| In this troubled economy, the field of medical billing | | | | practices such as basic physical therapy billing and |
| seems to offer many opportunities for employment | | | | chiropractic billing. |
| in a demanded profession, promising job security to | | | | Although this profession can offer a work-at-home |
| those willing to learn the trade. However, can a | | | | opportunity, it does come with its drawbacks. There |
| career in billing be the key for those looking for | | | | have been reports of fraud on the part of billing |
| secure work these days? | | | | professionals as late as June 2009. Also, if one is |
| Anyone with Internet access can learn this particular | | | | fortunate enough to earn a certificate in medical |
| skill. One can start a medical billing company as a | | | | billing, one might still have to search job banks and |
| work-at-home business. The industry has its own | | | | postings to find a suitable position as a billing |
| software such as Quicken Health Expense Tracker | | | | professional. |
| that allows customers to manage expenses and pay | | | | Why Medical Billing? With the current healthcare |
| bills. However, one must be careful when choosing | | | | debate, the entire healthcare system is making some |
| software for its compatibility with the Health | | | | significant changes and billing is one of those areas |
| Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 | | | | that will see crucial changes in its operation. The |
| (HIPAA). | | | | World Health Organization's old ICD-10 system has |
| There is even a professional organization specifically | | | | more than nine times as many codes as the current |
| for the billing industry, The American Medical Billing | | | | system coming into its place. President Obama has |
| Association (AMBA). The AMBA itself offers online | | | | called for all medical records to be digitized by 2014, |
| billing courses for those interested in investing time | | | | overriding the WHO's system that has been in place |
| energy and money in this career. | | | | since 1977. |
| These types of courses cover various aspects of | | | | The medical billing industry has taken notice. As of |
| billing and health care from basics such as office lingo, | | | | June 2009, the AMBA reported its numbers have |
| office collections, insurance, Medicare, compliance | | | | risen from about 900 members to about 1200 |
| guidelines and abuse. Courses in risk management and | | | | members in three years. More people are looking for |
| disaster planning are also on hand to help students | | | | business opportunities and with electronic billing |
| prepare for worst-case scenarios and unexpected | | | | phasing out of paper options, a medical billing |
| trials. There are also opportunities to learn specialized | | | | company may be a rather attractive option. |