Medical Billing

[Steve Verno]

I was doing some thinking as I went on my walk.  I had a few e-mails asking me for names of providers who would be looking for at-home billers.

Medical Billing IS a profession
Medical Billing IS NOT a get rich quick profession.
Medical Billing IS very demanding.
Medical Billing IS NOT working for an hour, in between TV shows.
Medical Billing IS complex
Medical Billing IS NOT A replacement job if you are bored with your current job.

If you want to describe medical billing in one word, it is passionate. 

Medical Billing is like a bag of potatoe chips or pistachio nuts. 
Once you start, you have to finish it. 

Medical Billing demands perfection.
Medical Billing demands completion.
Medical Billing demands dedication.

If anyone wishes to enter the profesion, they must undergo the proper training and then set realistic goals. 

Doctors and most office managers dont really understand medical billing.  Only a trained biller understands billing.

In Medical Billing if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

[AndrewC]

Steve,

So true...

I started approx 10 years ago for an institution here on LI. Entry level positions for college kids. I watched the turn over increases and mistakes mount. 

The best thing I ever did was start my own company. I control the hiring, get people who care...

Imagine what caring actually does for a company when people are in it for more than just cashing a check!

Andrew

[Danni R.]

Steve,

So true...

I started approx 10 years ago for an institution here on LI. Entry level positions for college kids. I watched the turn over increases and mistakes mount. 

The best thing I ever did was start my own company. I control the hiring, get people who care...

Imagine what caring actually does for a company when people are in it for more than just cashing a check!

Andrew

I like that, and ditto!

[AndrewC]

its a simple forumla....attitude reflects leadership. if i care, they care!

[aamir.iqbal]

Very True..
i have been in this field from last 1 year and still learning
it requires time, learning and lot of experience

[Steve Verno]

All well said and true

Sadly we have people that want coding and billing.  Our livelihood is cell phone, text, twitter, so they dont want to take the time to learn the right way and its their money, so they want it now (JG Wentworth commercial). We have shortcut people.  Some say I dont need to go to school.  I can teach myself.  I'll get someone to give me a practice test for free so I can pass a certifying test to get myself a shopping cart of initials and if i cant do it, Ill have someone on a forum do it for me.   

Some want everything on a silver platter and like on Survivor, they lounge at the beach and dont want to build shelter, get food or water.  Its gimmie, gimmie.  Those of us who are dinosaurs dont mind helping but the word is help and help has many limitations.  As it is written in the ancient scrolls, if you go to the well too many times it will dry up. 

We can never forget Newtons Third Law.  If you have 2 cookies, make sure you have lots of milk.  (Actually, its for every action, you have an equal and opposite reaction).  You become an expert and make fewer mistakes when you take the time and do things the right way. 

[Andy]

All well said and true

Sadly we have people that want coding and billing.  Our livelihood is cell phone, text, twitter, so they dont want to take the time to learn the right way and its their money, so they want it now (JG Wentworth commercial). We have shortcut people.  Some say I dont need to go to school.  I can teach myself.  I'll get someone to give me a practice test for free so I can pass a certifying test to get myself a shopping cart of initials and if i cant do it, Ill have someone on a forum do it for me.   

Some want everything on a silver platter and like on Survivor, they lounge at the beach and dont want to build shelter, get food or water.  Its gimmie, gimmie.  Those of us who are dinosaurs dont mind helping but the word is help and help has many limitations.  As it is written in the ancient scrolls, if you go to the well too many times it will dry up. 

We can never forget Newtons Third Law.  If you have 2 cookies, make sure you have lots of milk.  (Actually, its for every action, you have an equal and opposite reaction).  You become an expert and make fewer mistakes when you take the time and do things the right way. 

I am 100% agree of your idea. As I am a biller in China, I have no chance to join a medical billing school. The only way for me to learn is the internet. But the internet is far more than enough. I am already one of the best billers here. But we are still making mistakes. 

[Pay_My_Claims]

........and this is why we suffer so much in this business 

[Steve Verno]

There is nothing stopping you from taking an online class offered by an association.

[cbwallace]

Passion is the very key to life. Passion is most definte in healthcare. Believe you can change someone's day with a smile...imagine how we could change someone's day when it comes to billing and coding correctly. If incorrect it cost everyone! Pray to stay true.

[rmartinez]

Steve,

So true...

I started approx 10 years ago for an institution here on LI. Entry level positions for college kids. I watched the turn over increases and mistakes mount. 

The best thing I ever did was start my own company. I control the hiring, get people who care...

Imagine what caring actually does for a company when people are in it for more than just cashing a check!

Andrew

[rmartinez]

just want to know how I post in this site, I just became a member.

[Steve Verno]

slide your credit/debit card in the slot on the side of your computer, then you can post

[Danni R.]

LOL....

[jewelz]

I can't wait to share this message with about 80% of my classmates who think they can get certified and immediately work from home. The professors try to reiterate the hard work, dedication and passion it takes to be a medical biller/coder, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. I am curious as to whether or not age has anything to do with the perception. It is obvious from the postings of many of my classmates that they are quite young and have visions of grandeur. They are completely unrealistic. They want to get that certificate and hang their shingle, and they think the clients will come running to them. Not only that, many of them cannot even form a complete sentence.

On the other hand, people in my age category (mid 40s-50s) seem to be very dedicated to learning and cultivating a great opportunity. This group will really appreciate your realistic approach and insight, as do I. I am so happy to have found this forum. I think it will be a great source of support and information.