Re: Need help deciding what to do...

[Pay_My_Claims]

You are more than welcome!!!

[Steve Verno]

good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOu said the words we all seem to use:

We love what we do.

For those in the Orlando area, here are the job offers I got today.  Just remember, I dont control whats in these advertisements:

Our client is a major Pharmaceutical Company located in Lake Mary, FL. We are searching for a Medical Collections Representative who will be responsible for collecting payments from all third party payors and other appropriate parties for pharmaceuticals provided to customers. Additional responsibilities will include working with payors to determine reasons for denials, and correcting and reprocessing claims for payment . To be considered for this position, you must possess ALL of the following qualifications:

*MINIMUM of 2+ years demonstrated experience in a collections or billing management role with a specialty pharmacy

*High attention to detail and professional phone demeanor

*Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy-related operations

*Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills

*Two years related experience in a healthcare environment and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience

*Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred, but not required

*Computer skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Internet

This position is scheduled to begin immediately on a contract-to-hire basis. Interested and qualified candidates should apply directly for consideration.

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the following is from a chiropractor:

Description
Full Time position for a medical insurance biller with 2 years plus experience. Health Insurance, benefits and possible bonuses must have 2 years minimum experience in Medicare, Medicaid, Major Medical and personal injury. Electronic and paper claims submissions, appeals, denials, coding and modifier use. Insurance and patient collection. This is an in-office position. No emails from billing companies please.
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These were the only medical billing positions. No coding positions.  The remainder were for RNs and LPNs.

again, good for you, keep up the great work!

[Pay_My_Claims]

Hello, Steve I gotta say after reading your one post I am feeling kindof discouraged. I come from a Graphic Design background, went to 2 different schools and got A's still couldn't get a job so I do some research find the medical billing and coding and how jobs seem to be out there, spend thousands of dollars more to get an education and now I am back where I started. Doesn't hard work account for anything? I got A's in the Medical Billing and Coding and it seems like you are saying without certifications and experience I am not going to have any luck. What else can I do besides put my whole heart and soul into going through my books and constantly trying to drill all this information into my head???
nmysic

I didn't start out as a biller. I began working as a switchboard operator. I eventually worked as an ER Registrar and moved up to an HUC (Ward Clerk) Getting familiar with reading medical orders, dx, procedures, patient care, entering orders, etc etc. I ended up at a Major Hospital in NC and worked as a patient processor. I increased my income by 3.00 an hr in that move. I began learning insurance and found that I had a knack for it,and loved it. I eventually took a job as a ADC for the hospital and our job eventually added on authorizations for urgent/emergent admits. That job grew into getting auths for scheduled surgeries, and outpatient procedures. I left this job for a while and worked as a medical biller/practice manager. I went back to my other job, became the team leader, and now I am working in AR/Billing & Collections. I have worked from the front-end to the back end of the medical field. I have done patient care, certified phlebotomist, check-in/out, AR, scheduling, charge entry, posting, collections, and coding. I love this field. Its hard work because of the insurance company laws, rules and regulations. If you learn them (experience/training) you will know how to work within the system to get the best reimbursement for your provider. Don't believe the internet hype of easy fast money. If you don't see a billing position open, wade in the water first and start out as a front desk clerk. I did it and now I'm begining my own medical billing service

Good Blessings

[Steve Verno]

Try not to be discouraged.  Can you find a job without certification and without experience,  Yes, but it wont be easy.

Most employers want people with experience.  The folowing is from advertisements I got today:

XXXX, a leading national billing company is seeking an experienced Certified Coder (CPC, RCC, CCS) with at least 2 years coding experience (Outpatient Radiology Coding Preferred). Need to possess excellent communication skills with ability to perform in a high volume environment. Need to possess ability to prioritize workload and flexibility to assist with special projects outside of assigned duties. Interventional coding experience is a plus but not required. This position will be located at our Orlando, Florida office.

Requirements
Certified Coder (CPC, RCC, CCS) with at least 2 years coding experience (Outpatient Radiology Coding Preferred). Need to possess excellent communication skills with ability to perform in a high volume environment. Need to possess ability to prioritize workload and flexibility to assist with special projects outside of assigned duties. Interventional coding experience is a plus but not required


MEDICAL BILLER —— Excel oppty. Computer skills, billing bkground, some benefits. $13-$14/hr based on skills.
Job DescriptionClassification: Temporary
Compensation: $1.00 to $15.00 per hour

Medical Company in Seminole County is seeking a candidate specialized in Medical Billing and Collections. Medical Biller should have 4 or more years of experience specifically with Medicaid and Medicare coding. Proficient in all of the Medical Collections verbiage and have the ability to hit the ground running. Experienced in Hospital, Medical Office and Nursing Home billing procedures.  BTW this company will test you before you are selected. 

Im not trying to discourage or scare anyone. Im just trying to tell you whats out there so you can be better prepared.  An informed person is a better person.  I dont make the rules on hiring.  I jusy let you know what employers are looking for.

Last, please dont misunterpret anything I say.  Also, even if you unbderwent the best training in the word, had years of experience and a mile of initials after your name, will that guarantee you a job?  No! There are no guarantees in this world but two things:  Death and taxes.   All you can do is the best that you can and hope for the best.    Let me say this.  I thought I had the best of everything and then one night after waking up - BAM all my hard work and dreams are now gone But that happened, so I deal with it.  Life gave me lemons, so I make kool aid.  There was a reason behind what happened to me.  I know I;ll get a bill when its all over with.  A good thing is that two jobs were opened up for someone else.  Well.  Gee Walley. Whether you wish to become a medical coder or biller is up to you.  Its not up to me. Im just one of you.   If you got a position, I am happy for you.  Youve taken the first step - undergoing training. Now for the hard part - getting the job.  Once you have some experience under your belt and you're comfortable, go for your certification.

To answer your question:  Doesn't hard work account for anything?  What did someone say in that song  What have you done for me lately?  Did my hard work count for anything when I had my stroke? I worked hard, so was life fair to me? To me, no.  But it happened and I cant change the past.  I can only go forward and do the best that I can.  Thats all we can do.  But, life doesnt come with a contract, no user manuals and no guarantees.  THats not said to be depressing, it is said to say the truth.  m happy in my life because I dont give up and I dont surrender. Continue to set and follow your goals and surpass them.  According to the song;  dont worry, be happy. 

Good luck. 

[Danni R.]

Hello, Steve I gotta say after reading your one post I am feeling kindof discouraged. I come from a Graphic Design background, went to 2 different schools and got A's still couldn't get a job so I do some research find the medical billing and coding and how jobs seem to be out there, spend thousands of dollars more to get an education and now I am back where I started. Doesn't hard work account for anything? I got A's in the Medical Billing and Coding and it seems like you are saying without certifications and experience I am not going to have any luck. What else can I do besides put my whole heart and soul into going through my books and constantly trying to drill all this information into my head???
nmystic

I can imagine how frustrated you are at the moment... and I know that it is real! You are not imagining it, nor should you feel ashamed about feeling a little annoyed. Nevertheless, I can see that you are determined, and by no means ready to give up. As a matter of fact, this would probably be the WRONG point to throw in the towel.

Your education, together with your frustration, mixed with your determination will be the force that drives you, and the secret to your success.

One of my favorite sayings is "if I shake a tree hard enough, something is bound to fall," - so just keep shaking! You've already got excellent grades under your belt, and you are doing everything you can to become one of the best.

One more thing that you might want to add to your "arsenal of secret weapons" is marketing 101 - learn how to sell yourself! There are some great books (e.g. Little Red Book of Sales Answers), and then, learn how to think like a Millionaire... because if you believe in yourself, you will succeed.

[Steve Verno]

No matter what happens, just be yourself and try to do your best!  We need good people like you.  Much success to you in your career and wlecome to the family.

[Steve Verno]

Sadly too many people think of medical billing as a rescue profession. 

Medical billing has NO job security. I worked for a provider for 8 years when just before Christmas several years ago, he said, I'm closing my practice.  I wasn't my work he was supset with.  He was fed up with how the whole system was treating him. He was also tired of the games insurance companies and patients play to keep from paying him.  My cousin did the same thing.  He was one of the top neurosurgeons around. His malpractice insurance was almost $1,000,000 per year in premiums.  Too much pressure from insurance companies and the hospital to be contracted and the insurance companies wanted to pay him peanuts.  He turned in his medical license, moved to Washington State and now builds log cabins.  He's happy and is making money to support his family. 

In January last year, I woke up to go to work and suffered a stroke.  One day I am working and now not working any more.  I replaced the medical biller they fired because she didn't do her job correctly  The office managers were fired for hiring her.  Too many people want to work from home and cant find work. Ive said this a million times, doctors are already using someone, so why would they hire you, who has no training or experience.  That was a rhetorical question.  Now, if I went back to work, you and I apply for the same job. I have training, tons of  certification, and excellent references, which of the two of us will the doctor hire?  That is what you are up against out there.  I know many who are better than me who have problems finding work.  its out there but it opens quickly and closes quickly. 

I don't want to dissuade you but Ive been there and done that.  Also, I am not in competition with anyone, so I am not saying what i say to keep anyone from taking a job away from me.  I stay at home, recouperating, undergoing therapy, writing articles, creating tests and training programs. I don't allow my misfortune pull me down. In March 200, while on a casino cruise, I had a heart attack.  I drove myself 2 hours to the hospital.  The doctors told me I had a week to live.  They did a quadruple bypass on me.  60 days later, I was back to work.  I do have my retirement to live off of.  I do get offers and turn then down.  Now, allow me to pat myself on my back. I am good at what I do.  I consider myself one of the best.  Why?  Four things:  Training, Experience, Certification, and making lots of mistakes and learning from them.  That's all.  I want everyone to be the best at what they do. 

I also don't want people to make the mistakes I made.  I come here because this place is one of the best out there.  I like to pass on some of my knowledge and experience to make others better.  But only so much can be done through a forum.  Is no fun losing a loved one.  The stroke and heart attack changed me.  But it did not affect my medical coding and billing abilities.  For that I am glad.  Just look around and see how many people want to go into medical billing.  The postings are just a small number compared to the many e-mails I get every day, all saying the same thing as you. Some are worse.  So, one day I am working, the next day I'm in the hospital. I didn't plan on what happened to me.  I let my students down for not being there to finish their training.  But there is a reason for things that happened.  Maybe mine is to win the Powerball.  But, go with your heart.  Fulfill your dreams, but make your dreams real. 

Medical billing is not for everyone.  It is for those that are fighters and for those that love a challenge.  The training will be hard and confusing. But in the end, it comes together.  Make sure you are financially and mentally ready for a wonderful profession.  To end. I am a medical biller and I am proud of what I do and the success of my brother and sister billers. 

[Steve Verno]

you will need training to do medical billing.  Just to say this and to be honest, medical billing is NOT a rescue profession which is what some people think it is.   It is complex, stressful, and hard work.  But proper training and experience overcomes these.   Right now you are very vulnerable, so be careful.  Scammers will try to prey on you. 

Now, dont take this wrong, but I just want you to open your eyes a little bit further.

Why dont you open a restaurant in your home?  You can stay at home, run your business, set your own hours, make some money, and be with your children. You probably already know how to cook. 

Then there's stuffing envelopes if that doesnt work. 

So, other than wanting to work from home and being with your children, why do you want to get into medical biling?

Im not trying to be cruel, also, not trying to stop you from your desires, just trying to be realistic and make you think more.