Chapter 18 Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement

Copyright ©2014 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved 1

Chapter 18

Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement

Insurance Handbook for the Medical Office

13th edition

Copyright ©2014 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement

1. Prepare to find a position as an insurance billing specialist, claims assistance professional, or electronic claims processor.

2. State types of certification and registration available to insurance billers and coders.

3. State various actions to take to search for a job.

4. Search online for employment opportunities.

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Lesson 18.1


Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement (cont’d)

5. List guidelines for completing a job application form.

6. Compose a letter of introduction to accompany the résumé.

7. Analyze education and experience to prepare a résumé.

8. Prepare responses to interview questions.

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Lesson 18.1


Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement (cont’d)

9. Identify illegal interview questions.10. Name the items to assemble for a job

portfolio.11. Explore the business aspects of self-

employment.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

8


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 Dollar Directory

9


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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Résumé

Chronologic résumé Functional résumé Combination résumé

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Résumé

Résumé format Title Heading Summary Education Professional experience Skills References Final details

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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

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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

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Interview

Illegal interview questions Marital status Family planning Pregnancy Provision for child care Religious preference Club memberships Height and weight Dependents Age (birth date)

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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

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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

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Self-Employment

Insurance needs for self-employed Property insurance Disability insurance Health insurance Life insurance Business interruption insurance Professional liability insurance

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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?

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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?

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Self-Employment

Keeping up-to-date Specialization (certification and registration) Professional organizations and associations Mentoring Networking

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Questions?

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Chapter 18 Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement

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