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Questions about the billing process in your office - mt2coder

Posted: Jan 26, 2013

How does your billing process work in your place of employment?

How many employees are involved in that process?

What is each person’s job entails?

What is their greatest challenge daily?

Is there any pointer's that they can give you that has helped them on the job site?

I don't know any billers or coders locally to ask these questions so I thought I would get a good variety of answers here. Thanks

Reply - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm assuming that this is a school project. The answers to your questions would require a lot of detail and might also possibly require divulging some confidential information. My suggestion would be to contact facilities in your area and interview their billig/coding managers.

I can't even begin to answer that -- gosh! - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I, too, think that's a school assignment. We have about 100-150 people involved in that process, so answering your questions would be nearly impossible. It would also require me to post some semi-proprietary information online.

The crux of the matter is that you don't know any billers or coders locally. I am familiar enough with college programs in coding and HIT to tell you that the reason you got this assignment was NOT for your education. It was more to get you involved with the local HIM, coding and/or billing community. So that you could build contacts and network for a job when you finish your program.

What I'm going to tell you now could help you with your assignment and job hunt.

Our billing process involves physicians documenting in writing in the medical record, coders reading that documentation to assign correct codes, billers constructing bills from that in accordance with payer requirements, and coders who review rejected claims to get everything to match. We also have compliance reviewers to conduct audits to make certain we do all of this correctly, from doctors to billers. We have trainers who take all that information and information from other sources to provide all of the above with training to make sure we keep up with changes and do everything right.

Their greatest challenge is keeping up with changing knowledge in terms of coding and billing rules and requirements, and with technologic changes like software and computers.

The pointer they will give you is to immediately begin attending local professional organization meetings and activities. You can get your assignment answered there. You can also make acquaintances who can help you get a job when you graduate.

The purpose of your assignment is to force you to meet up with and talk to people who will improve your chances of getting a job. "Hey, there's this woman I met at the AAPC meeting a few months ago. She comes every month and seems on the ball. Maybe you'd consider her?"

Seriously, that's the best pointer you could get, and I think your instructor will think so, too. Find your local AAPC chapter and start attending those monthly meetings. You'll learn something from the presentation at every one. Arrive looking professional, act professional, and make the best of it. Offer to help with setup and cleanup. JOIN the AAPC and become involved in chapter activities.

Find out from them when the exams will be given. Find out when the reviews will be held. Attend the reviews and take the exams. Once you are certified, even if you do not have a job yet, offer to proctor, set up, clean up, handle mass mailings, whatever.

Get help with your resume. Get help expanding your horizons and furthering your education. Get help putting your name out to employers -- that's where most coders are hired, not from the published ads. (The decision has already been made.)

Another good pointer is to use your contacts to find shadowing opportunities and volunteer activities. Both of those can lead to jobs and you can use both on your resume.

Oh, another pointer . . . never, ever say anything negative on the job and WORK on the job, not socialize. Never gossip. Never talk about anyone. Never talk about yourself or family, except in minimal terms . . . "Yes, we enjoy visiting the beach!" Spend your time at work WORKING and not on the phone with friends and family, not chatting with other employees, and not socializing. Really. You can be pleasant and "sociable," but your time at work is WORK, not social time. Just be too busy to get involved with the turmoil and whatnot.

What? - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
95% of your response has nothing to do with the original question, especially the last paragraph; why did you feel the need to give advice about workplace etiquette?

Look at the last question about - pointers

[ In Reply To ..]
Her last question asked for pointers to help on the job. That was the pointer most of my asociates would give.

It might seem obvious to you, but it is not obvious to everyone. I can't tell you how many coders and billers I see who get let go or who will never advance because they spend their workdays spreading gossip and rumors, are chronically unavailable because they are yakking on their cell phone, or are sitting at the smoking table outside reading paperbacks or are sitting at their desk reading them 15 to 20 minutes of every hour or whenever they "don't have anything to do." Or who cannot leave their office to talk to a provider or attend a meeting because their phone won't work in that part of the hospital and they have to stay available in case their children, mom, husband, boyfrirnd or mechanics call.

If you do not believe this affects hiring, I have se also know of several coding or HIT interns who were not offered a job because they spent their time complaining about their current job and boss, took right up with the smoking break crowd, came in late, had to leave campus to run personal errands, took hours-long lunches, and/or couldn't turn off their cell phone, spent their time texting, spent time giggling over youtube and bothering our employees to watch them. Not to mention several who could not stay awake. Including one who just plain slept.

Did I mention staying awake in my other post?I guess "be accurate" was the expected job tip, but the things I mentioned have a greater effect on you. It takes a lot longer to document inaccuracy and inaccuracy is often forgivn if the employee is not otherwise obnoxious.

I guess I feel those things are not just workplace etiquette. WE would be more like not leaving moldy food in the fridge and not taking up half a shelf with your giant cooler. The things I mentioned are more like job killers. Maybe not in other fields, but definitely in this one.

And I didn't say that I felt the OP had a problem in that area . . . this is an assignment that might be shared with others in her class. THEY are my target! Their teachers, too. (They have no idea what their students are doing!)

These are not easy things to say. People get upset. They don't like hearing that they need to put their phone away, stay off the drugs, show up at work, keep nasty talk to yourself, andd stay awake. They feel that interferes with their rights. But, you know, you still get nonselected and even dehired for them.

So, that is why I talk about them. Apparently, I am a voice crying in the wilderness. If one person can benefit from my cries, then some good will come of it.

mt2coder, you now have enough controversy for a really good paper . . . hope if helps!

Good Grief! - Mobile mayhem!

[ In Reply To ..]
The number of typos in that post should answer the question about whether "Coder" is Redpen. Sheesh!

Good grief indeed! - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
Everything you ever wanted to know (but were afraid to ask)!

Thanks for this answer sm - bystander

[ In Reply To ..]
Please ignore the cats. Thanks for your perspective and the pointers.

Thank you coder, love love love your posts - another MT 2 coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Your posts are always informative and well thought out. I totally agree with your comments on proper work etiquette/behavior! The office politics can be brutal and it is best to rise above them and refuse to participate in any gossip! Please continue posting!

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