How to Become a Professional Makeup Artist

Do you have an eye for color and design, and enjoy apply makeup to yourself and your friends? When you read a fashion magazine, do you focus more on the makeup than the clothes? Or, when you watch a movie, do you like to see what lipstick color the actresses have on —or check out their total makeup look? If you’ve always had an interest in —and a talent for — makeup application, you may think about becoming a professional makeup artist.

Makeup artistry is a competitive business that requires professional training, but with the proper education and initiative, you may land yourself a job as a professional makeup artist. Here are some things you can do to become a professional makeup artist:

Hone your skills. Apply makeup to yourself and friends. Practice on people of different ages, and on those with different skin tones and textures. Observe the lines and angles of the face, as well as the bone structure. Experiment with different brands and textures of makeup to see what gives the best results. Try using a variety of brushes and sponges to discover what works to achieve the look you’re going for. Look to see what techniques, color and texture work under various types of lighting.

Research different looks. Pour through fashion, wedding and fan magazines to discover the looks you like — or those you’d like to try recreating. Perhaps clip photos and add to an album or inspiration board. You might also watch “how-to” videos and then practice on your own. Another place to check out makeup trends is on social media and makeup brand websites. Pay attention to what popular celebrities are doing to stay on top of the latest trends.

Work at a department store’s makeup counter. If you wear your makeup well and think you have a pretty good eye for what works on other people, try to get a job at the makeup counter of a department store. You’ll have a chance to test merchandise and may even have the opportunity to try it out on customers.

Seek professional training. Getting professional cosmetology training from a facility like Paul Mitchell the School is vitally important to your career. You’ll learn advanced techniques, such as airbrushing, that professionals use for flawless application. In addition, you’ll train to apply makeup for special occasions like weddings, as well as for film and TV, special FX and corrective makeup application. When you study Advanced Makeup at Paul Mitchell the School, you’ll get hands-on training from industry professionals who will prepare you for a career as a professional makeup artist. Additionally, you’ll get help in creating a professional portfolio — essential to finding work in the field.

Once you’ve completed your cosmetology training and are armed with the skills you need to work in the makeup field, there are a few things you can do to find the best job for you.

Determine which industry you’d like to work in. Do you want to work behind the scenes in film, TV or theater? Would you prefer to work in the fashion industry doing makeup for models for photo shoots? Perhaps you want to specialize in something like wedding makeup. The options are there: You just need to decide which path to follow.

Network like crazy. Mingle with stylists and designers. Go to bridal expos. Get your name out there and build your personal brand. Perhaps volunteer to do the makeup for your friend’s wedding. Do you live in a town with a local theater group? Offer your services. If you’re interested in working in film, contact your city’s casting offices and tell them you’d like to help out when movies will be filming in your area. Contact your local TV station and see if there may be an opportunity there. Let people know what you can do and what you want to do because you never know which connection will be the one that launches your career.

Create a portfolio that showcases your creativity and versatility. While you are training at Paul Mitchell the School, you’ll begin creating your portfolio. It’s very important to feature professional photos. Splurge on a good camera and learn to use it, or hire a professional photographer to take shots of your work. Make sure you have digital photos, too, because you can use them to market yourself.

Promote yourself online and via social media. If you don’t have an Instagram account or a professional Facebook profile, now would be the time to open or create one. Put your portfolio online, start a blog and/or get a website. The internet is one of the least expensive platforms for reaching a vast number of people in a short period of time. Work it as well as you can!

Keep learning. You may have finished your initial training, but there’s always more to learn. Go to seminars and trade shows to learn new techniques and network with more professionals in your industry.

According to O*NET Online, the employment outlook for makeup artists is projected to grow 10–14% through 2026 — higher than the growth average for other industries. Along with comprehensive training, practice and persistence can really pay off — and lead you to the career of your dreams.

To learn more about training for a career as a professional makeup artist, contact Paul Mitchell the School.

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How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impacts Accounting

In 2001, Steven Spielberg’s film A.I. Artificial Intelligence seemed so futuristic and not a possibility in our lifetimes. Times have changed, and AI has forged its way into a multitude of industries – even accounting. Components of AI – including machine learning, deep learning, machine reasoning and natural language processing – are impacting accounting in many ways.

What AI (artificial intelligence) is

AI allows machines (bots) to learn from experience, interpret information, make adjustments and apply what they “know” to perform humanlike tasks.

• Machine learning gives computers the ability to recognize and apply patterns to develop algorithms that they can then fine-tune based on feedback; an example is the way Netflix can offer you suggestions of what to watch based on your viewing history.
• Through deep learning, computers develop the ability to identify relationships and associations.
• When machines “understand” information, they can actually “think” of the implications of that data and analyze it with machine reasoning.
• Computers use natural language processing based on their understanding of human speech.
• They “recognize” people, activities and objects, and “view” images with computer vision; an example is the way the iPhone X recognizes the face of its user.

How AI is used in accounting

Accountants have to sift through enormous amounts of data to do their jobs. When AI is introduced, it can eliminate some of the mundane tasks that accountants must do. For example, it can digest and analyze large volumes of data at faster-than-human speeds, interpret contracts or deeds, extract key terms and analyze them, and occasionally solve problems that couldn’t be solved before. For example, if an accounting firm is tasked with complex issues regarding billing systems of multiple clients, AI’s machine learning can rifle through the data and flag the problem accounts, even if the systems are disparate.

For compliance considerations, AI provides accountants with reliable, fast data each time they generate a report, maximizing efficiency. In terms of data categorization, AI bots can sift through information and place it into the appropriate accounts because it understands the differences in categories. Machines begin to learn to make better decisions based on human input, and they can even adapt to an accountant’s behavioral patterns.

Will AI replace accountants?

Because AI can do some of the tasks that humans normally do, some lower-level positions could be affected; however, AI will not replace accountants. In fact, employment for accountants is expected to grow 10 percent through 2026 – higher than average. AI can take on the tedious work that takes up so much time – data entry and reconciliation – and will also eliminate errors, reducing liability. With the mundane tasks handled, accountants will be free to engage in more advisory roles. They’ll be able to focus on strategy – process improvement, cost control and capital optimization – and will still have control over sensitive information.

What are the major takeaways of AI’s impact on accounting?

AI and the cloud work together to compute massive amounts of data in a very short period of time. This service streamlines operations by saving time, cutting costs, increasing productivity and providing more accurate results. Perhaps the greatest impact, however, is the change in mind-set that AI brings.

Accountants are becoming very tech-savvy and are embracing the AI tools that do the tedious work for them so they can spend their time analyzing reports, speculating on future outcomes, managing the machinery and intervening if something goes awry.

What additional skills do accountants need in a world with AI?

Companies are going to need accountants with more diverse skills. Those who are familiar with technology and are not afraid of it will be more valuable than those who shy away from it. Having a strong background in data management will be extremely helpful. Learning accounting software such as Intuit, OneUp, Sage or Xero will put them at an advantage. Other in-demand accounting technology skills include:

• Advanced knowledge of Excel
• ERP experience, such as SAP or Oracle
• Microsoft Visual Basic skills
• Knowing Hyperion for analyst and financial reporting
• Knowledge of big data analysis

In addition to being tech-savvy, accountants should have excellent customer service skills and be good communicators.

How enrolling at MTI College of Sacramento can prepare you for an accounting career

MTI College offers an Accounting Technician diploma program that prepares you for an entry-level position in accounting and bookkeeping. You’ll learn a number of computer-based accounting applications, as well as other accounting software that businesses use every day, such as Microsoft Office.

Upon completion of the comprehensive, 36-week program, you will be able to transition directly into a professional working environment. As an accounting technician, your duties may include:

• Calculating and recording numerical data related to business expenses and income
• Handling money
• Conducting audits
• Analyzing financial data
• Preparing reports

When you’re ready to work, MTI’s job placement staff can help you find that important first job. They will assist with resume writing and offer tips on job interviews.

Contact MTI College today and take the first step toward a rewarding career in accounting.

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How an Externship Helps Prepare You for a Career as a Medical Assistant

If you’re already enrolled in a medical assisting program, you’ve made a wise career choice. If not, you might want to consider becoming a medical assistant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare industry is expecting to add nearly 4 million jobs by 2026 – about one-third of all jobs. Many of those jobs will be held by medical assistants, who help doctors in private practice, hospitals and outpatient clinics perform a number of clinical and administrative duties. That’s great news as you look down the road toward career advancement in clinical industry occupations.

Getting the proper training is essential and should include a mix of traditional classroom learning and hands-on experience. Enhance your studies and improve your readiness for the workshop when you participate in an externship. This is an opportunity to spend time working and learning in a real-world setting before you ever graduate. For schools with a comprehensive medical assisting program, like MTI College in Sacramento, it is a requirement for graduation.

MTI requires you to complete a 160-hour off-campus, unpaid externship program in a professional healthcare facility setting. The experience you get will be invaluable.

Get firsthand experience in the field.

Your externship might have you helping out in a hospital, clinic, physician’s office, rehab facility, retirement home or one of many other places. Depending on the location, you may be tasked with doing a particular job, such as recording patient information or drawing blood, or a combination of clinical and/or administrative duties.

Administrative duties may include:

• Welcoming patients and answering the phone
• Setting appointments
• Overseeing patients’ medical records
• Supervising patients’ insurance information
• Organizing necessary information, such as hospital admissions and laboratory services
• Handling correspondence

Clinical duties may include:

• Preparing patients for medical examinations
• Drawing blood
• Removing sutures and changing dressings
• Performing basic laboratory exams
• Writing down medical histories
• Assisting the doctor during exams
• Instructing patients about medications and special diets they may need

When you’re working in an actual healthcare facility, you will likely “shadow” (follow) a professional who is already working in the field. This might be a doctor, nurse, lab technician or even another medical assistant. This is an opportunity to observe, take notes and apply what you learned in school in a real-world situation – working on real patients. Don’t worry; your supervisor will be there to guide you. You may also be invited to attend staff meetings and/or conferences. All told, you’ll learn about all aspects of the business and what goes on in healthcare facilities.

Practice professionalism.

During your medical assisting classroom training, you’ll learn many things that will provide a solid background as you participate in your externship, including:

• Medical terminology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Pharmacology
• Medical protocol and procedures in clinics and laboratories
• Front-office practices, including coding and billing procedures
• Patient relations
• Medical law and ethics

Those things are all critically important, but as you apply what you’ve learned in the classroom in a real-world situation, you need to be professional with patients and co-workers. That means you should show up on time, appear neat and clean, show respect to your patients and colleagues, and follow through on all assigned tasks.

Evaluate potential future work locations.

While you are working in the field, you’ll have a chance to get to know the facility. If your externship lands you in a hospital and you decide it’s too busy, then you know that it’s not the ideal workplace for you. As you shadow various working professionals, you may discover you are drawn to a particular specialty. Maybe you’ll enjoy interacting with patients more than anything, so you might decide to focus on a job that offers that opportunity – a retirement home, for example.

Find a mentor.

During your externship, you will be working among industry professionals. Observe them. Listen to them. Ask questions. They can be valuable resources for you who can provide a wealth of information and practical advice. They’ll also teach you about protocol to follow in various real-life situations and can offer techniques to help you do your job more easily and effectively.

Take advantage of networking opportunities.

Having an externship could lead to your first job after graduation. If you do a good job, show enthusiasm and volunteer to do as much as you can you may be asked to come back for a permanent position after you graduate from your medical assisting program. In addition, if you forge relationships with some of the people you’ll be working with they may have contacts who can help in your job search.

Participating in an externship can really tie together all that you’ve learned in the classroom and in your hands-on training with real-world experience. Take full advantage of all that you can learn.

If you are considering a career in medical assisting, check out the comprehensive program MTI College in Sacramento offers. As a graduate of the medical assistant program at MTI, you will be prepared to go out into the workforce in less than a year.

Additional benefits of studying medical assistant at MTI include:

• The flexibility of a new program that allows you to take classes just three times a week
• Preparation for the National Certification for Medical Assisting (NCCT). Test can be taken during regular class hours on campus.
• Access to MTI’s job placement assistance after graduation

Graduates of the medical assistant program at MTI College will have proficiency in the skills needed to perform diverse duties in the healthcare field and can look forward to an in-demand career. Contact MTI College today to enroll.

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Minding Your Manners in the Salon: 10 Etiquette Rules for Hairstylists

In cosmetology school, you’ll learn to cut and style all types of hair. You’ll use your creativity to apply color and highlights, and you’ll learn the techniques to apply makeup flawlessly. Once you graduate and pass your state board exam, you’ll be ready for your first salon job. Being successful in your new cosmetology career goes beyond the technical skills: you also need to practice good salon etiquette to earn the respect of your clients and coworkers. The good news is that exhibiting proper salon etiquette is pretty much common sense.

As you hone your technical skills, build your reputation as a respectful, professional stylist. Follow these 10 commonsense rules of etiquette; they’re not that much different than those you would practice in most social situations.

Be on time. When a customer selects a particular appointment time, it’s for a reason. If you are so irresponsible as to come to work late, take too much personal time or make your customers wait, you’re immediately off to a bad start. Be considerate and respectful of your customers’ time and mindful that your behavior reflects on the salon’s reputation.

Keep your cell phone quiet and out of sight. Taking personal calls while you are doing a client’s hair is just plain rude. Restrict your calls to breaks and lunchtime. If there’s truly an emergency at home, instruct your family to call the salon and leave a message.

Get a clear understanding of what your client wants, and be honest about what you can do. If your client wants a shorter haircut, for example, you need to clarify exactly what that means. Shorter to her might mean a trim, but to you it could indicate a complete style change. Also, if a client with stick-straight hair wants curl and volume, you might need to explain why her hair’s texture might not give the exact results she wants. Be very clear to avoid disappointment. It’s ok to make suggestions, but never just assume.

Remain courteous and professional when talking with your client. Avoid talking about volatile topics, including religion and politics. Watch your language, too, so that you don’t offend anyone. If possible, focus on the client’s interests and hobbies. It might help to take notes after your appointment so that you’ll know what to talk about next time – the new grandchild, her dog, the vacation to Hawaii, etc. Hopefully, you’ll develop a long-standing professional relationship with your client. Remember that referrals are good for your business!

Look the part. What you wear and how you look reflects on your work. If you show up looking as if you just got out of bed, that’s not going to bode well with your clients. Be clean, neat, well-manicured and well-dressed. Your clients come to you hoping for a new look – or at least a better look – and your appearance can give them hope that they can look that good, too.

Smell good.  Make sure your breath is clean and fresh, avoid excessive perfume and don’t forget to use your deodorant. You and your client (as well as your coworkers) will be in close quarters long enough to notice.

Avoid gossip. Don’t talk negatively about your boss, the salon or your coworkers to your clients, and don’t share gossip. It never ends well.

You don’t need to shout. Nobody likes a loudmouth. Speak at a level that’s loud enough to be heard, but not by everyone in the salon.

Prepare your station before your client arrives. Have all of your tools set up and ready to use, and clean your station. Sweep up the hair from your previous client, and be prepared to offer your full attention to the client in your chair.

Keep learning. A hairstylist’s world is ever changing and competitive. To stay on top of the latest trends, tools and techniques you’ll need to keep learning. Attend seminars and trade shows. Take professional classes. Read the trade magazines – and know what the celebrities are wearing and doing. If you do, you’ll be more confident and comfortable doing hair.

Are you ready to become a hairstylist and study cosmetology? Regardless of your goal in cosmetology, MTI’s Paul Mitchell The School helps you develop the beauty and cosmetology skills you need for a rewarding career. Maybe you want to work in a family member’s salon or for a world-class franchise. Perhaps you’d like to share your expertise by teaching others or work as a professional makeup artist. The opportunities are out there.

At Paul Mitchell The School, you’ll learn salon techniques, as well as the business fundamentals you’ll need. You’ll learn about marketing, merchandising, client retention and cash flow management. All of that plus small class sizes and one-on-one attention from your industry-professional instructors will prepare you for the next step: taking the California State Cosmetology Board exam. From there, the sky’s the limit.

Make your dream a reality. Register for the cosmetology program at MTI College today.

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Five Surprising Places That Require Trained Medical Assistants

Medical assistants play vital roles in today’s healthcare industry, helping doctors perform a number of clinical and administrative duties. These include administering medications, checking vital signs, drawing blood, removing sutures, noting patient medical histories, processing insurance claims and more. As you might imagine, medical assistants work in hospitals, doctors’ offices and clinics, but they are needed in other locations that might surprise you.

Here are five places where medical assistants can apply their versatile skills in the healthcare industry:

Retirement facility

Medical assistant jobs are in demand, partially because of a rapidly aging U.S. population. As people age, they usually need more medical care. A logical place to put the skills of a medical assistant to use is a retirement facility – nursing home or assisted living facility. Many of the residents are not sick; they are just elderly and need assistance. In many cases, medical assistants can administer their medication, give injections or check vitals. They may also assist residents with their daily hygiene, help them get around in wheelchairs and with walkers, provide first aid and handle basic physiotherapy sessions. In addition, because many retirement facilities have their own on-staff physicians, medical assistants can be a big help to them.

Palliative care facility

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation may effectively eradicate some or all of the disease, but both come with side effects (pain, nausea, fatigue, muscle weakness, insomnia, etc.) and disrupt quality of life. Palliative care helps relieve the symptoms and helps patients and families live the best way possible for as long as possible. Medical assistants who work in a palliative care facility can assist cancer patients with their daily care, administer medication, change dressings and lend support. They are also an excellent resource for families of patients because they can keep them up to date on the course of treatment, handle administrative tasks and offer emotional support.

Home healthcare

A medical assistant who enjoys (or requires) schedule flexibility might decide that working in home healthcare is a good option. Many people who need regular health monitoring choose to stay in their homes rather than in a nursing home or rehabilitation facility. Others may need post-hospitalization follow-up care. In these cases, a medical assistant can provide care in the patient’s home. Some of the duties may be similar to those required in an assisted living facility, such as checking vitals, helping with mobility issues and providing medical social services.

Insurance companies

A medical assistant is critically important to the smooth operation of a doctor’s office, hospital or medical clinic, and his or her duties are split between administrative and clinical responsibilities. If you choose to work for an insurance company, you will use more of the administrative skills you’ve learned. You will be able to understand patient medical records and be adept at organizing hospital admissions, lab services and insurance claims. Because you will know medical terminology and basic medical care, you would be a valuable resource to an insurance company.

Military

Four branches of the U.S. military – the Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard – need medical assistants to help on bases and on the battlefield. Depending on the branch of the military you choose, you may be expected to complete additional training, including basic training that all personnel are required to take. As a medical assistant enlisted in the military, you would work with various teams of healthcare professionals in clinics on land or aboard ships. If you are deployed overseas, you would work in a mobile field hospital. If active military duty is not for you, perhaps work for the Veterans Administration (VA) in a hospital, outpatient clinic or rehab facility.

How to become a medical assistant

Medical assistants require comprehensive training in administrative, clinical and laboratory procedures. MTI College prepares students for a career in medical assistance in less than a year with impressive coursework that encompasses:

• Medical terminology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Pharmacology
• Medical protocol and procedures in clinics and laboratories
• Front-office practices, including coding and billing procedures
• Patient relations
• Medical law and ethics

Additionally, a required 160-hour off-campus externship provides hands-on experience in a professional healthcare facility setting that gets you ready to hit the ground running.

Studying to become a medical assistant at MTI College offers additional benefits, including:

• The flexibility of a new program that allows you to take classes just three times a week
• Preparation for the National Certification for Medical Assisting (NCCT) exam. Exam can be taken on campus during class hours
• Access to MTI’s job placement assistance after graduation

Once you complete your medical assistant program at MTI College, you should be proficient in the skills needed to perform diverse duties in the healthcare field and can look forward to an in-demand career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth of the medical assistant field on the national level is expected to increase by 24 percent through 2024.

Contact MTI College today to study for a career as a medical assistant, a role that is critically important in the healthcare industry.

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Honesty Is the Best Only Policy for Medical Billers and Coders

In this day of cyberattacks and stolen identities, it is imperative to guard personal information. For medical billers and coders, it goes a step beyond: They also must follow a strong standard of ethics while protecting patient and client information.

It’s not always that easy, and sometimes the lines are blurred. Regulations regarding licensing and certification in the healthcare industry require that everyone employed in the field has the proper training and qualifications. In addition, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 was passed to ensure the privacy and security of patients’ healthcare information. However, healthcare professionals are tasked with enforcing HIPAA – and sometimes, through human error or breaches, information gets out or is misused. It’s the misuse that must be looked at from an ethical standpoint.

Medical billers and coders keep doctors and nurses on track and organized, and record in clear terms a patient’s medical history. One slip-up with an improper code could mean big trouble for a patient. It could result in the wrong treatment (imagine mistakenly coding a lymphoma, cancer, for a lipoma, a benign fatty tumor). Occasionally, billers and coders are asked to make intentional slip-ups to optimize revenue for the medical facility at the expense of actual documentation. They may be under pressure to “upcode” or “unbundle” procedures to extract more reimbursement from patients or insurance companies. This is just one glaring example of unethical behavior that can present itself in healthcare.

The American Medical Association (AMA) published Principles of Medical Ethics as a general guideline for healthcare professionals to follow. If medical billers and coders are faced with potentially unethical situations, they can refer to the AMA’s guide, and they can keep these things in mind:

• Maintain confidentiality. Don’t access unnecessary patient information or share it with anyone other than the physician, patient or insurance company. Password-protect your computer at work, and keep the screen faced away from others who could peek at the information. Also, keep your conversations about patients as quiet as possible so that those who shouldn’t hear, can’t hear.
• Avoid conflicts of interest. Even if a good friend or relative is being treated at your facility, you need to stay neutral and not give them preferential treatment. You should remain neutral when performing your duties.
• Be honest above all. Don’t code for procedures that were not provided or unbundle charges so as to get more compensation for the company. If you’re being pressured to do something that you know is not right, say something to your employer; don’t shrug it off. If you notice anything questionable, bring it up. For example, some people who are addicted to certain prescription medicines will go from doctor to doctor to obtain an Rx. If you think you’ve encountered such a patient, bring it up to the doctor.
• Keep patients’ rights at the forefront. Patients have a right to be treated with dignity, and you have an obligation to be kind and diplomatic. If you have to phone a patient with information, choose your words carefully – especially if you must leave a voicemail that could be heard by someone else.
• Stand your ground and maintain your personal integrity. Be calm and collected, and do what you know is right. Don’t be pressured into doing something that you know violates the law or is unethical.
• Pay attention to detail. When you’re coding, make sure that your work is accurate. Keep up with the latest information on billing and coding issues. Since your job is to abstract billable procedures from medical records, they must all be documented. If it’s just briefly mentioned and not noted by the doctor as having been done, find out for sure. In other words, resist the temptation to submit codes that are only implied and not documented. Also, watch for discrepancies in medical records.
• Be mindful of your behavior. If you’re a freelance biller or coder working for multiple facilities, keep each one’s policies and practices confidential.
• Use your manager as a resource. If you’re not sure about a code, or if you think a colleague has intentionally misused a code, talk to your boss. Never condone or pardon those who intentionally commit deceptive acts.
• Don’t exploit relationships with patients, clients, employees or coworkers for personal gain.

Medical coding and billing are the heart of healthcare industry. As the U.S. population rapidly ages, people usually require more medical care. Medical coders and billers are needed to handle insurance and patient claims.  MTI College offers a Medical Billing and Coding Professional Diploma Program that can prepare you to enter this in-demand field. You could be working alongside doctors and nurses in a hospital, doctor’s office, clinic, nursing home or other medical facility, using your skills to provide much-needed assistance.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for medical records and health information technicians (billers and coders) is growing much faster than the average for other occupations. Because more people have access to health insurance these days, claims on behalf of patients are going to increase. If you have a medical billing job, you will be the one to submit the bills for insurance reimbursement. 

Does this sound like a job you would enjoy? Contact MTI College Sacramento today to jump-start your medical billing or coding career.

Sources:

http://www.mb-guide.org/medical-billing-ethics.html

http://journal.ahima.org/2011/04/02/ethical-dilemmas/

https://www.aapc.com/memberarea/forums/12603-deal-unethical-billing-issues.html

http://www.medicalbillersandcoders.com/pressrelease_articles.aspx?ArticleId=87

http://www.hcpro.com/HOM-236942-5728/know-your-ethical-obligations-regarding-coding-and-documentation

http://work.chron.com/code-ethics-medical-coding-billing-specialists-3099.html

http://www.mb-guide.org/medical-billing-ethics.html

http://www.dummies.com/careers/medical-careers/medical-billing-coding/ethics-are-critical-to-the-billing-and-coding-profession/

https://www.ama-assn.org/sites/default/files/media-browser/principles-of-medical-ethics.pdf

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Common Errors in Medical Billing and Coding, and How to Avoid Them

Medical billers and coders are crucial to the healthcare industry. They keep doctors and nurses on track and organized by carefully documenting patient procedures and treatments. In addition, they submit bills to insurance companies, which then pay claims. When a biller or coder makes a mistake, it can delay the claims process, cause a loss of revenue and/or affect a patient’s care.

It’s inevitable that errors occur – especially when dealing with the thousands of codes a medical biller or coder is expected to know. The World Health Organization created the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), which universally classifies and codes all diagnoses, symptoms and medical procedures. The ICD-10 codes that you, as a medical coder, use make it easy to share and compare patient medical information among various hospitals, regions and providers. They also ensure that the procedure that is billed makes sense with the diagnosis. There is a lot of information to know.

Add CPT® codes, the five-character Current Procedural Terminology codes that are the U.S. standard for the way medical professionals document and report medical, surgical, laboratory, radiology, anesthesiology and E/M (evaluation and management) services, to the equation, and the coder’s job becomes even more complex, with a greater chance for making mistakes.

Knowing the more common problems with coding and billing, and understanding how to avoid them, is key to efficiency in the job.

Here are a few of the more common problems faced by medical billers and coders:

Poor or missing documentation

Sometimes a provider doesn’t give enough information about a procedure, leaves important items out or enters information that is illegible. Unless the coder or biller is able to consult directly with the provider and clarify the situation, a claim request may be submitted incorrectly.

Rejected or denied claims

If a claim request has been submitted incorrectly, resulting in errors found before it is processed, the insurance company will reject the claim and not pay the bill as written. It’s then sent back with an explanation, and the process begins again. In another scenario, a claim may be denied if the payer determines the procedure or charge is not payable. Perhaps it violates the payer-patient contract (i.e., using an out-of-network provider) or is a high-tier prescription that is not covered. A denied claim can be appealed, but such an appeal takes time and can be expensive.

Under- or upcoding

These errors are often intentional and considered to be fraudulent. Under-coding involves reporting less-expensive medical services than the ones that were actually performed. Over-coding is the opposite, and it is a means for trying to receive higher reimbursement than a provider is entitled to.

Unbundling

This, too, is intentional and fraudulent. It’s similar to upcoding, in that it involves charging procedures separately so that the provider receives a greater payout.

Simple errors

Medical billing and coding require attention to detail, but sometimes negligence causes clerical errors with:

• Patient data (wrong name, date of birth, insurance company)
• Provider details (incorrect address, name, contact information)
• Insurance information (wrong policy number, address)
• Confusing codes (too few or too many digits, wrong modifiers, place of service discrepancies)
• Mismatched codes (entering ICD-10 codes with CPT or vice versa)
• Omitting procedural codes
• Duplicate billing (submitting claims without checking to see if the service had already been paid or reported)

Although these errors are fairly common, they can be expensive. According to Healthcare Business and Technology, doctors lose $125 billion each year because of poor medical billing systems and errors. Most errors can be avoided if the medical coder or biller takes a few simple steps:

• Stay current and on top of code changes. ICD-10 and CPT code manuals are updated annually. Also, if you’re a member of American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), you are required to complete education credits every two years to help you remain current.
• Be diligent and check your work. Make sure you didn’t add an extra digit or report an incorrect code. Also, verify patient, provider and insurance information.
• Communicate any concerns or questions so that you can note correct information. Doctors sometimes take hasty notes that may be difficult to read. If you’re unsure about a procedure or treatment, ask.
• Follow through to make sure that information was submitted and that claims were paid correctly and in a timely fashion. If a claim is rejected or denied, make sure that the payer included an explanation of benefits (EOB).

Partially because of a rapidly aging U.S. population, healthcare jobs are in demand because as people age, they usually need more medical care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for medical records and health information technicians (billers and coders) is growing much faster than the average for other occupations because people in these jobs are the ones who handle insurance and patient claims.

MTI College offers a Medical Billing and Coding Professional Diploma Program that can prepare you to enter this in-demand field. When you study at MTI College, you train for both positions. Upon graduation from the program, you could be working alongside doctors and nurses in a hospital, doctor’s office, clinic, nursing home or other medical facility, using your skills to provide much-needed assistance.

MTI College’s Medical Billing and Coding Training Program gives you the background you need to enter the exciting, busy world of healthcare. Contact MTI College Sacramento today to jump-start your career.

Sources:

https://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/common-problems-coding/

https://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/potential-billing-problems-returned-claims/

http://www.healthcarebusinesstech.com/medical-billing/

http://schoolsmedicalbilling.org/ethical-issues-concern-medical-billing-coding/

http://www.providersedge.com/ehdocs/ehr_articles/America-s_Hidden_Healthcare_Crisis.pdf

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