Medical coding and transcription can’t always be performed at home, especially with strict privacy policies and guidelines. However, there are many companies that hire home-based workers with the skills and experience to provide both services. Keep in mind, however, that it’s very difficult for entry-level, inexperienced candidates to get hired to perform such work from home. This is by no means the “get-rich-quick” line of work that many mistakenly perceive it to be.

Medical coders and billers collaborate to ensure that healthcare providers are paid for their services. Coders analyze the documentation provided to assign diagnostic and procedural codes. This information must be properly recorded for the reimbursement process. Coders may also get involved in medical research and statistics in an effort to properly assign reimbursement codes. Medical billers prepare and submit claims to insurance companies or the government, primarily medicare, in order to obtain payment for services provided by a health-care professional.

Medical Transcription is a specialized field in which specialists interpret and transcribe dictation by doctors and other health-care professionals. The information is usually recorded onto digital voice-processing systems or tape.

In most cases, in addition to the proper training, you must have your own computer, high-speed Internet access, and, where applicable, headphones and a foot pedal. In an effort to weed out the poor quality schools, the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (formerly the American Association for Medical Transcription), in conjunction with the American Health Information Management Association, has been approving medical transcription schools based on the AHDI Model Curriculum. Training resources:

CareerStep.com
AHIMA.org
AHDIonline.org

Some companies also require you to have your own software; others will provide it. In addition to finding appropriate employers online by searching Google or the big job boards, you can check out the opportunities with
www.mmodal.com
www.amphionmedical.com

If you’re interested in starting your own coding or transcription business, begin with medical offices in your area. Ask the doctors you know how they handle such tasks and offer to provide your services. As with any new business, expect to get many rejections before you finally get a yes. Then remember, if you can get one yes, you can get two, then four and so on.

You must use caution when visiting these sites. Even though they contain a lot of legitimate information, they also lead to links to stuff that’s not legit. Be cautious about the sites and the ads you see and NEVER respond to check-cashing, wire transfer or Western Union related offers.