Reasonable rates
Posted By: Busy MT'ing on 2005-08-20
In Reply to: Medquist vs other companies - Donna
Reasonable rates to you may be unreasonable to others.
If you don't feel you're being paid for your experience, then you're not.
As you can see below, when MTs start posting anything regarding rates, line counts, etc., flames start.
Decide what is reasonable for you and what is fair compensation for your experience. If MQ isn't paying it, talk to them. If they are, then congratulations!
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yes, they have very reasonable ins rates
i do hope you will consider the Florida hospital account because we really need help on there. thanks
I think that is reasonable
as a starting point. I am making twice that, but with over 10 years experience, working on one hospital account, at 8 cpl plus incentive
No. Must mean that they are a fair and reasonable
company to work for. If not, I would have left a long time ago.
Because someone might ask you a reasonable question?
I don't get it.
In my experience, it is reasonable to believe
That being said, some are capable of doing 3 times as many lines. A lot depends on the account.
Keystrokes: How reasonable do you think
it would be to expect this: We require a minimum of 1200 lines per day. This must be achieved within 1 week of starting on an account. For radiology accounts, we require a minimum of 120 reports per day. I ask how reasonable due to the fact of learning a new account, a new platform in all probability, getting down the account specs for each and every account if in a pool, entering with each report POSSIBLY new short cuts/macros if current Expander does not work with their system, loading of demographics in particular or whether they populate, and all the things, including ESLs, that impact production especially when starting over.
Keystrokes states nothing about a training period before starting on an account. Any current Key Strokes employees want to comment?
I don't think it is reasonable with ANY company.
The platform can be time-consuming. I know they have several Meditech accounts and they are not user friendly at all. I only had about an hour of training, but even if I had more it still takes actually using the platform to really learn it. Also you've got 200-300 dictators to deal with and you have to look up every name and that takes time. Then it depends on how good the dictators are, how good the sound files are, do you use a C-phone or get reports via FTP, etc. I just don't think it fair to expect anyone to be up to speed after only a week even if the platform is great, the dictators are great, etc. I also think that is more of a blanket statement. I have seen similar statements from other companies and it isn't enforced, but I know it sure can be a turn-off when you are looking for a position.
No, that sounds reasonable - sm
It really does. I am just so sick of it. Believe me, I have been in this business long enough and have fought so hard to keep myself busy and not complain. I have taken as many jobs and as many accounts as I can in the effort to keep supporting my family. That is what this type of production work is about.... keep yourself busy whether you are an employee or not, you really are your own boss when you work at home.
It's just that I have been through this now with several accounts. My nerves are frazzled from this fight. I do feel resentful towards the management of any of these companies who consistently run out of work, act like it's just the most wonderful thing in the world that we are staying right behind the dictators (Yeah, good for you!!!) and yet there is very little communication or concern for those of us who are struggling to get by with not enough work.
I am especially resentful towards management for HOUNDING and THREATENING us to meet our committment when there is not enough work and chastising us to go to 2nd, 3rd, 4th backup accounts to meet that. Do they not know or understand how much that slows a person down to have to relearn and remember all the account specifics and new doctors along with the fact that there is barely any work on those accounts either?!
You try to talk to them about it and they act like they have no idea what you are talking about and that things are GREAT! Thanks, think about me when you get that nice warm meal at dinner time tonight and how I hope I can make what food we have stretch until, hopefully, work picks up again! Jerks!
How long is reasonable to be on 100% QA sm
New company's QA is picking me apart on style issues, and each Editor sends me different guidlines. I have been on QA for a little over a week now, which is probably the longest I have ever been on QA for a new company. I have maintained a 99 to 98% QA score everywhere I have worked, but this is starting to make me a little discouraged. 
How long is reasonable to be on 100% QA
I, too, have been on QA for almost a week and I feel absolutely stupid. Doesn't seem to matter about the medical content of the report, but more the silly stuff, putting in an a or a the. I feel worse than I did when I first started many years ago and now am questioning everything I type. Very frustrating. Wish I knew which company you were talking about to know if I'm there! Hopefully it will get better.
You got a reasonable amount sm
from what I've seen for raises - a full half-cent would be great, but it's hard to give that to deserving MTs when companies can't get hospitals or clients to pay more.
I definitely have sympathy but I'm afraid that you were lucky to get anything at all, unfortunately. I wouldn't feel insulted - I'd be grateful that they were even able to grant a small raise in these tough economic times.
I'd advise you to try again when the economy picks up.
I believe it's quite reasonable to request a deposit on the..
equipment. WMX does not require you to use their computer, but your personal computer must meet the system requirements to be used, so update it if you must. The deposit is deducted over 4 pay periods IIRC, and you will get it back when you leave the company and return the equipment.
Too bad you take this stance. I wonder how many good companies you've passed on. WMX is one of the best. It's a shame you'll never know that.
Thanks. That sounds very fair and reasonable. (nm)
(nm)
What about Keystrokes insurance, is it reasonable?
nm
companies with reasonable insurance
... but not enough to have my premiums double from one payday to the next. Surely there are companies still with reasonable insurance. I get it that everything is going up everywhere but please if you have information on companies wtih still reasonable rates I need to know. 
Amen, a reasonable person out there!
I have no problem waiting until actual payday, since every other Monday IS the actual payday. Some of you must be poor budgeters to get so irritated and blaming TT because your check is not where it should be. How about be thankful that you work for a great company and have a job!
Axolotl's benefits are very reasonable.
Medical and Dental are under $65 per pay (twice a month) and the Company pays the vision, which has great coverage!! They have 401K with match, PTO and flex spending. The PTO rates are very generous.
Its a reasonable line request
Even with a slow, troublesome platform and lots of crappy ESL, I always do more that 1600 lines per 8 hour shift. The only way I wouldn't is if I ran out of work or had a lot of interruptions, or just felt like goofing off.
Is Transtech's insurance reasonable?
I do have a job a reasonable amount of work
with good pay. I just haven't worked for this low of pay in many years. It averages about $10.00 an hour when all said and done, and I didn't know if that is a waste of my time, or get more work at my other job for more money. It seems the latter one is better, but in this day and age, I always think 2 jobs are more secure just in case one gets low on work. What would you do in this case? It is an IC position.
BC/BS - single is reasonable and good coverage...
Family is outrageously expensive. I know they are trying to change it, but still expensive.
Not familiar with them but 1000 sounds reasonable
NM
Wow, a company with actual ppl and not reasonable facsimilies!
It's nice to know there are still companies out there that give a darn about you. I'm sorry for your losses and very glad you didn't have to worry about HR coming down on you cuz u took 1 minute too long on your time off. Jobs worries can add so much stress to a person's already hectic life.
It is finally in place June 1st. It is reasonable and sm
really good. My sister has had it for yours and says Guardian is better than BCBS.
If it is reasonable rental fee and you get your deposit back, not
nn
TransTech allows splits and has reasonable benefits sm
I have health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability. I bought the most expensive health plan because I felt I needed it. Just for me, it is $65 a paycheck. Considering the amount of insurance and the fact that I chose the most expensive plan, that is not bad. There are 2 other plans to choose from, this was what was right me.
Btw, I work a split shift.
Is OSI's the cost family coverage fairly reasonable or sky-high? nm
xx
Decent place to work - the owner is fair and reasonable.
I have known GG, the owner, for a long time. I worked for her as an IC and never had a problem, except for the no work syndrome, but that was about 5 years ago. Hope they are busier now.
If I had to go back and work for a company, JLG would be the place.
I am a remote employee directly for a hospital now, so no need to work for a company.
I can vouch for JLG anytime. Pay is always on time, their staff is friendly and professional, never had a problem with QA.
Axolotl insurance is very reasonable. Unfortunately, I did not pass the testing with 14 years exp.
I'm not sure what my problem was. I thought the transcription testing was easy but apparently my headphones are just an awful quality because I just did not hear what it actually was on some parts of the test. In any event, obviously people have and do pass their tests. I was in the same situation. I needed affordable insurance and Axolotl was very reasonable, I want to say like $300 a month for family so I was pretty bummed when I did not pass the test but best wishes on whatever you decide.
Keystrokes has new insurance (finally) that is reasonable and good coverage. sm
The cost for a single person is $404 per month but they pay 1/2, so it is $202 or $101 per pay check (1st and 15th). I received my papers and card and rx card last week and the coverage is better than the BCBS that I had with others. $20 per visit co-pay, instead of $50.
It absolutely is NOT a reasonable request for a minimum line requirement!
We are not machines! 20 years ago when I started out, my first job had a requirement of 800 lines per day (8 hours), that's 100 lines an hour. Five years later it was 1000 lines a day. I think the standard right now is around 1200 lines a day. Now, someone's asking for 1600 as a minimum!?!?!!?
I'm not saying there aren't people out there that can meet and exceed 1600 in a day. I'm simply saying making 1600 a minimum requirement is absurd and unfair.
Would ya'll say that Medware's family ins coverage is relatively reasonable cost-wise? nm
xx
Pay rates
Your pay rate doesn't change. What this policy says is that IF you send a report with a CRITICAL error to a customer and it is returned, you may not be paid for that particular report. I don't see this as unfair frankly because the service can't bill a customer for that serious of a mistake in a document. It's all about us being accountable for our work. We want to be recognized for our value but don't want any of the responsibility that goes with that?
pay rates sm
I turned down a job also because of low pay--company did not want to pay for spaces and added normals themselves so I wouldn't get paid. How low can you go? Wish we all would turn down low pay. Maybe it would send a message. I know this isn't realistic, but I'm wishing :)
pay rates sm
Just curious but which company does not want to pay for spaces? I know of one company that does add the normals and will not pay the MTs but it isn't any of the three mentioned here, can you enlighten us, please?
Thanks!
pay rates
There are two different platforms, one pays 9 cents per line without spaces and one pays 7-8 cents with spaces.
low rates
I have a friend who has a small MT company and she charges her clients 9 to 12 cpl (the 9 cpl accounts she types herself). She has a few ICs locally (usually pays 7 cpl). She is amazed when I tell her what other companies charge their clients but every time she tries to negotiate a little higher rate her clients tell her either it's the same low rate as always or they won't use her services anymore, so she feels stuck. We live in a low cost of living area, so the doctors are generally cheaper here, but for me personally, I wouldn't take that pay if I had to have the hassle of my own accounts, dealing with clients, billing, etc.
Especially re. pay rates....sm
The few MT contracts I have seen, employee or IC, are pretty vague on the subject of compensation, saying something like, ...The agreed-upon rate. Agreed between whom? Get a specific figure in writing, esp. re. rates per line, spaces, etc. They can screw you up here without you knowing it, and how is agreed-upon rate going to hold up anywhere?
rates
Employee rates are 7.5 to 8.5 for dayshift, plus they have an incentive that you can make if you type an additional 200 lines per day. That will add 1/2 cpl to your rate, they also have an additional 1 cpl for late shift plus the incentive. The acute care rates are higher than the ER team rates. They pay by direct deposit every 2 weeks. I started with MedScribe about 6 months ago and like the work and the new platform.
low rates
I have tried to reason with the company I work for, using all my logical arguments - it's best to pay a little more if you expect people to work on their days off, it's better to pay your experienced people a few cents more than to hire in outsiders when work gets behind, especially if your clients are already angry (come on, tell me that someone can just come in and do exceptional work with no experience on an account!), that it would be nice to get a raise or a sick day or some kind of incentive, and it has all fallen on deaf ears.
I believe there is money to be made in this business, but it is not the MTs who will be making it.
low rates
I turned down an offer this morning of 7.5 cpl for acute care. I have over 20 years of experience and I refuse to accept that line rate. It's an insult to all of us who have dedicated our lives to our profession.
MT Rates
If anyone knows the going rate being charged by MT companies or by individuals in Florida, North and South Carolina, would you mind posting it here..hubby and I are considering a move. Thank you.
pay rates?
Anyone know companies that pay on the gross and/or straight line?
pay rates
But, because the vendors spew their crap about how this technology will save the hospitals so much money, the Editor pay is almost always decreased per line versus traditional transcription. Most editors are getting paid 3 to 4 cents per 65-character line, some are paid a % of their usual pay rate per line. It still means a decrease in overall income per hour.
How many MTs/editors are now working extra hours per week to make up that difference?
Although the vendors (keep in mind, they are salesman, they only care about selling their product -- they don't give a rat's a%% about how it affects anything else) claim that the technology keeps learning and improves, that is not always the case. A lot depends on the particular system, how many editors are involved, if the editors are ALL given the identical specs and following those account specifications.
I'm just sick and tired of new technology actually causing a decrease in my income. It should be a win-win situation for everyone involved in the process, but it never seems to benefit the MTs/editors.
Rates for Rad
I've worked for a company offering Rad on PowerScribe (and please ask how you are compensated for downtime) and rates for both editing AND MT should never be below a dollar, that's just insane. $1.25 to 1.50 is the going rate most places per report for MT.
Rates
I would suggest you talk them into using a digital recorder - then you don't have to drive for tapes, and the sound quality is better. There are many inexpensive ways to get the files to you, so you won't have to worry about gas, etc.
As for rates - I wish you the best of luck in getting them to pay the range you're considering. You have a shot at the low end, at the high end, if you can get it, I'll hire you to come do sales for me. ;)
Deborah
PTO rates cut
If you thought the PTO time you have been banking at DRC/Acusis was going to be paid at the rate when you banked it -- dream on! It's being paid at your CURRENT rate -- so for all my sister MTers, we lost bunches of money. One wonders what is next??!!
The insurance rates are the same for everyone who
signs up for that particular coverage. If you are signing up for employee only it will obviously be the lowest cost. If you add children and/or spouse and/or family coverage, those are all different coverage plans and each has a cost.
The benefits for Spheris are not negotiable. Therefore, if $202 was what they told you would be the cost of your insurance, then everyone who has the same coverage will pay that same rate.
line rates
When I started I was told line rates are based on years of experience and what account you work on. When you are hired they give you a pay matrix so it is easy to see exactly what you are making. They also pay a shift differential after 6PM and have an incentive plan that is paid at 12,000 per pay (2 weeks).
Pay Rates Have Not Changed -
It must have been the level of the account.
This is exactly why our rates are going into the toilet -
SOMEONE will nearly always work for whatever ridiculously low rate is offered!
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