If you only look at the online ads for medical coding software, you might think that medical coding at home is darn near a goldmine. In fact, medical coding at home job “opportunities” are regularly on the Better Business Bureau’s Top Ten scam list.
What too many scammers try to do is sell you some software and a list of potential clients in your area. Hint: look them up in your phone book. After forking over a thousand bucks or so, potential coders soon realize that a having the software isn’t enough.
There are some legitimate ways to work from home as a medical coder, but not by forking over some money for software.
The key to getting started as a medical coder working at home for a physician or other health care provider or as an owner of your business is to begin with your credentials. Take the time (six months to a year) to get the training you need to be able to do the job well and to get hired by clients who need you. It will cost more than $1,000, but the money will be an investment in your future.
Telecommuting
About one-third of medical coders who work for health care providers are able to work from home. However, most of them began working for the physician at the physician’s office, often for at least six months to a year.
The physician generally wants to get to know the coder, see his or her work on a daily basis and make sure it meets the practice standards and the physician’s expectations. Once the coder has proven herself over a period of time, the physician may then feel more comfortable allowing the coder to work from home at least a portion of the time.
Owning Your Own Business
For many people, owning your own business seems like a dream come true. For most people who start their own business, there is little reason to invest in a franchise. To successfully operate your own business, you will have to become very knowledgeable in numerous areas. If you are going to have more than one client, you will need to familiarize yourself with invoices, taxes, marketing, creating and maintaining a website and more.
However, the freedom of owning your own business means you can make choices about how you spend your time, (you won’t work any less probably, but you can usually set your own hours), and how high you want to set your rate. While you have some limitations due to competition, medical coding is an in-demand area and you should be able to command professional rates.
Getting Started
One of the best resources for starting your own business is absolutely free. Called SCORE, the non-profit group consists of retired executives who offer their time and mentoring for free for people beginning their own business. Their online library is full of resources, and you can find out about online webinars, teleconferences and getting matched with a mentor. Go to www.score.org for the help you need to get your business started right.
Angie Boss is an award-winning health industry writer and author or co-author of several books, including Before Your Time: Living Well with Premature Menopause (Simon and Schuster, 2010). She received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Sociology and Journalism from Virginia Wesleyan College and a Masters of Pastoral Counseling from Union Theological Seminary.
