Medical Billing Done From Home - HIPAA and CMS

Ever changing and new federal laws, such as HIPAA, and those regarding electronic claims submission make it a bit more difficult to take medical billing work home. However, many have overcome these unique challenges as they arise, and are following their dream working in a career they absolutely love.

What About HIPAA Rules?
As long as certain safeguards are in place, and there is a data backup plan, disaster recovery plan, and emergency mode operation plan, HIPAA has no objections to medical coding and billing staff working from home. Another important consideration in the medical coding and medical billing realm concern CMS (previously HCFA) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding healthcare provider's in-house compliance plan.

Clients Who Default on Payment for Medical Billing Services

Clients that won't pay...


Here is a situation medical billing freelancers, business owners, and consultants will likely encounter sooner or later: defaulting clients.

How can you protect yourself and the business?

Here are a few tips:

1.) charge a retainer
- a retainer gives you part of the money up-front, and keeps the client involved

2.) mile-stone payments (at commencement - mid-way - completion)
- even if the client defaults at the very end, at least you have most of your money

3.) never hand files over until payment is received
- let the client know ahead of time what is required, what is expected, and when the final payment is due

4.) Offer many methods of payment (cash, check, money order, various credit cards, PayPal...)
- consider a payment plan for those who need it

5.) Offer a discount for early, or pre-payment
- a special coupon, 2-5% off, or free magazines (whatever you can offer)

6.) chase a payment the moment it is due
- make your clients understand that a 30-day invoice is exactly that

I hardly do 30-day invoices any more, except as a courtesy for super reliable, already established clients.

Why??? Because Bby the time 30 days have gone by and...

* you have given it a couple extra days to make sure
* you have contacted the client
* the client has checked their records
* a new check has been issued and
* and the mail man finally delivered it

...it could easily turn into 60 days late, and another invoice due. After learning my lessons, all my invoices are due upon receipt, or no more than 15 days.

What else?

Tips about Starting a Medical Billing Business of your own.

Joining the Medical Coding Workforce

The Best Time to Get Started in Medical Coding is Now!

Why? Because the health care indusry is growing, and with President Obabma's plan for health care reform, will grow even more! Currently, the hospitals in the United States employ 5.1 million people. Furthermore, 2.8 million health services jobs are expected to open by 2010, and these positions need to be filled. And with the Patriot Employer Act of 2007, companies are encouraged to hire even more full-time employees, pay them better wages, provide health insurance, and create opportunities that benefit businesses and workers.

However, what's crazy is that a recent survey by the American Hospital Association concluded that about 18% of medical billing and coding positions remain unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates. What does this mean to you? it means, get on the ball, sign up for a medical coding training program near you, and then, join the evergrowing workforce needed to run the expanding health care machine.