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Career Development Denise Alexander
For some, working from home is a dream come true – you can save time and money on commuting and be more available to your family while in your home office.
Medical billing is one of the most ideal work-from-home jobs because so much of it can be done on a computer and by phone. If you look on a job search website, chances are you’ll find an opening for medical billers that will allow you to work remotely. Some of these remote positions might require on-site work once the coronavirus pandemic subsides, but there’s no doubt many medical billing professionals have flexibility with where – and sometimes when – they work.
Here’s a look at what it takes to start in the medical billing field, career outlook, possible work locations and best practices for working from home.
Medical billing is a growing career and job titles are likely to be medical billers or something similar, such as medical insurance representatives or medical billing and insurance associates.
Medical billing is similar to medical coding – and some people might do both jobs, especially in small medical offices. Medical billing, however, is focused on making sure medical information is accurate so the office or healthcare facility can file a successful insurance claim. Medical billers will post payments to patient accounts and deal with denials and rejections from insurance companies.
Medical billing professionals can start in several healthcare settings according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), such as:
Just with any career, there are some skills that can help you excel in your career. The ability to communicate clearly and confidently is important for this position, as medical billers will work with insurance companies and patients. Sometimes the conversations can become difficult, which is why medical billers need to be calm and organized.
Medical billers should also be proficient in software that helps medical offices/systems manage the billing process.
Specific tasks for medical billers include:
The requirements for medical billing positions will vary based on the healthcare provider, but it can certainly help a job applicant to have a diploma or associate degree in the field, as well as recognition as a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).
Herzing University offers both diploma and associate online programs for prospective billing and coding specialists:
While your goal might be to work from home, it is up to your work to determine whether that arrangement works best for them.
There are a variety of workplace locations for a medical biller – from a large hospital system to a doctor's practice. Sometimes the decision on whether to allow a work-from-home arrangement comes down to costs and preference of the supervisor or owner.
For example, a large hospital might make a business decision to allow all of its medical billers to work remotely, while a physician’s office might prefer to keep its billers in the office to work directly with staff and patients while also communicating with insurance companies by phone.
Also, it’s important to be patient – some employers might want to wait until they know you and your work style before they allow a remote working arrangement. The option to work from home is generally for professionals who have been in the field for a little while- so don't be discouraged if you can't find an entry-level remote position right after graduation!
If you work from home, you will need to concentrate on the tasks at hand. This is why some employers want you to have a home office so you can work from home with limited distractions.
Here are some considerations as you set up a home workspace:
Interested in starting an online program? Learn more about our medical billing and coding program options!
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
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