Coding is as much an art as it is a science. For example, if the surgeon removes an appendix at the same time he does the operating the way the coder sends the information to the billing department can make a difference of thousands of dollars. This is why coders have gained so much more recognition in the past few years.

The medical and healthcare industry continues to grow at a rapid rate. With this growth come the jobs. However, Medicare and third party insurance companies have put in place strict compensation guidelines that health care professionals must follow in order to get paid.

Job description

Medical coders analyze the health care provider’s documentation so they can record information for the health care reimbursement process, and assist in medical research and statistics. Although many doctors would rather collect payment immediately after the office visit or hospital stays, it is just not possible today. Majority of people now have health insurance. To get reimbursed, fees for medical services need to be handled by filling a claim with the patient’s health insurance providers, government entities, or managed care organization.

The medical coder does not make up codes or code from memory. Each type of encounter, services, supplies and procedures, tests and treatments provided to a patient have a code which consists of a set of numbers and combinations of sets of numbers. Even simple complaints such as a bruised elbow have a specific code. The coder selects appropriate codes from different existing coding systems for different purposes.

Filling a claim for reimbursement involves examining patient’s records; identify diagnoses then selecting the appropriate codes for the services preformed. It is the responsibility of the medical coder to correctly code data from the medical record into alphanumeric codes.

In order to find the codes, the medical coder uses standard industry code books: ICD for diagnoses, CPT for procedures and HCPCS for Medicare claims. Medical coders also have to enter these codes into databases and submit associated claims electronically for each encounter efficiently.

Medical research constantly leads to new discoveries. Medical coders must be up to date with new approaches and techniques and understand them when filling a claim. In order to stay current, medical coders are expected to takes classes throughout their career.
Requirements

There are over 10,000 codes that a coder has to choose from. Coding is anything but simple. Therefore employers prefer to have trained, certified employees. A medical coder should be proficient with different types of regulations, insurance plans and codes. Those looking to become medical coders should have high school courses in algebra, biology, computer skills, English, typing, office procedures, data processing, and health occupations/medical professions education. An associate’s degree is highly recommended and is generally two years in lengths.

Medical coders must be organized and detail orientated. Good communication skills are also required. A medical coding certificate can be obtained online and will provide you with the necessary skills to allow you to gain employment in a number of health care facilities.

The courses included the following:
• Expanded Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professionals
• Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Office Professionals
• Medical Coding I
• Medical Coding II
• Medical Insurance and Billing

Wages

The annual average for medical coders is 33,300. There are various things that Medical coders can do to get paid faster and increase their income. Many skilled coders have set up their own coding business at home. In order to be a successful work at home medical coder you need to have a lot of experience, since it is easy to get scammed in this business. Many companies offer supplies and training that are inadequate. Home based medical coders make about $40,000 if they are successful.

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It has become evident that effective customer service is required in order for a business to be profitable. People are no longer willing to accept companies that can not and will not handle customers’ concerns and questions. Many company owners have better things to do then to sit around all day seeing to customers. Instead, they employ customer service representatives who take care of any needs the customer may have. Now however, when a customer calls for customer service they may be talking to someone who is handling their concerns from the comfort of their home. The growing trend throughout North America is focused on handling customer care inquires from their homes.

Work at home customer service opportunities are on the rise. This is not only offers benefits for agents in having work flexibility but companies also get advantages. For instance, they save money on office rent unities, and they can tap into a diverse pool of proficient workers who wouldn’t or aren’t able to work in traditional call centers. This has resulted in improved customer service for many companies including retail, banks, airlines and others. What’s more work at home customer care agents earn more. Traditional call center agents earn about $8-$9 an hour while work at home agents earn $13-$14 an hour.

Are you qualified?
In order to land a job as a virtual customer service agent, where you would handle general calls and provide technical support, you must have a computer, high speed Internet access, and a landline telephone. You will also need basic computer skills, excellent people skills, and a high school education. The key to succeeding as a work at home agent is entrepreneurial skills. You can not be the type of person who needs someone to tell you what to do and when to do it. You have to be self motivated and be able to create your own structure. Prior sales or customer service experience is not required but it is a distinct advantage. Having a second language is also a plus.

Companies may ask applicants to successfully complete a customer service training course and submit to a background check, credit check, and drug testing. Hiring is usually handled on the phone or online.

Business model

Customer service agents work as either an employee or an independent contractor. The main difference between these two business models is that as an independent contractor, it is your responsibility to handle start up costs and taxes:

Alpine Access (www.alpineaccess.com) hires virtual agents as employees.

LiveOps (www.liveops.com), and VIPdesk (www.vipdesk.com), among others, hire agents as independent contractors.

Payment structure

Ask in advanced how the company pays its agents. Tory Johnson, CEO of Women for Hire says that, “some pay hourly from when you clock in to when you clock out. For others, the meter runs only while you’re on an actual call; you’re not paid for downtime between calls.” Research the companies you want to work for and find out how they pay, how much and the work load volume.

With more companies understanding the role customer service plays in their success it can be certain that more companies will be hiring work at home customer care agents to fill this need.

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