Colom Newbie

After hundreds of interviews with medical billing school graduates I have come to the conclusion that these programs are typically a waste of time and money. Graduates are simply not qualified to start as a medical biller. They are not significantly more qualified than individuals with no experience and no training.

Typically graduates we hire from medical billing school start in our apprenticeship program alongside individuals that have not graduated from medical billing school (i.e., they start in the exact same role as folks that have not made the investment in money or time for medical billing school).

The reason for this is that the academic knowledge gained from medical billing school rarely translates well into practical, hands on medical billing skills. If anything, medical billing companies find that we have to undo incorrect concepts and lessons that have been learned in medical billing school. In addition, medical billing students often believe they have nothing left to learn and this makes them poor students in the real lessons of medical billing.

Most individuals would be much better off saving their money and finding a medical billing company or medical practice that will let them join and start with basic medical billing work such as calling on claims to verify status or verifying patient insurance information before the visit.

These tasks are critical to successful medical billing and they build a strong base of medical billing skills. In addition, you will earn an income while building a resume that can get you a more advanced medical billing job.

Finding a company that will allow you to start with these basic medical billing tasks may take a bit more effort than applying to medical billing school, but in the end you will have better medical billing skills, have a better resume and earn money while you learn the medical billing craft.

The certified coder that does not already have medical billing experience is typically hard pressed to find a coding position. Once, however, your have medical billing experience you can get real value from a certified coder certificate.

If you have your heart set on becoming a medical biller then please do not start with medical billing school. You will serve both yourself and your future medical billing departments better following the path outlined above.

Copyright 2008 by Carl Mays II