But to do what?

As a former optometrist, Terry Migdal had a clear vision -- find a home-based business.

"I was looking for something I could do from home on my own time," Migdal said. "I was looking for something to put the software in the computer and work from home. I love being able to be home. It used to drive me crazy that things would come up at school and I was working and couldn't be there."

Tower Medical Billing in Laguna Hills, Calif. has become Migdal's lifeline to having a life. She works weekday mornings and some hours at night if needed, but the business allows her to also be a full-time mother.

Six clients have signed with Migdal, including three in the past month. One was a former associate while others have come from various means including the yellow pages and her website. One is even on the east coast. They vary from a chiropractor to optometrist to psychologist.

"Learn more about it first before going into it," Migdal advised. "Learn about advertising, selling yourself. The hardest part is getting clients. In the long run, it becomes word of mouth."

Price and service were the two biggest points Midgal researched when finding a medical software company. Sounds simple, but Midgal considered several before choosing ClaimTek Systems (claimtek.com).

"ClaimTek offered the most reasonable price point," she said. "It seemed to have everything I needed and the price was right. That's the bottom line -- the price is right. The service is personal. When I have a problem, I email ClaimTek and they get back to me."

ClaimTek's software proved the difference for Midgal gaining new clients. It's easy-to-use system integrating both the medical office and processor convinced one client frustrated with previous processors to sign with Migdal.

"ClaimTek has a lot of nice features," she said. "I have one client who hired me she couldn't get any records from [her past processor] because they were all encoded in software. This software can get to the database."

Migdal even took a course to become a certified coder because doctors often don't know what's needed to process their claims.

"It helps me to help the doctors," she said. "They very often don't know what codes to use on claim forms. I can help with superbills, what should go on the claim forms, modifiers. They kept getting denials and I can tell them they are because there's not this particular modifier on them."

Some of Migdal's past associates are nearing retirement age or looking for second careers. She said being your own boss is often fulfilling.

"It takes a certain kind of person who wants to have their own business," Migdal said. "I'm very happy I did this. The business is growing. It's given me time to really give clients the time they need. Make it personal.

"I could see it becoming a big thing."