As the system for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements has changed significantly in recent times due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, many healthcare providers no longer know how to appropriately code to meet the requirements of the new system. Rather than spending a significant amount of time and energy to train their existing staff on this, many groups are outsourcing this work to third party companies that employ certified home-based coders. If you have been looking for a way to work from home, it may behoove you to learn more about this ever-expanding area of healthcare even if you aren’t currently trained as an HCC (hierarchical condition categories) coder.
1. Aren’t Most “Work From Home” Ads Really Just Scams?
Unfortunately, some unscrupulous individuals choose to lure unsuspecting job seekers into a scam with promises of making money from home by working online. Thankfully, this is not universally true. There are indeed many honest and reputable companies that offer true home-based employment for individuals across the country. Typically, you will fill out a 1099 form and be considered an independent contractor. Payment can be sent via paper check or through an online payment system like PayPal. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate company and a scam. One big red flag to look out for are promises by the company that you can make very large, unrealistic amounts of money per hour or day. You should also check the company out through the Better Business Bureau website.
2. Do I Need to Go Back To School?
That all depends on what kind of knowledge and skill sets you currently possess. If you are working in the healthcare field or have a healthcare-related degree, you may not need to return to school. If you have absolutely no experience or education that relates to HCC coding, you may want to consider obtaining an associate’s degree or certificate in medical coding or health information technology. This is not a required step to becoming a coder, but it may make it significantly easier for you to find employment. You may also want to become certified.
3. How Much Can I Make?
There are quite a few variables to take into consideration when it comes to pay. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical billing and coding technicians earned a median salary over $31,000 in 2009. The biggest variables have to do with how you are paid by the hour, by the job, or salary. If you are seeking home-based coding employment, a good place to begin is with HCC Coders, who employ numerous coding professionals around the country. Please call 877-328-2343 to learn more.