How To Start And Grow 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.

Physicians have responsibilities, not the least of which is tending to patients. There is precious little time to deal with administrative functions. Billing services can be a godsend, particularly when they are external to a practice. Most budgets do not include staff and space for the service. Hence this vital area falls to an outside service. The opportunity becomes yours.

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.

Given the low overhead and modest initial costs, billing is a great self-run enterprise. You can work when and how you want, but you must be accessible, reliable, communicative, and meet all claim filing deadlines. Never let anything slide under the rug. Getting good software may take a bit of research, but in the long run it will help everything flow smoothly and efficiently.

Operating your business is the next step. You must have a procedure for handling insurance claims. You must have a follow up system that leaves no stone unturned. You must have a thorough knowledge of CPT and ICD-9 codes that appear on superbills. Professional training can help you put all this into place.

One of your biggest decisions is your payment model. Are you going to charge by the hour or a flat monthly rate? Do you want a percentage of profits? You may use a different method for individual clients. Remember to allocate some funds for advertising, growth, and development.

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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