An Ounce of Prevention

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	An Ounce of Prevention

This is the most trusted online resource for medical coding students and experienced professionals in the medical billing field! We provide free education and certification information, latest tips and articles, and let you explore school and job listings free.

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Awareness is the Key!

You may have heard it many times: medical billing from home is the "hottest thing to do". The ads in trade journals say that you can make x-thousands of dollars a week, and that you "will get trained", but when you take a closer look you just might find that there is a catch. The catch is that you have to BUY their medical billing software for several hundreds dollars.

FFC Warning

To make the experience of going on your own a pleasant one awareness is the key. We do not want to discourage anybody, but you should know that the FFC warns consumers of fraudulent medical billing business opportunities. Fraudulent medical billing opportunities are a type of work-at-home scheme advertised on the Internet and the classified sections of local newspapers and "giveaway" shopper's guides. In the "Help-Wanted" classified sections, the ads often appear alongside legitimate ads for hospital medical claims processors, leading consumers who respond to think they're applying for a job.

Protect Yourself

If you're interested in buying a medical-billing business opportunity, the FTC offers this advice:

Ask the promoter to give you the names of many or all previous purchasers. Pick and choose whom to call. Interview these references in person and ask for names of their clients and a description of their operations. If the promoter provides only a few references, be wary. The promoter may be serving up shills -- people paid to endorse the program.

Consult with medical-claims processing organizations or medical-billing businesses as well as local doctors. Ask about the medical-billing field: What's the demand for this type of work? How much work does it entail? What training is required? Do they know anything about the promotion or promoter you're considering?

If the medical-billing promoter sells another company's software, check with the software vendor to find out whether it knows of any problems with the promoter.

Check with the state attorney general's office, consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau in your area and the area where the promoter is based to learn whether any unresolved complaints about the business opportunity or the promoter are on file. Be aware, however, that no complaints doesn't necessarily mean the company is legitimate.

Consult an attorney, accountant or other business advisor before signing any agreement or paying any money. "Because there are so many fraudulent operators out there, it's critical that consumers interested in work-at-home opportunities keep their eyes wide open and their wallets shut tight until they're absolutely sure of what they're getting for their money," Schnack says.

Success

People offering medical billing, or medical transcription services are practical, logical, perceptive, observant, methodical and good planners. On the job they are tenacious, sound decision makers, natural team leaders, good with facts and figures. They have a reputation for firmness and a no-nonsense attitude and have what it takes to do well in running their own business.

Recipe

Thorough understanding of the medical insurance billing and transcription industry, privacy issues and associated laws with a good dose of personal ambition, desire, drive and high self-motivation will be the foundation upon which this can be achieved. Also, experience in running a small business, setting up virtual office space, organizational ability, along with determination to be independent, heavy networking are powerful elements for success.