Medical Billing - Getting answers to the RIGHT questions the first time!

As a seasoned, professional medical biller, I often think about where I AM vs. where I began in this business. After earning many private practice owners as clients, it has been quite the road n figuring out EXACTLY what is needed to begin working for these practitioners. It took me MONTHS of errors and THOUSANDS of dollars literally FAILING to really "get it". I had so many questions about what I really NEEDED to get started in this billing business. I have since met MANY people interested in developing their own medical billing firms. They generally take some sort of course, align themselves with a software vendor and "believe" they have what they need. I WAS the same. But, unlike many, I DIDN'T "FORGET" TO START! But, I may be different than others - I try and try until I figure it out. I believe in persistence and determination. BUT, I also believe in HELP. It is IMPERATIVE that you gather KEY data in order to set a practice up correctly the first time. There are many things that you require that go beyond their business name, tax id and address. I am an active member of a foundation that was created by an alliance of medical billers from all levels of experience. I have contributed to the foundation and other members selected ONE of my tools as an offering for use. My questionnaire. There are MANY additional tools available through the foundation that EVERY MEDICAL BILLER needs! Check out the foundation by visiting www.MedicalBillingFoundation.com. The membership fees are so reasonable for what you receive. The continued education that I receive, I actually pass on to my clients, which demonstrates my ever-growing knowledge in the industry. Frankly, I do not have time to conduct independent searches. The foundation gathers the updates for me and I simply share it with my clients. They even have a newsletter that I download and use as a handout to both clients and prospects alike. There are forums and blog pages available which encourages medical billers to stay connected and to share information and experiences. I am anxiously awaiting their webinars and seminars. My tip today is to BUY the help that you need AND do not "forget to start" by not having complete tools or information. Utilize what is readily available and proven to work, created by other experienced medical billers. I am COMPLETELY pleased with both their offering and their pricing. I cannot believe that I spent over $20K on what it NOW available in ONE PLACE for under $1,000. Hindsight is (unfortunately) ALWAYS 20/20.

Medical Billing Career from Home; Managing a Healthy Balance Between Work & Family Time

A home-office based medical billing career can offer some flexibility in work hours. To optimize your productivity and professional drive, it is important to examine some of your working "conditions", if you will.
Do you leave the primary areas of your home and go through the excercises of "going to work" for the day?
Maintaining a normal 40 hour work schedule and dedicated routine is incredibly important in maximizing your productivity. I recognized this early on and set up my electronic claims processing firm in a completely secluded area in my home. I spend family time in the morning, get the children off to school/daycare, get dressed for the day and technically "get to work" by 8:30 each day. I have a dedicated area, PC, phone line and other medical billing-specific office supplies in my work area. Having such a space set up effectively helped me tremendously in becoming successful. When I began my medical billing career, I found myself working very early in the morning (often in my PJ's) through really late into the evenings (back in my PJ's). During sleep, I would often dream about processing claims and meeting doctors at networking events. This is not necessarily healthy, especially if those dreams go beyond the initial excitement period of opening a business. I cannot stress enough the NEED to end my day at a normal time - 5 or 5:30 pm. It is imperative to have the space and TIME for client contact, business processes, and administrative duties. Also, allotted space and time for home life, family events and simply "being" with family. During the first month of opening my business, the cable television service in our main family living area was broken for an entire week and I did not know it - this was a quick awakening for me! I wasn't even watching the occasional news program to stay abreast in today's stories! I was rushing through dinner and NOT spending quality time with my family - all to jam-pack as much as humanly possible into a day - or in this case, night. These types of habits can prove detrimental as a medical biller. Our tasks can be daunting enough without the added stress of extra-long days and having "not enough time" to get done what needs to be done. One can "burn out" rapidly trying to maintain such a demanding schedule, which is utterly impossible to keep! Once I recognized the habit that could have potentially soured my taste to this most lucrative industry, I got some help and some guidance. The end-all message to you is to operate in an official and productive office, do your best to keep a normal 8 hour schedule, and don't be afraid to ask for and PAY for quality help.

The one place that I found that truly helps answer the "Now What?" questions about running my business was a foundation totally dedicated to medical billing success; http://www.MedicalBillingFoundation.com. This site not only offered documents, tips, plans, proposal samples, as well as advise on networking, effective marketing, an more - it also offered a detailed (down to the HOUR) plan of what exactly to do during the first full month in business as a medical biller! The membership costs are VERY reasonable and the information that comes from the foundation is invaluable. The reason? The data was collectively provided by successful medical billers from all over the country so that a NEW medical biller like me didn't have to waste time reinventing the wheel! I chose to purchase the tools made available to me ONCE instead of spending thousands on attorney fees alone creating my own, individual necessary documents and marketing tools.

Medical Billing Tips and Tricks

There is MUCH to do once you have decided to open your own medical billing firm. Here is an important Tip. Considering that this industry is MOSTLY run by women in small business - do yourself a favor, DO NOT put your home address on your business cards or other business publications! First of all, how do you think "178 Cherry Hill Estates" will be viewed by healthcare professionals? No doubt, they will think you are SMALL time! You need to walk the walk and talk the talk and have a PROFESSIONAL front for your business. Granted, MOST of us that run a medical billing business do so from our home offices - but, your clients don't necessarily need to know that! Go to your local UPS store or Postal Center and lease a mail box. These facilities are located in busy mall strips or on major roads that don't contain words like "cherry" or "estates" AND you can call that box a "unit" OR "suite"! You do not HAVE to list that address as a "PO Box". A "home" address appears too small and a real "PO Box" only offers a front that looks AND sounds like one! Not only will this demostrate that you are an established professional in the medical field, it also offers you protection. Be street smart! Most of us in the medical billing industry are women; all ages and backgrounds, but MANY single with children. You wouldn't want some strange doctor or disgruntled office manager to show up at your home! Besides, it is YOUR job to visit with them at THEIR practice and/or location! Hope that this helps! Look for more "Medical Billing Tips and Tricks"!