HOME BUSINESS FAQS
Is there any special training, classes or courses required for these home businesses
We recommend training, classes or courses in Accounting, Medical Billing and Medical Transcription. For the Data Entry, Word Processing, Clerical, Desktop Publishing, Photography and Writing businesses, we recommend prior work experience of at least 6 months. The Assembly, Craft and Greeting Card businesses do not require experience to get started.
Once you learn how to operate the software and have read the manuals and textbooks provided, you are ready to begin looking for work. This is the case for a majority of the people that purchase our home business packages. You can't become a professional overnight, but you can learn enough to begin working. Once you get that first assignment or client, it becomes a lot easier to find more work because you have acquired the experience and can provide references for the jobs that you have completed.
What are the computer and hardware requirements for the software offered in the home business packages?
| Processor |
Pentium 233MHz |
| RAM |
64 MB |
| Free Hard
Disk Space | 50 MB |
| Video |
800x600, 256 Colors |
| Monitor |
15" |
| Hardware | PC, Keyboard, Mouse, Network Interface Card |
| Online Services | Email and Internet Access |
| Operating System |
Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP Professional (SP1 or later), Windows 2000 (SP3 or later), Windows 98 and Windows 95 |
Is there a demand for these types of home businesses?
Depending on how you advertise and the kind of experience you possess, there is a demand for any business you choose to start. For the Accounting, Data Entry, Word Processing, Writing, Medical Transcription and Medical Billing businesses, experience may be a factor in how fast you find work, but it will not limit the amount of employment opportunities. The more you do accounting, data entry, medical billing, word processing, medical transcription and writing - the better you will become so you can actually gain more experience everytime you perform an assignment or task which will increase the demand for your services because of the growing experience and credentials of your business. You do not need on-the-job experience for every job. The demand for Data Entry, Medical Transcription, Greeting Card, Craft, Photography and Writing businesses is always high. It may be even higher during certain times of the year such as during the summer and the holidays.
How do I market and find clients for the home businesses? Do you provide additional help with marketing and locating work for the businesses?
We include marketing information with each business package. The business software has information about marketing your business and a book about marketing your services. We also provide additional information about Marketing your home business in the Home Business Links section of our website. Plus we offer a Marketing Package which will include all the essential marketing and advertising tools your business will need to get started. Our Marketing Packages are catered to each business and individual. All of our business packages include HEA Membership.
How long will it take to receive the package and get started?
Once you order a home business package, you should receive the package within 1 to 2 weeks. The Medical Transcription and Medical Billing business packages may take 2 to 3 weeks to arrive because of the number of items in the package. Software used in our packages are constantly being updated and changed and we have to make sure we have the most recent version of the software available. On rare occasions, we may run out of books or software and have to reorder a new shipment. If this happens, it may take 3 to 4 weeks for your package to arrive. However, 1 to 2 weeks is the normal amount of time. You should be able to get started as soon as you receive the business books, manuals and textbooks and learn how to use the software that is included with the package. Many of the books included with the packages can also be used as references for people who already have experience in the industry. If you purchase a payment plan, the complete package will be shipped after the last payment has been received.
What kind of support do you offer?
We offer unlimited online support for as long as you need it, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We understand the hassles and problems of starting a business from home so we make sure you can get the help you need. You can contact us with any problems you have relating to our home businesses, services or products and we will try to answer it to the best of our knowledge.
If I decide to purchase one of your Home Business packages, what will I need to do?
To purchase any of our services or products, please click on the link below to purchase a product. We accept Credit Cards, Google, PayPal and payment via mail by Money Order, Check or Cashier's Check.
Which medical billing software package should I purchase? What is the difference between the packages?
If you are a beginner, operating a home business with less than 2 employers, all you may need is the Basic Medical Billing package to get started.
If you have experience and running an established small business or a business with over 5 employers, you may want to consider the Advanced Medical Billing package with added features and benefits for your business. The software can handle a larger amount of doctors and claims.
If you are starting a small to medium size dental billing business, our AltaPoint Dental Billing package should suit your needs just fine. This software also has patient accounting and practice management.
The Basic Medical Billing package is the most popular package and the one we recommend for medical billers. This package should be sufficient for small to large businesses especially if you are planning on working from a single computer.
Is there a demand for Medical Billers and Claims Processors? How is the competition?
Filing claims electronically takes approximately 48 hours, compare this to an average of 10 weeks for paper claims. The effect of utilizing electronic claims processing can have a tremendous impact on the aging of accounts receivable and an accelerating positive effect on cash flow. There are over 2 million healthcare providers in the US. Only 30% of medical claims are filed electronically. The market is wide-open for someone who wishes to establish a Medical Billing and Claims processing business.
Don't doctors prefer to file and submit their own electronic claims?
Unfortunately, the average doctor is not in a position to begin electronic claims filing, and if they were, the doctors probably couldn't keep up with the changes in requirements anyway. Many healthcare providers strive to keep overhead costs low. Therefore, they use electronic claims filing services to cut turnaround time, free up personnel for other tasks, drastically reduce error rates as well as get substantially better claims management at a significantly lower cost. Doctors and healthcare providers will not be required to purchase new, upgraded or additional computer equipment or claims processing software. Additionally, they will not have to hire people or train current employees to do electronic claims filing. By using your services, they no longer have the expense of upgrading software and retraining staff when claims procedures and requirements change.
How much time will have I have to spend on this business? Can I work on my business part-time?
Medical Billing businesses provide the ultimate flexibility. The amount of time you invest in your business is entirely up to you. You can operate your business from your home any time of the day, any day of the week. Many billers and claims processors who wish to maximize their earning potential may prefer to work full-time. However, if you are only interested starting the business to supplement a spouse's income or your own, you will be able to work less than 10 hours a week and still make enough money.
Do I need any previous medical billing experience to start?
Any experience in medical billing is an asset and can help you find employment faster. We have designed this package to include all the information and supplies you will need to get started immediately. The more claims you file and process, the more experience you will receive. You will be able to run the business without extensive experience in medical billing or claims processing.
Do I need to know medical terminology to do Medical Billing?
It is preferable, but the medical codes are provided by the physicians you service. We also provide up-to-date ICD-9-CM medical codes on disk for your convenience.
What other expenses will I have? What is a clearinghouse and how much will I have to pay them to submit and process claims?
Other expenses can include postage for mailing, stationery, marketing and phone calls. Clearinghouses gather claims information, electronically from various sources such as your business. The clearinghouse then edits, formats and submits this information to insurance companies such as Medicare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield for payment. Clearinghouses have the ability to meet the specific requirements of each insurance company and their specific computer formats. Therefore, they can submit claims to any insurance company that accepts electronic claims. Clearinghouses charge a $50.00 to $300.00 setup fee, a $0 to $50.00 fee per doctor and a $0.30 to $0.50 fee per claim filed.
My major concern is marketing and advertising my business because I am not a salesperson. How do I advertise and find clients for my business?
We offer Marketing and Advertising Packages for all of our home businesses. Our marketing tools are designed to give you a head start in finding work as well as provide professional looking advertisements, presentations and letters to send to potential clients. Our Marketing Package has all the information and supplies required to make a good first impression.
|
