Starting The Business Of Medical Billing In Fort Wayne

By Jordan Schmidt


A good billing agency is the right-hand partner for a medical practice. Every physician has to make the decision to go for medical billing in Fort Wayne or have it outsourced. It is a vital financial decision that affects the revenues of the company as well as the overhead. The health care industry is growing, making this area an exciting new business prospect.

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.

Billing services are vital to doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, social workers, and more. They have enough to do with providing quality patient care. Eliminating the billing burden makes sense. So much can be done electronically--away from the core facility. As the link between providers and patients, you must have a sound communication plan. You must acquire billing expertise and knowledge of relevant law. You can limit or expand your services as you see fit, choosing to concentrate of one or more specialties.

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.

Getting experience is key: it takes experience and testimonials to bring new clients on board. You can hope for referrals through word of mouth and medical organizations. Once you get past initial startup costs, you are on your way. You can work from home or a rented office where you can permanently display your computer system and related gear. A multi-user phone system is a prerequisite. Plan for expansion so you don't have to disrupt the flow of work to move.

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.

Operating a business can be a breeze if you have planned ahead. Attention to detail, reliability, and thoroughness are key traits to acquire. You must have your eyes open to relevant changes in the medical industry regarding CPT and ICD-9 coding. You will depend on office superbills but you must maintain your own level of accuracy. Also in the mix is the acquiring of a proper license (such as a Home Occupation Permit) and a payment model for your clients.

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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