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Any of you pet lovers seen these sites? - Posted By: sm

http://www.catster.com

http://www.dogster.com

So cute, and so addicting!

Stedman's Speller Question - Posted By: Alice

I have two accounts in Microsoft Word and just received a new account and they use Word Perfect. Does anyone know how to bring the Stedmans speller from Word into both Word and Word Perfect? Alice

Emdat Start/Stop pedal trouble, Help! - Posted By: MT mom of 3

I can't get my start/stop pedal to work right with Emdat. Anyone else have trouble getting their pedal to work right? It plays a little and then keeps starting over and quits. Help!

EMR - Posted By: margo

Is Electronic Medical Records going to put human medical transcriptionists out of business? I'd like to know before I sign up for an MT school. It's very expensive.

just got a check fromMQ for unpaid DEP.sm - Posted By: didgotokindergarten

s

Did anyone ever look at the Davis Transcription website/banner - sm - Posted By: giggled

I had to laugh because - get this - there are spelling and grammar mistakes on the website. If this is a transcription company, I would think the last thing you would have on your website is a spelling mistake, grammatical and punctuation mistakes. It makes me wonder if this is a back door company to India. So I did a search on MTStars to find out about it, and there is nothing but bad stuff. So my question is this ... after I'm done giggling .... is this a company that sends the work to India???

Jack Nicholson - Posted By: antseverywhere

I happened across the movie The Raven - a take on the Edgar Allen Poe poem. It starred Vincent Price and Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre. Peter Lorre had a son in this movie - now remember this movie was made in 1963. His son - Jack Nicholson. If you get a chance and are a fan - see if you can catch it at the video store or on one of the movie channels - he was extremely young and a horrible actor - it's hard to believe that he has become what he is today after playing that role - it was really something to laugh at. He had a love interest with Vincent Price's daughter. It's a fairly short movie and worth your while - I watched it twice.

anybody else around here from Georgia - and where? nm - Posted By: /GaGirl

x

80-100 minutes of dictation - Posted By: MedT

Can anyone tell me approximately how long 80-100 minutes of dictation takes to do with variables I know of a good or bad dictator but on average. A 60 minute microcassette tape on both sides of 120 minutes, is that something to compare this to? Thank you.

Lanier digital question - Posted By: MT

I have a job opportunity but the office uses Lanier digital. Would I have to buy any special equipment in order to play these files or are they just wavs or dss like any other digital system?

Thanks in advance.

unknown outsourcing issues - Posted By: cl

How can a small company be sure that an IC has a legitamate SS#, and how can we be sure that an IC does not outsource the work that we send them?

Regarding unlimited LD. - Posted By: I have to ask again.

I apologize because I've asked for advice about this here before, but I'm really trying to nail down a plan and just have a few more questions. I need this for a Lanier account so I'll be using lots of minutes. I've read about the "unlimited" plans not being so 'unlimited' as in people are getting dropped or charged for going over x amount of minutes. So my questions are these. Is there any way I can keep my local phone service but add a LD carrier? If so, what are best and where can I find them? Also, I've been looking into phone 'cards.' I've tried One Suite which is 2.9 cpm. Good but not a great rate considering how many minutes I'll be using. I've found Penny Talk online and they're 1 cpm. Has anyone heard of or tried them? Of course 1 cpm would be great. They do charge a connection fee of 69 cents, I believe, but even with that and connecting once or twice a day, I'm thinking that would still be cheaper than 2.9 cpm. Any help is SO appreciated. I'm just muddling through trying to figure out how to do this and it be of minimal cost to me. At this point I think the $25/month unlimited LD is probably not an option (with the amount of minutes I'll be using, they'll probably catch on), so even something that's in addition to my regular phone service but even $50/month would be better than phone cards. Thanks again for any help!

Question - Posted By: Tam

I have been offered a job transcribing internal med - I have been doing oncology for six years - Hhow difficult is internal med?

Tthanks

Why is it that when you owe money, they're real - Posted By: venting about $$$$ nonMT

jerks about collecting on it, such as taxes or medical bills. However, when the shoe's on the other foot, do you think they pay up in a timely manner? We're owed tax money from 2002 that we're still waiting for. There was some kind of mixup with the IRS, so we had to pay the taxes or they threatened us with collection. I had to file an amended return to get our money back from their mistake. The amended return was received over six months ago.

The medical company owes me a refund from a year ago because they forced me to make payments and threatened me with collection on my account. They are the ones that didn't provide documentation or follow up with the insurance company. I had to do it for them! I should be happy that I'm even getting my own money back, but I need it today. Even the bank messed up on me last night. We made a car payment by check that got taken out through ACH electronic check processing and they deposited the check, too. They got a double car payment from us because of their mistake. It's going to take the bank two days to research it and process the credit on my account. I don't think so! These people need to cough up MY money NOW!

Is 4 cpl considered too low? - Posted By: NDMT

Is 4cpl, 65 character line including spaces and hard returns, very low for a new graduate? I've been told that this is exceptionally low. BUT, with companies offering MTs with 5+ years of experience 7-9 cpl I thought it was a fair wage.

Am I wrong? Am I working for a MT 'sweatshop'? The accounts are not difficult, and no ESLs.

Now after hearing some people tell me I am working for peanuts I am wondering if I need to find a different job. I like these accounts, but I also want a fair wage. I was told we'd renagotiate pay when I got off full QA. Am I being taken advantage of?

POLL: Is The View better or worse without Star Jones? - Posted By: MT

Better!

quite concerned - Posted By: nn

I just want to know WHAT IS UP lately with all of the LOW, LOW, LOW cpl rate being offered on the job seeker's board?????? I thought that the cost of living always went UP, not DOWN, but the pay being offered for medical transcription is RIDICULOUS. I'm sorry, I just have to put in my 2 cents' worth. We work our fingers to the bone, some days all day long, some weeks all week long, if we work at home we are never really away from work, it's too easy to pop into the office and work a little because it's always there, and 5, 6, or 7 cpl????!!!!???? Come ON people! Offer more than that! We are WORTH it!!! We can't feed our families, pay insurance, house payments, car payments, kids' college tuition, etc., on these sorely low amounts. I mean, there are newbies out there who will gladly those offers, and I'm certainly not knocking newbies, I was once one myself, but most all of the job offers I've looked at lately aren't offering to pay anymore tha 5, 6, or 7 cpl, and there are more than just newbies looking at this job seeker board! Thanks for listening!!

Need a HIPPA form for transcriptionist - Posted By: aob

An account has asked me to prepare and sign a HIPPA compliance form. Please refer me to such a form.

Bringing up hurricane discussion - Posted By: EsTxMT

Just for some other information. When Hurricane Rita hit in Texas, i.e. Jasper, Beaumont area, these people were not prepared. They were not prepared because hurricanes do not come in that far inland. The Jasper area is one of the areas where most hurricane victims evacuate too. There are people in that area that are still without power including elderly people and children. Most of the surrounding areas (Pineland, Rosevine, Hemphill) are retirement areas. These are also low income areas as well. These people definitely would not have expected the hurricane to effect them in the way that it did, but it did.

Also, people in Lufkin and Nacogdoches, Texas were effected from it as well. Again, a hurricane never has come close to these areas and these areas are also where evacuees come. During the time we had evacuees from Galveston, Beaumont, Houston, and still the ones we had from Louisiana drained the resources that we did have here (not saying anything negative by this � just a statement). None of the businesses could get trucks in to deliver gas, food, ice, water, etc. When we did get gas delivered, the lines were so long that people were waiting 9-10 hours to get gas and of course by the time most got up there, it was gone again. This went on for several days. Even the Wal-Mart here and in Nacogdoches was only able to be open a few hours a day and for the first few days after the hurricane because of the amount of extra people in these areas, they finally had to limit the number of people they were allowing in the store at a time.

Some of you say, people should be prepared. I do agree and especially more so if you live in a coastal area. However, these people affected in the areas I mentioned above do not live on the coast; however, were heavily impacted by this natural disaster. You are saying these people don't deserver help?! Well let me tell you this. When we had a lot of LA evacuees here, FEMA stepped in and for a lot (not all of course) they received $2000.00 for help with housing, another $600.00 for food, and there $400.00 for something else (honestly do not remember what it was).

However, my mother and father-in-law who are elderly went 14 days without power, lost everything in the freezer and refrigerator, and they are also raising 2 of their grandchildren (both young teenagers). They were unable to get FEMA to help with anything.

I guess the point is this. Before spouting off about who needs to do what or who the government does or does not need to help (or where you tax monies go), you might want to think about the fact that this was a natural disaster and therefore, no one can ever really be prepared for one. I hope none of you ever have to deal with anything like this. It is not a pretty site in this area right now. Clean up is still going on. There are still trees down on houses and cars. How would you feel if this were you?

By the way, yes I do feel that my family was very lucky to come through it unscathed; however, some were not so lucky.

Just my 2 cents.

Unfair labor practices - Posted By: Ticked

I'm an independent contractor and the company I work for is offering bonuses to some ICs, but not all. I know I could choose not work for them, but this is a pretty shady practice. I'm also routinely shorted on my pay, though they make it up the next month. I would like to do something about it if possible. Has anyone ever filed a complaint with EEO or Labor Relations for something like this? Thanks.

Indenpendent contracting ? - Posted By: Backwoods typist

I am just curious. I was thinking about trying independent contract jobs, but I have never been one. One question that comes to mind at the moment is..do I need a business license to be one? I know there are several benefits to being one, but just never really had that experience. Any insight would be appreciated.

This has never happend to me before, need advice! sm - Posted By: gracie

What do you guys do when you don't get paid? I am an IC and the company I work for is a month late paying me and won't answer my e-mails or phone calls. I am ready to scream! What can I do?

Thanks

Stupid question. How do you know if you have Ethernet card? (nm) - Posted By: NN

.

end of day squish - Posted By: Patti

Anybody else out there feel squished by the end of the day from where your bra hits and then your waistband of your jeans or pants hits. I know I am 10 to 15 pounds overweight but by the end of the day I feel so squished I feel like the peanut butter or jam oozing out of the sandwich. Oh well onto my last tape and then can get around to feeling unsquished. Hope everyone had a good Tuesday, sunshine out here in Oregon.

I hate DocQSribe, I hate DocQScribe, I hate DocQScrbe, I hate DocQScribe, I hate DocQSribe. - Posted By: Did I mention...I HATE DOCQSCRIBE!!

NM

Any ho t dirt y bitc hes here! - Posted By: MARIO BOSIO

i am on het wanna fuc k hard and deep so that my 12 inches long black rod reaches the thoroat of all the old MT bitc hes here.

Health question-liver enlargement? Scared to death - Posted By: worry wart MT

GYN ordered MRI of abdomen and pelvis without contrast due to pelvic pain and previous uterine resuspension suspecting I might have cyst, etc. I am 44 and have been healthy all my life (never smoked or drank or used drugs, exercise, not overweight and eat very healthy) just perimenopausal and using bioidentical progesterone last 1-1/2 years and last 6 months started on thyroid supplementation (low dose T3/T4) for hypothyroidism. Since starting these 2 things, I have been feeling great compared to previous lack of energy, etc. Got results of the MRI today but haven't seen doctor yet. Everything looked fine on abdominal scan (gallbladder, pancreas, adrenals, bone marrow, etc) except report said liver was ''upper limits of normal (borderline)'' and spleen was ''relatively small'' bordering on hyposplenism. Okay, now I am totally freaking out. On routine screening, my LFTs have always been within normal (latest 10/2005). I did use oral contraceptives up until about 6 years ago and used them from ages 18 to 25 and then 28 to 38. I haven't been able to transcribe at all today, just sitting here in tears. Keep thinking of all the reports I have typed which seem to indicate liver enlargement indicative of very serious matters. MRI doesn't mention anything about lesions, nodules, etc., but it was noncontrast so I am wondering whether it would pick this up or not. I am obsessing and wondered if anyone could give me some insight. I have been ''Googling'' all afternoon and everything I read sounds awful. Is it possible to just have a slightly larger liver than what the normal range is? Can the reading of an MRI be influenced by the skill of the radiologist or affected by artifacts (it did begin report saying motion artifact noted but I think this is common on all MRIs from what I have read)? I did do the ''breath-holding technique'' when doing the scan. I am wondering if my years of contraceptives could have predisposed me to this and possibly the absolute worst, liver cancer? I really don't have digestive problems except sometimes it seems like my food sits heavy on my stomach and takes a few more hours than usual before I am hungry again; this is usually around ovulation or right before menses. Sorry this is so long. Just need some insight before I lose my mind here.

Not the OP below but - Posted By: dorothy

am also getting ready to sell my house, just curious, has anyone ever sold their home to one of those places that buys homes quickly? If so was it a reasonable price and a good experience or a nightmare?

I don't knwo what this word is supposed to be. - Posted By: Kristy

T1 and dual spin echo weighted a blick and coronal and T1 weighted a blik. This is what it sounds like it is Radiology.

Charge by the word? sm - Posted By: cani

What would be the charge per word?

how does unemployment work? do they pay - Posted By: a percentange of what your salary was?

or the whole thing or what? I'm afraid my company is going under...

at home jobs - Posted By: denise

Has anyone had success with at-home job opportunities over the internet, i.e, on-line surveys, Google adwords ?

oracle transcription, inc - Posted By: marcia

Hi, does anyone know any facts about oracle transcription (OCI). Is there enough work? How is the sound quality?

Thanks

Is there federal money available - Posted By: to those who have lost their job to offshoring? sm

It occurred to me that it may be something we mention when writing/calling our government.

I know that when Levi Strauss closed their factory in Roswell, NM, and sent it down to Mexico (thanks, NAFTA), they gave their workers money to retrain in a new profession.

Surely this is something that can be fought for. We know darned well the MTSO's won't take money out of their own pocket to do this, but there was/is a government program called TAA which is supposed to help people who have lost work as a result of imports. I think a case can be made for medical records transcribed overseas as qualifying as "imports".

I found an old document on line at http://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de8714x.pdf which describes that 3 or more workers who have been affected by imports can petition for federal money for assistance and retraining. There's also JTPA/WIA which established one-stop career centers and I believe being laid off because of work being sent offshore (or just laid off, period) would qualify people for this program.

There's also this article, which I included a part of, that is talking about IT workers for Computer Sciences Corp (my brother happens to work for them and has survived the layoffs) filing suit....

*The department has long held that programmers who've lost jobs to cheaper, foreign workers aren't eligible for the TAA program because their employers, or employer's customers, are not importing a physical good in the same way as, say, steel manufacturers. A number of federal and state lawmakers have introduced bills that would automatically grant eligibility under the act to IT workers and other white collar professionals, but none has become law.

The labor department initially said that although CSC moved production of its Vantage-One insurance software from East Hartford to CSC India, the software was not an imported "article" as defined by the act. In a lawsuit, the workers asked the U.S. Court of International Trade to overturn the department's ruling. In January, trade court judge Nicholas Tsoucalas ordered the department to revisit the case, noting that, "Labor's interpretation of the law, that software code must be embodied on a physical medium to be an article under the Trade Act, is arbitrary and capricious."

In a Federal Register note published April 11, the Labor Department conceded the point and ruled that the four CSC workers would be eligible to apply for TAA assistance. In ruling, the department said it would henceforth look upon software, whether shipped into the U.S. on a disc or transmitted into the country via telecommunications networks, as a physical product.

Software and similar intangible goods that would have been considered articles for the purposes of the Trade Act if embodied in a physical medium will now be considered articles regardless of their method of transfer," the department wrote.*

Something to think about.

Also, I'm pretty sure we've been far OVERestimating how much money offshore people are paid for transcription. Their companies might get 1 cent a line after it goes through 3 or 4 edits, but I'm pretty sure the person typing the report and mangling the English is paid more like 1/5 cent per line, which is still pretty good money for them. My math is based on there being 40 rupees to a dollar, and 1/40 of 8 cents per line is 1/5 cent. There was that article quoted on the company board from Manilla where they were gloating that their workers got $1 to $2 an hour and, if they're required to transcribe 1200 lines a day, that comes to 1/10 cent per line. But that was back in 2005.

Back to the 1/5 cent. So if the report goes through 3 or 4 edits, each getting paid their 1/5, then the Indian company keeps the 2 cents per line which is left over and our dear old MTSO here in the States charges the hospital what...11 cents?..pays our US MT 3 or 4 cents to edit. So, 3 cents/line to the offshore company, 4 cents/line to our US editor, and the MTSO still pockets the 4 cents/line left over? Why do you think we're seeing 7 cents/line more and more often as the going rate of pay?

Well, just some things to think about - I get my best ideas late, late at night!

Question about digital recorders - Posted By: GA Dawg

I am just curious how this works. Does the doc dictate on the digital recorder and then just plug into the computer and upload the dictation via e-mail to be downloaded by the MT? I have been wanting to switch to digital for a LONG time but just haven't taken the time to research this. Presently, I have several doctors that I transcribe for but they dictate on microcassettes. Some of them don't want to change -- just stuck in their ways, but I think it would be easier for them and me and would save me a lot of $$$ on gas.

Is there a lot involved in getting this set up? I mean, besides purchasing the recorders?

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!

I need the best "Find A Doc" website...sm - Posted By: New Account

I have an account in Wyoming, about 2000 miles from me. I need a really good website for locating doctors by state. I'd appreciate any help!!

High school grad announcements - pls sm - Posted By: mom of grad

Hoping one of you moms have already been through this. How far in advance of the big day do you send out the announcements? Thank you.

My husband just signed up for group life insurance with work which will give him 10x his salary if - Posted By: Dancin Shoes

he dies which will leave the kids and I with almost a million bucks if he dies. Of course I would much rather have him here more than anything. He had just 150,000 in insurance but for some reason just opted for this group thingie. When talking last night I asked him if he died if I could marry again and this man got so upset with me I thought he was going to cry! He told me absolutely, positively NOT that I could not remarry ( am 31!). He is 35. LOL

Poor guy. Leaving me all this money and I supose the thought of me sharing his wealth with someone else makes him sick!!

I told him he could go ahead and marry if I should happen to die. I want my kiddies to have a great mom and person who loves them very much. Wouldn't you agree?

How do you feel about your spouse or partner remarrying if you or he dies??

Just a question - Posted By: tam

I currently type into Medinotes, and recently doctor ask me to start looking up labs, which means I have to go into a different screen, write down the labs, and then go back to another screen and transcribe progress note.

All he has to do is change screens and read labs. These are a few extra steps that I have to do on each and every patient.

I just want to know what you'll think.

THanks

has this happened to you? - Posted By: not fast enough

I just started at a hospital, hospital work is new to me, but they're giving me a week to get my line count up to 160 lines an hour. I've been there 60 days. My question is what company is good that trains you on-line that will help place you also with a company on-line. I just need help learning hospital reports. I've been typing clinic for 7 years. I think I'll lose this job. I can't believe it! Thanks for your help.

Any suggestions for noise at night? - Posted By: sm

My 1-1/2 year old's crib is in my room (and there's no getting around that), and I need something to drown sounds out. If I move, she wakes up, and if she moves, I wake up. During the summer, we use a fan, which works great, but definitely can't in the fall/winter. I've tried light music, and that's not enough. I've even got a small heater, which doesn't quite do the trick. Anybody have any suggestions? I was thinking about a fountain or something, but figured I'd be up in the bathroom every 5 minutes :)

Thanks!

charging for OFFICE NOTE mt - Posted By: SandyGIRL

Hey gang ! Today I went my family's podiatrist for the first time for an ingrown toenail. As soon as the doc sat down with me, and saw my chart, he commented on my occupation of "transcriptionist". Within 30 minutes I left his office minus an ingrown toenail, and plus a new account doing his transcription !

And this is going to be a lucrative account - 20-25 office notes per day, x 6 days a week. Yippee !

Question - how do you guys bill your private docs for office notes? He said some notes are only 1 paragraph, while some can be 2 pages. Doc said he'd prefer to pay by the page. So should I charge a 1/4 page price, 1/2 page, full page? How would you guys handle office note charges ? I will be emailing the files, btw.

Thanks !

He is a healthy-appearing male, awake, alert, and in no apparent distress. - Posted By: Do I have too many commas?

What do American MTs expect from transcription association like the AAMT? SM - Posted By: MissouriMT

I posted this question over on the company board as there was some talk abou the AAMT changing its name and how they dropped "American" from their name because they basically have opened up memberships to the whole world and then something was said about American MTs needing an organization that represented us.

So my questions would be what kind of benefits or services do you expect from an MT organization or association? Would change any of the BOS rules or would you want a new style guide to be created? Would you want the association to function as a union, insuring job security and fair pay? Would you be willing to pay union dues or membership fee and if so what do you think is a reasonable fee? What about certification - should it be offered or is it unecessary?

I've felt for some time that we (MTs) weren't adequately represented by the AAMT and there was a need for an organization that could effectively stabilize the MT industry especially in recent years with outsourcing work overseas and taking jobs away from American MTs.

How important is it to you ... - Posted By: Medtrans

How important is it to you that your US medical records are KEPT in the USA?

Does it matter to you? Why or why not?

Am wondering if anyone is familiar with Cryptoheaven - Posted By: AzMT

I have a new account that I'll be using this for and am wondering if it is hard to teach an office to use. I've used it before as an IC and loved it.

Do I need to go down to the office or can it be done over the net.

Crusing the neighborhoods, have no agent - Posted By: and considering a new home.

I have 25+ years acute care experience at 1000+ bed prominent teaching hospital. Have done EVERYTHING. QA always exceptional. +++ line production. BA degree in English. Recent management changes have prompted me to protect my interests against surprises. My question is (and forgive me if this is not realistic) where can I find an employer/client who has an appreciation for someone with my education, experience and line production ability. From time to time in the past, I've superficially explored other options and was shocked to find my worth was no more than a brand new MT. Is there no value or premium placed on MTs of higher quality than the run-of-the-mill MTs.

Please forgive me in advance if anyone takes offense. This isn't about me thinking I'm better than the rest - I know what I can do and have done so for many, many years. I just don't want to waste my time in bad neighborhoods when I know there are better zip codes. I just need an "agent" to steer me in the right direction.

Thanks so much!

Outsourcing - Posted By: Lynn

Can anyone enlighten me just how an individual such as myself could check to see if a company that adverises on MT Job Boards has any affiliations with India or outsourcing? Thanks for your help.

Adapator for 15pin to USB - Posted By: looking

I have a 15 pin footpedal, but my new computer is USB ports only. Is there an adapator you can buy that goes from 15 pin to USB?

How does this work...? - Posted By: Melissa

I have two accounts, one is an ortho account complete with PA and operative reports, the other is a much smaller physical therapy account. I am looking into what steps I need to take in order to have someone else take over part or all of my physical therapy account without letting the account go totally. I would proof and retain a portion of the earnings.

What do I need to do about:

Taxes, i.e. 1099

Contract, I may actually want to take over the account again in 12-18 months

What notification, if any, do I need to give the office that I work for that I am outsourcing this work?

Any suggestions and advice welcome. Am I going about this all wrong or misunderstanding how things work? Thank you in advance.