FAQ – Medical Office Manager

QUESTIONS LISTING

Q: What does a medical office manager do?
Q: What skills does a medical office manager need?
Q: How much do medical office managers make?
Q: What education is needed to become a medical office manager?
Q: Why do I need to learn medical coding and billing to be a medical office manager?
Q: What exactly does a medical coder and biller do?
Q: Are there a lot of jobs available for medical office management?
Q: What else can I do with this training?
Q: How long does the Meditec MOM course take to complete?
Q: Is there MOM certification available?
Q: How do I find a job once I complete the course?
Q: Do I need to buy anything else to complete the course and work?

What does a medical office manager do?

A. Medical office administrative staff manage the day to day operations of a medical practice – seeing patients, billing and collecting for services, and managing people. They have to know all about the nitty gritty of how a medical practice works, in fact, are sometimes called “practice managers.” They must know all about government regulations and rules, be able to set up and evaluate internal audit procedures and know about compliance and all it entails. They evaluate provider payer contracts, review revenue cycles, and report all of this information to the administrative staff. MOMs constantly look for ways to improve work flow and overall practice management.

What skills does a medical office manager need?

A. They need to know medical terminology and lots about the business side of medicine in general, including billing, coding, lots about human resource compliance issues and people management, government regulations and rules, contracting with payers for services, and how to use and review spreadsheets and financial documents and reports. Understanding practice economics is important as well.

How much do medical office managers make?

A. Earnings depend on experience, how large the practice is, and what part of the country you live in. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010, “Median annual wages of wage and salary medical and health services managers were $80,240 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $62,170 and $104,120. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $137,800. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos014.htm#earnings

What education is needed to become a medical office manager?

A. Practices (both hospital and clinical groups) want people who are thoroughly trained and have the skills to do the job. Subject specific vocational programs (such as Meditec’s) are a great time and money saving alternative since many practices are more interested in whether you can do the job than whether the candidate has a degree in healthcare administration.

Why do I need to learn medical coding and billing to be a medical office manager?

A. As a medical office manager, you are in control of the practice management of the office which includes medical coding and billing. You may want to do internal audits (looking over previously coded records to make sure proper coding procedures are being followed, and that “upcoding” is not taking place) to make sure that the practice is following solid procedures. Also, if the medical coder or biller is out sick for a day or two, instead of letting the practice fall behind in billing, the practice manager may wish to fill in to keep things running smoothly. Also, one cannot effectively manage staff without a thorough understanding of what each job entails. How could an office manager know how to more efficiently handle coding/billing responsibilities, if they do not know how to do coding/billing themselves? Additionally, what if a patient calls and is very upset about their bill or they don’t understand their EOB (explanation of benefits) statement and they demand to speak to the practice manager? The manager would need a thorough understanding of health insurance rules, policies, and regulations, and to understand billing procedures in order to effectively handle the situation.

What exactly does a medical coder and biller do?

A. Medical coders take the transcribed medical report and abstract the diagnosis, procedures performed during the visit, and any supplies used, and apply alpha-numeric codes to each. Then, the medical biller takes the coded record, and bills the insurance company, and follows up on each claim. Medical billing is data entry intensive. Both the medical coder and biller work with special software programs to perform their duties. A thorough knowledge of health insurance is imperative to both medical coders and billers. The Meditec program includes a comprehensive health insurance module to make sure the student thoroughly understands health insurance policies, rules, and procedures.

Are there a lot of jobs available for medical office management?

A. Healthcare jobs seldom feel a recession or effects from a bad economy. If you check your local newspaper, you will find a good deal of medical office jobs. Also, as a graduate of the Meditec MOM program, you will also be fully trained in both medical coding and billing and health insurance, so your potential job prospects will be extremely bright.

What else can I do with this training?

A. The MOM program at Meditec includes both medical coding and billing training. You would have the skill set to work in the front medical office as a receptionist, as a medical coder or biller, as well as, medical office management.

How long does the Meditec MOM course take to complete?

A. We give you a full year to complete your studies, but you may finish faster because the program is online, self-paced, interactive, and fun.

Is there MOM certification available?

A. You don’t need to be certified to work, but there are certifications available if you are interested. One such certification can be found at http://www.med-certification.com .

How do I find a job once I complete the course?

A. You can search your local newspaper, job boards, websites such as Monster Jobs, and Career Builder are also very helpful.

Do I need to buy anything else to complete the course and work?

A. Meditec includes everything you need to complete your training!