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Insurance Handbook for the Medical Office 13 th edition. Chapter 18 Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement. Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement.
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Insurance Handbook for the Medical Office 13th edition Chapter 18 Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement
Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement Prepare to find a position as an insurance billing specialist, claims assistance professional, or electronic claims processor. State types of certification and registration available to insurance billers and coders. State various actions to take to search for a job. Search online for employment opportunities. Lesson 18.1
Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement (cont’d) List guidelines for completing a job application form. Compose a letter of introduction to accompany the résumé. Analyze education and experience to prepare a résumé. Prepare responses to interview questions. Lesson 18.1
Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement (cont’d) Identify illegal interview questions. Name the items to assemble for a job portfolio. Explore the business aspects of self-employment. Lesson 18.1
Employment Opportunities • Insurance billing and coding job choices • Insurance billing specialist • Electronic claims processor (ECP) • Medicare or Medicaid billing specialist • Claims assistance professional (CAP) • Coding specialist (freelance or employed) • Physician Coding Specialist (PCS)
Employment Opportunities • Certified coders and insurance billers • Certified Medical Billing Specialist (CMBS) • Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) • Certified Professional Coder (CPC) • Certified Professional Coder – Apprentice (CPC-A) • Certified Professional Coder – Hospital (CPC-H) • Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) • Certified Coding Specialist-Physician (CCS-P) • Certified Electronic Claims Processor (CECP)
Employment Opportunities • Certified coders and insurance billers • Certified Claims Assistance Professional (CCAP) • Facility Coding Specialist (FCS) • Health Care Reimbursement Specialist (HRS) • National Certified Insurance Coding Specialist (NCICS) • Registered Medical Coder (RMC)
Job Search • Join a professional organization • Attend meetings and workshops • Contact school placement personnel • Spread the word • Contact pharmaceutical representatives • Public and private employment agencies • Inquire at state and federal employment agencies
Job Search • Seek part-time employment • Check bulletin boards in hospital and clinic offices • Check with local medical society • Consult phone book or medical society roster for professional offices or hospitals • Send a blind mailing • Check Million DollarDirectory
Job Search • Visit the Chamber of Commerce • Check the newspaper • Telephone job hot lines of large medical clinics • Visit unannounced (“cold calls”) • Attend job fairs
Online Job Search • Explore the Internet: • Employment Web sites • Search engines (Yahoo, Google, etc.) • Job banks and databases • Bulletin board postings • Computerized job search companies
Application • Guidelines for preparing an application • Read the whole application form • Read the fine print and instructions • Print, be careful of abbreviating • Complete the application in ink • Use data from portfolio, sample application form, or résumé that have been checked for accuracy
Application • Guidelines for preparing an application • List correct dates of previous employment • Name specific skills • Use “negotiable” or “flexible” for salary amount • Sign the application • Reread the entire form
Letter of Introduction • Suggested content for letter of introduction • Spend time and effort preparing a cover letter • Do not use generic cover letters; address them to a specific individual • Do not repeat everything in your résumé in the cover letter • Reread the letter for typos and grammatical errors • Avoid the use of “I” in the sentence structure
Résumé • Chronologic résumé • Functional résumé • Combination résumé
Résumé • Résumé format • Title • Heading • Summary • Education • Professional experience • Skills • References • Final details
Interview • Preparing for an interview • Concentrate on good grooming and fresh, relaxed look • Wear appropriate clothing • Eliminate nervous habits • Research possible salaries • Practice interviewing with a friend • Choose a good time and arrive promptly • Prepare a portfolio
Interview • After the interview • Shake the interviewer’s hand before you leave • Ask the interviewer when the decision will be made, and thank the interviewer • Write a follow-up letter • Telephone the interviewer
Interview • Illegal interview questions • Marital status • Family planning • Pregnancy • Provision for child care • Religious preference • Club memberships • Height and weight • Dependents • Age (birth date)
Self-Employment • Becoming self-employed • Gain years of experience • Get sufficient funds to run business for 1 year or more • Network • Check zoning on home offices • Rent a post office box • Use a lawyer and CPA • Keep good records • Buy necessary equipment
Self-Employment • New business checklist • Choose an address to use (home, PO box) • Obtain a business license • File a fictitious business name • Contact IRS or Franchise Tax Board • Obtain insurance • Contact phone company • Open bank account • Order business cards, stationery, logo, etc. • Advertise
Self-Employment • Insurance needs for self-employed • Property insurance • Disability insurance • Health insurance • Life insurance • Business interruption insurance • Professional liability insurance
Self-Employment • Elements of the contract • Who does the coding? • Will claims be filed electronically? • What is the per claim processing fee? • Who is responsible for rebilling? • Who will handle collection procedures? • Who pays for rebilling, photocopying of records, mailing fees, and clearinghouse charges? • Under whose name will bills be sent to patients?
Self-Employment • Elements of the contract • Will the billing service phone number appear on the statement? • How will the telephone be answered? • What are the charges for coding consultation services? • What are the coverage arrangements for absence or illness?
Self-Employment • Keeping up-to-date • Specialization (certification and registration) • Professional organizations and associations • Mentoring • Networking