Many people in the health-care industry may consider changing careers and working as a Medicare consultant. A Medicare consultant is a health-care professional who specializes in Medicare medical billing, eligibility issues, and other aspects of dealing with the federal Medicare program for patients and providers. Medicare consultants are experts in this type of government insurance, and they can help you expedite your claims and provide the support you need to make the most of your Medicare benefits.
A bachelor’s degree or a specialized college degree may not be required for Medicare consulting. A Medicare consultant, on the other hand, employs knowledge of medical billing and records, as well as specific knowledge of Medicare reimbursement policy. In addition to education and specific Medicare certification programs, on-the-job skills are frequently used to launch a career as a Medicare consultant.
Working in a convalescent home or other group residential home for the elderly or disabled as a practical way to become a Medicare consultant will help beginners gain knowledge of Medicare that they can apply to a career as a Medicare consultant. Spending time in billing offices will help you gain a better understanding of Medicare billing procedures. It’s not uncommon for health care professionals to start out in direct care and work their way up to Medicare consulting as their skills and certifications grow.
For those who want to work as a Medicare consultant, specific certifications are required. The National Alliance of Medicare Set-Aside Professionals maintains a website with more information on the different types of certifications that Medicare consultants use. One certification option that includes information on Medicare as a second payer is the Medicare Set-Aside Consultant-Certified (MSCC) exam, which is usually a useful addition to a resume for someone who wants to become a Medicare consultant.
Specific field skills, in addition to these certifications, can assist Medicare consultants in staying informed about issues that patients face. Nurses, direct care staff, and even clerical staff in medical offices can benefit from a better understanding of the Medicare system and the common roadblocks that patients face. An employer looking to hire a Medicare consultant for a specific billing position may find these job-related skills useful. To increase your chances of becoming a Medicare consultant in a specific medical network, emphasize your billing skills and understanding of how the Medicare program works, and use what you’ve learned in previous jobs to provide employers with what they want: informed, educated responses to Medicare system issues.