Medical Billing

I graduated in August last year and I have been unable to get my foot in any doors.

I know i don't have any experience but how is that possible if not given a chance to prove myself.

Does anyone have any ideals.

Juanita,

AAHHH--the "forever asked question"!! STICK IT OUT is what I say :-)....keep on trying, keep responding to the ads and you will land that first job. Sometimes, a little resume re-arranging is all that's needed . Put your education at the top of your resume.

Good Luck!
Michelle
Director-Professional Medical Billers Association-www.pmbausa.com

Administrator-Learn Medical Billing Online-www.learnmedicalbillingonline.com

Juanita in Cleveland, Ohio said: I graduated in August last year and I have been unable to get my foot in any doors.

I know i don't have any experience but how is that possible if not given a chance to prove myself.

Does anyone have any ideals.

I know just how you feel i am going through the same thing. Try going to temp agencies.

i graduated two years ago and wasn't able to work immediately...i was also worried just like you because i have no experience too...just keep on sending your resume...keep on applying and you'll get one too...good luck!

I finished my onlie billing course in January. I am also looking for work. My school gave me websites to check out. Buy, everyone wants experience. After reading all your comments, I will try to stick it out and keep applying. Thanks for the encouragement.

Juanita in Cleveland, Ohio said: I graduated in August last year and I have been unable to get my foot in any doors.

I know i don't have any experience but how is that possible if not given a chance to prove myself.

Does anyone have any ideals.

Do volunteer work in the field you are trying to enter and look into internships...however, most likely you will not be paid. That's the way it is when you have no experience.

Rosanne in Edison, New Jersey said: I finished my onlie billing course in January. I am also looking for work. My school gave me websites to check out. Buy, everyone wants experience. After reading all your comments, I will try to stick it out and keep applying. Thanks for the encouragement.

What school did you take the online course from and how much did it cost? I've been trying to find a good one. I can go locally, but it does cost about $3,000 and up.

Cyndi in Saint Louis, Missouri said: What school did you take the online course from and how much did it cost? I've been trying to find a good one. I can go locally, but it does cost about $3,000 and up.

Cyndi,

If you are interested in online courses, you can visit www.learnmedicalbillingonline.com

Good Luck!

Rosanne in Edison, New Jersey said: I finished my onlie billing course in January. I am also looking for work. My school gave me websites to check out. Buy, everyone wants experience. After reading all your comments, I will try to stick it out and keep applying. Thanks for the encouragement.

Rosanne,

You are close to me!! Where did you take your online courses? Did you get certified? Feel free to email me your resume and I can take a look at it and give you some helpful hints!! my email is lmboadm@aol.com

Michelle Rimmer, CHI,CBCS
Owner-Learn Medical Billing Online
Director-Professional Medical Billers Association

Cyndi in Saint Louis, Missouri said: What school did you take the online course from and how much did it cost? I've been trying to find a good one. I can go locally, but it does cost about $3,000 and up.

Cyndi, I went through Allied Business School in Laguna Hills CA. I paid about $1500.00. Go to www.alliedschools.com for more info. Good Luck!

Michelle in Brick, New Jersey said: Rosanne,

You are close to me!! Where did you take your online courses? Did you get certified? Feel free to email me your resume and I can take a look at it and give you some helpful hints!! my email is lmboadm@aol.com

Michelle Rimmer, CHI,CBCS
Owner-Learn Medical Billing Online
Director-Professional Medical Billers Association

I am to interested in getting started in this field, but don't have the time to go to school full time. What online schools or weekend schools do you recommend?

Thanks

Rosanne in Edison, New Jersey said: Cyndi, I went through Allied Business School in Laguna Hills CA. I paid about $1500.00. Go to www.alliedschools.com for more info. Good Luck!

Was it worth it and what's your salary range?

Mary Weekly in Dallas, GA in Powder Springs, Georgia said: I am to interested in getting started in this field, but don't have the time to go to school full time. What online schools or weekend schools do you recommend?

Thanks

Hi Mary,

I amnot sure whoyour question is directed at--RoseAnne or myself as far as "which schoolwould you recommend?"

Of course, Iwould recommend my Medical Billing Training site :-)

How long will this take and what is the expected annual income? Does this course also account for the coding?

Mary,

If you are asking ME, then please email me directly at lmboadm@aol.com and I will be happy to answer any questions for you.

Thanks,
Michelle Rimmer, CHI,CBCS

Mary, I feel it was woth it, but as of yet I am not working. I am looking. I don't know about the income right noe. Allied Business Schools was good, they have live tutors that help you with any questions as you go thru the course. Good Luck, Rosanne

How long have you been looking? I thought that Allied helped you find a job?! I would be totally frustrated after spending a that "study" time and not be able to find employment!!!!

Mary, I just finished my course in mid January. So actually I have not been looking all that long. Allied gave me web sites to help with the search. My husband had surgery recently and I wanted to be home with him. As soon as he returns to work, I will be looking more intensly. Hopefuly that will be within the next few weeks. Rosanne

Juanita in Cleveland, Ohio said: I graduated in August last year and I have been unable to get my foot in any doors.

I know i don't have any experience but how is that possible if not given a chance to prove myself.

Does anyone have any ideals.

I graduated in 2003 and just like yourself I had a hard time getting my foot in the front door. I noticed that companies wanted 2-5 years experience which was something I didn't have. My instructor gave us enough training and knowledge to put under our belts, so that when I applied for medical billing positions, I was better prepared for the interview.
How I got my foot in the door after about 6 months? I went to temp agencies online and I put my resume on a website to get noticed. Most doctors offices will not advertise, so you will have to call or visit them in order to get your resume in before they do decide to advertise, most cases the person behind the desk also knows other offices that are looking for help.
I hope this helps.

Hi, I finished my course in January, and I'm still looking. I too would like to know how we are supposed to get experience if not given the chance.
The suggestion to apply to agencies sounds like a good one. I am going to give it a try.

Rosanne from Edison, NJ

I find myself in the same position as a lot of you. I completed a coding & billing course in March 2008 and cannot find a job. Everyone wants experienced people. I am not certified yet, but hope to take the CPC exam in Nov. Our local hospital will not hire you unless you are certified. Are the rest of you certified? There is a great deal of expence involved with this career. My husband continues to encourage me, however I wonder if it is really worth the added personal expence & effort. Those of you who have jobs or operate a business realize how difficult it is to get your foot in the door. I was told that these jobs are in high demand. I think someone (AAPC & AHIMA) executives, need to really encourage more physician's offices & hospitals to offer intern/externships that will give us that much wanted experience that they are looking for. I realize on the job training can slow-down the flow of work, but in the end you will have a productive employee.

You are so right! More offices sould hire and train to their specifics. I also was told billers and coders are in high demand. What a crock. I am starting to get discouraged. Maybe all this traing was a waist of money?

Weiler in Las Vegas,

Thank-you for the web site. I'll give it a try.

Juanita in Cleveland, Ohio said: I graduated in August last year and I have been unable to get my foot in any doors.

I know i don't have any experience but how is that possible if not given a chance to prove myself.

Does anyone have any ideals.

As a medical office manager for sometime and 15 years into the medical field. I am sorry to inform you that your chances of getting hired as a medical biller are almost none. You must start off as a receptionist and earn recognition and curse your curent bille to be terminated so that positin can hopefully be offered to you. Most Dr.'s will not hire anyone withiut any billing reference. Sorry

Hi Yvette,

I think I finally see the light with your response. I have been looking for a Medical Billing job now since May and no leads what-so-ever. I feel I have been very cheated by my teacher through MSJC, who padded everything with a true feeling of finding a job right out of class with our Certificate under our arms. Not true at all. Very disappointed to find this out after spending a good chunck of money on books. I am now turning my looking over to a receptionist in a medical office and starting from the bottom. Alot of the medical billers around my area that do this kind of work from there home, will not take the time to do any sort of internship because this takes away from there work load. I wish we could stop all of these people from taking anymore of these courses unless they are already in an office working and need their certificate to get a better paying job. Good Luck to Everyone..........

I would really like some advice on the following matter, since it seems to be so difficult to get a job as a coder or biller. I purchased the 2008 ICD-9-CM, CPT, & HCPCS manuals ($$$). I want to take the CPC exam in NOV,(should I do this at this time? Not applied yet, $300). It takes 36 CEU's per 2 yrs. to maintain the certification. Can anyone tell me how much it might cost to obtain these 36 CEU's? I realize their are a lot of diffferent things involved. I probably won't have a job, so I'll be on my own with the cost,(I understand that most physicians & hospitals cover the cost of CEUs). Not to mention I have to cover the AAPC membership of $120. I need to figure out if I can financially manage this.

Thank-you to all who offer advice.

Hello Cathy,

Have you taken any courses at all? I did not go through a 2 year program but a 6 month program through my local Jr. college. I am certified for 2 years. I have not yet gotten a job since I have been searching since May of this year. I have a booklet through the National Healthcareer Association. You can reach them at WWW.NHANOW.COM or call 1-800-499-9092. This is the company that I received my Certificate from. Looks like you can pay around $300+ for all your CEU credits. Give them a call and they will further assist you. I'd get a job in the medical field before spending all of that money. It is hard to find something without the experience. Good Luck!!!! Hope any of this has opened some doors for you.

Rose....

Rose,
Thanks for your response. Yes, I took an on-line course through a Career Center. I have a diploma from them. I took many courses,( Med. Terminology, Physiology & Anatomy, Office Practices, Business Letter Writing, Business Math) to name a few, not just coding and billing. Is your certificate a CPC, CPC-P, CPC-H? I think you may be right about getting a job first. However, the biggest road-block is experience. It appears that books smarts don't really mean that much wneh it comes to getting a job. It looks like a lot of people are still looking for a job. Thank you for the web address and phone number.

Hi Cathy,

Sounds like you've taken the same courses as I have. Yes, we are book smart and that seems to be our hold up. I feel a bit better knowing that I am not on this struggling road myself. My certificate is the CBCS - Certified Billing and Coding Specialist. I am in the process of contacting my teacher via e-mail and discussing these issues with her. She is teaching an advanced Billing and Coding class at the local Junior College - That would have been another $3,000 and still no job promises. Hope this information helps.

Rose....

Cathy Senn in Traverse City, Michigan said: I would really like some advice on the following matter, since it seems to be so difficult to get a job as a coder or biller. I purchased the 2008 ICD-9-CM, CPT, & HCPCS manuals ($$$). I want to take the CPC exam in NOV,(should I do this at this time? Not applied yet, $300). It takes 36 CEU's per 2 yrs. to maintain the certification. Can anyone tell me how much it might cost to obtain these 36 CEU's? I realize their are a lot of diffferent things involved. I probably won't have a job, so I'll be on my own with the cost,(I understand that most physicians & hospitals cover the cost of CEUs). Not to mention I have to cover the AAPC membership of $120. I need to figure out if I can financially manage this.

Thank-you to all who offer advice.

You can earn all of your AAPC CEUs by joining a local chapter in your area. It won't cost you anything if you attend regular meetings and training through your local chapter. You can search for a local chapter on their website at www.aapc.com

I say go for it!

Cyndee Weston
Executive Director
American Medical Billing Association
www.ambanet.net/AMBA.htm

Cyndee,

Thank you for the information. My local chapter hasn't held a meeting in a few months, or they don't post the meeting on the AAPC web-site. I will definitly check into this.

Maybe there is another chapter that is active that you could transfer to. Also, there's always the invitation to start your own chapter. Most of the ones I am familiar with have several memebers and meet once a month. They have regular training and they provide enough CEUs through the chapter so that members have more than enough for the year.

Usually, for the CPCs that come to our conference, which we always have AAPC pre-approved, they don't even want the conference certificate for their CEUs becuase they've already earned more than they need for the year.

So it may be that you might have better luck with a different chapter. Not knowing what part of the country you're in, I can't say, but it's worth looking into.

Good luck.

Cyndee Weston
AMBA
www.ambanet.net/AMBA.htm

Thank you for your advice Cyndee. You have been very helpful and I appreciate it.

Cathy Senn in Traverse City, Michigan said: Thank you for your advice Cyndee. You have been very helpful and I appreciate it.

Glad to have helped. Sorry for the typos - I was using my laptop and the keyboard is smaller than I'm used to using. Feel free to email me privately by clicking on my profile if you think of something else you want to ask me. Have a good day.

Mary Weekly in Dallas, GA in Powder Springs, Georgia said: I am to interested in getting started in this field, but don't have the time to go to school full time. What online schools or weekend schools do you recommend?

Thanks

Another school that you could check into would be MCED Online. I am currently enrolled and you only have to log into the course 3 times a week. Just an idea.

I am preparing for the CPC exam. Can anyone offer some advice as to how I should tab my coding books?

Thanks to those who reply!

Cyndee and Michelle,

I was taking a medical billing course back in 2006. I had to suspend it due family problems. Now, I've moved to Jordan (Middle East) and would like to resume the training. I'll have to start completely over because my materials couldn't be brought w/me and are in storage in Southern Calfornia for awhile. I'd also like see if it's possible to do medical billing online and then transition to face-to-face as well when we move back sometime next year.

As for courses, I don't know if I should mention the course I took. It's a competitor of yours both. I'm not sure which course to take really. I need online for now obviously. Cost is part of the issue, but also quality and proper education in the field is a BIG factor.

I should add that I've also done work briefly for a medical billing business and have a little experience.

Any recommendations regarding courses (which to investigate and why), and possibly doing some online billing? I've seen estabished businesses online doing billing online, but how do us lil' folks do it? Also, Cyndee and Michelle, PLEASE feel free to plug your programs with me. I really want to be informed as much as possible and then I'll make the final decision.

Thanks in advance!

PS: Please excuse any duplications of this email. I'm having problems replying with the "reply" button.

Hello Lisa:

Our online medical billing course for would probably fit well for you. It's designed for someone that wants to do medical billing from home or a small office. Go to www.medicalbillingcourseonline.com

AMBA members often use another member when they have a backlog or need assistance. That's why it's good to be in the loop on our private email group because you will know when there is someone that needs help. Also, you will learn a LOT of helpful information regarding billing, coding, marketing, compliance and much more, just by being a member and participating on the email group. We've been a member of the Better Business Bureau for many years and our Association was formed 10 years ago.

Additionally, there are free Medicare courses that you can take online, including ones on coding that would be a big help to you. Go to cms.meridianksi.com/kc/main/kc_frame.asp?kc_ident=kc0001&loc=1

I would encourage you to go to our website as we have a lot of information there. www.ambanet.net/AMBA.htm

Please feel free to email me, you can click on my profile to email.

Regards,

Cyndee Weston
AMBA

Does anyone use tabs on theri coding books? If yes, how do you have them set-up?

Rose in Lake Elsinore, California said: Hi Cathy,

Sounds like you've taken the same courses as I have. Yes, we are book smart and that seems to be our hold up. I feel a bit better knowing that I am not on this struggling road myself. My certificate is the CBCS - Certified Billing and Coding Specialist. I am in the process of contacting my teacher via e-mail and discussing these issues with her. She is teaching an advanced Billing and Coding class at the local Junior College - That would have been another $3,000 and still no job promises. Hope this information helps.

Rose....

Rose
I am involved in the billing deparment of a busy medical practice that has it's main office in Los angeles close to Lax,and a second office in Murietta Ca.
This office is looking for medical billers that are dedicated and are willing to learn and work hard.
If this is of interest to you or anyone, please email your resume and contact information to bambo55@yahoo.com.

Thank you for this wonderful enlightment!!!!!.I will be e-mailing them shortly and
hoping to be able to get some sort of a feed back from them. I see light at the end of my tunnel. Thank you so much for this information I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.
Rose...

Mary Weekly in Dallas, GA in Powder Springs, Georgia said: Was it worth it and what's your salary range?

I am still attending school; I graduate in 3 weeks, but my program cost me almost 13,000!!! I hope it pays off!!!!

I've completed the premier program at a local shool which includes your billing and coding certification and the CPC certification. I just took the CPC exam for the second time and failed. I can't afford the 300 dollars to take it again because I've been unemployed for a 1 1/2 years. I need to go out and get a job now because my unemployment is running out. How am I supposed to get a job after failing the exam?

i started out doing front desk/reception, and then was able to move over to the billing side. I offered to help my offices billing people whenever I could to gain knowledge and the ever desired experience. And it worked, I am now doing coding/billing full time in a centralized billing office for 4 practices and love it! Hang it there, it will happen.

kim in Sandy, Utah said: i started out doing front desk/reception, and then was able to move over to the billing side. I offered to help my offices billing people whenever I could to gain knowledge and the ever desired experience. And it worked, I am now doing coding/billing full time in a centralized billing office for 4 practices and love it! Hang it there, it will happen.

Thank you for your encouragement. I will keep this in mind.

For those of you actually job hunting, don't discount certain jobs such as insurance company reps, claim processors and even dental offices as billing clerk or receptionist, you'll get a very similiar experience from working in a dental office. And if you are lucky enough to be near an insurance company, most of them train and provide you with ongoing education as well. Later on if you want to go into billing you will have an inside track and your experience will be very invaluable!

Linda Walker - PMRNC
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
www.billerswebsite.com

I KNOW EXACTLY HOW U FEEL, I FIRST TOOK A MEDICAL ASSISTING COURSE BACK IN 2001 AND UPON GRADUATION I DID MY EXTERNSHIP BUT DIDNT GET OFFERED A POSITION, AND SINCE THEN IT HA SBEEN EXTREMELY HARD FINDING A JOB WITH LESS EXPERIENCE. SO NOW THIS PAST APRIL I STARTED A MEDICAL BILLING AND NOW I JUST GOT FINISHED DOING MY EXTERNSHIP AGAIN NO JOB POSITION BUT I THINK MY CDC SET ME UP CAUSE IT WAS THE SAME PLACE I DID MY MA EXTERNSHIP,I BELIEVE THEIR RESOURCES ARE LIMITED AND UNLESS YOU KNOW HO WTO SELL YOURSELF OR PROVE YOURSELF THE HARDER IT IS IN THIS FIELD, BUT GOOD LUCK IN YOUR FUTURE GOALS.

I would have to hope that after completing the course I am taking that there will be a position available someplace. The key is not to be picky and to just get your foot into the door.

I am currently in school for MCB, Its great its a 9 month program and they get you into an externship before graduating. I will be graduating early March 09, and hopefully things will go well, but there's always the chance that i might be starting in data entry, but it'll get your foot in the door...

Hi Michelle,
As you can see I live in Howell, right next door. I was wondering if you have any openings in your company. I recieved training in medical billing from Brookdale. I am sitting in early December for my certification.
I look foreward to your response.
Thanks
Regina