Comment regarding Edge Medcom
Posted By: Former Edge Employee on 2008-02-10
In Reply to: From the Owner of Edge Medcom LLC - Dan Edge
I am pretty sure I am the MT that the owner of Edge Medcom was referring to in his posted comment. What he failed to mention is that he was never billed for the work that was done, even though 40-plus pages had been typed. After 5 days of laboring over the poor quality audio, I was basically working for nothing at that point. How many of us would like to work for nothing and struggle to boot? Yes, I did complain about my pay at that point and yes I did refuse to finish the job because I made barely anything on that job. He also failed to mention all the excellent quality work he received from me up to that point. After over 20 years as a transcriptionist, I am very weary of pounding the keyboard for companies with substandard audio with the $$ basically coming out of my pocket. Mr. Edge, early in our business relationship, made mention of what he makes from a seminar transcription and it would seem to me he should be able to pay his transcriptionists better. I guess it comes down to the old adage of you get what you pay for. Thank heavens I will be out of the transcription profession in the near future to one I can really make some money at!
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Edge Medcom LLC
My name is Dan Edge, and I am the owner of Edge Medcom LLC. I would be happy to answer whatever questions you may have and provide more information about my company.
You will likely not find much information about Edge Medcom on the web because it is a brand new company. I worked for another transcription company before starting this one, and I felt strongly that I could do a better job. One of the problems at this other company was that they weren’t paying the transcriptionists enough, and weren’t treating them well besides. As a result turnover was rampant, the quality of the product declined, and we didn’t have sufficient staff to handle the amount of work coming in.
I am addressing these production issues with Edge Medcom. I want to attract and retain high-caliber Transcriptionist professionals by 1) Screening applicants diligently and thoroughly, 2) Offering a higher rate of pay (based on my research of the market) and 3) Treating them with the respect owed a professional small business owner (which subcontractors are, in fact). In return, I expect expertise, dependability, and loyalty.
I received a flood of resumes from my first ad on MT Stars, and at this point I have filed the positions I need. However, I’m sure I will need more as my company grows, and I endeavor to earn a positive reputation in the eyes of professional medical transcriptionists.
Dan Edge
President, Edge Medcom LLC
dedge@edgetranscription.com
Edge Medcom
RUN the other way. Not only is pay too low, quality of recording horrible, expectations of TAT impossible to meet. Owner very rude, abrupt and terse. My observations from a very short association with this company.
Anyone work for Edge Medcom or
Edge Transcription out of Monsey, NY? They posted on the Job Seekers board, and I'm interested in getting some more info. about them. TIA!!
From the Owner of Edge Medcom LLC
Greetings All,
I'm Dan Edge, the owner of Edge Medcom LLC. I am a new business owner who is learning the transcription industry, along with learning the ins and outs of running a successful company. I am always open to learning more about how I can improve my business. My thanks to those who have highlighted my strengths along with my weaknesses (http://www.wahm.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=492264&PID=2179276#2179276).
With that in mind, I would like to respond to some of the comments I've received on the WAHM and MTstars message boards.
-Regarding pay:
I based my starting rates primarily on two factors: 1) My experience working for another transcription company (which paid transcriptionists less than I do), and 2) The high turnover rate that is seemingly inherent in the industry.
Based on discussions with other transcription companies and with transcriptionists, my rates are about the median in the industry. I know companies that pay less per audio hour, several that match my rate, and several that pay a little more. For the transcriptionists who consistently make significantly more than what I offer, they are usually working directly for a doctor or hospital, i.e. they are not working with an intermediary transcription company that must make a profit of its own. Many transcription companies are beginning to outsource work to India, which makes it difficult to remain price-competitive.
I have been open to negotiating higher starting rates for transcriptionists who bring a lot of experience to the table, and I am very happy to increase pay after a subcontractor has proven to be dependable over a few months.
-Regarding checks:
I may make accounting errors from time to time, but it is extremely rare that I don't pay within the 30-day net time period. Any time a subcontractor asks me about a payment, I check it out immediately, and resolve the issue if there is a problem. Earlier this year, when cash flow was more of a challenge (as it is for any young business), I delayed paying my own paycheck for three weeks so that my vendors would get paid on time. That is how I do business.
-Regarding communication:
I have always been a believer in solid communication, and I make a big deal about this when I bring on someone new. I provide my cell phone number to transcriptionists and make myself available pretty much 24/7. That said, there are certainly ways I could improve in this regard.
One poster commented that communication has improved of late, and I note that this coincides with my taking back over the production department. I brought on a production assistant earlier this year, and things did not work out as well as I had hoped. She is no longer working with me.
-Regarding my rude, abrupt, and terse manner:
I can only say that this comment is ridiculous. I am probably among the most polite, most benevolent people you will meet. I consider the subcontractors to be my friends and co-workers. One of them is even coming to my wedding next April! I treat transcriptionists with the respect they deserve as fellow business owners.
However, along with this respect comes an expectation of professionalism.
The *only* times I have expressed anger to subcontractors are the instances when someone has committed to completing a job, then utterly failed to communicate and failed to fulfill their commitment. I've had cases where I've given someone a week to complete a transcript, and then they tell me at the last minute that they didn't do any of it (or more often, I don’t hear anything from them at all, ever again). I had a recent case when a Transcriptionist (who I'd worked with several times before), after having five days to work on a transcript, after finally turning it in late and incomplete, after flatly refusing to finish it, with no apology or explanation for why it wasn't finished -- she had the gall to complain about her pay for the job.
I can gratefully accept the criticism that my wages are uncompetitive. But I can't help but think that some of the unqualified (and unfair) negative comments about my company are coming from the flakes who screwed me over, then got upset because I would not stand for their unprofessionalism. These are the kinds of folks that work toward giving your noble profession a bad name.
Again, I appreciate the (honest) criticisms of my company, and I will take them to heart when moving forward in ’08. I encourage any of you with questions to email me at dedge@edgetranscription.com or call my office at 845-517-4000.
Sincerely,
Dan Edge
President
Edge Medcom LLC
www.edgetranscription.com
This letter is posted to both the WAHM and MTstars forums.
From the Owner of Edge Medcom LLC
I posted this letter as a reply to some comments about my company here: http://forum.mtstars.com/company/v/1/57082.html. I wanted to post it again as a new topic to bring it to the top of the list. Thanks.
---------
Greetings All,
I'm Dan Edge, the owner of Edge Medcom LLC. I am a new business owner who is learning the transcription industry, along with learning the ins and outs of running a successful company. I am always open to learning more about how I can improve my business. My thanks to those who have highlighted my strengths along with my weaknesses (http://www.wahm.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=492264&PID=2179276#2179276).
With that in mind, I would like to respond to some of the comments I've received on the WAHM and MTstars message boards.
-Regarding pay:
I based my starting rates primarily on two factors: 1) My experience working for another transcription company (which paid transcriptionists less than I do), and 2) The high turnover rate that is seemingly inherent in the industry.
Based on discussions with other transcription companies and with transcriptionists, my rates are about the median in the industry. I know companies that pay less per audio hour, several that match my rate, and several that pay a little more. For the transcriptionists who consistently make significantly more than what I offer, they are usually working directly for a doctor or hospital, i.e. they are not working with an intermediary transcription company that must make a profit of its own. Many transcription companies are beginning to outsource work to India, which makes it difficult to remain price-competitive.
I have been open to negotiating higher starting rates for transcriptionists who bring a lot of experience to the table, and I am very happy to increase pay after a subcontractor has proven to be dependable over a few months.
-Regarding checks:
I may make accounting errors from time to time, but it is extremely rare that I don't pay within the 30-day net time period. Any time a subcontractor asks me about a payment, I check it out immediately, and resolve the issue if there is a problem. Earlier this year, when cash flow was more of a challenge (as it is for any young business), I delayed paying my own paycheck for three weeks so that my vendors would get paid on time. That is how I do business.
-Regarding communication:
I have always been a believer in solid communication, and I make a big deal about this when I bring on someone new. I provide my cell phone number to transcriptionists and make myself available pretty much 24/7. That said, there are certainly ways I could improve in this regard.
One poster commented that communication has improved of late, and I note that this coincides with my taking back over the production department. I brought on a production assistant earlier this year, and things did not work out as well as I had hoped. She is no longer working with me.
-Regarding my rude, abrupt, and terse manner:
I can only say that this comment is ridiculous. I am probably among the most polite, most benevolent people you will meet. I consider the subcontractors to be my friends and co-workers. One of them is even coming to my wedding next April! I treat transcriptionists with the respect they deserve as fellow business owners.
However, along with this respect comes an expectation of professionalism.
The *only* times I have expressed anger to subcontractors are the instances when someone has committed to completing a job, then utterly failed to communicate and failed to fulfill their commitment. I've had cases where I've given someone a week to complete a transcript, and then they tell me at the last minute that they didn't do any of it (or more often, I don’t hear anything from them at all, ever again). I had a recent case when a Transcriptionist (who I'd worked with several times before), after having five days to work on a transcript, after finally turning it in late and incomplete, after flatly refusing to finish it, with no apology or explanation for why it wasn't finished -- she had the gall to complain about her pay for the job.
I can gratefully accept the criticism that my wages are uncompetitive. But I can't help but think that some of the unqualified (and unfair) negative comments about my company are coming from the flakes who screwed me over, then got upset because I would not stand for their unprofessionalism. These are the kinds of folks that work toward giving your noble profession a bad name.
Again, I appreciate the (honest) criticisms of my company, and I will take them to heart when moving forward in ’08. I encourage any of you with questions to email me at dedge@edgetranscription.com or call my office at 845-517-4000.
Sincerely,
Dan Edge
President
Edge Medcom LLC
www.edgetranscription.com
This letter is posted to both the WAHM and MTstars forums.
Has anybody applied with Edge Medcom? I just saw their post on...
the other board. It got me curious. Just wondered if sparked anyone else's curiosity?
Anyone know of Edge Transcription?
Hi. Has anyone here worked or is working for Edge Transcription?
MQ has the slight edge but KS isn't bad (nm)
This is a double edge sword and I ,too,
agree that the posts are way down since the new policy took place. While I agree with taking steps to control the trolls and other nprofessional comments, many are now afraid to really say anything of the slightest critical nature so perhaps some things about certain companies which should be revealed, now will not be, thus failing to give the heads up to MTs who need to know the real truth about companies who are not really the best to work for. As far a getting an alternative email address to avoid having all sorts of emails possibly being sent to our main email, that seems a bit inconvenient and still remains the fact that nasty emails will come in either way. I have read the board all week and there is really not much new here anymore. I, too, will probably visit here a lot less often, as it seems many have decided to do.
Your last comment...
was uncalled for. This MT is simply answering this poll based on his or her worst experience. There is another poll above asking for the best MT company you've ever worked for. If you want to defend Diskriter, post there.
Comment
Seems to me that ER MTs double their lines most of the time. I'm a bit worried about Acute Care/Basic 4. Anyone out there doing those reports increase their line count without killing yourself?
Just a comment on it...sm
I'm lucky to have the two large health systems here that employ some MT's but I also know that some hospitals prefer to just find a company (US, out-of-state, or otherwise) to send all their stuff to and let the company organize, back-up and differentiate all of it so the hospital doesn't have to deal with it lots of different employees for their transcription. Understandable theory I suppose; I just wish we could show them that keeping their work local to their immediate city/area would be beneficial too!
Comment
I have no doubts about the reason for that rule.
Comment
Thank you for helping me to wake up and smell the printer ink!
Being an MT has definitely changed my attitude towards the world and people in general. This is really sad. I find myself struggling on a daily basis, just kind of wondering and waiting for the end to come.
Your post made my day. It validated my experience of this past week as something that I need to consider seriously. My eyes were opened; actually, I was kind of shocked. I had been invited to a presentation where I met an entirely different group of people, in another industry, which is similar to ours in that it is still health-related, but it is Wellness, and does not involve any transcription. Those people were so happy, positive, successful, and rich, and one lady told me that she does 99% of her work from home and during a bad month she earns ONLY $7000. So, I'm now considering a career change. I love my dogs, really. But, I want to live in a world where I like the people, too.
With this addition to my life, I suspect that I will not be so stressed out with regards to MT, and will still continue my somewhat, sometimes enjoyable MT job on a part-time basis. When you don't really need the money and you kind of just do it for FUN, it takes on a different flavor, I'm sure.
Thank you again!
My comment was to YOU
/
Comment
This also would depend on how much notice she is giving regarding taking time off. If she is constantly taking time off with very little advanced notice for nonemergencies, it seems like adequate grounds for dismissal.
comment on what you want but sm
i have seen you pick at others for posting comments that have nothing to do iwth the post. But I guess thats ok for you and nobody else....right?
oh my god, what a disgrace you are for your comment - sm
If you feel that strongly about your job, no matter what it is, then get out and do something else. Nobody is making you a slave. I'm sure you have other skills.
And while you are out searching for another career, talk to your therapist about upping the medications you are on. Because the comments you made are deeply troublesome and psychotic in every way.
Care to comment?? NM
//
MedWare QA comment
I'm not sure how you can get ZERO QA feedback from Medware when each and every report you sent to editing is returned for you to see with whatever blanks were able to be filled in. You can even pull up the voice file again and re-listen while you go over the blanks.
I'm not saying you're not telling the truth, just that your experience is much different than mine, and along with the ZERO QA feedback comment it makes me wonder why.
That little snippy comment may
It never hurts you to be kind, even to those who are struggling with their platform. What kind of person are you to do that. I have been there. Maybe you haven't. You will one day, you'll be going right along and then you'll discover a lump or something and your whole world will change. Let's see you find mercy then. Those who give mercy, get mercy.
D&L typing comment
I saw this post and was concerned for you. I worked for them from 2000 to 2003 and never had a problem with paychecks, however the owner was controlling it all at that time and every other thurs or fri she would send the paychecks out snail mail. They would get all data together on tues and wed to my knowledge then they would promptly go out and I never had a problem. She owner told me she would always welcome me back if I wanted to and even provide my accounts back to me but I have since learned I was ignored by the staff and not rehired. I believe she never found out I was available. I see a problem now that you mention this as I think there are many new turn over of employees in that office since I have worked there so they just don't care. I bet the owner would not like to hear that. I would call and ask for Donna - the owner or John her husband. They should be aware of this. I think her help is not doing her a favor. Maybe I am lucky for that staff to have ignored my request for rehire back in December. I would appreciate feedback on your situation in the future as I still was considering calling.
Phoenix comment
I was hired on with this company but decided not to take this job offer because the company I have already been working for has been giving me more work again. So I guess I am really glad not have taken this job with Phoenix after all. amj
No, the comment was not meant for you sm
I meant it for the person who didn't understand work in amusement--like they didn't speak English well.
post such a comment
I am beginning to think that mental illness is rampant amongst MTs????? This board should not be used for putdowns, criticisms, etc. From the sounds of you, you must be a supervisor yourself. Maybe these folks don't ask you because you never can answer any of their other questions or you just ignore them. They may as well ask someone that works for Waste Management. Now how does that feel??
I can believe that as well. Hence my comment about exceptions. Always are I know. nm
,
Here's what that comment means.
Current supervisor = not needing a decent line count and not caring what filling in demographics means for the MTs.
Don't know about your sister, but try it yourself, then comment.
Don't know about your sister, try it yourself, then comment.
only limited comment
I applied to USAMedical. I have over 15 years of experience and they were only offering 7 cpl with that! Have no idea of whether or not they are a good company to work for though.
Now what was silly about my comment?
I just wanted to make sure that the company was being plugged by an ACTUAL employee. I'm glad you are happy there at Axolotl.
comment on holidays
I'm not sure that's a completely accurate blanket statement about the holidays. I was told that I was expected to work holidays unless I had asked/made arrangements to be off ahead of time.
Otherwise, I totally agree with you.
Why do you insult me with that comment?
 youre funny, if you only knew..................
Comment on Spheris
The will tell you they care about their MTs.....Don't believe it!
Your right on with that comment - Personally I'm
The comment was directed at
the 0.075 cpl, not the clinic note MT. Get over yourself already.
MTHeaded's Comment
Please tell us the name of the company you work for and how much you get paid (per line?, per hour?, per page? ) as I have never heard of anyone making between $50 and $70 an hour routinely. Do you have a lot of normals? What's the secret?
Re Quig's comment
I think that Quig meant get out of their company not literally get out of town. I would offer nothing because you have already said you are about square with the money end and expect not to be paid as they will hold back your money. This sort of thing makes me crazy .. you owe your allegiance to yourself. Be your own advocate and get away from this toxic work place and don't look back. To those of you who say that others can do it for less .. why in heaven's name do you think the industry is in the miserable shape it is in .. we let it get that way!!
I have learned that the only person I can be responsible for is me and I plan that for the rest of the days I have to work I am going to see to it that I get a fair deal for what is expected of me .. take control of your situation and take Quig's advice. Leave and don't feel badly about it for one minute or that is just more time you have wasted on unappreciative people who are too incompetent to value a good employee.
This comment annoyed me...sm
Our transcriptionists do not work from home. We believe medical transcription is a serious business that demands professionalism.
They make it sound like MTs that work from home are not professional as opposed to those that work in an office. I don't think so, darlings. I much prefer working from home rather than admidst the pecking hens and gossipy environment I used to be in, which felt like high school again.
Thank you -- comment inside to MTs
Thank you, Moderator, for posting this.
Guys/gals, always, always, always take caution when responding to a job post where the return e-mail is through yahoo, hotmail, any of those free e-mail services. Err on the side of caution and do a THOROUGH check.
I'm not saying all of these companies who use Yahoo, Hotmail, etc., are unscrupulous. Just be very, very careful and make sure you post here. I have found some of the MTs on here, whom I have asked for advice in the past, to have some good instincts and gut feelings.
Love to all my fellow USA MTs!!!
p.s. The name Olyphant was odd to me---sounds like a twist to elephant.
Anyone with DSG that can comment on QA and Qasar and how they are
with that. It seems like some QA need to pick about anything.
Comment by 'Regroup'
Moderator! Why was the comment of 'Regroup' to which I could answer, although the 'quick reply feature' was temporarily taken away, deleted?
I would really like to know!
Thanks
Here is the comment that got the whole ball of wax
All the difficult jobs and bad dictators only make you stronger. You can't have perfect jobs everyday, so just get over it. Also, to MTs who refuse to do OP reports - you are only keeping yourself from being the best MT you can be. I've been an MT for sooooo long and I wouldn't even notice or care if someone was cherry picking. I certainly wouldn't waste my time checking. The jobs have to get done and I'm good enough to do them. If I have to leave some blanks, oh well, move on! You guys act like little kids wondering if someone got the bigger piece of candy. Good grief!
We don't need to say anything in OUR defense. This is unacceptable.
This is the most pathetic comment
I have ever read. Thanks for re-posting to see what sorry pathetic attitude that Pacific is defending. Pacific and sm are probably cherry-picking supervisors' pets anyway.
I was not offended by the comment
I have a child who stutters, and I know the problems faced with that difficulty. For her it hasn't been a disability so much I have had stuttering dictators. Some were great - one I had on a clinic I LOVED b/c he took his time and didn't get rushed. However, I have one on my account now who slurs, whispers, never corrects and is nearly impossible to understand. I know there are issues w/ stuttering and I admire those who have overcome them to become doctors. However, I don't think that gives them any more leeway to be bad dictators than those who don't stutter. As far as being offended, I wasn't - i totally understand the frustration!
That is another common comment
I spent years, since 1973 to 2002 working outside the home, yes never got to work at home until outsourced. Why would I not be really happy now- plus the fact I no longer have to work long, long hours, 60 plus an hour when I had family I had to provide for and not working the rest of my life away in itself is a very big plus.
The above comment is for MT30+....nm
x
In answer to your first comment--SM
 Re. sending only the lines that need changing, it was meant as a joke--sorry you didn't catch on.
As for the labor boards, all 50 states have regulations regarding paying at least the MINIMUM wage to which EVERY employee is entitled. Kind of dificult to do this at 3-4 cents a line on VR -- or having to spend 12-14 hours a day to accomplish 8 hours of work..We'd also be interested in knowing their position on, as employee, being made to do more & more UNPAID work, doing hospital's or MTSO's demographic work, cc'ing, e-mails -- and BEST OF ALL, teaching (also unpaid) the VR machines to take our jobs.
OMG, this is really a nasty comment....
I, too, paid for rent and food when I lived at home, after I graduated from highschool. But my mother was already then a widow, so understandable and justified.
smart comment......nm
nm
cute comment....nm
nm
Just a side comment
Sorry,can't answer your question about Diskriter. Just found it interesting that you refer to OP notes as crap. I was just thinking today that I would feel like I had died and gone to heaven if I could do nothing but OP notes all day. I've been cranky today because I keep getting crap consults and clinic notes. OP notes are what I love to do more than anything.
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