New Entry level medical biller

RICO in Chico, California said: does CEO'S has conscience after they shipped the medical jobs overseas?

While they might feel a little bad about putting employees out of work, they have saved their company money by cheaper labor and decreased taxes (this country taxes employers ALOT), plus they have made their stock holders happy by making more money. They are actually pretty pleased with themselves.

If our country wants to stop losing jobs to off shore outsourcing, they need to give tax breaks to big business (I know, the exact opposite of what you would thing) but it is true, otherwise, there is no incentive for them to be in business here.

if you take contract work, be VERY careful to check out misclassification of 1099 workers. There is a 20 point test by the IRS to see if you should be a contract worker or a worker who receives benefits. This especially applies to 40 hour workers. Companies are trying to get out of paying Medicare, Workers Comp Health Insurance, etc. so they can undercut the competition. If you are a contractor you have the right to refuse work, also. Generally there should not be a third party involved, who is arranging the work assignments for you. I got stung. My tax advisor states I can file form SS8 with the IRS and also make a complaint with the Labor Relations Board. These people can be forced to pay back all those benefits. Please don't take an assignment where you have to do your own taxes, and don't get benefits, It will bite you in the rear end. Plus they kept asking me if I could work more or make up my time, as they stated I was a good worker. Would not do it again, ever. Just a friendly caveat and it probably does not apply to every situation.

Michael Career Training in San Pedro, California said: We are a school that offers certification (CCS) training here in Los Angeles. mike@sticcc.com for more info.

Who cares if you offer certification, can you GUARANTEE anyone a job? can you offer us a stable job, if we decide to shell out a butt load of money to your school. No cannot! B/c the economy sucks and so does the school!

munroe in Providence, Rhode Island said: Yea I almost did that too but at the last minute I just took the $6,000 course that unemployment paid for. Try the volunteering if you have a local hospital in your area---it's amazing the people you will meet and network with. If you get a receptionist job its a good way to do a little billing in some offices, say if someone is out sick, vacation etc. At least then you can put that on your resume.

How did you get unemployment to help you pay for this?? I have over 10 years processing medical claims for various insurance companies and would like to get back into the field but thought of adding Medical Coding to my education...so again how did you get unemployment to help pay for this??

So how does someone get experience if no employer will give them any? This is what I hate about finding jobs. I've even found entry level jobs where the employers want experience.

Russell said: So how does someone get experience if no employer will give them any? This is what I hate about finding jobs. I've even found entry level jobs where the employers want experience.

This is a bad time for job seekers, due to the recession, and so many candidates for each job posting, employers can now demand a lot. They want high education, credentials and experience. It is very unfortunate.

The best advice is to just try to get your foot in the door any way you can, whether by billing, account follow up, medical records, or even front desk. I know its frustrating that you went to school for a better job and have to take a lower one, but that is just how things are. Gain some experience and then leverage for a coding job.

good luck

will temporary agencies place you once you finish a program and/or get certified? I'm undecided if I want to spend the money for a course coming up if I don't know for certain. Nobody can give me anwers, not the school, not the temp agency here.

So I am discouraged that is.. I graduated with a 3.52 and because of their error I did not get honor recognition at the ceremony. Very upset with Everest University. and yes I too am still unemployed.

Jodee in Portland, Oregon said: I've been looking for entry level medical billing/coding since June of 2007. I've tried temp agencies also as well as the career services at my school (Everest College) Although I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, I have no practical experience and no one will hire me. They all want 1 - 5 years experieince. Waste of money if you ask me, I am really discouraged.

I think it should be illegal that a school claims your going to be working and leaves out important things like oh by the way you wont have a job hahahahahah after I spent 30,000 and still adding with interest... Should be illegal..The school literally acts like they could care less if I am working or not...gee I wonder why they already cashed they paychecks.

valentine2 in Salt Lake City, Utah said: This is a bad time for job seekers, due to the recession, and so many candidates for each job posting, employers can now demand a lot. They want high education, credentials and experience. It is very unfortunate.

The best advice is to just try to get your foot in the door any way you can, whether by billing, account follow up, medical records, or even front desk. I know its frustrating that you went to school for a better job and have to take a lower one, but that is just how things are. Gain some experience and then leverage for a coding job.

good luck

Faith41 in New Port Richey, Florida said: I think it should be illegal that a school claims your going to be working and leaves out important things like oh by the way you wont have a job hahahahahah after I spent 30,000 and still adding with interest... Should be illegal..The school literally acts like they could care less if I am working or not...gee I wonder why they already cashed they paychecks.

The private for profit "career colleges" are pretty bad. Once they have your money, they pretty much don't care about you anymore.

You paid $30,000? Was that for an associates degree?

Have you tried looking for an entry level job? I got my start doing charge entry and then moved to a coding job.

hoapres in San Jose, California said: One was a victim of "process the bodies", "process the suckers", "process the students", etc. to enter as appropriate "the booming medical field", "the booming high tech field", etc.

Avoid the for profit schools like the plague and go to a state supported community college. Medical billing and coding is a big scam as one is lucky to find a job even with experience paying $20 an hour.

The field of Billing and Coding is not a scam. These so called "career colleges" are the scam, not the actual field. It takes awhile to become experienced, but once you do, there are plenty of job opportunities and with that comes great pay. I have been coding for 6 years, and make way more than $20 an hour. But you do not start out making that much, and I think a lot of new grads are mislead about how much you make starting out.

I agree with Valentine. New grads can not expect to be making big money. And most of the time new grads are going to have to work their way up from positions like Receptionist and Clerk. I got very lucky and landed an entry-level coding job after I looked for 6 months. I'm also going to be doing cancer registry. But you have to network like crazy, as that is how I got it!

You can get certified but you will end up with the word apprentice after the certification. If you want to get certified one of the prerequisites are 1-2 years of experience.
Don't give up though, as time goes on more and more billing and coding experts will be needed. Just don't pay a lot of money for those colleges or take out student loans to pay for a job that won't be there when you graduate.

Mindy in Downers Grove, Illinois said: you lied and made it in ? did you have to take a coding test first?

hi my name is sarah and im currently in california and I have had my CCA since 2008, and still no job I would like to talk to you about your resume please email me at woluckas@yahoo.com

Yes, waste of money. I graduated, as well, from Medical Billing and Coding, GPA 4.0 and I had no luck in finding a job. I did volunteer at the local hospital, and that didn't help eitherm I have worked in the ER every weekend, until I gave up. I worked as a Loss Prevention Officer for 1 year, than I applied for Mental Health Technician for the State of Illinois. I did pass the test, and I have been there for 9 months now. It pays good, good benefits, and today I start school, going for RN. This time I chose the school carefully. ;) Good luck to all of you!

Is there anybody here volunteered in hospital? Is volunteering gives us the guarantee to land a job?

Jodee in Portland, Oregon said: I've been looking for entry level medical billing/coding since June of 2007. I've tried temp agencies also as well as the career services at my school (Everest College) Although I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, I have no practical experience and no one will hire me. They all want 1 - 5 years experieince. Waste of money if you ask me, I am really discouraged.

Hi Jodee....my suggestion is to accept any position to a medical clinic. Get your foot in the door and request that they utilize your skills to the fullest. From there on, they will see your greatest potential and asset to the company. These all do take time and your patience is really a virtue. Always be positive and think for the best. Best of luck to you. Trust me -- it wasn't a waste of time and money. You invested in a great career. It may be hard to get in but eventually you will. :-)

Munroe in Rhode Island said: You start by learning to speak proper English and using proper grammar.

Amen! I noticed on most of these comments the grammar and english are horrible!!

I currently have my BS in Healthcare Administration and a background in billing. I'm interested in learning coding. I'm not sure where to start. All comments are welcome.

nsweat in Dallas, Texas said: I currently have my BS in Healthcare Administration and a background in billing. I'm interested in learning coding. I'm not sure where to start. All comments are welcome.

I would suggest enrolling in a coding program at your local community college or there are many online only programs, such as the basic programs offered through AAPC, AHIMA or CareerStep.

Hi all - I'm currently enrolled in the online program for Coding Basics at AHIMA. I am a financial analyst with a defense contractor right now. I want to move to UT and the location I'm looking at does not have defense contractors (and I really don't want to work for one anymore). I'm worried that it is going to be very difficult for me to get my foot in the door. I have to continue working at my current job so I can pay for the classes at AHIMA. My ultimate goal is to get into Cancer Registry Management. Any advise/thoughts/comments would be great. Thanks!

Hello fellow coders I'm taking my CPC on 3/10/12 this Saturday any helpfull hints.

Thanks
Sarinna

Heather in Waldorf in Waldorf, Maryland said: Hi all - I'm currently enrolled in the online program for Coding Basics at AHIMA. I am a financial analyst with a defense contractor right now. I want to move to UT and the location I'm looking at does not have defense contractors (and I really don't want to work for one anymore). I'm worried that it is going to be very difficult for me to get my foot in the door. I have to continue working at my current job so I can pay for the classes at AHIMA. My ultimate goal is to get into Cancer Registry Management. Any advise/thoughts/comments would be great. Thanks!

I am not sure what area you are planning to move to, but I would suggest looking into Intermountain Health Care (IHC) they are the major hospital system in Utah and they tend to hire from within. So once you get your foot in the door, you should have an easier time moving up to a coding job.

Kayla in Yonkers, New York said: How can I find an entry level medical biller position?

Really there aren't any entry level medical billing positions. If you don't have 2-5 years experience or experience period you are screwd!! I wasted my time and having to pay back a loan for a Medical Biller Position I can't work because of my lack of experience and I only have 6 months invested as an Intern Medical Biller (without pay). The hospital whom I was volunteering for only hired within and their own race. So, due to the fact that I'm African American I can't find work where there's a certain race ( took over the entire hospital with all the positions) and their only hiring their own because the hospital is full of one race and half of them don't speak any English well enough to hold the type of position/s. I have a certificate and can't get any jobs offers and I'm born and raised in this country. But, I can visit another state and find so many of my race employed.( Excellent) But, I will never ever see my own race employed this much in California. ( What a Dam Shame).

Hello,

All whom have little to no exp please stop appling at the hospitals and try your local dr office,insurance companies temp agency and please be aware that you will not make a killing doing billing but you will have a job i started off at an outsourced company gained some exp and now by the grace of god i am at a multi specailty group as a pre cert rep so it will be worth it in the long run just keep on applying and dont give up

In the mean time, one should look into other clerical positions.

Lesson here: do not spend $$$ in training that is false advertising to fool the desperate and un-informed job seekers, those trade school shamelessly promote their useless program for profits and lie about the truth: there's no demand for this "new skillset' because of over-supply and outsourcing.

Go to a legit school like your community college next time.