Can someone help me, I want to get started on medical billing but I need a
good
program and good support system, what would you suggest

Beverley

At 02:38 AM 10/12/98 , you wrote:
>
>To unsubscribe from this mailing list, or to change your subscription
>to digest, go to the ONElist web site, at http://www.onelist.com and
>select the User Center link from the menu bar on the left.
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>A list where we can all help each obtain maximum reimbursement!
>
>
>There is 1 message in this issue.
>
> Topics in today's digest:
>
>      1. Re: PA
>           From: Reeki8@...
>
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
____
>___________________________________________________________________________
____
>
>Message: 1
>   Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 15:28:26 EDT
>   From: Reeki8@...
>Subject: Re: PA
>
>
>
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
____
>___________________________________________________________________________
____
>

In a message dated 10/12/98, 1:39:44 PM, MedicalBillers@onelist.com writes:
<<Can someone help me, I want to get started on medical billing but I need a
good
program and good support system, what would you suggest

Beverley>>


Hello Beverly,

Can you give us some background on yourself?   I will be looking forward to
chatting with you!    Oh BTW....download the AIM program from   www.aol.com
and we can cat realtime.   My screen name on it is:    Reeki8    feathers id


Jo An

My name is Donna.  I also am looking a good program for medical billing.
I have found one company that sells the software for $299 and they are
international. I am in the medical field now but looking to stay at home
and work.  If anyone could give some good advice it would be
appreciated.

Donna Stancil RN

Donna, tell me about the company that you have found

Beverley
>
>Message: 1
>   Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 07:34:14 -0400 (EDT)
>   From: KarokeKaye@... (Kaye S)
>Subject: Help
>
>My name is Donna.  I also am looking a good program for medical billing.
>I have found one company that sells the software for $299 and they are
>international. I am in the medical field now but looking to stay at home
>and work.  If anyone could give some good advice it would be
>appreciated.
>
>Donna Stancil RN
>
>
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
____
>___________________________________________________________________________
____
>

Hello List!

Upon viewing the members profiles...I noticed not many of you have one!   Please
fill in your profile so I can have something to do <grin>.  Seriously,  It is
nice to have our members URLs to visit and get a little idea of who is on the
list. Oh BTW   I went to the URL that is listed by one of our members and the
link is not valid...and  you review and advise of the status. I wish I could
remember the name/url.   Any way it is the individual from Gainsville FL I
believe!

Thank you

Jo An

Thanks for your help JoAn

      	                Beverley Abramson
                           Krystalpaw Persians
	                 <krystalpaw@...>
          Cats & Kittens Naturally Raised Underfoot
				 Ask Me About PKD
            http://www.10mb.com/le-sher/Krystalpaw

http://members.tripod.com/~worldcats3/krystalpaw.htm
	        	 http://www.breedlist.com/

In a message dated 10/17/98, 7:36:19 AM, MedicalBillers@onelist.com writes:
<<http://members.tripod.com/~worldcats3/krystalpaw.htm>>


Beverly,

You are very welcome.   It has been a pleasure and thank you for the url.  I
am visiting it as we speek.  Please keep in touch and let me know how you are
doing.  I also belong to newsgroups.  If there is anything interesting...I
will frwd to you!

Jo An ;-)

A list welcome to all of our new members.

The list has been pretty quiet lately.  I am sure that we will be getting some
input from all soon.  I have not been able to post lately...I have had
some...well not just some .....alot of electronic transmission troubles lately
...and then a update on the birth year for Medicare.   What next!     Well
this is now fixed and I am may be off to a new job.   This time PT and OT.   I
have billed for it before...this type of billing needs lots and lots of
authorization!    Anyone out there with any suggestions?


Hope to hear from you soon!

Until then....remember   keep them there receivables moving ;-).

Jo An

I am the Administrator for a hospital owned MSO that offers physician
billing as one of its products.   I am looking for information relative to
two particular areas:

1) Are there any staffing ratios or guidelines that would help
determine how many fte's are appropriate for the physician billing
department overall, by function (charge entry, follow up), etc. ?   Also,
what about productivity standards to measure the staff by?

2) For those of you who might also be doing billing for hospital
employed physicians, do you bill off of the same information system as the
hospital or have a physician information system?  Is the billing staff part
of or supervised by the hospital billing department?  Do you use the same
tax id number for the physician billing as the hospital?

We are currently looking at some reorganization and any help you could
provide me would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Kelley Rushing

Is anybody out there?  I am trying this again since I got no response the
first time.  Thanks.
  ----------
From: Rushing, Kelley
To: medicalbillers@onelist.com
Date: Wednesday, November 04, 1998 8:27AM

I am the Administrator for a hospital owned MSO that offers physician
billing as one of its products.   I am looking for information relative to
two particular areas:

1) Are there any staffing ratios or guidelines that would help
determine how many fte's are appropriate for the physician billing
department overall, by function (charge entry, follow up), etc. ?   Also,
what about productivity standards to measure the staff by?

2) For those of you who might also be doing billing for hospital
employed physicians, do you bill off of the same information system as the
hospital or have a physician information system?  Is the billing staff part
of or supervised by the hospital billing department?  Do you use the same
tax id number for the physician billing as the hospital?

We are currently looking at some reorganization and any help you could
provide me would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Kelley Rushing

Hi,

My name is Robert. I wanted to introduce myself and see if anyone else on
this list has been in my situation.

I am not a medical biller, but would like to be. I would like to pursue
home-based medical billing.

I have been a meatcutter for a major food chain for nearly 14yrs. Recently I
have been looking into a way to make a living at home through our computer.

My question is this: Would it be better to go to college to learn  medical
billing or try one of those ad's you see in the papers?

I would be interested in hearing from anyone as to how you got started in
this line of work, especially any who are home-based.

Thanks in advance-

Robert Varner

In a message dated 11/15/98, 2:35:35 AM, MedicalBillers@onelist.com writes:
<<Hi,

<<My name is Robert. I wanted to introduce myself and see if anyone else on
this list has been in my situation.>>

Hello Robert.   My name is Jo An.  I have been doing billing for almost 16
years.

<<I am not a medical biller, but would like to be. I would like to pursue
home-based medical billing.>>

What State are you from?   Are you in a Urban or Rural area?  It has been my
experience that Doctors do no....want there billing out of the office.  It can
be done...but it is hard.

<<I have been a meatcutter for a major food chain for nearly 14yrs. Recently I
have been looking into a way to make a living at home through our computer.>>

Long time.   That is a good job!  At least the pay here is good.

<<My question is this: Would it be better to go to college to learn  medical
billing or try one of those ad's you see in the papers?>>

Unless you have a medical background...and if you want to make big money in
medical accounts receivable ...go to college!   A male has a edge in the
medical billing field here.   With a degree....you can go far.   I would like
to know what type of money you think that billers make?   I would like to know
what our members that are currently billing make?

<<I would be interested in hearing from anyone as to how you got started in
this line of work, especially any who are home-based.>>

A word of warning...be very careful of the programs for billers...some sell
you a OK! software package,......give you a list of Drs in your area... a
marketing letter and then you are on your own.

It is great hearing from you.  Keep us posted on your research!

Jo An

In a message dated 11/10/98, 8:18:58 AM, MedicalBillers@onelist.com writes:
<<1) Are there any staffing ratios or guidelines that would help
determine how many fte's are appropriate for the physician billing
department overall, by function (charge entry, follow up), etc. ?   Also,
what about productivity standards to measure the staff by?>>

Dont measure--  set up the department correctly! Then set your standards for
your unique situation.    In my wanderings..there are too many variables!

    All of the above depends on the demographics of your area...your payor
mix....and most of all your software program!  Setting up your billing
staff..is of upmost importance as I am sure you know. Common mistakes:    Data
entry is done by front desk...hugh amount of errors...New patient insurance
edit is not done....  more errors....precert not done or not done
properly...more errors...edit of coding is left up to inexperienced
staff...loss of money......all this blossoms into hugh receivables.   Time and
time again I have seen this take what I can get attitude.   Sad..when it is
all so easy to set up!

<<2) For those of you who might also be doing billing for hospital
employed physicians, do you bill off of the same information system as the
hospital or have a physician information system?  Is the billing staff part
of or supervised by the hospital billing department?  Do you use the same
tax id number for the physician billing as the hospital?>>

What State are you in?   The physicians billing in hospitals I have seen were
supervised by hospital staff...that were dedicated to the unit!     I guess
the tax id number used would depend on the contract you have with the
physician or physicians group!

<<We are currently looking at some reorganization and any help you could
provide me would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!>>


I wish you all of the luck.  I know how hard it is in a large facility!   If I
can be of any help please email me.

Kelley Rushing>>

Hi JoAnne and Robert..

I live in San Francisco Ca..and I have been doing Medical Billing for
over 15 years now.. I have worked in hospitals doing billing.. currently
I work in a 3 doctor IM practice.   Joanne...you asked how much Medical
Billers make...  right now ... I am make a hourly salary of $16.75 an
hour.  I am the only biller in the office...and I take care of it
all..from data entry of the new patients...to coding.. to billing..to
followup to collections..to computer maintanance etc....
I am also getting ready to open my own billing service out of my home. I
am looking to charge anywhere from $3.00 to $8.00 per claim I send
electronically.

Robert... I went to college for 2 years...taking some basic courses..and
I told medical terminology, medical transcription--2 semesters,and 4
other medical courses..including billing courses.  Also 2 semesters of
accounting.  I wouldnt go thru the classes in the ads in the paper.. I
called them..   They really get you.  IF you do decide to go that
way..just becareful and ask many questions before signing up :))

I was wondering for other billers.....what state are you from...and how
much do you earn doing billing... Also I am interested in how much you
charge for different cpt codes...like office visits..99213 99214 etc..
and ekgs 93000. I am just very interested.. Thanks!

Anne

In a message dated 11/16/98, 10:22:33 PM, MedicalBillers@onelist.com writes:
<<charge for different cpt codes...like office visits..99213 99214 etc..
and ekgs 93000. I am just very interested.. Thanks!

Anne>>
GMorning Anne,

I am attending a seminar this morning for Blue Cross of MI.   I will respond
to your email in private about the above.

Happy to meet you and GL on your ventures!

Jo An

>From: Reeki8@...
>
>In a message dated 11/15/98, 2:35:35 AM, MedicalBillers@onelist.com writes:

>What State are you from?   Are you in a Urban or Rural area?  It has been
my
>experience that Doctors do no....want there billing out of the office.  It
can
>be done...but it is hard.

I live in So. California, in a rural area of the Inland Empire. I am not far
from major cities.

<I would like
>to know what type of money you think that billers make

I just have a rough idea, from some of the books I have read, in the
neighborhood of $60k/yr.


>A word of warning...be very careful of the programs for billers...some sell
>you a OK! software package,......give you a list of Drs in your area... a
>marketing letter and then you are on your own.


Thanks for the words of warning.  At a Jr. College in our area, they offer
classes in Medical Billing. The classes are every Sat. for a month and at
the end they set you up and you are put on a list of billers in your area.
They introduce some of the billing software and offer them at a discount.
From what Anne wrote below, there seems to be some definate variations!


<Robert... I went to college for 2 years...taking some basic courses..and
<I told medical terminology, medical transcription--2 semesters,and 4
other medical courses..including billing courses.  Also 2 semesters of
<accounting.  I wouldnt go thru the classes in the ads in the paper.. I
called them..   They really get you.  IF you do decide to go that
<way..just becareful and ask many questions before signing up :))

My goal is to be able to work a few days a week at my current job (to keep
the medical benefits) and the rest of the time billing from home, hopefully
increasing our income.

I currently make $42K/yr as a meatcutter, no overtime or premium pay, this
is just straight 40hr/wk. I could make more but want to spend the time with
my family. I guess my question is.....does Medical Billing pay well enough
to even consider it?

Thanks,
Robert

Welcome to Medical Biller,

Shall we devise codes for new and established members?  What would be the
reimbursment level>>>>LOL...Well now that the attempt at humor is over....I
want to say hello.  I am so looking forward to all of your input!   After all
we learn from the examples of others...and the Big Three!!!!!!!!

I am hoping to get a little idea of the pay scale for medical billers.  Would
you all be so kind as to give us a idea of what is being paid?  Are there any
benefits?   Trips to the Bahamas????New automobile??????  :-)

I will be looking forward to your replys.

In a message dated 11/18/98, 2:17:14 AM, MedicalBillers@onelist.com writes:
<< guess my question is.....does Medical Billing pay well enough
to even consider it?>>
Hello Robert,

I have asked our list members to help us out here.   To give you a idea of
just what the pay scale is out there...and hopefully we can get some home
based billers to input.   On this side  I do know...like I said..most of our
Drs would rather deal with males.   Instant credibility.!  Da dah!    So you
do have a edge.   I do not remember if I asked you what State  you are in?

There are so many questions I would like to ask you.     Most important   are
you on ICQ?   If you are not let me know...I will send a invitation this will
allow us to talk realtime.

Until!

Off to the Billing Shack!

Jo An

>From: Reeki8@...
    I do not remember if I asked you what State  you are in?

I live in California



>>There are so many questions I would like to ask you.     Most important
are
>you on ICQ

yes.....#1454238

Robert

Hi again Robert...what part of Calfornia are you in... I am in
Pacifica/San Francisco.....moving to San Gabriel in June.

I am looking for different set ups of Super Bills or encounter forms...
I would like to compare mine to some others across the United States..so
if you would be willing to fax me a copy of yours.. I will do the same.
Please let me know :)

Anne

Hello Anne!

I would be happy to..but I do not have your fax number.     I can also scan
and put in jpg format so you can view it.    Let me know.  send the number to
my private email address.

Reeki8@...

SYS

Jo An

Reekie,

I would love to have a superbill too....send me your fax..or scan and
email....whatever is best for you..

fax number is 717-738-4280  Lisa Butler


Reeki8@... wrote:
>
> From: Reeki8@...
>
> Hello Anne!
>
> I would be happy to..but I do not have your fax number.     I can
also scan
> and put in jpg format so you can view it.    Let me know.  send the
number to
> my private email address.
>
> Reeki8@...
>
> SYS
>
> Jo An
>
>
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> A list where we can all help each obtain maximum reimbursement!
>

Thanks for the chance to be on your list.

-----Original Message-----
From: MedicalBillers-owner@onelist.com
[mailto:MedicalBillers-owner@onelist.com]
Sent: Monday, December 21, 1998 10:00 AM
To: kayb@...
Subject: [MedicalBillers] Welcome to MedicalBillers@onelist.com


Welcome Billers!

Welcome to the list. Please take a moment to review this message.

Let me take a moment to tell you how great it is to have you on the list.
I believe that by networking...as a group...we can make the difference in
the quality of our billing and our ability to improve our paychecks. (he he)

I bill in the State of Michigan.  We have a group here that meets every
three
months..(I believe) called the Michigan Medical Billers Association.  A
wonder-
ful group of  Men and Women that meet together and help each other out.

Background on myself:   I have over 20 years of billing experience.  I have
used

over 12  billing software programs. Managed a office....worked for computer
company working  problem claims.  Mulitspecialty coding.
    Instructor (Medical Billing) Ross Business Institute.
etc etc  LOL    Medical Assistant 2 year program.  Not all at one time! :-)
Currently workning for a Psyc. Dr.

Below is information on list!
To unsubscribe from this list, go to the ONElist web site, at
www.onelist.com, and select the User Center link from the menu bar
on the left. This menu will also let you change your subscription
between digest and normal mode.

Once again...I will be looking forward to our conversations!

Jo An


Thanks,
The List Owner

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE IMPEACHMENT
December 17, 1998

'Twas The Night Before Impeachment, when all through the House,
All the Congress was stirring, even Conyers, the louse.
The Articles were hung by the Capitol with care,
In hopes that Saint Bubba would be trapped in the lair.
The Republicans were nestled, all smug with The Feds,
While visions of perjury danced in their heads.
And Barr with his rhetoric and Hyde with his trap,
Had just settled in for a long evening's nap.
When out in The Gulf, there arose such a clatter
They clicked on CNN to see what was the matter.
When what to their wondering eyes should appear
But Tomahawk cruise missiles flying like reindeer.
With a Presidential address, so lively and quick,
They knew in a moment, it must be Saint Slick!
More rapid than eagles, his supporters they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"Now Conyers, now Gephardt, let's forget about The Vixen!
On Barney! On Maxine! I'm no Richard Nixon!!!"
"From Capitol Hill to the Washington Mall,
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all !!!"
And then the Republicans heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As they scratched their heads and were turning around
The resilient Saint Willie scored another rebound.
No longer was he eating from his humble pie,
While assaulting Saddam with his bombs from the sky.
A bundle of weapons he had flung at Iraq,
It looked once again like Slick Willie was back.
His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the hair on his head was as white as the snow.
The stump of a stogie, he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump - a right jolly old elf,
And the Republicans wept, in spite of themselves.
And a wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave them to know they had something to dread.
He spoke the right words and went straight to his work
Hard to believe that an Intern once called him "The Jerk."
And shaking his finger and thumbing his nose,
By "Wagging The Dog," up the polls he rose.
He turned to his spinmeisters and gave them a whistle,
Then they cheered-on Slick Willie as he launched another missile.
They all heard him exclaim, with Impeachment out of sight,
"Happy Ramadan to all, and to all a good night."

Hi, my name is Dawnette.  I'm located in Utah and am just starting
medical billing.  My background is that I have a Finance degree with an
emphasis in Insurance & Risk Management (along with a Soc minor.)  I
worked for a med ins co paying bills for 4 years and in a hospital med
rec dept for 1 yr. so I am familiar with CPT's and ICD-9, but not to the
level I will need.  I do have basic anatomy, medical terminology skills,
and the ability to read most dr's handwriting :-). I have not done
medical billing before.
.
My situation is probably a bit unusual.  I fell into my new job during a
discussion with a new dr (Physical Therapy and Rehab, D.O.) in the same
office as my Physical therapist.  Doc is also just starting out and has
less than 25 patients total, so I have an ideal opportunity to learn and
grow slowly.  She is aware of my background.   She is providing most
materials that I need (HCFA's, stamps, envelopes, etc.) for now.  I am
providing the computer.  We are choosing the software together and are
leaning toward MediSoft.  Does anyone have experience with it?  Opinions
on other software?
.
I will be working at home.  Our plan is that we will use a superbill
which she will fax or scan & e-mail to me along with the billing info
sheet.  I will bill the ins.  They will send the remittance advice and
check to her.  She will forward the RA to me to complete the billing
records and I will bill her for the number of claims completed at the end
of each month.  Is this a workable plan or are we off of our rockers?
.
I am charging her $2 per claim since I am new to this and will have a
learning curve and she is providing materials for now.  Does this charge
seem reasonable?
.
The office she is in is unusual.  It's staffed with a collection of
LCSW's, massage therapists (not usually paid by ins here), PT's, and the
one D.O.  There is no office staff, receptionist, etc.  Most of the
providers work part-time and do their own billing hand writing on the
HCFA's.    Each provider is independent; they are held together by a
common philosophy and approach.  They all tend to attract severely or
chronically ill people who have exhasted other means of help or who are
looking for a more holistic approach to use in compliment with their
regular dr's.  Most of the providers are on few insurance panels by
choice, so that complicates billing some.  I know and like the folks
there.  I got involved with them when I was quite ill with Chrones
disease (currently in full remmission.)
.
My hope is that by the end of 1999 I will be billing for most of the
people in this office.  I plan to buy all supplies at that time, use a
customized superbill for each, and charge $3/claim.  Is this reasonable
considering the type of providers?  I assume they will continue to all
pre-auth work.  I don't plan to expand any further than their office for
a long time.  They will keep me more than busy enough.
.
A little about me.  I am a stay-at-home mom with my intense, curious 16
m.o. daughter.  DH is an accountant for a local city government.
Currently, I also do private tutoring for finance students, a couple
hours a week.  I also grade tests for the insurance/risk management
professor at the Univ of Utah which really turns out to be only two 40
hour weeks a year (long nights while baby & DH are asleep) since he only
works one semester a year.  I like insurance and feel very fortunate to
have this opportunity basically fall in my lap.   I hope to get to know
you all better and be an active member of this list.  Dawnette

~~Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held it's ground.
mailto:dawnwick@...

___________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html
or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

In a message dated 12/28/98, 2:25:20 AM, MedicalBillers@onelist.com writes:
<<eaning toward MediSoft>>
Please email me about MediSoft! ASAP!   Use private email address.


Thank you!

Jo An
reeki8@...

PS  Have you visited the medical billers page.  There is quick links to
software also I have some informative links to help you with a program.

Hello List Members!

Happy Holidays!

Below is a link for a Medicare training program.  I feel this is a valuable
training tool for us.  Allowing us to stay in the office and get updates on
billing and Medicare policies and procedures.  (I have a problem with Doctors
in this area letting you out of the office for training, or paying for it!)
Check it out!

http://www.medicaretraining.com/1500.htm


Jo An :-)

PFF