What do medical billers do? medical billing news!

Medical Billing Specialist Duties
Medical Billing Specialist work with physicians, medical centers. clinics, insurance companies and other medical professionals who require a professional billing service. The main function of many medical billing specialists is to prepare medical claims for processing and send them to a private insurance company or medi-care agency for evaluation and payment. Other duties might include:

Following up on rejected claims
Billing patients for deductibles
Compiling data
Posting data
Billing patients for co-payments
General maintenance of patient records
Medical Billing Specialist Skills

These are the basic skills needed to enter this field:

Excellent word processing skills
Familiar with medical billing rules
Know medical regulations to process medical forms
Know medical coding system
Know medical terminology
Know electronic billing procedures
Know insurance processing procedures
Managed a medical office
Courses in managing a medical office
Medical Billing Specialist Equipment


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Accounting for your own business - medical billing news!

There will be a point where you get too many clients to manage your own books. It happened to me. BUT, I thought of my need to outsource MY bookkeeping and acounting made sense for me for a couple of reasons; 1. it freed up my time to concentrate on my business and 2. I AM AN OUTSOURCED SOLUTION, so outsourcing MY bookkeeping made sense. I wasn't afraid. Imagine if no one outsourced? WE WOULDN'T HAVE JOBS AS MEDICAL BILLERS, so remember this as you review and work your own books. It is extremely time- consuming and takes away from your core responsibilities. Something to think about... My bookkeeper and my accountant are worth every penny!

More than one location per provider - medical billing news!

Several of your providers MAY work in different locations throughout their typical work week. Some have multiple office locations, or they work rounds at the hospital. In this case it is required that these additional locations be added in the Facilities section of your software or database. Without this information, claims will go out with the incorrect Place of Service causing billing complications and/or denials.

Medicare Re-enrollment - medical billing news!

Re-Enrollment has changed quite drastically from 27 months to 30 days, so something to be aware of. Also, if a change of address or location is not made within 30 days, there’s the risk of being expelled for 2 years. This comes at a time when many physicians are actually dropping many Medicare and Medicaid patients. The changes must be registered with the Medicare contractor.

One large concern is the paper flow as a physician could go to work before the initial process is completed for enrollment. The AMA is pushing to get the deadline extended for such changes to 90 days. Practices are not holding off on purpose, it’s just that there’s some real big mountains of administrative work that pile up today.

If the contractor denies enrollment instead of rejecting there’s a 30 day window for the physician and contractor to rectify the initial errors, so this could also offer some relief. Guidelines state that internet enrollments should be within 45 days, while 60 days is the expected time frame for those enrolling with paper.

Don't just get software; GET A BUSINESS PARTNER!

It is all too easy to select a software provider, as a medical biller.
At least it sounds easy...
Well, it's not.
What should you look for?
1. Customer service and availability
2. Ease of use
3. Technical support and their availability
4. Clearing house information and workings
5. Company size
6. Country of origin
7. What they do when you are in a bind for help
8. Staff turnover
9. News and press
10. References

Align yourself with an internship program - Medical Billing News!

One of the most important parts to any medical billing program is the opportunity for students to get real experience by working in an externship. Externships allow students to leave the classroom setting, and to work in an actual medical billing office. This not only provides great experience, but it also might provide a job recommendation when you start looking for a billing and coding job after graduation. Vocational schools can never promise you a job, but they can help you get experience in an externship - which is a step toward getting a real job. Check with the medical billing program near you to find out if they offer an externship or internship program for students and/or graduates.

As a medical billing business owner, aligning yourself with an externship program can be one of the smartest decisions that you can make. These folks are fresh out of school and are extremely eager to learn and to help out. Importantly, this relationship or arrangement can help the medical billing business owner tremendously. After all, it is free labor which is every business owner's dream especially in the business building stages - obvioulsy as long as the externs are honest and capable.

Get an attorney - don't go it alone!

I cannot stress enough the importance of having an attorney review all of your documents, especially your contract or agreement.
It is so important to protect yourself as the medical biller.
Also, do NOT ever change the language on your own. If a potential client requests a change in terms or in the language, take that request immediately to your attorney to discuss and review.
Many people have been hurt by "inocently" editing their contract. It ALWAYS bites you in the end. So, tread lightly.