5 Questions With Cheri Freeman

Cheri Freeman is the Manager of Account Services for Virginia College Healthcare Reimbursement Services at their Austin, Texas location.  Since 1999 Ms. Freeman has specialized in physical medicine and rehabilitation billing and coding.  Her blog, which can be found at http://www.cherifreeman.com/, is a great resource for any medical biller and coder.



Q1:  How did you originally get involved in healthcare billing?

A:  I researched work from home businesses and was really drawn to the home-based medical billing company idea since I had a toddler at home and I am also a detail oriented person so it seemed like a good fit.  I did the research, got the training, made cold calls and about a month after my first cold calls, signed my first client.  I admit that I worked for 2 years without a profit, but then it all kind of came together for me after that.

Q2: What are some of the changes you have seen in medical billing and coding during this time?
A:  When I first started in the industry, it was all about filing electronic claims vs. paper.  In a short time it seemed that most provider offices were filing their claims electronically. Since then, I have seen changes and updates to the electronic filing formats such as the new 5010 format coming in 2012.  I have seen NPI implemented.  I have seen more and more EMR (Electronic Medical Records) systems implemented in provider offices so that it is now becoming the norm. In addition, I have seen practice management software go from stand alone systems that required remote access via PC Anywhere, to ASP (Application Service Provider) systems, and then true web based systems that can be accessed from any location with an internet connection --even notepads and cell phones!  Now we are at the brink of the biggest change yet, (at least in my opinion) that of ICD-10. I heard whispers and inklings of information about ICD-10 many years ago when I first got started in the industry, but I honestly wasn't sure if it would ever become a reality--and here it is, right around the corner!

Q3: What advice do you have for billing and coding students preparing to enter the industry?

A:  The industry has become a lot more complicated over the years and I recommend new billers and coders get as much training and hands-on experience as possible from reliable sources before entering the job market.  I would also recommend that these students try to get that training and experience in all aspects of the revenue cycle, thus gaining an understanding of the "big picture".  Lastly, I strongly encourage new students to obtain one or more certifications in their field and to stay current with all the changes that never cease in this industry.  Those that do not stay abreast of the rapidly changing scenery of this industry will find themselves stagnating or left behind.

Q4: What advice do you have for today's physicians?

A:  I am very concerned about the dwindling reimbursements facing today's healthcare providers.  I would encourage them to take a hard look at their practice management reports and payer contracts to determine if it might be prudent to change their network status to out-of-network or non-participating with certain payers. As long as providers continue to accept reimbursement cuts, the payers will continue to give them. I would also encourage them to diversify.  Look into offering ancillary services and even cash based services and/or products that are beneficial to their patients but not necessarily covered by insurance such as: screenings, education, fitness center, etc. to boost revenue.

Q5: What do you think the future holds for Medicare and Medicaid?
A:  I think the trend towards privatizing these entities will continue with even more "advantage" and Medicare replacement plans coming into play despite recent sanctions against several of these plans, as well as more Medicaid HMOs managed by private insurance.  I also believe we will see even more regulation within the traditional Medicare and Medicaid programs.