Medical Billing from Home - A Legitimate Business Opportunity?

Posted on August 16, 2007 by Ginger Watford

Are you looking for a home-based business opportunity in which you can not only earn a living but also make a different in the process?  If so, consider medical billing.

Perhaps you’ve seen television spots advertising medical billing opportunities and have questioned whether they are “for real.”  After all, what exactly is medical billing?  And is it really possible to earn a living by starting a home-based medical billing business?

There is no doubt that healthcare is a booming industry in developed countries throughout the world.  And while many people automatically imagine that that a career in this field requires years of medical schooling, advanced degrees, and 16-hour work days, the fact is that the industry offers unique opportunities for people just like you to earn an income while working from the comfort of their own homes.

So what exactly is medical billing?  Quite simply, it is a service that helps doctors get paid.  According to Entrepreneur.com, “most doctors and other health-care providers have no idea how to get themselves paid quickly and efficiently, if at all, by either insurers or patients who are also waiting for that check to arrive in the mail.”

You see, in medical school, while physicians-in-training learn the intricacies of modern medicine, they do not learn the science of effectively running a business, which involves billing and receiving payment for services rendered.  Medical billing services are the supports that allow doctors and healthcare providers to get paid so they can continue to do their jobs. 

In fact, because of their value within the medical profession, medical billing businesses have won a spot in the top three work-from-home business opportunities. 

Are you ready to jump on board?

WHY A MEDICAL BILLING BUSINESS?
One of the best aspects of owning your own medical billing business is that you have options.  You can choose whether you want to service one medical specialty – such as pediatrics – or many.  Additionally, you can target healthcare provider groups, nursing homes, medical device manufacturers, and more.

Let’s take a look at the basics that are required to start a successful home-based medical billing business.

As Entrepreneur.com points out, start-up costs for a medical billing business are relatively low, making this type of opportunity ideal for individuals who do not wish to make a hefty initial investment.  Additionally, inventory requirements are also minimal, making the business easy to operate from your home.   Entrepreneur.com has compiled the following list of everything you will need to launch your own medical billing business.

• Computer system with a modem and a printer  

• Fax machine

• Medical billing software and/or business opportunity fee    

• Clearinghouse    

• Reference materials    

• CMS 1500 forms (previously known as an HCFA 1500 form)*

• Phone

• Voice mail or answering machine

• Stationary and office supplies

• Postage

*A CMS 1500 form is simply a billing form maintained by the National Uniform Billing Committee. 

The low start-up costs coupled with this limited inventory make it easy to see why medical billing from home is growing in popularity among entrepreneurs.

Medical Billing Software: The Most Important Tool for Your Business
Once you’ve decided to start a home-based medical billing business, you will need to purchase appropriate computer program to manage your business. 

Many people will tell you that selecting the right software is one of the most important business decisions you will make, as your software will serve as the core of all your business operations.  While it is true that the program you select is vital, there are alternatives available that are internet-based and require no software installation at all.

USA FOR HEALTHCLAIMS
This comprehensive business opportunity is a medical billing service business … and more.  In fact, USA for Healthclaims is a full-service marketing firm.  What does this mean for you?  It means that not only does the company provide the software that you need to run your business, but it also helps you market your services to medical professionals. 

When you begin with USA for Healthclaims, the company will actually provide you with the names, addresses, and phone numbers of up to 250 potential clients in your area.  However, you are not limited to servicing healthcare providers only in your area, and with USA for Healthclaims, you can process claims for clients anywhere in the country.

This is truly a unique business opportunity, providing great income potential as well as the ability to work from home.  For more information on how you can join this growing industry, click here. 

AMERICAN BILLING SYSTEMS, INC.
American Billing Systems is more than a home-based business opportunity.  It is an anywhere-based business opportunity.  That’s right.  With American Billing Systems, you can carry out your business from any location; all you need is a computer and an Internet connection.

The reason is that American Billing Systems does not offer medical billing software; rather, it offers an Application Service Provider (ASP) which allows you to process claims 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any Internet-connected computer.

Additionally, because of this unique feature, you have the option of allowing doctors’ staff to have limited access to patient records.  The benefit of this is that the staff can enter claims directly from their offices.  Then, all you need to do is process the claims from the comfort of your own home – or from an Internet café anywhere in the world!

If you’d like to receive more information on American Billing Systems, simply click here and fill out the information request form.

As the healthcare industry continues to grow, healthcare providers will continue to need topnotch medical billing services.  Get started today, and become a part of this exciting industry.