Are you curious about what it’s like to be a medical biller? It is usually perceived that Medical Billing is all about thousands of boring white boxes with black outlines filled with statistics that are horrendously dull. Well, let me tell you, it’s not all boring spreadsheets and paperwork. In fact, the life of a medical biller can be pretty wild and wacky! So, sit back and let me take you on a journey through the average day in the life of a medical biller.
Before we delve into the day to day tasks a medical biller needs to catch up to, let me tell you how crucial the role of a medical biller is in the medical industry. Karen Smiley in her book “Medical Billing and Coding for Dummies” addresses medical billers and says that:
“No other job in the medical field affects more lives than this one (Medical Billing and Coding) because everyone involved in the healthcare experience, from the patient and front office staff to providers and payers, relies on you. You are, so to speak, the touchstone in the medical industry.”
That pretty much explains how crucial the role of a medical biller is in the medical industry. Without skilled medical billers, healthcare providers would struggle to receive payment for the services they provide, and the healthcare system as a whole would be thrown into chaos.
Now let’s get into the topic at hand. Keep in mind that the following workflow can vary depending upon the nature of setting a medical biller is working in. We will take on a very common ground and discuss it.
- Rise and Shine!
First thing first, they wake up and look into space for a considerable amount of time questioning their life choices. (Don’t tell me you don’t do that. I can’t be the only one)
Anyways, after they are done with that, they do whatever their morning rituals are. Then they arrive at their office/ workspace and settle in for the day. They grab a cup of coffee and take a look at their schedule for the day and dread over the fear that they won’t be able to check off everything on the to do list but guess what? 9 out of 10 times they will! And remaining 1 time is universal compensation and they really need to stop beating themselves up for that.
- Get to Work
Once at the office, it’s time to dive into the world of medical billing. This involves going through tens of emails and files, navigating complicated software programs, and dealing with insurance companies. It’s not the most glamorous job, but someone’s got to do it. Their fate was sealed the day they decided to get into the Medical Billing field. Who is to blame?
- Caffeine Break
After a few hours of intense concentration, it’s time for a much-needed coffee break. A medical biller needs to stay alert and focused, and caffeine is the perfect pick-me-up.
- Getting along with difficult people
One of the most challenging aspects of being a medical biller is dealing with difficult people all around the field. Take (difficult) patients as an example. They may have questions about their bills or disputes with their insurance companies. A medical biller needs to have excellent communication skills and be able to handle these situations with grace and professionalism. Dealing with people related to your field is extremely important for a professional medical biller.
- Lunch Time
After a busy morning, it’s time to refuel with a delicious lunch. Whether it’s a sandwich from a nearby deli or leftovers from home, a medical biller needs to keep their energy levels up for the rest of the day just as any other professional.
- Back to work
After lunch, it’s back to the grind. This is the time when a medical biller really needs to buckle down and focus. This means processing more files, entering data into both easy and complex software. A major part of a medical biller’s day goes in entering raw data into software for it to make actual sense and get the claims reimbursed. After that, they are required to follow up on previous claims and see if there are any discrepancies or if something needs their attention to go through a smooth process of reimbursement.
- Don’t be a lone wolf
Working as a medical biller can be a solitary job, so it’s important to have a good relationship with co-workers. This might involve a quick chat in the break room or a game of office ping-pong. A little bit of fun can go a long way towards reducing stress and boosting morale.
- Final Stretch
As the end of the day approaches, it’s time to tie up any loose ends. This might mean making a final phone call to an insurance company or double-checking a claim before submitting it. A medical biller needs to make sure everything is in order before heading home for the day.
- Time to Call it a Day
After a long and busy day, it’s time to head home. A medical biller can feel proud of all the hard work they’ve accomplished and know that they’re making a difference in people’s lives. And who knows? Maybe tomorrow will be even wilder and wackier than today!
Above mentioned routine doesn’t begin to explain how eventful a day of a medical biller can be but it surely portrays the important aspects of it and gives the idea of responsibilities a medical biller has to bear every day.
