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valuing transcription company - Posted By: Vwilson

Does anyone know how you value a transcription business to sell it?

Is this right? - Posted By: Working on production in-house

Our supervisor told us that we are going to be working on production just like the at-home MTs do starting soon. We all will have the exact incentive plan to the letter. There will be no need to clock in and out just log on and work for however long we want. If there is no work, there will be no pay. We have about 900 minutes of work to do and 13 MTs to do it.

I have 2 in daycare. If I cannot get work in an allotted time like between 8 to 5, I am just SOL. I don�t have the money to pay a baby sitter for longer hours, it is killing me already. I just have a bad feeling that those of us that can only work 8 to 5 which is the majority is going to be sitting around twiddling our thumbs and when all of a sudden a job comes up, we are all going to be fighting over it. I really think if they are going to pay us like home MTs then they should set us up at home but �there are too many MTs at home already.� Then again, if I were at home I would probably be chained to the computer. Is this how nationals work? I am thinking of going national.

Insurance - disability - Posted By: Judy

Does anyone have any ideas on disability insurance for the self-employed medical transcriptionist? I am always afraid of needing surgery or having an accident or something and being out of work and needing a replacement income insurance for a period of time, hopefully short-term.... Thanks

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.

One of those that just makes you scream. - Posted By: Get Outside

OK. My current dictator seems to feel the need to do dishes while he dictates. I can hear water running (loudly) and crockery banging about. And, of course, he's on a cordless phone with static. Grrrrrr I know it could be worse, but why can't they just think about how these extraneous sounds make it difficult for us to accurately transcribe their dictation???

Do many of you use ergonomic keyboards? - Posted By: Thinking about going from my old "Dell" keyb

a microsoft one I saw. I am just wondering if there is a adjustment period where it feels awkward or are any of you out there that just could not get used to them at all. I have been at this for many years, and I still have no hand/wrist problems. Could ya'll list the pros and cons. Thanks MTs!!! Have a good evening!

Why, O' Why?? - Posted By: Betty

Why, O' why, do MTs continue to work for such low wages, lousy benefits, and squat working conditions for these large MT companies? I swear to gawd, I'd work as manager of the French Fry Department at McDonalds first before I'd give great talent away to these nationals.

It just beats me but I suppose some people just don't know any better.

Just a slight vent this a.m..... - Posted By: 2 teens

But WHY must a dictator insist on spelling a medication and then spell it wrong !!!! You would think considering the profession they are in and the fact that prescribe this stuff that they could at least get it right. It makes one wonder....Okay, thanks for listening. Time to get back ......

See my post on Gab board about Christmas. Interesting stuff! - Posted By: Chillie (sm)

http://www.medrecinst.com/index.asp - Posted By: no-ostrichMT

this is insane. when you see who is running this - the person whose claim to fame is actually making the medical transcription business what it is today, boasting over 400,000 MTs.

now she is trying to what, cut that workforce down by maybe more than half.

this is an extremely aggressive push for mobile healthcare and point-of service care, which from what I see completely eliminates the need for people at all, period.

does anyone know, please, is there a future for us in this picture. is there anyone working with these people to help preserve our jobs in some form at least?

where do we write, who do we talk to? this person also used to run the AAMT, and now has jumped ship for the opportunity to make probably millions for front-running this technology. does she even consider the 400,000 MTs (in this country alone) losing their livelihood. does she care?

IS THERE GOING TO BE A PLACE FOR US???

What are the worst habits dictators have? - Posted By: Colleen

I love it when they yawn or start to sneeze and continue to dictate right on through it! I am working on one now that talks like he has a full mouth of hot mashed potatoes in his mouth while on speed! What about you?

On job board. Some goof posted 11:50 hour for 2 years experience - Posted By: OMG we are Walmart employees

I have a VR question. If I get paid 3 cents .. sm - Posted By: panicked MT

a line for VR does that mean that when I actually have to type in corrections in the report I would be paid for straight transcription (at a higher rate) OR is it just 3 cents a line no matter if I am proofing or physically typing? That may be a silly question but I am out of my element on this one and hoping to find some tiny silver lining or ray of hope!

There is something wrong with this web site. - Posted By: sm

Every time I visit this web site my computer runs like crap. What's up with that? This doesn't happen anywhere else but here.

Doctor offered me more... - Posted By: stillinshock

I have been working on getting a very large group set up for digital. The Medical Director called me yesterday and asked what my cpl rate was. I told him it was 11 and he said, "How about 13?" I was like WHAT?? --that's the first time that has ever happened. Needless to say, I told him that would be fine by me

I am just used to drs trying go get me to cut my rate back

the 2 incisions were... sm - Posted By: gmg

cojoined (which is what he said) or conjoined? TIA

Non-MT Work? - Posted By: Rose

Does anyone have any ideas for work that can be done on the side of a part-time MT job? I'm interested in hearing different ideas! Thanks.

rate question -- help - Posted By: MTMommy

I have an opportunity to do some work on the side for a doctors office locally. Found out through a friend that this poor gal who is an RN has been struggling to do the transcription too b/c she couldn't find any help. When she found out what I did, she wants to talk to me.

What is a fair rate for something like that? Does it still go by the line or report or hour or what?? My only experience is working for Medquist and would love to get something like this as a backup/additional income. Any help??

Not hep to e-mail lingo. - Posted By: stargazer

Can anyone tell me what <G> means in an e-mail? Always wondered, but never asked til now, Thanks.

Individual Health Insurance Policies - Posted By: just curious

I am going to be purchasing my own health insurance policy for myself and my son in the next couple of weeks. I have gotten a quote from BCBS already, but was wondering if there are any other health insurance companies out there that offer good benefits at a decent monthly premium. Just looking for some suggestions.

TIA!!

Reminder (SM) - Posted By: Goldbird (Moderator)

Please post political discussions on the political boards.

Please post offshore discussions on the political boards.

Please post word/drug/style questions on the appropriate boards.

Thank you,

Goldbird

Keystrokes - Lanier system - anyone work on it? - Posted By: is it hard to learn - n/m

nm

What is the code to unlock "Program Locked" C-phone from Dictaphone - Posted By: MaryAnn

I have a Dictaphone C-phone that is in working condition but I can't use because it is in the "Program Locked" mode and I have no instructions on how to unlock it. HELP ME!!!!

wannabe mt ur thoughts? - Posted By: angel

Hi. I'm a Transcriptionist for AT&T. Basically I transcribe sound files taken from surveys. I have over 3 years experience at this company. I left last year to go to another job which didn't work out. When I came back, six months had passed, so they rehired me as a new employee. This even after I left the company as the night supervisor of transcription with a three month notice of resignation. This wouldn't have been so bad if my pay rate as a transcription supervisor wasn't 10.00, and I was dropped down to 8.00 upon returning. Then again, it wouldn't be too bad making 8.00 if I didn't do double and triple the production of everyone else in the department with a 98% accuracy rate.

Here's my point. I have been wanting to get into MT for some time now. I have been doing research and gotten a lot of feedback about how you need to pick Andrews, M-Tec, or CareerStep to get a good job. Honestly I was leaning toward M-Tec, but of course you have to have money to make the money, right? I was going to try to take out a loan to afford the almost $4,000 tuition fee, but I'm not sure how that will work out with my GREAT credit score and this booming economy we have going for us. So tell me, should I be pushing to make my way into M-Tec, or should I check out some other schools? I need some unbiased opinions if possible, i.e. no recruiters and all that jazz. I'm about to have my first child, and now more than ever I'm feeling the pressure to have a future that will take care of her future. I really want to get into a field like this, so that when I'm accomplished I can work from home. Not only that, but I think I will be very good at it. so yeah... suggestions, comments, criticisms welcome!

This is getting ridiculous. - Posted By: more cheapening

Now there's a job on the job seekers board looking for an IC MT to do acute care with ops for 7.5 cpl. IC!!! With ops!!!! Give me a break. That's equivalent to about 6.3 cpl after paying self-employment taxes, not to mention overhead. Their website says "HIPPA" instead of HIPAA, too.

Regarding poverty in America... A little survey - Posted By: SM

Do you believe that:

A: Poverty is mostly the result of poor choices in life, either by yourself or by your parents and grandparents before you, thereby setting up the vicious cycle. Early parenthood, out-of-wedlock births, no father in the home, recycled boyfriends in and out of a home, lack of early childhood stimulation with books/toys, lack of routine and academic expectations, etc.

B: Poverty is societal. Poor people have no choices in America and no real opportunity or ability to raise themselves out of poverty. The way to end poverty is to increase social programs until people are not living in poverty anymore. Poverty is societies fault and the government's fault and therefore theirs to fix.

New to shorthand, a few questions...sm - Posted By: Bella

The record feature? What is the purpose and what does/can it do for me?

Is there any way to import my auto corrects from Word into this program?

Any tips/advice on using this?

THANKS!

Books on shortcuts and macros... - Posted By: mt'er. sm

Know of any books on shortcuts and macros other than "saving keystrokes?" Thanks.:)

Radiology transcription - Posted By: Rachael

There is an advertisement in my local paper for an inhouse transcriptionist, radiology experience preferred. I have about 6 years experience with family practice, also physical therapy, but very little radiology experience. Is this a difficult speciality to learn? Would I be wasting my time to apply?

Thanks--

Pacemaker/Microwave Oven - Posted By: Dixie

If you have a pacemaker do you still have to avoid microwave ovens?

Did anyone attend the AAMT annual meeting in Honolulu? sm - Posted By: Ohio MT

If so, how was it? Was it well attended? Were the speakers good?

How many MTs made more per line 10 years - Posted By: ago than they do now? - just curious. nm

nm

Wondering how many Crocs wearers we have amongst us - Posted By: CuriousGeorgette

After trying a pair of a friends Crocs on and really liking them, bought my first pair yesterday, then came home after buying them and ordered a pair of the Cayman style as well as a pair of the sandals online. Just wondered if there were other MTs out there as addicted to them as I am and how you like them.

Question for QA - Posted By: mm

When doing QA is there less stress/less typing to do and are you penalized if you don't meet your quota?

RE: I keep getting an e-mail from Ebay as a reminder for aun upaid item - a Dell computer - sm - Posted By: Kris

but I've never even ever bid on one. Anybody know what's up with that? It keeps saying respond to this e-mail but I haven't done that - is this some type of scam?

Line counting - Posted By: D

Hi, I have a question regarding line counting. I used to know an MT who said she charged by the virtual line and was wondering if anyone knows what that is and how it differs from an actual line. Also, I was looking for a low cost/free line counting program that worked pretty well. How do you define a line? I charge for a 65 character line, is that what most of you do? Thanks,

EBBIE - Posted By: Amanda

Sorry for the spelling.

People with non-MT positions - Posted By: me

If you work at medical transcription company but as QA, manager, team lead, coordinator, etc., do you have a set amount of hours you work each day and are done, or do you find yourself working more hours than your shift?

Bayscribe and Instant Text - Posted By: Just wondering

I was wondering if anyone knows if you can use Instant Text with Bayscribe.

Evil Co-Worker - Posted By: AnnieM!AnnieM!

Anyone else have an evil co-worker or two? I work at home but there's always one that still manages to find me. I would ilke to slap this current one if I could reach her through my computer. She thinks she's my supervisor. I try to be respectful and polite, but that's not working. All my other co-workers are wonderful. I can't find anything in the company handbook about slapping not being appropriate, so that's my next plan of action. I just have to figure out a way to do that through cyberspace.

Would this bother you? - Posted By: Here goes...

I was hired with 2 other MTs to do a new acct for a national whose name shall not be mentioned.

During the first several months, it became noticeable that one MT who was the largest producer was cherry picking and their reports were riddled with errors. And this is a fantastic account for the most part - very easy to make money without cheating.

So, the other MT and I mentioned it to each other and agreed to what we were both observing. She took it to the supervisor who concluded that there was envy on our part because he typed the most. She dismissed our claims as did the QA person/assistant to supervisor after I mentioned to her I was seeing his work (like when 2 rads dictate the same report and you find out by seeing the other report in place) and it had typos in it or the skeleton of a canned report not filled out at the bottom of the page (must have put it in twice).

A few months later, the account (a hospital) requested this MT be taken off the acct. He was placed on 100QA and then let go (policy).

The sup and the QA person, although never mentioning it, must have realized it was not jealousy at all at that moment. Right? That we loved our jobs and did not want this type of work to go through and all of us be considered fly-by-nights.

Rather, there appeared to be something close to resentment as we began to be both QA'ed to death with the other MT nearly losing her job until she put her foot down and refused to be on 100% QA (25 yr veteran).

The tension was palpable and it was made worse that every lead MT in our dept appeared to know about it and began to treat us like we were whiners and complainers.

I was then dx'ed with BC and in a state of panic told my group. My sup told my the QA person had been dx'ed with BC too and that she was call me and reassure me. We spoke for quite some time on a few different occasions on the phone and and e-mailed back and forth.

She said she was also engaged to a radiologist who worked at the hospital in her hometown. A team member with an investigative mind decided to check it out and found out he was married and had a child with no divorce recorded in his county.

I was contacted and told not to take her advice regarding BC treatment and maybe I should be more private about details..

It has been over 3 years now. I am still alive.

But.. I cannot for the life of me answer the phone when my sup calls. I dread talking to her and actually have not for nearly a year (lol)

I feel as if they pretended she was a cancer patient so I would share details about my prognosis and they would be better prepared for coverage should I end up unable to work.

Have you ever heard of anything quite so strange in the new world of work place telecommunication? Should I just shut up and count my money and thank the MT Gods that I have an account with no ESLs?

Sorry, I have wanted to write this for a year but was afraid the details would reveal who it was should anyone peruse this site. Hopefully, now, it will go unnoticed.

Appreciate your feedback if you have any at all.

I rescued a Beagle last week from - Posted By: NCMT

my local animal shelter. I took him to the Vet the next day to have him checked over because he had a few things going on with him:

1. He was covered in ticks. I had pulled several off him when I got him home and the Vet pulled several more off in her office. The ticks really aren't an issue now as Frontline was applied at the Vet's office, and any ticks that remained have died and dropped off. I have not found any more on him, although I was very shocked that the animal shelter allowed him to get in that condition. The Vet was appalled.

2. He had a terrible cough. Very deep and raspy. The Vet said she thought it was a respiratory infection but could not rule out kennel cough as he had been at the shelter for over a month. She prescribed an antibiotic and we are 1 week into taking it. The cough seems to be getting better, thank goodness. It just sounds horrible. I also have to give him a Benadryl twice a day.

3. He had an infection in both ears. Beagles like other dogs such as Bassett Hounds, with the long floppy ears, have to have their ears cleaned on a regular basis. His obviously had not been cleaned in some time. So I have to put ear drops in his ears twice a day. He hates it, but his ears are getting better.

The shelter did not have any information to give me about him. They told me he was picked up as a stray and they kept him for as long as they did in case someone came to claim him. After a month, they put his picture on their website, thus putting him up for adoption. I had been wanting to get a Beagle for quite some time, and when I saw him on the web, I decided to go get him. If I hadn't gotten him when I did, and no one else came along, he would have been put down after one week.

I would have taken him anyway even if I had known prior of his medical problems. I fell in love with him immediately. He is very loving and is housebroken already. I have yet to hear him bark though. I'm not sure if this is because he can't, won't, or if it makes him cough so he doesn't do it yet. It's also not common (around here anyway) to find a full-blooded dog of any kind at the pound. There are other animal rescue organizations that specialize in that.

I have seen him go through increadible changes in the last week. His coat is shinier and his eyes look brighter. I can tell by his behavior that he is feeling better. My concern is that every time he drinks water he coughs and hacks afterward. He will cough until he gags and then he is fine. He doesn't vomit though. It's almost as if he is breathing water through his nose while he is drinking.

I was just curious to see if anyone else had encountered this before with their dog? I love him (Buster) to pieces already and feel that I did a good thing by saving him from certain death. I just want him to get better.

Thanks.

Anyone out there live in Habersham County, Georgia ? sm - Posted By: Relocating

If so I'd like to e-mail with you about the area as we're considering moving to that area. Thanks!

rephrasing my question about 3000 lines per day (sm) - Posted By: JLS

What I really like to know is if it's possible to type that many lines on a CONSISTENT basis everyday and approximately how many hours it takes. I'm trying to calculate how many lines a pay period I need to make to pay my bills.

Thanks so much

about pulmonary embolism - Posted By: curious

Can a person be walking around with a PE and not know it? Would they be able to cough it up? I know that sounds strange, but I have a rattling in my chest that I can't expectorate. Sorry to be so graphic.

Thank you, anyone, for answering.

editor questions - Posted By: olddognotricks

I started in Feb part time as an editor, paid by the hour, $14. I have 30 years' experience as an MT, but only a few months as an editor. Now I'm being told I'm not producing enough. I'm doing about 200 lph. They want 225-325 lph. I listen to each report and correct. I'm using Word and the track changes. There are some difficult dictators and some inexperienced MTs. My questions: What should an Editor average as to lph? Should I listen through each report or not? What if I don't listen and there is a crucial word that is not typed and I miss it. Who is responsible? I'm trying to provide good feedback for these new MTs and put out a good quality product. I really need the money this job generates. I work for a national as an MT too and that's another story. Anyway, any feedback from experienced editors welcomed. Thanks!

P.S. Are there any companies that want quality work from MTs/editors or is just now all about production and to heck with quality? Sure seems that way. I'm going to end up working up Wal-Mart and my 30 years' experience will be wasted.

All our jobs, not just MT's are in jeopardy.. - Posted By: dinosaur

Thank you, Busy MT, for the article validating exactly my point! American MT's are being forced to compete with those who are happy,excited, willing to give up their professional careers as physicians, dentists, professors, etc. to make $5000 a year. That's not enough for most of us to pay our taxes! Like I said earlier, my MTSO friends have been underbid time and time again. I came back to this business a year ago because I LOVE doing it. That doesn't mean I want to do it for free, I cannot afford to.

Yes, the steel business is gone. Soon radiologists will be out of work since they're sending the imaging studies to be read overseas as well. Do you know that many of the large accounting firm are sending out our taxes to be done overseas? They take our info, scan the material and send it to chartered accountants who have the american tax info and our finished reports are sent back! I found that out from my accountant who was offered a job by a large CPA firm to bring in the work, organize it, and then send it on to you know where. My CPA said no, and does it in front of us! Yes, it takes more time and he can do fewer returns in a day. But I'm happy to pay a few dollars more and know that my SS# and personal information stays on his desk and not someone thousands of miles away.

Why and I telling you this? Why have I been posting this information here? Because I am trying to instigate some activity by as many MT's as possible, to draw a line in the sand (so to speak)! Yes, ask any physician to whom you go where their medical records are transcribed, who has access to your health records and why! BUT, that's not enough! We need to bring this to the attention of the American pubic at large. CPA's need to bring it to the attention of the American public. Yes, the way things are going we will have no jobs left here! And, yes, a college degree (Bachelor's) means nothing today! We will all need advanced degrees to even start out in a career (and then watch that career be outsourced to someone who can work for pennies). It is happening to computer engineers, MT's, radiologists, accountants, any job that requires an education and can be sent electronically to another country.

We need to bring to the attention of our congress and senate. While they may pooh-pooh a few of us, if we can bring our plight (and we can get the computer engineers, radiologists, accountants, etc. to do the same) to their attention and underline the fact that there will not be any careers for their children, there will not be any income to pay taxes on, maybe then we can get some action on a national referendum to stop the outsourcing.

Yes, we will all have to pay a bit more for the services (like I do to my accountant). But, the hospitals need to watch their pennies and see where they can cut back. Start at the top! Physicians need to prioritize as well.

Keep talking about it and see what kind of interest we can build on to make it go national.

long distance plans - Posted By: sharon

I live in NW Ohio and having a difficult time finding a LD carrier that allows for medical transcription. Anyone have any ideas?

Headline: Poor Funding of Rich Seen as Unsustainable. - Posted By: I think we are in for a depression, folks.

"DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) � Massive flows of capital from the emerging to the developed world are unsustainable and risk damaging both poor and rich countries, some of the world's top finance officials said on Saturday.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said that the current global investment pattern was "profoundly abnormal" and in no country's interest.

"It is not sustainable in the long run that the emerging world would finance the industrial world. It doesn't correspond to the interest of the emerging world, neither to the interest of the industrialised world," he said.

In a similar vein, Indian Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said countries like his, one of the emerging stars on the global economic scene, were under threat.

"Global imbalances are deepening and that has serious consequences for developing countries like India," he said.

The United States is currently seeing huge inflows of capital from the developing world, notably China, that are financing its current account deficit, bolstering the dollar and keeping long-term interest rates low though bond purchases.

The danger to the world economy is that when the inflows eventually dry up there could be sharp economic and market dislocations.

"There are potential triggers that could create serious consequences for the global economy. The first is a southward movement of the dollar, the second is an unexpected increase in U.S. interest rates ... Thirdly, (a spiral in) energy prices... will lead to inflationary expectations," Chidambaram said.

U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt said that his country needed to play its part to solve the imbalances but also called on China again to let the yuan currency strengthen.

"The U.S. needs to increase savings, starting with a reduction of the budget deficit," he said. "China needs to move its currency to be driven by underlying market forces soon." The growing significance on the world economic stage of countries such as China and India has been a major theme this week at Davos.

U.S. officials such as Kimmitt have been keen to say that they are not expecting any immediate change in the flow of funds from China in particular and that U.S. financial markets are robust enough to handle a change.

There are some concerns on the bond market, however, that China is losing some of its appetite for Treasuries.

India's Chidambaram, meanwhile, said that he expected flows from China would change as local consumption grew.

"I think the direction of exports will change. A country like China will be forced to stimulate domestic demand ... I'm not judgmental about China. The people of developing countries have to have a higher consumption of goods and services," he said. "

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-01-28-davos-rdp_x.htm?csp=24

Why does my resume pop up here? - Posted By: mtfromhome

Whenever I click on Apply Now on any job ad on the job seeker board here, my resume is automatically pasted into the box!!

How did that happen? I don't paste it - it's already there.