I decided to take a course in Medical Billing via the mail from At Home Professions. I had a few employers that were willing to hire me and said I just needed some courses. (They didn't recommend At Home Professions; I did this on my own unfortunately).
I was employed at a department store on a full-time basis and finished this course in approximately 7.5 months. The school said it would probably take me a full year. You were mailed the material after paying them $50.00 a month, read, study and mail in the tests after completing the assignments. The cost for the course at the time was approx. $800. I would speak with instructors from time to time and they would with enthusiasm tell me how great I was at accomplishing all my assignments; on each test score sheet graded and mailed back to me there were always an encouraging note; Great Job! Wow! You have really been working hard! Etc. I ended up with a 99% average grade score.
As soon as I completed this course they said what I really needed was to take the ICD-9, CPT Coding Course too. This would really compliment the Med-Billing Course. I sent off for it and the majority of the first chapters was the same as the Medical Billing Course. Each course was 24 Chapters. Not receiving the next 24 Chapters at one time; I started noticing I've already been through this chapter from the previous course I took.
I called the billing office and stated I've already studied and have been tested on several chapters from the Medical Billing Course, can I just pay for the courses needed for the CPT/ICD-9 courses??? She said "No", it is set up this way. I stated I didn't think it was fair to have to pay for something "TWICE". She said if I wanted to receive a Diploma in this course too, I would have to pay another $800. I said I don't want this second course then, I don't have that kind of money. She said I have to pay $800 because I've already taken the first 4 chapters of the second course and that means I have to purchase the whole course. I again, said I don't want it. I stated I've sent in my last payment on the other course and asked if she could offer this course for less. Again, she said, "No".
During the first course I bought a computer, printer, and other office equipment because I was going to set up a Medical Billing business at home. They said this would be soooo easy because doctors are really needing this type of service. No I know why they encourage you to set up a business at home. They want you to buy Medisoft, and or other software.
In the meantime, I would call on doctor offices asking if I could utilize my service. The response was, what do I specilize in, cardiology, OB-GYN, Pediactrics, etc. This course was too basic not enough information and too simple. I have to add also, I am a professional business woman. I dressed for success on all my interviews and they said the material didn't cover all that is needed. It is just too basic.
I later found out I would have to spend money on different software equpment, a clearinghouse program. And some doctors required other software programs. This was going to get to be too costly.
To make a long story short I didn't finish the second course and the first course, Medical Billing, didn't get me anywhere. The only thing it helped me to do was have a collection agency wanting $800 for the CPT course. And I didn't want nor did I receive the whole CPT course. And they want $800 for a course I didn't receive in full. (I did pay off all that was owed on the Medical Billing Course. All AT-Home Professions desires is your money, bottom line. They say they will help you find doctors but they don't. So do your self a favor and don't get involved with this company. They tell you what you want to hear.
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