PCDI STUDENT NEED INFO ON JOB!!

I JUST FINISHED PCDI IN THE MEDICAL BILLING PROGRAM AND WAS WONDING HAVE ANYONE FROM THIS SCHOOL FOUND A JOB AND IF SO DID YOU START OFF AT A LOW RATE OR AT A ENTRY LEVEL.

I don't know Michelle, but I'm in the same class. I am looking forward to graduating next Spring, so I will, like you, keep an eye on the success rate for job placement. Did you receive a Certificate or an actual Diploma once you finished your Courses? Thank you! Liz, Michigan

Dear Liz,
I got a diploma. I'm having some promblems getting a job. I guess it depends on where you live and the office your trying to get in to get a job. I've tried hospitals and even nursining homes, and still no luck. I will pray that you have better luck than I did, and I will let you know if I get a job and how to go about getting one. Thanks for the responed to my qustion.

Sincerly,
Michelle

Thanks Michelle, I appreciate your taking the time to review and answer my posting. I wish you well and great luck also in finding gainful employment. I've heard that sometimes if you apply and re-apply to the same companies that eventually you'll get a job with them. Don't get discouraged. I'm not sure how the job market is in Alabama, but it's pretty bad here in Mich, that's why I am re-training. I've done Medical Office Secretarial work, but now they want Medical Assistants for that job. So they can use them to draw labs, blood pressure, etc. The field is ever changing and also I heard that they are (in the future) going to have Medical Record Banks? Not sure what that is all about, but when I find out I'll letcha know. There is also a great website named Medgigs, try posting your Resume there? I will after I finsih my schooling which hopefully will come about Spring of 2008.
Again Michelle, thanks for responding and I hope I've helped at least a little! :-} Liz

Contact Jeanna for medical billing and coding positions in the chicago area!!! She's very easy to work with and got us great Jobs.

hr.strategictalent@yahoo.com

Thanks for the information but I live in Alabama, But if I lived in shy town I show would of gave it a go for. If you here of any contracting job that is located down south please email me back I would be so greatful. Again Thanks for the info

Sincerly,

mcollins116@peoplepc.com

Michelle in Birmingham, Alabama said: Thanks for the information but I live in Alabama, But if I lived in shy town I show would of gave it a go for. If you here of any contracting job that is located down south please email me back I would be so greatful. Again Thanks for the info

Sincerly,

mcollins116@peoplepc.com

Michelle-have you tried calling Doctor's offices directly?
At least in the Tampa area (where I work with my students) I have found Billing and Coding jobs as well as Front Office jobs w/those duties using that method.

I have tried Doctor's offices but they seem to have a full staff every where I go. I will not give up until I find a job but until than the search is on. I was thinking with all the billing and medical work that you have to do it would be easy to find a job but the field keeps on looking very hard. Thanks for the info I do appricate it.

Michelle in Birmingham, Alabama in Adger, Alabama said: I JUST FINISHED PCDI IN THE MEDICAL BILLING PROGRAM AND WAS WONDING HAVE ANYONE FROM THIS SCHOOL FOUND A JOB AND IF SO DID YOU START OFF AT A LOW RATE OR AT A ENTRY LEVEL.

Just saw your posting, I'm from vancouver, WA. Just a stones throw from Portland, Ore where all the larger companies are. I graduated in med billing and coding in April, and me and many of my fellow students are still trying to find work. Everyone wants 2 - 3 yrs experience. I am really disappointed. there's a lot of jobs but where do you get the experience if no one will give you a chance??

You are so true about the time you have to already have on a job but can't get a job to have the time in. They don't tell you about that when you go to school they just want your money. Well my fellow friends I will hope and pray for all of us. But until than keep on looking and praying.

jodee.meyer@hotmail.com in Portland, Oregon said: Just saw your posting, I'm from vancouver, WA. Just a stones throw from Portland, Ore where all the larger companies are. I graduated in med billing and coding in April, and me and many of my fellow students are still trying to find work. Everyone wants 2 - 3 yrs experience. I am really disappointed. there's a lot of jobs but where do you get the experience if no one will give you a chance??

I'm in a program in SE Michigan. We've been told you have to start out as a biller in order to get some experience before anyone will even talk to you about a job in coding. My school is dropping its coding program for this reason.

I graduate this spring in the Medical Billing and Coding Program also. I wanted to know if just graduated, will we be able to get the jobs at home as an entry level position,or do we need experience on the job before we start working from home.

well i am in the same problem..taking the course from PCDI ..not sure if i will have any future with this?

I heard that if you are not in the field already it will be very hard for you to get the chance to work because of the field require you to be in a medical office or have worked in a medical office. They should tell you before you even apply for the coarse.

I found this subject very interesting. It's quite difficult to find a job without working experience. As a former owner of a billing company and currently a consultant for one of the largest medical billing companies in NYC medbillny.com I would suggest that the best way to start is with a doctors office, even part time, gain some experience and than look for a position at billing company.
Normally you get better salary and benefits working with the large company.
Good Luck!

jodee.meyer@hotmail.com in Portland, Oregon said: Just saw your posting, I'm from vancouver, WA. Just a stones throw from Portland, Ore where all the larger companies are. I graduated in med billing and coding in April, and me and many of my fellow students are still trying to find work. Everyone wants 2 - 3 yrs experience. I am really disappointed. there's a lot of jobs but where do you get the experience if no one will give you a chance??

Michelle, I agree I am really diappointed there may be a lot of jobs out there, but I haven't found one & I've been out of school going on two years & I have tried doctor's offices & other places & they all want someone with experience. I'm starting to feel like I wasted a year of my life & $6,000 in debt in student loans. Thanks for your comment at least I know that I'm not alone.

Betty,
Hurst, TX

jodee.meyer@hotmail.com in Portland, Oregon said: Just saw your posting, I'm from vancouver, WA. Just a stones throw from Portland, Ore where all the larger companies are. I graduated in med billing and coding in April, and me and many of my fellow students are still trying to find work. Everyone wants 2 - 3 yrs experience. I am really disappointed. there's a lot of jobs but where do you get the experience if no one will give you a chance??

HI- I'm just starting a program for Billing and Coding and am in Sherwood, just S of Portland. Have you had any luck locating a job?

Hello,

Seems everyone is having the same problem as I am. I live in Northern CA. I finished a program for Medical Insurance Specialist in December of 2007. I'm still looking for a medical biller job. The college I attended didn't offer their medical office students internships or externships. All the jobs I see want 2 - 3 years experience. No one gives me a chance. It's really discouraging. I wish I was told this before I signed up for the program for I would have went in a different direction with my education. I have been told to start out as a medical receptionist and work my way up. Those jobs want 2 - 3 years experience as medical receptionist too. I have general receptionist experience however not a lot of medical receptionist experience. I was also advised to try temp agencies. It's the same thing with them too. They want 2 - 3 years experience. I have emailed some of the jobs and asked if the Medical Office Manager how he/she got started. I usually get ignored. Most Medical Office Managers are rude and just don't want to deal with beginners. Like I said, it's very discouraging especially when you paid money for college and put so much hard work into the program.

need real job to work from home, already have experience in the medical billing and coding feild , need real work from home job

Gwendolyn,

Have you considered medical billing from home? Learn Medical Billing Online has the guide to 'Starting Your Home-Based Medical Billing Business' for only $5.95

www.learnmedicalbillingonline.com

Sharon in Tualatin, Oregon said: HI- I'm just starting a program for Billing and Coding and am in Sherwood, just S of Portland. Have you had any luck locating a job?

No, still looking. The old catch 22, they want experience, but you can't get the experience if someone doesn't give you the chance. Now what?

Marilyn in Waterford, Michigan said: I'm in a program in SE Michigan. We've been told you have to start out as a biller in order to get some experience before anyone will even talk to you about a job in coding. My school is dropping its coding program for this reason.

Guess what? the school I went to shut down their program too. I think I would have been better off taking med assistant front office and geting in that way.

Hang in there Students and Recent Graduates!!!!

You WILL land that first job! Sometimes, you need a little resume re-arranging!! Is your school listed at the TOP of your resume? What do you have listed as an objective? Do you have ALL your courses listed??

I've been looking for a medical billing job for close to a year now. I've had to do other jobs so as to bring in money to pay the bills. My college is listed at the top of my education section of my resume. I also mention my education in my cover letter. I list all my courses under my education. I list Medical Biller or Medical Insurance Specialist in my objective. I've even tried to get jobs as a Medical Receptionist (I have my certificate of completion in that as well). Even trying to get my foot in the door as a Medical Receptionist is a struggle for offices want applicants to have 2 to 3 years experience. I have 4 years experience as a general receptionist. However, that isn't good enough for because it's not in a medical office.

All these vocational schools who gobble up our hard earned money and don't give a darn about whether we find jobs or not ought to be ashamed of themselves. It is so discouraging. I broke my foot so severely 3 years ago that I cannot work on my feet anymore, that is why I went back to school. I think it's down to "it's not what you know, but who you know" to get your foot in the door anywhere. Good luck and GOD BLESS everyone who is facing the same challenges I am.

Jodee,

I am sorry you are so discouraged and frustrated. Try to maintain a positive attitude :-)

I don't know where you went to school and whether or not they promised you a position......In my area of the country, there are several Allied Health Positions, and I tell my students to keep perservering!!!

Jodee,

I understand your frustration. No one told me that it was going to be so tough to break into this field! If I had known what I know now, I would have never returned to college to change careers. I feel like I wasted time and money. Bummer!

carol,

Get this, a month and a half ago I got hired at a local hospital, HMO ( I was so excited!!) and had to train with a gal who was sicker than a dog with URI. Lo and behold, I got sick. I ended up in ICU with horrrible URI infection, throat closed up, had surgery for huge abscess in my neck, massive IV antibiotics,had to stay for 7 days, than 2 weeks of home antibiotic therapy. Lost my job as I could not meet the requirements for my 90 day probation. (no more than 3 days missed) I can't apply for the same job, but every other job i apply for goes unnoticed. I think I've been blackballed. Have you thought getting into a hospital in housekeeping? Or taking a CNA course? I can't because of my disabled foot. but, once you're a reg employee you can get hired from within before the jobs go public. I have to have a job where I can sit 80% of the time, so I am really struggling to stay positive right now. rough week 4 me.

Michelle,

I am in the Northwest, Most of the jobs are in Oregon, just across the river from me. I went to Everest, owned by Corinthian schools. We were promised job placement asistance, however, the jobs they have available, 1. want 1 - 5 yrs experience, and 2. I have already seen or applied to on careerbuilder, craigslist, indeed.com, hotjobs, monster, simplyhired, etc. that's all the career serveces dept does, look on the internet for postings and hang them on the wall. I was given the impression that they had a repor with local employers for entry level students.

Jodee,

Oh my gosh...what horrible luck! I'm so sorry! :( HMO? Was this for Kaiser? I've applied for so many jobs at Kaiser that I have lost count. I heard that you have to know someone who already works at Kaiser to get in there. Well, forget that for I don't know anyone. I still apply when a job comes up. I've done medical records but that hurts my back so much. I was in a car accident a few years ago and I injured my lower back. I had a medical records jobs where I had to stand on my feet all day long. I would come home and cry from the pain in my back and feet. I thought it would be a foot in the door for me but it wasn't. When I figured that out, i went back to college to take my last coding class to get my certificate of completion. That was in the Fall of 2007. I've actually been looking since last year for a medical billing job. Everywhere wants 2 to 3 years experience. These medical office managers forget where they started at one time. It's really sad! My instructors at my college really don't have much to tell me on how to find a job either. Gee thanks! My college has internships for medical assistant students but not for their medical office students. Sheesh...nice. Medical office people aren't the ones with needles in our hands! It's frustrating.

Yep, kaiser it was. I temped last year as well in the HIM department as an indexing tech through KForce staffing. I was up to 750 - 1500 docs a day and I still couldn't get hired permanent in that dept even though they had openings. Have you checked Kforce out? they always have coding positions. I haven't been certified yet as the school only offered the NCIS which doesn't mean much because no-one knows what that is. What books do I need to help me study for the CPC? I am a member of AHIMA but can't seem to get anyone to reply to my question.

Let me ask one of my friends that does collections if she knows what books are needed to study for CPC. I don't know if there is a KForce in Northern CA. I will have to check that out. Thanks.

Here is an article I found from a person that does medical billing. Hope it helps some of you.....

Breaking into the billing world is tough these days, but the more you
can show that you are a "team player" and fexible, the better your job
search will be. Also, know that you may not end up in a billing
position right off the bat.

Here's some things I can recommend not necessarily in this order:

1) Offer your services to do A/R recovery and appeals. I know of no
practice that doesn't have old claims and denials sitting around. By
working A/R and denials, you show the provider you have the stuff to
bring in his money and you gain the experience you need.

2) Join a local temp agency - good way to get your foot in the door
with an office and if they like you they might ask for you again, or
keep you on.

3) "You could try the insurance end of things: insurance claims
adjudication, it is the other way around and sometimes counts as
relevant experience; but there are a lot of oppertunities in insurance.
Like customer service support, adjucations, WC, Auto insurance
adjustors etc... So you might want to look at both ends."

4) "Look in your local paper to see if anyone is advertising a job,
even one that offers a receptionist position. The key is to get your
foot in the door. Target the practices whose specialty you know. This
is important because if you don't know the specialty, how can you bill
for it and appeal the providers denials? The lack of knowedge of a
specialty can hurt a doctor more than if the doctor never used the
person."

5) Be constantly on the internet scouring CMS and Medical billing
forums like this one - brush up on all the latest & greatest data/info.
and keep up-to-date.

6) Get signed up for a job fair, in your local community... good place
to network. You should be able to find out more information through
the local unemployment (Work Source) office.

Kforce professional staffing is based in Florida but has jobs natonwide. Coding, HIM, medical records management and more www.kforce.com

Jodee,

If you are member of AHIMA, then wouldn't you be prepping for the CCS exam and not the CPC?? The CPC is offered through AAPC.........both exams offer excellent credentials!!

The CPC prep book can be ordered through any online bookseller, like Amazon.

OR you could take the CPMB (Certified Professional Medical Biller) exam offered through the Professional Medical Billers Association at www.pmbausa.com !!

I think you're right! So what is the difference between the CCS and CPC??

Michelle, what is your honest opinion of "The Health Claims Assistance Professional/Patient Advocate" training offered through PMBA? How would a person get started in this? I would appreciate an honest opinion. Also, I looked at several insurance companies such as AIG, Saif, State Farm, Farmers etc but apparently need additional training for claims/CSR.?

The exams are pretty equivalent based on coding articles and information I have read. Of course, it is always a joke amongst coders that 'their's is better!!'

Remember, if you want a hospital coding credential through AHIMA, then you will tkae the CCS.....'physician coding' through AHIMA, the CCS-P

From AAPC, 'physician coding' credential is the CPC.....'hospital coding' credential is the CPC-H

Jodee,

I am the president of the PMBA. The 'Health Claims Assistance/Patient Advocate' program is not for those who wish to work at an ins company. The program is for those who are looking to start a home-based business. The Health Claims Professional assists the public with their 'medical billing mess', appeals, denials, and advises seniors on choosing a Medicare plan(my very favorite'

Home-Based Medical Billing Businesses are very well known now compared to in the 90's when I started mine, however, the 'Health Claims/Patient Advocate' business is fairly new and GROWING!!

It is a much needed service!

Michelle Rimmer in Brick, New Jersey said: Gwendolyn,

Have you considered medical billing from home? Learn Medical Billing Online has the guide to 'Starting Your Home-Based Medical Billing Business' for only $5.95

www.learnmedicalbillingonline.com

I have found that when you click on anything related to home-based coding on that site, it more or less tells you that the site is no longer there. The main site is there, but nothing related to home-based- goes to a pretty empty page. I was thinking of getting it too. Oh well.

Hi Barbara,

I am the owner of the site--and if you click on the above link--it doesn't state 'The site is no longer there'??? I am not sure what you saw, but the site is and has been up and running!!! You need to scroll down with your mouse to see the full text on all the pages :-) The guide is there and can be purchased on the 'Certificates and Courses' page.

Michelle

Michelle,
I am sorry, I did not mean to offend you. Perhaps the reason is because I am using a Mac computer, I don't know. I had clicked on on Home-based Businesses, then clicked on the word Courses. I did not go in under 'Certificates and Courses' page. The following is the only thing that was on tehe page.

Not Found

The requested URL http:// was not found on this server.

Here is the URL that is in the window when I click on there:
learnmedicalbillingonline.com/courses

Barb

Hi Barb,

That's OK--you didn't offend me-I was just wondering why it came up that way. That is just so weird that when you click on the link I wrote, it comes up with the link YOU wrote.....very strange.

Can you get to the site by typing it in your browser?

Michelle

I tried copying and pasting the URL and still keep getting the same thing. I have tried Mozilla and Safari on my Mac as well as IE and mozilla on my PC laptop. I am getting ready to go to work, which is in a hospital. I will write down the link and try it from there. I will let you tonight what happens. Have somebody else, besides from your computer, check the link also. Have a nice day. :)

Barb

Michelle

I am at work and the same thing is happening, it does not go to a valid page.
Try checking your link from clicking on Home-based Businesses, then on the word Courses, but don't do it from your home computer. Have someone else try and check it for you or use a computer elsewhere. I have a website and the support explained to me that because I was doing changes from my computer it somehow remembers things. The support personnel would get different results than I would and that was their explanation for it. I will try to go in
through 'Certificates and Courses' and see if I can get to the book that way. Thanks.

Take care
Barb

Barb,

That is so weird! I have had about 20 people buy the guide from their home using their computers by going to my site--I don't know why it is not working for you?? I was in Illinois last weekend and the site worked fine from my mom's computer. I don't know why the page is not coming up for you? Maybe if I send you a link in your regular email address?? I just don't know........

AHA!! I see what you mean now! OK-I am working on it--I don't know why the 'link' function is not working.........I will work on it. Are you able to click on the 'Certificates and Courses' page and see the guide there?

Michelle Rimmer in Brick, New Jersey said: Gwendolyn,

Have you considered medical billing from home? Learn Medical Billing Online has the guide to 'Starting Your Home-Based Medical Billing Business' for only $5.95

www.learnmedicalbillingonline.com

I've heard that the software for Med Billing from home is about $5,000. Anyone know if this is true? Unfortunately, Med billing is a saturated market and the schools are making a mint off of the students. My suggestion is...if you are already unemployed with no income...send a cover letter and resume to as many places as possible and apply for an "Internship." That's where you work for free...or a very small amount of money, but you learn the office and can get an idea of what the job is really like. Letter you letter reflect a request for a 30-day "INTERNSHIP." It's better than sitting around at home. Also, medical students potential doctors perform internships all the time.
Good luck!

Kayna in Saint Louis, Missouri said: I've heard that the software for Med Billing from home is about $5,000. Anyone know if this is true? Unfortunately, Med billing is a saturated market and the schools are making a mint off of the students. My suggestion is...if you are already unemployed with no income...send a cover letter and resume to as many places as possible and apply for an "Internship." That's where you work for free...or a very small amount of money, but you learn the office and can get an idea of what the job is really like. Letter you letter reflect a request for a 30-day "INTERNSHIP." It's better than sitting around at home. Also, medical students potential doctors perform internships all the time.
Good luck!

I meant...let your cover letter reflect your interest in a 30-day or more Internship.