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New Year – A time for Change?
Volume 5, Issue 1
The only thing constant about life is change. Life is always evolving, shifting, changing and providing new opportunities … and sometimes obstacles to overcome. As parents we stress the value of “life planning” to our children. We want them to start thinking about colleges and careers when they are in high school. However, as adults, it isn’t hard to fall into a rut with our own lives, not thinking about the opportunities ahead, perhaps feeling that we are helpless to make changes ourselves, maybe too old, not enough time or money. But with the new year, it’s time to take a moment, assess where we are and look at the world of infinite possibilities.
Why not go back to school? In our current troubled economy, some feel that going back to school is a costly expense that could/should wait for better times. On the other hand, in a distressed economy a wider, more marketable set of job skills is money in the bank. At Meditec, we see more and more career seekers make the choice to train for a new career or cross-train from an existing one. Some may already have “good-enough” jobs, but due to the uncertainty of our economy, they see the
value of expanding into a medical or legal career – for a better income and as a hedge against future economic shifts. Both fields have been almost recession-proof for many, many years.
Economically, stay-at-home mothers are looking at ways to add some income to the family budget but still don’t want to work outside the home, and medical transcription is a marvelous way to do that.
It’s never too late to change your life. Meditec will help you do that, providing great training over relative short periods of time, all at home, with excellent payment plans and helpful financial aid advisors to assist with funding.
So, as we move into the new year, ask yourself what changes should you be considering this year? If you are thinking of a career change, expanding on your current career, or exploring work at home opportunities, take that step forward and make it happen, and within a few months you will be enjoying the benefits of your decision.
Something New at Meditec!!!
MEDITEC IS NOW ON FACEBOOK AND BLOGGER
Meditec now has pages on both Facebook and Blogger! On both pages you will find unadvertised specials on our products, services, and programs. Additionally, we will have interesting industry specific articles, news, and career information. We intend to have new medical terms, quizzes, and games for our students and for new MTs. Please join us! The links are below!
Medical Coding & Billing- FAST growing Career
Contributed by Dawn Moreno, Meditec Program Manager and Instructor
Right now and through 2018 medical coding and billing are considered good career paths with many jobs available. The 2010 Occupational Outlook Handbook states the following:
“Employment change. Employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 20 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. Employment growth will result from the increase in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures that will be performed. As the population continues to age, the occurrence of health-related problems will increase. Cancer registrars should experience job growth as the incidence of cancer increases from an aging population.”
SOURCE: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocoS103.htm#outlook.
What do coders and billers do?
Medical coders take the patient medical record and find the procedures that were performed during a medical visit and also add the diagnosis as the reason for the visit. They find these codes using special reference books and/or software. Then the coded record goes to the medical biller, who inputs on a computer the demographics and the selected codes which are then billed to the proper payer for reimbursement.
Medical coders need an understanding of basic medical terminology and anatomy, and a thorough knowledge of medical coding procedures, rules, and regulations. The medical biller must have a thorough knowledge of health insurance policies, laws, and the software necessary to perform the work quickly and efficiently. Medical coders and billers work in doctors’ offices, clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, or even for insurance, billing companies and auditors. Some even work from home by starting their own medical coding and billing service.
Keeping up to date on code changes.
The medical coding process and the resultant codes drive the entire reimbursement process. Your office’s revenue and reimbursement rely on how accurately you are able to apply the appropriate CPT, ICD-9, and HCPCS codes, and follow regulatory guidelines. That’s no easy feat when you also have to be aware of the periodic updates and modifiers which eliminate, change or add new codes to both CPT and ICD-9. Coders and other administrative staff monitor the updates and train staff to implement the changes. Medicaid and Medicare (and other practice contract insurers) provide updates to the practice by bulletin and with online information. In addition, coding conferences are often available regionally and are a good way to get tips and discover any new compliance issues.
Meditec and its affiliates also provide CEUs to assist with whatever your credentials may require.
POSITIVE THOUGHTS FOR JANUARY
Contributed by Dawn Moreno, Meditec Program Manager and Instructor
As our economy is slowly recovering, many people still struggle some to get by. When things get tough, it’s easy to lose perspective and fall into a negative cycle of thinking. This process keeps that negative cycle fueled with energy and ongoing. Remembering to take a moment and align thoughts with positivity, faith, hope, and compassion. Give some thought to these quotes.
“Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life.”
Herbert Otto
“Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force.”
Tom Blandi
“Remember, all the answers you need are inside of you; you only have to become quiet enough to hear them.”
Debbie Ford
SOURCE – Excerpted from: http://www.motivateus.com/cust.htm
Medical Funnies:
Waiting Room Conversation
In a psychiatrist’s waiting room two patients are having a conversation. One says to the other, “Why are you here?”
The second answers, “I’m Napoleon, so the doctor told me to come here.”
The first is curious and asks, “How do you know that you’re Napoleon?”
The second responds, “God told me I was.”
At this point, a patient on the other side of the room shouts, “NO I DIDN’T!”
SOURCE: http://www.medicalhumor.net/
This Month’s Recipes
Contributed by Dawn Moreno, Meditec Program Manager and Instructor
Southern Tradition – For Good Luck in the New Year, you must have Black-Eyed Peas!
Black-Eyed Peas and Cornbread
-2 bags of dried black-eyed peas
-1 bag of frozen okra (optional)
-1 bag of frozen green peppers
-1 bag of frozen onions
-1 can diced tomatoes (large can)
-1 bag of Marie Callendar’s Corn Bread Mix (The Mexican kind is great!)
-Salt pork
-Ham pieces or 1 jar of (REAL) bacon bits
-Salt/Pepper to taste
HINT: It’s even better if you toss in your left-over Ham Bone from Christmas!
Directions:
Wash beans and pick out any bad ones. Boil Okra to get the “slimy” off of it. Combine dried beans, green peppers, onions, diced tomatoes, and okra, 4 or 5 pieces of salt pork, and the ham or bacon bits in Crockpot. Add a few cups of water (we are not making “soup” so only add enough water to cover the beans). You do NOT need to soak the beans beforehand. Crockpot on high for 4 or 5 hours. When beans are tender, it’s done. Drain liquid. Make the Cornbread (the Mari Callendar’s brand uses only water). Enjoy! Black-eyed peas and cornbread are a New Year’s favorite!
