on buttons. In a small office, it's something that even the receptionist can do between patients.

It's even possible with the right software to bill the insurance companies direct. No envelopes, no stamps, just a few seconds.

Nope, very unlikely that you could find enough work to do to make it worth your while.