Avoiding Medical Coding Training Scams

While many companies will want to convince you that starting a medical billing business is as simple as installing some software on your computer and letting local doctors know you're open for business, you should know that medical billing involves much more than simple data entry. As a medical billing specialist you'll need to have the following knowledge and skills:

• Ability to fill out several types of complex insurance claim forms
   
• Knowledge of insurance guidelines, procedures and claims submission process
   
• Ability to analyze Explanation of Benefits (EOB) forms to ensure that insurance companies have properly assessed and paid for charges
   
• Ability to follow up with insurance companies and patients to ensure that bills are paid in a timely manner
   
• Ability to generate accounts receivable reports for clients

In addition to the above skills, you should strongly consider enrolling in a program that will educate you in both medical billing and coding. It's common for schools to combine both skill sets in one program, given that medical coding—the process of translating the information in a patient's charts into a set of coded, billable items—is essentially the first step in the billing process. Although it's possible to specialize in either medical billing or medical coding, you'll be far more marketable if you know how to do both.

Medical billing specialists are responsible for getting doctors paid. This being the case, there aren't many medical practices willing to hand their accounts receivable over to an individual with minimal expertise. With a degree or certificate in medical billing and coding, a year or two of experience under your belt, and a list of personal contacts in the industry, you'll be prepared to start your medical billing business the right way.