Make a Client Smile Tip #4

Bring your clients all your left over Easter candy.  Hide it in the courier bag.  When they groan at the extra calories, just smile and say "If I have to gain weight, then I'm taking all of you down with me!"  If that doesn't get a laugh after the Easter holiday, then not much will.  You can all join Weight Watchers together next week.  Business offices are a great way to get rid of any leftover food that you don't want to keep at home.

Happy Easter everyone!

Lori

Enthusiasm...

Happy Easter everyone!  Whatever your beliefs are I hope that you had a great day surrounded by those that you love.  In my own background I am compelled to say "He is Risen!"

I got to spend the day with a good friend today.  Ok, a good, cute friend.  Ok, ok, a good, cute, single friend who asked me to help him do something.  What's the something?  Start a business.  I gladly said "OK!"

As we got so spend our afternoon together today, I realized the pure enthusiasm that he has for what he wants to do, and it dawned on me, there is no better way to be prepared for anything - whether it be learning a new craft, making a holiday dinner, or starting a business.  If you believe in yourself and are willing to put your heart and soul behind whatever you are doing, dedication and success will surely follow.

Now that's not to say that you still don't have to take the time and learn what you are doing.  There is no replacement for knowledge and a good solid business plan.  But if there's one thing that can encourage and uplift you when times get hard, there's nothing like enthusiasm.

So remember as we all start this journey, keep your heads up, a smile on your face, and leap forward knowing that we CAN do this.  Nothing will stop us because we are going to make it!

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Marketing Your Medical Billing Service
Sinclair Publications, 2011
available in ebook format only
See http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, or http://www.sinclairinkspot.com.market/

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

A word about confidentiality...

Something came up this week that has hit really close to home with me.  That is patient confidentiality.  I cannot stress enough how important this is.  Someone that I was close to non-chalantly made a comment to me about a recent doctor visit that I'd had.  The problem was I had never told this person about the appointment.  When I asked how they knew about it, they began to back pedal and change the story.    That hurt me on a number of levels.  First, my trust in that office has now been broken.  That is probably the biggest thing for me.  I no longer know if they have my best interests at heart.  Second, it is actually a violation of federal law to divulge something.  Even anything as casual as "how did your appointment go" can get you into some serious trouble.  Now, I don't know what this person knows and what they don't know, or who else knows it.  Even though, by the world's standards, there's nothing that will make the cover of the NYT, it is personal and private to me and I would like to keep it that way.

So, please remember, above all else, if you ever see a name that you recognize, you cannot divulge anything in any way.  Don't go home and mention it to your spouse, tell your kids, blog about it, or yell it from the rooftops.  Whatever you see, stays in the office.  Or, to paraphrase the Vegas commercials:  What happens at work, stays at work.

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Marketing Your Medical Billing Service
Sinclair Publications, 2011
available in ebook format only
See http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, or http://www.sinclairinkspot.com.market/

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

Make a Client Smile Tip #3

Today is April Fool's Day.  Tell your client a joke.  Don't get too carried away.  Careful with the off color ones.  And remember the big three no-no's in the workplace (politics, religion, and sex).  Other than that, (or uness you know your clients really well), tell them a joke that will bring a smile to their faces all day.  Believe me, they will appreciate it.

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

When is a contract a good one?

I was asked this question this week, and much to my dismay the answer turned into a "discussion" with a family member, and then ended in a near argument.  The problem is that the person that I was discussing the contract with has absolutely no experience in this field, and no idea what they were talking about.  I had to tell them that I have been doing this for 30 years now, and I know the value of a good deal when I see it.  They did not agree.  So, that led me to try and look at things from their perspective.   The question is:  When is a contract a good one?

The answer:

When it works for you.

Yes, it really is that simple.  If both parties are having their needs met, and both are comfortable with the compensation, then it is a good contract.  Sure, I can give you hints and tips about negotiating a contract.  Is there going to be a better deal out there?  Inevitably.  If you had negotiated harder, could you have gotten more?  Possibly, maybe even probably.

Is is worth losing sleep over?  NO.

If you have negotiated a contract, and you feel it is a good one, then take a deep breath, relax, and let's get to work.  Try not to listen to the advice of others, unless they are an expert in the field.  Then, weigh the advice for what it is worth to you, but in the end, do what you're going to do anyway;  make your own decision.  Let's not compare ourselves to other businesses or other people.  Learn to be a confident individual, knowledgeable, and ready to work.  This is what makes happy self-employed people.

(Hint:  put a time limit in your contracts.  To be renegotiated every 6 months, or year.  That way if you are in something that you don't like or can't handle, you have a back door... something to think about).

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Marketing Your Medical Billing Service
Sinclair Publications, 2011
available in ebook format only
See http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, or http://www.sinclairinkspot.com.market/

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

http://www.medicalbillingservice.blogspot.com/

Continuing education... it never stops.

One thing that I can tell you about this business is that it is ever evolving, ever changing, and ever challenging.  I spent my morning researching  a rather complicated issue involving admits, discharges, and same-day readmissions to a rehab facility.  There were so many new regulations since the last time that I researched this same issue some time back that it surprised me.  But, as the face of healthcare changes, so do the rules.  As new and different problems arise, a new regulation is made to accommodate for it.  So, as the commercial says, "Never Stop Learning".  Especially when it comes to your career.

Check with your local insurance companies.  Many offer training online.  Others offer in-person seminars and workshops to help with billing issues, and every insurance company has a provider rep that can help you.  Medicare and Medi-caid have their billing manuals online as well. 

Read.  Read.  Read.  Absorb all of the information that you can.

Never Stop Learning.  The more you know, the more you can make!

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Marketing Your Medical Billing Service
Sinclair Publications, 2011
available in ebook format only
See http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, or http://www.sinclairinkspot.com.market/

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

http://www.medicalbillingservice.blogspot.com/

So, what do I do first?

So, the biggest looming question that I seem to get the most, is actually the most simple. 

How do I begin?

Before any major purchase, such as a car or a house, you always set a price range that you will be willing to spend.  A business is no different.  If you are financing the purchase, figure out what payment you are able to pay, or if you are financing the start up yourself through savings or credit cards, what is your limit?  Although it would be nice to go to the bank and get a loan to start your business, unfortunately most lending institutions won't give you money without any collaterol - and with no business, you don't really have anything to put down.  Some people will take out a second mortgage on their house, but in all honesty, this really isn't necessary.  You can either save up yourself, borrow from relatives, or finance with credit cards.  But how much are we really talking about?

Start up costs can be minimal.  You can get a good, reliable software program for under $1,000 these days.  That will be the biggest single purchase to start.  Now it probably will not be the nicest billing program in the world (and believe me, every salesman in the book will be quick to point that out), but it will get the job done in the first year.  Then, when money is coming in and things are rolling, you can convert to a program that is more suited to your needs.   Beyond that, you will need your office set up (preferably an office in your own home until you have money coming in); a small desk and office equipment.  A reliable computer will be your next most pricey purchase, but even those are coming down significantly anymore. 

So my first piece of advice is simple:  Budget and shop.

Once you have these two things determined, then it is time to move forward...

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Marketing Your Medical Billing Service
Sinclair Publications, 2011
available in ebook format only
See http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, or http://www.sinclairinkspot.com.market/

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

http://www.medicalbillingservice.blogspot.com/