Starting The Business Of Medical Billing In Fort Wayne

By Jordan Schmidt


To assist a medical practice and make a living at the same time, you may want to start a billing service. Medical billing in Fort Wayne is a lucrative enterprise to be sure. It is always needed, large or small. It can cover back-office tasks, collection and insurance claims, and other areas of finance. As the health care industry grows, so does the need for comprehensive services.

Doctors want to treat patients and provide quality care. Secondarily they manage the staff. The last thing on their minds is billing, yet this is a vital source of revenue that keeps the doors open. You can provide a valuable service that gives everyone in the office more free time. In effect, you can be the liaison between the office and the patients who are the source of income for the practice. You bill the government for Medicare or private insurance companies; you follow up and obtain payment and you set up collection procedures when things go wrong.

Health industry billing is now big business and includes hospitals, nursing homes, emergency ambulance services, social workers, and more. You can therefore create any size of business you desire, full or part time. Extra income will supplement or replace what you already earn. Why not answer the call and create a business plan to guide you through the process. It should include startup costs for equipment and renting of space if you elect to work away from home. It should cover advertising and promotion, fees for software electronic transmission and training. Once this overhead has been met, you are on your way to profit.

On-going contact will be established with the government for Medicare patients as well as private insurance companies. Knowing the ropes makes the process flow smoothly. After filing claims, there is follow up and collection. Obtaining a good reputation in these areas will ensure a flow of new clients. It is important to distinguish oneself from the competition, not only in terms of fees, but also service. Whether you work full or part time, reliable quality is the key.

Getting experience is key: it takes experience and testimonials to bring new clients on board. You can hope for referrals through word of mouth and medical organizations. Once you get past initial startup costs, you are on your way. You can work from home or a rented office where you can permanently display your computer system and related gear. A multi-user phone system is a prerequisite. Plan for expansion so you don't have to disrupt the flow of work to move.

Software is made for billing services and you have a few options. Select wisely anticipating future endeavors. It should make expedient the sending of information electronically. Any fee would be worth this service. Other operation considerations include managing staff, follow up, timely claim filing, and successful collection. Knowledge of medical coding is required. It comes from the medical office super bills and must be accurate in describing a given diagnosis.

Operating a business can be a breeze if you have planned ahead. Attention to detail, reliability, and thoroughness are key traits to acquire. You must have your eyes open to relevant changes in the medical industry regarding CPT and ICD-9 coding. You will depend on office superbills but you must maintain your own level of accuracy. Also in the mix is the acquiring of a proper license (such as a Home Occupation Permit) and a payment model for your clients.

Professional billing services are licensed so don't neglect this important point. It doesn't matter where you are located unless you are liable for city or country tax. A decision can be made about incorporating for income tax purposes. Many areas demand a Home Occupation Permit for even a one-person enterprise. Learn the ropes before you get started and create a master checklist for your periodic review.




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