Any advice on switching to med billing from being an MT?
Posted By: mt to billing on 2005-06-30
In Reply to:
I just can't seem to make any money working at home with the kids talking to me constantly with transcipriton so I am thinking about switching to something I don't have to listen to. Maybe medical billing. Any advice anyone?
Thanks
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Advice needed - Switching from employee to IC
I have been working with a national company for 5 years and have enjoyed it but a friend called me recently stating she had a doctor who is despirate for a new MT and she recommended me. I talked to the doc. today and she is very interested. I have a meeting with the office manager next week to work out the details. I have a few questions and would appreciate your advice:
1. Doc. did not know what type of dictation system they use, but it sounded like a C-phone or DVI system. Currently I do everything on line, is there a way to dial into a C-phone system through my computor's modem? I know that this is probably wishful thinking, but it can't hurt to ask.
2. Do you draw up a contract?
3. Are there any questions you would recommend I ask (we have already discussed pay and vaccation/sick time as well as turn around on the reports)?
I am a bit nervous about striking out on my own but the company I work for made a lot of changes last January and it just is not working well for me anymore.
Thanks for your help,
Mariah
billing
Most hospitals pay vendors monthly as it comes from different account than their payroll. You can spell out every 2 weeks in your contract, but don't be surprised if they change it. Same with late fees -- many hospitals won't allow for them. In my contracts I have it as payment is due within 10 calendar days of invoice date. (be careful using just 'days' versus calendar days -- can really stretch it out with weekends and holidays if you don't). Be prepared for occasional late payments as your invoice often goes through MANY hands before payment is made. Your actual client usually has nothing to do with accounts payable department. For the most part, unless you are lucky enough to have an actual person to contact in accounting, they really don't care how big/small you are or what your cashflow problems are -- you're just another vendor. Usually once you are in their system, things go pretty smoothly.
IC billing....sm
When I turn my bill in I now have to list each and every patient, whether it was a chart note, the number of lines and the amount charged. Let me tell you that is one long list. Does anyone else have to do that? This was just started in an office I have worked for for ten years! Thx for any input.
IC billing
I have to do that on a ledger but now what I do is keep the spreadsheet open on my computer and as soon as I finish typing the report, I enter the info. Isn't that bad. The office wants to do a cross check on the patients to be sure the doc dictated that particular patient and if not, they can tell the doc.
IC Billing
I use Abacus. I make a folder on my C-drive for each doc and when finished with the report, I save it to that particular folder. At billing time, I simply click on C-drive then "invoice" and all that info prints up. I have a template with all my particulars like my name, SS#, etc., copy and paste the info in my template and there you go. It literally takes me a couple of minutes to pull an invoice at billing time.
Switching to DSL
I'm moving and the new place has DSL. I have always used cable high-speed. For those of you who have experience with both, can you tell me if DSL is a downgrade? I'm concerned about my production going down because of a slower connection. I know DSL and cable have comparable connection speeds, but I think DSL is significanly slower in transfer rate.
If I'm wrong, straighten me out. Tks for all input.
Med billing from home
Does anyone know of any medical billing companies that hire (work from home) billers?
chiropractors and billing
I used to go to a well known chiropractor and my visits were only 40.00 because I did not have insurance and paid out of pocket. My doctor told me that if after 6 visits to a chiropractor you are not a lot better than don't go, waste of time and money. I had to stop going as I could not afford it. If she is the office person, then I would nicely call her and ask her how many visits he has been to their office for, because you got a bill and want to make sure it is correct, as you are paying out of pocket. Maybe if you don't accuse her of anything, she won't take it so personal. Good luck, you are in a very tough situation. Sometimes chiropractors do help a lot, especially neck, back and sports injuries.
Well, if that's how she's billing the client SM
then that's how you should be billing her (just characters and spaces). I'm sorry you're going to be losing money. I'd be unhappy too. Maybe you can work on your shortcuts/macros more so that you are typing less for the same amount. No real words of wisdom for you...sorry.
Billing/payment
On my larger accounts I close out on the 25th to 28th, since I keep daily line counts in an Excel program, I print that out, do my bill in Quick Books, get the bill to clients by 28th to 29th, I give a 1% discount on my larger accounts if they pay within 48 hours and they do so I have my checks always by the 1st. I have two smaller accounts that I bill on the 15th so I have cash flow throughout the month. I have never been stiffed, they have never been late, they never question my line counts and always write thank you on the invoice. This works for me. I know everyone says don't give away 1% as a discount but it works for me so I do it.
re billing - am I being a total *ash*?
I have plenty of clients, no shortage of work. Recently I started picking up some extra legal transcription from a company who is swamped & always begging for help. It's not something I've had much opportunity to do and it's fun to do something different. But they're totally out of the technological loop. I bill all my clients by an Excel spreadsheet attached to an email, and I have a master spreadsheet set up that keeps track of all my invoices for me. They are the only ones who can't open it. I know they can because someone who used to work there could, but now they have a new person and no one there can open it. Of course they can probably right click and "open with" some kind of viewer, but why is it my problem to teach them that? (here's where the "am I being a total a$$ question comes in!) I'm tired of their clueless clerk emailing me five times every time I send her an invoice asking me to resend it and having to respond "If you can't open it, it's not going to help to resend it." Sure I can mail it, but why should I when I have plenty of other clients? Do you think I'd be an a$$ for unceremoniously dumping them? would you do it in a quieter way and leave the door open for further work?
They are so technologically out of the loop, it's not even funny. I asked them for an electronic copy of one of their style guides for easy searching, and they said they don't do that and they "don't keep" things. They just have one hard copy they are xeroxing over and over. I knew it was somewhere, it had obviously been typed it on a computer. It's a .pdf file on the web! Someone had downloaded it directly from the court's web site. They are supposed to provide me with the names of judges and attorneys on the tapes but they don't and I have to struggle to hear names and spell them phonetically or designate unidentified voices somehow so I can tell them apart and then go back and globally replace them when I hear the name or I'm sure of the spelling. This adds countless time to transcribing their cases AND THEY HAVE THAT INFORMATION. I've asked them for lists or links for judge's/attorney names so I can at least search when they don't give them to me. No dice. I have since found good links on the web, of course.
I'm worried about getting in deeper with them, I'm not overly familiar with legal work and I'm just going to keep coming up against their not being able to provide me with the tools I need. Every time I have to find something for myself it's costing me money, obviously, being paid on production. They annoy me and I seem to have a very low threshold for that. But it's valuable experience and they are desperate, the owner won't be happy. But she's as clueless as her staff.
billing and coding
Does anyone know how much money is to be made with billing and coding?
Med. coding and billing
Hi, I am currently a transcriber. (leaving the field because as you all know this field is getting too ridiculous). I am planning to attend a billing and coding school locally. I was wondering if the hours vary for coding/billing or are the working hours typical 9-5 or 8-4, etc. TIA
WHAT is "verifiable billing" ... (sm)
... and what are "ambiguous line counts" (mentioned by someone who has a web site related to verifiable billing which I cannot for the life of me figure out).
I charge X amount for a 65-character line. I take characters w/spaces, divide by 65 and voila, there's my line count. How much more "verifiable" can that get?
Can someone explain to me what this means in case the person who mentions this doesn't ever reply to my question?
Question about IC billing
Hi, I am new to the IC area of MT, having always worked for services before now. I have a friend who wants me to type letters for her practice. Is it usual to charge for the address and reference lines along with the body of the letter? Makes quite a big difference in the line count. Thanks!
billing vs coding sm
I'm posting here because hardly anyone visits the billers & coders board. Could someone tell me the difference between medical billing and medical coding? I have the impression that the biller just inputs data already coded, etc. for insurance and the coder actually assigns the codes thus needs more indepth knowledge. Would being a medical biller help in becoming a medical coder? Has anyone done either or both? What is the pay range for each? Thanks. 
Switching to radiology.......sm
I made the mistake a few years back of switching to a radiology account because it had a better schedule for me. I had never done radiology, but I had the attitude that a lot of experienced, well rounded MTs do. With such a vast knowledge of medical transcription.. how hard could it be? Wow, was I in for a rude awakening! Radiology is a language unto itself and if you think it's easy, you're wrong. It gave me a whole new perspective of Rad MTs. So if you’re considering taking on radiology without experience or training, you might want to think twice.
no problem switching here
My office was consolidated into another one about three years ago and I never had a problem. One day I had a different 800 number to call the office with and new clerks to talk to on the phone, but everything else was the same, i.e., accounts, etc. Not everyone has a bad experience moving in with a new office.
Help...always worked in WP5.1, now switching >SM
to Word. Any help appreciated. Type of reference books for Word. MT productivity Word books??? Thanks.
My one job uses it still though they are talking of switching - sm
over to regular WordPerfect one of these days...probably be years though as a slew of formats would have to be redone, macros, etc.
Switching to Digital
Can anyone tell me anything about switching to digital? I only have one very small account of my own but the tape quality is awful. With only 1 account is it even feasible to do so? Thanks guys.
switching companies
I need some input! I've been offered a position with another company but I'm not sure if I should jump ship and take it. There's not much difference in pay. There's a bit more flexibility with hours. Should I ask for time off from my current company and try the new company for a couple of weeks to see if it will be a good fit? Should I let the new company know that I'm just wanting to "try" them out? I know this probably all sounds unrealistic, but I don't want to go from something bad to something worse and have regrets and not be able to go back. I've recently separated from my husband and have 2 small kids. I'm not happy with my current company, but I want to make sure this new company will be a place I'll be able to succeed at. I just don't want to make things worse for myself.
switching fields
Many big nationals have every specialty now. If you work for one, ask them if you could just do rad and path. You might find path interesting but rad could be a tad boring.
switching MT fields
I've been doing acute care for almost 30 years, but I would really like to do radiology and/or pathology. What's the best way(s) to get into these fields?
Switching to radiology - help, pay, etc.
I am thinking of switching to radiology (for a change) after doing all other specialties for over 21 years. I feel I can make the transition okay after a learning curve, as I have transcribed a lot of ortho, physiatry, physical therapy, etc.,which should help some. Here is where I need some help..... My offer was for 10/line gross count and right now I am working for 9/line, 65 ch, but I have no idea how this compares because radiology reports are different and a lot shorter, etc. etc. I am used to making pretty good money since I have done this for so long and just want to make sure I am not going backwards in pay. I definitely cannot afford that in this economy. So for those of you who have experience in radiology can you give my your thoughts and ideas on expectations for this pay rate (obviously after my learning curve). Thanks so much for any help!! Also, feel free to e-mail if preferred.
Advice to YOU..1st learn to spell before insulting poster and trying to give advice...sm
MTs switched to billing/coding?
Curious whether there are any MTs out there, or anyone who knows info, on going into billing and coding...
I'm considering training for that in my spare time now, so that I have the opportunity later, if I decide to pursue that. Are there a fair amount of work-at-home positions in billing and coding? After my newbie days, I've never had trouble finding MT work with good companies, so I wondered if billing was as widespread, at home. I haven't found nearly as much info out there on at-home billing, other than get-rich-quick scheming. Anyone know if the pay is on a similar scale? Opportunity for PT and FT, like MT? Similarities and differences (not on the actual job, but work issues like benefits, flexibility, etc.)
Thanks for any help!
There's medical coding and billing.
nn
I didn't find anything about billing, just
header info, when job was dictated and when it was transcribed, who typed it, stuff like that, but nothing about billing or discrepancy in line counts....
I used to do billing for ophthamologist about 10 years ago though; sm
we charged $1800 per eye with a $500 facility fee. That included anesthesiologist fees, outpatient procedure, free standing surgical center in tx. You can always deal a bargain when paying cash up front so call and ask them their cash discount up front fee. everyone has one.
Billing questions for MTSOs..SM
I've had this account for about four months now. They are very slow payers. I originally was going to bill them once a month, but then decided to do bi-monthly. I still haven't gotten payment from the 11/30 invoice, so I inqured today and the office manager said they are changing their billing process and I need to submit a monthly invoice. I also wonder how long she would have went without paying the 11/30 invoice if I hadn't of called.
I figured they want a monthly invoice to make things a little easier on their end like they want to pay all their bills once a month. I called her to verify what day she would like to be billed on/by and she said it doesn't matter. I just need to put a due date on the bill, as she is making a folder with all their bills and paying the bills by their due dates. I told her my bill is due upon receipt and she said that is fine just put the due date as the next day, which makes no sense to me because they have never paid sooner than three weeks.
Does this make sense? It sounds to me like maybe the office is having money troubles and didn't want to pay my last invoice. I remember an MTSO here saying that she gives her clients a percentage break if they pay within so many days. Does this work? All I want is my money and fast. I have bills to pay too.
I appreciate any ideas or thoughts regarding this subject. Thanks!
PS - I personally know the MT who had this account before me and they never paid late. She always received the check within a couple days after receipt of her bill. I just don't get it.
letter billing, plse sm
I was wondering how some of you bill for letters and envelopes. I charge by the gross line for chart notes but wanted some ideas about letters. They are relatively short letters on the whole, like a paragraph or so. Do you charge gross line, charge for the blank lines, do a flat fee, charge for envelopes? Thanks for any input.
Why would billing/coding not be offshored?
x
Transcription versus Billing
Before doing MT at home, I worked in an office for over 10 years, many doing fulll-time billing.
The office job I had certainly paid more (and it was guaranteed despite productivity).
I am now employed at home dut to family situations.
I guess my answer would be that you have to determine what is most improtant to you. If it is flexibility you desire, go for MT. There are very few billing/coding jobs based at home.
Should you choose to pursue billing, immediately get certified. Many places are now laying off employees who are not certified, depsite years of experienc.
I have done both. If you have any questions, feel free to email. I will let you know what books etc required and the CPC sites.
Many have helped and encouraged me on this site. I would be happy to return the favor.
Billing once a month is not a biggie BUT
do it on a Net 10 or Net 15. Never a Net 30. You could end up doing 2 months work for free eventually. No account is worth that.
MT vs Coding/billing At Home?
I am trying to decide between medical transcription and billing/coding. I am a SAHM and cannot work outside the house, I have small children at home and they won't be in school for another several years. So I must have an at home job. I haven't taken any courses yet, so I am trying to decide which road would be best. I know with MT that MTec and Andrews are really good schools and you can work from home after their program. Not sure of good schools for billing or coding, maybe Career Institute (I think that is the name). Are there other good schools?? Can you find an at home job with either job route?? Any help would be wonderful!! Thanks!
Unsure about switching jobs.
I've applied to three companies over the past couple of weeks and gotten interviews with all of them. I just don't know about switching jobs right now. Obviously, there's a reason I want to leave my present company. I just don't know if it would be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire if I switched. There are pros and cons to each situation. Until I actually do the work and try out their platform, I don't know if I could be more productive than I am now. I don't want to be stuck on their most difficult account, which is exactly what happened at MQ and S in the past. I've been on my current account for over a year now, so my expander is pretty full. However, it's such a waste of time to pull up the templates and look up hardcopy doctor and patient information on every single report. I do like the flexible schedule without having to work set hours, but I run out of work all the time. I'm half tempted to cancel the interviews, but I could be throwing away a good thing here. There's no way I could work two at a time to see if things work out either. I guess I want the best of both worlds. Any suggestions?
We're switching this week
I will get to keep the gas guzzler Dodge Ram and DH will drive my Hyundai Sonata. $2.99 for his truck. I use the lower grade, $2.79. Is this ever going to end?
Switching internet service
Cox just informed me that my monthly bill will be going up by $5 starting in October. Does anyone use NetZero or can anyone recommend a reliable internet service at a decent rate? My bill will go up to about $45/month. 
I have thought about switching to coding too, but sm
but someone told me that coding is going the way of MT too, being outsourced and such, so I am not sure it would not be a lateral move. There seem to be lots of ads in Advance magazine for coders, so perhaps it is still a hot field. The Andrews school offers an at-home training course, and also offered this web site for more information on coding as a career: http://www.codernet.com
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Try switching feet? For the life of me
I can't seem to get the hang of using the footpedal with my left foot .... no coordination there at all!
To the poster with foot problems, you might check with podiastrist ... maybe you have plantar fasciitis or a bone spur?
switching to unfamiliar dictators...
Absolutely...It's sooo hard, isn't it? I've been doing this for 15+ years on major ESL accounts and it kills my production to switch when my accounts run out of work.
medical billing or coding newbie
alliedschools.com
Has anyone tried either their medical billing or coding training courses??
Did you like it, would you recommend it?? I'm tired of working at a restaurant and would like to learn a career but I just want make sure that I am learning from a school that will actually lead me somewhere(specially that it cost 1600 dollars)
So please let me know what you think about them and if there is other schools that you will recomment over them!
Thanks
Maybe they should have thought about that before their billing problems surfaced. Do you think that
helped their business sis.
Bytes versus characters? Does anyone do their billing this way? sm
If billing by bytes do you divide this by say 65 (standard line), same as for characters? Thanks so much.
What are the best at home medical billing courses out there?
Have a friend who is interested in training to become a medical biller/coder from home and I really have no idea where to tell her to start. Can anyone help?
Tell your friend she is not likely to get medical billing job from home
I would venture to say 99.9% of medical offices use a computer system for their billing which has HCFA formatting and electronic submission built right in. It is pretty easy to do coding in the office setting too. In good conscience, could not recommend investing money in training for either field...
I was on balanced billing once and found out I was paying a lot more that way! nm
x
billing on clinical psych narratives
I am an IC and am being asked to give a quote on transcribing some narrative/office notes, etc for a clinical psychologists office. In detail, it is a 1" margin around the page and there are headings on a template that you fill in either one word phrases or paragraphs. It did not look that difficult. I would have to pick up tapes, e-mail reports back on a daily basis an so I believe that gas and time doing so needs to be counted in. I am needing some advice on how to propose either by the line (gross or otherwise) or page (either full or half etc). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Besides, most coding is billing work. Any better possibilities? NM
nm
how about switching it around and telling the people who run the show that you really can't
expect any more out of people who have not received increases in pay in years, are swamped with ESLs and American mushmouths and they really should stop and think about the pay rate being increased so you aren't faced with this scenario. how about representing the MTs interests instead of sucking up to the big boys?
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