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If your MTSO bounces checks or pays late - Posted By: post the name of the company here

along with facts to back up your statement. If an MTSO bounces checks or pays late, we all need to know who they are. There are no rules that say we cannot list the name of a company.

There is absolutely no excuse for MTSOs who jip us out of our hard earned money. Because we work from home it's much easier for them to do this to us. In most cases we live in an entirely different state. I'm sick of this crap. I'm sick of the run around, the delays and excuses. There is no excuse.

Offshore Ad on this site? - Posted By: UPset!!

I was just over on the State Boards forum and saw an Ad for AAAMT saying they charge 5.9 cents per line. Unless they have monkeys working for bananas, they must have offshore workers because we could not put bread on the table for what they would have to pay after Charging 5.9 cents per line. They offer everything that the big MTSOs offer at 1/3rd to 1/4th the price so I think we can be sure they are not hiring US MTs. I believe MTSOs usually pay the MT around one-third what they charge so at 5.9 cents per line, we would be making around 2 cents a line. Ads like this make me question this site's loyalty to US MTs.

I tend to agree with you - Posted By: AnotherOldTimerMT

I agree. When Angelina Jolie first started bringing to the forefront the terrible African situation, I think that changed the entire focus of this country. Unfortunately, with that also came complacency. At least, I give her kudos for bringing up subjects we, as human beings, didn't want to face. But that was then and this is now.

So...I guess, as just a lowly humble human being, I will throw my hat in the ring and see where it falls. For me alone, I will feel better just knowing I tried.

Have a great rest of your day!

Paid, thanks to MT Stars and Sheri - Posted By: Thankful

I had an issue with an MTSO who had ads on this board. I contacted Sheri (board owner), who made haste in getting in touch with the MTSO. As a result, I was paid today.

Many thanks to Sheri and MT Stars for your support, concern and willingness to get involved!!!!!!

Thankful MT!!!!!!!!

OT: Amp'd Cell Phone Service - Posted By: Shelby

I am looking for a new cell phone service, preferably pay-as-you-go or something really cheap because I barely even use 100 minutes a month most months. Has anyone tried this new Amp'd broadband cell service? What'd ya think?

Thanks!

Shelby

Question. If you are not able to make - Posted By: your line count within 8 hours

Do you clock out and keep typing. I work at Spheris and wonder if I'm able to do this.

Does anyone on her work for Amherst MQ and how is that office to work for. - Posted By: MTMQ

:

Question - Posted By: justme

Can you use a footpedal with mediaplayer?

Problems w/Computer - Posted By: Lucy

Good morning, so glad I was able to get on here! For the past 2 weeks I've had problems with my computer being very slow and locking up--to the point where I've had to shut it down at the power strip and start again several minutes later. It's just getting worse. All I can think of is to "defrag" and remove unnecessary programs. I've just updated my virus protection and hoped that will help, but it hasn't.

Any suggestions? Thanks to you tech-savvy people!

cost of transcription - Posted By: Ruth

I am hoping that someone can help me. I am wanting to go into business for myself. I actually have the physicians lined up, but I am having a problem with cost. It seems to be a big secret on how much MT companies charge the physicians. Is there a ballpark figure? Do they charge by the line or how do they charge? And how much? Any help or information I get can would be helpful. Thanks.

Does anyone here use ShareFile? - Posted By: Colleen

How do you like it? Would you recommend it? For $30 a month it seems like it would be easier than using FTP and it meets HIPAA 128-bit encryption standards.

do computers make you feel sick? - Posted By: Daniel

hey, i was just wondering if any of you transcriptionists dread spending so much time on the computer. Do any of you get headaches, or other discomforts from the EMFS or the chemcials outgassed from the computer?

I have a blog where I post info about outgassed chemicals from computers. if you get bad feelings from computers It might be because of the outgassed flame retardants and other chemicals.

http://www.outgasreport.com

Ortho progress note samples - Posted By: LieseOrlita

Does anyone know where I could get samples of ortho progress notes?

TIA

Anyone experienced with ExText? (sm) - Posted By: barbv

This is a new account and we're still on dial-up, and don't have the help function. I have 2 questions: 1) How can you bring a normal you have made for yourself into the document without having to go through the entire list? 2) How can you stop an expansion from expanding on a 1-time basis. Let's say you have PT as prothrombin time, but you need just "PT" -- how could you get it to stop at PT? Many thanks!

Dial up or satellite? - Posted By: survivornut

I have noticed on most job requirements they say no dial up or satellite internet. High speed isn't available in my area and my only option is satellite for high speed. Anyone know why lots of companies don't want satellite? I thought it was a good thing?

OB qestion on word board - TIA - Posted By: gmg

xx

About how many lines are expected to be typed each day, minimum, on average? NM - Posted By: TM

Meditech Magic Platform - Posted By: PoorPoorPitifulMT

I am about to start working on a radiology account that uses the Meditech Magic platform. Can any of you tell me the good, the bad and the ugly about this platform?

TIA!

Internet Explorer trouble - Posted By: computer problems

Has anyone ever had IE just poop out on them? I was able to log onto IE yesterday morning with no problems. Then, about 2 hours later I needed to go online and research a medication. I got the following error message: "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Error. Program:CProgram FilesInternet Exploreriexplore.exe. This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way. Please contact the applications support team for more information." I tried running TrojanHunter Guard, Ad-aware spyware detection, and even tried uninstalling and reinstalling IE but it won't let me do that. I've downloaded another browser called Opera which was recommended to me just so I can get online. Anybody else had this problem? Thanks for any help or advice.

Do you care about your job - Posted By: lets fight

Help me fight offshoring of medical records..Email me with the state you live in...I fully believe that we are being screwed over. I believe this is a violation of HIPPA and Homeland Security much less they are taking OUR jobs because they work cheap..Your info will be kept secret I will NEVER give out an email address...What I am trying to do is organize transcriptionists to where one or two from each state will write a letter to their legistaters and a copy to the President,,,But before this letter is sent I want to try and circulate it so that we have as many signatures as possible on it...More and more of the jobs are going overseas, it is keeping us working for barely nothing...This is the chance to earn a living wage and protect peoples personal information and keep it in the country where the HIPPA laws can be enforced..

DANGEROUS VIRUS COMING.... - Posted By: sm

Subject: Big virus coming, confirmed by McAfee and Norton and Snopes

Subj: Big virus coming, confirmed by McAfee and Norton and
Snopes

Big virus coming, confirmed by McAfee and Norton and Snopes

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp

Hi All, I checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing
up for this virus!

I checked Snopes (URL above:), and it is for real!!

Get this E-mail message sent around to your contacts ASAP.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS!

You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any
message with an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD,' regardless of who sent
it to you. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which 'burns' the
whole hard disc C of your computer. This virus will be received from
someone who has your e-mail address in his/her contact list. &nb sp;This
is the reason why you need to send this e-mail to all your contacts It
is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and
open it.

If you receive a mail called' POSTCARD,' even though sent to you
by a friend, do not open it! Shut down your computer immediately.

This is the worst virus announced by CNN. It has been classified
by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. This virus was
discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for this kind
of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc,
where the vital information is kept.

COPY THIS E-MAIL, AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS. REMEMBER: IF YOU
SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US.

Snopes lists all the names could come in.

New to Board - Posted By: Mikki

Just checking this board out, seeing how it works :)

DOE - Posted By: KATHY

What does DOE mean in regards to getting paid. I have seen a couple of ads who say they pay DOE. Never heard of this term.

It's Monday - Posted By: AnnieM!AnnieM!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I come here to gain insight, vent, laugh, commiserate, learn, and share. Maybe we can start the week by ignoring the few that come on here to attack, belittle and chastise. Constructive criticism is great as are differences of opinion. Isn't that what this site is supposed to be all about? Name-calling and bullying are what we teach our children not to do. When it happens TO our children, we tell them to ignore it.

I am SO tempted to be passive aggressive here. - Posted By: crystal ball out of whack

This darn doctor wants me to send a copy of the report to another physician. "Send a copy of this to foreign doctor's name." No spelling, no address, nothing. I finally find the address by accident just by scrolling through the directory. The doctor has not only badly mispronounced the name, but gave the last name as the first name. I'm really tempted to provide the phonetic spelling as he dictated it and tag it with a noted telling him to verify the spelling and provide the address. Really, how on earth am I supposed to know the doctor's information?

Voice Recognition - Posted By: desertflour

After hearing about it for years, I finally did my first VR work a few days ago. My fellow MTs, I think we have nothing to fear from this technology. It will take years, probably a generation, before it is perfected enough to replace us. I actually found it rather entertaining to edit - it just prints out exactly what it hears phonetically, including the instructions - "Go back up and add...."

I think they should show some Voc Rec printouts and transcribed reports of the same dictations at all Medical Staff Meetings so dictators can see just what we do in our job.

fascia was nicked in the midline or knicked in the midline.....was QA'd - Posted By: MT

on this and wondering what others think. TIA Placed on word board but no one responded.

OSi/no work! - Posted By: anon

Anybody else getting tired of the hosing we are getting with no work???? Why don't they just lay us off and allow us to collect unemployment????

Need tips on being productive with cardiology procedures - Posted By: mt

Thanks

sorry for being clueless here but - Posted By: confused

where are you guys seeing where all the MT week prizes are?

This doctor is driving me crazy... sm - Posted By: TJ

I hear a lot of crazy crap in the background, we all do but this is the first time that I have had a doctor listening to Christmas music - in August. She has it up so loud that I can barely hear her and every now and then, while she is flipping pages trying to get her sh*t together, she will sing along.

Now I love Christmas and Christmas music but this is a bit early even for me. She is driving me batty.

Safe way of mailing printed reports? - Posted By: Libby

I am currently transcribing and printing reports for a doctor, and pay a courier to go back and forth picking up tapes & dropping off printed reports. Have found a way for the doc to easily send me his transcription digitally, but they still want their reports printed and sent to them. The courier is kind of expensive to just deliver reports. Wasn't sure if Priority Mail with Signature Confirmation would be a HIPAA compliant way of sending reports? Or possibly a Fedex option? Does anyone know of a relatively inexpensive way of getting reports delivered (about 40 miles away) that would be safe and HIPAA compliant? Faxing is not an option, as most are printed letters and the fax quality is just not great. Would appreciate any thoughts/ideas at all. Thanks!

Need some help please (sm) - Posted By: monica

I have been trying to test with some companies on line. I have been having problems with filling in PDF questionnaires. I don't have Microsoft Word. Can anyone tell me what the problem might be? Do I need to buy Word? Do I have something locked that is causing me not to be able to fill in questionnaires? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Am I loosing it? - Posted By: pdqtrans

Okay I work from home for a small company, 4 yrs now. When I first started, I could really bust out the lines. It kind of reminds me of a sewing factory. They will �have me on pockets and then switch me to collars!� Meaning when you start making production they switch you. Great people to work for but now I find I can hardly stay awake to do the job. I do have insomnia so that does not help. Will work 10-6 and sometime have to take a break. In a typical day I will not to sleep until about 3 sometimes 4 in the morning but then sleep until 9:30 sometimes 9:55 and then get up and work. I know that is ridiculous. I am have serious OCD when it comes to my desk set up. If things are out of line I have to have them straight or I can�t get comfortable. Like if a book or a piece of paper is sitting sideways, I will feel like I am leaning or sitting cockeyed, to the point that it actually causes muscle strain. My office walls are a lime green or pistachio color. So much for that signifying Money! I am at the point now that I think it is the color and the lighting. It causes such a strain on my eyes. Plus I three different accounts use different accounts using different fonts. Mainly courier and then Arial. The courier will be so faint and then boom there is the bold huge Arial. I am working on changing jobs because I have absolutely no benefits with this company. I also work jobs on the side when local physicians of hospitals need someone to catch them up. Usually this is on my days off. I find myself struggling to 500 lines in an 8 hour day, yet I can work these extra jobs, no matter if I go in or work at home and I can bust out 1300+ in anywhere from 5-7 hours. I have been doing this 24 years so this absolutely makes no sense to me. Some days I will type 8 hrs at home and then go in and do 8 hours at hospital, clearing out over 2 hours of dictation at a time. I have decided that it is all in my mind. I love doing ESL doctors but the ones I type for, one yawns all of the time and I am the only one that does him and the others have something wrong with their recording system and there are always areas of static and you have to back up and do it again and finally it will come through. Am I just loosing it or what? All psychological? One week I took vacation which I did not get paid for, only to go to another facility and work! Big difference in a 8.5 cpl paycheck and a 15 cpl check! I�ve decided I�d rather be the �traveling transcripitionist�. Funny thing is I can sit at this same computer and type up until 3 a.m. on the second jobs and be wide awake, but let me sign on to my company and it�s sleeping beauty all over again! So am I loosing it. Maybe its because I know I have no benefits and I�m getting nowhere?

Speaking of wireless - Posted By: kallie

Do any of you use a laptop to be able to work while on "vacation". I realize that most people don't work when on vacation - but I am wondering if MTs are doing this.

If so - how does this work? I'm thinking of buying a laptop to be more mobile and want to know what I need in order to work this way (what I need to hook up the wavpedal, etc.) Could anyone who does this recommend a particular computer brand and model?

Training on HIPAA, insurance, etc? - Posted By: Pammie

I am interested in learning a lot more about Medicare, Commercial Insurances, Blue Cross, etc., and also HIPAA laws. Does anyone know of seminars, online training, webinars, etc., that I could attend? How does one go about learning more specifically about these areas to improve a home business in coding, billing, and transcription. I am new at this and would like to be as knowledeable as I can. I am taking an online course for coding and billing that someone suggested from this site. Love it! Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

was anyone else offended to get an e-card from a free site from team leader that was - Posted By: ho, ho, no go

blanket message to everyone. I thought that was low class. You can send an e-card to casual acquaintences, coworkers, etc., but I do not think a blanket 1 message fits all to employees, bosses, or family is appropriate for Christmas. I would rather have had nothing than this thoughtless piece of nothing.

Clinic MT looking for part-time work - Posted By: swe

Clinic MT with 3+ years experience in family practice, internal medicine, ENT, and cardiology looking for part-time work. Prefer to work in Word, 2000+ lines per week.

Computer Purchasing Suggestions! - Posted By: For Those Who Don't have one.

I have posted this before, but not for a while. To me, one of my biggest hurdles to leave MQ was the computer issue. I had another one of my own, but it was a dinosaur relic. I absolutely had zero money to pay for one in full, and my credit cards were melted. So, you have 2 very viable reliable options. QVC and HSN. QVC specializes in Dell, HSN Gateway. I have desktop PCs from both, and they all were great. I do not recommend laptops from either, though. They both offer easy monthly payments on select computers. Sometimes the selections change daily, other times weekly. If you browse on line and see a computer you like, below the ad it will even say when a show may be running, and on that day there will be lots more choices. You can shop online and see which ones are on Easy Pay with QVC or Flex Pay with HSN. They sell really nice models, and for usually around $600 to $800, you can get a fully-loaded great computer with flat screen monitor, printer/scanner, the works and they divide it into 6 to 8 payments for you. All you need is a debit card. Even a brand new customer qualifies for these payment plans. It saved me, literally, and enabled me to apply and get several IC jobs and get my life and happiness and freedom and money back again! Yet I could never have afforded to buy a computer any other way at that sad time in my life. Just in case some are thinking this is an obstacle, please check this out. With both Dell and Gateway, you get your own personalized service # as well, not the one regular customers get, and the service was great, the rare times I needed help. We've purchased computers for the whole family this way.

Oregon salaries - Posted By: Patti

I am tired of being called a liar that I embelish my income, etc. So I just called 10 MT's out here in Oregon that I have known for quite a while and they all hit between 45 and 60K this year. Of course we do all the accounts that you a lot of you don't like to do which involve pick-up, delivery, printing, the smaller one to two doctor offices, being friendly and interactive with the staff. And we keep our line charge lower that a lot of you like and some of you have told me that I am bringing the MT world down by working for this amount -- we all charge between 10.5 to 12.5 cpl using Sylcount. Through all of this, and none of us work more than 45 hours per week -- me I am the highest, most work 30 to 35 hours, we have made the money and so I guess we are doing something right. To those that say we are padding our incomes --I think you are all jealous and just don't have the umph to go out and do it. And yes, we have ESL's and some work hospital overflow, surgical center, Wound Clinic, clinics, psych reports. There are other niches out there --ya gotta have the drive and the umph to go and get them.

MT Advantage anyone? - Posted By: tothepnt

I have to get some additional training and think I might go with MT Advantage. Anyone have any experience with them?

Or, any other suggestions perhaps?

Recommendations of Helpful Reference Materials? - Posted By: Renee

Hi, I am just starting out in this field and would like to hear what reference material people find as necessary to have.

I am just starting out in this field and would like to hear what reference material people find as necessary to have.

Also are there any special materials that would be helpful for plastic surgery?

Recommendations would be so helpful for me so i can decide what i should buy.

Thanks

Renee

Regarding Petition Post - Posted By: ERMT/Oncology MT2

I wrote to an official in office, a few days ago, about out-sourcing. Trust me there are many concerned people who do not know about personal information going off United States soil. Anyway, here is the response I received back just today. MTs, we have to stick together and stay strong on this one! There may be hope yet.

Greetings, Thanks for taking the time to contact me regarding your concerns about out-sourcing medical records beyond our country's borders. I appreciate you bringing this important issue to my attention. I will forward your very valid concerns for consideration. We have a responsibility to protect personal information and medical records. So many loopholes!!!!! Thank you again and have a Happy and Holy Easter Season. Mauree G.

She also sent me a second E-mail asking that we keep this topic alive in our field. We can do this. Yes we can! Write to your state representatives. Trust me they don't know what is going on, but they do listen. I pointed out that if we work from home in the U.S. that we also save our earth. We are not using gas to travel to other jobs, ect. There are many, many valid issues here. Just take a few minutes and type out a quick note to your representatives.

Word 2003 Question - Posted By: MT

I currently use Word 2003. When I started Word this morning all of my entries in my custom dictionary (that I use for spellcheck) were gone. Has anybody had this happen to them before. As far as I can tell my medical spellchecker is working ok it is just the custom dictionary.

Any help would be appreciated so this does not happen again.

Thanks.

India and CMT - Posted By: US MT

Please tell me they are not only undercutting us in pricing, but they are also getting a break on the CMT exam? I am "saving up" to take it! � see below from MT India

"Moreover, with an aim to encourage experienced medical transcriptionists in India to align with global standards and broaden their career avenues, Prometric & AAMT have also announced a special price for the Certified Medical Transcription (CMT) certification exam, which will be available for USD 150 (reduced from previous available price of USD 275)."

Whatever u do, do not, I repeat - Posted By: Soft Script is

unless you like being taken for a total ride. Lost wages, line stealing, lied to, work 7 days a week so their pockets can get fatter and yours gets thinner. Just some friendly advice for job seekers.

If anyone from California gets a chance - go to the GAB Board sm - Posted By: mag

my post was moved there, and I'm so afraid that no one will see it.

Be careful when doing business with TVPS, also known - Posted By: Ticked off and then some

as Executive Communication Systems. I bought a foot pedal from them that was SUPPOSED to be compatible with a particular program. Right out of the box it didn't work. Told me to send it back and they would repair it (shipping at my expense of course). Received the foot pedal back and it will work for a little while and then won't work and I have to reinstall it. They say the only way to unstall it is to unplug it from the computer. I'm sitting right in front of the computer with a job open and the *$#*$!#@)$ pedal doesn't work. I have asked to return the pedal (again I eat the expense) and get a refund and they refuse. I paid $75.00+ for a pedal, had to pay nearly $9.00 to send it back for repairs, and now they won't give me my money back. I can't even sell it to try to recoup some of my money, because I don't want to shaft someone like they did me.

I'm going to file with the BBB and also my credit card company.

Academy of Business Services - Posted By: tk

Has anyone ever heard of these people - they are advertising for a conference in my area for people interested in learning medical billing. Does anyone know if they are legit or a scam? Any info would be appreciated.

Any New Year's Resolutions???? - Posted By: 2006 here I come!

For me, I have 30 lbs. to lose! Oh boy! Quit smoking four months ago and indulged in food. My appetite was insatiable at times. At this point, I am going to give everything I have for the next three months to getting this weight off. Being 30 lb. overweight at 47 is doing nothing for my self esteem and I do not want to spend money on a new wardrobe...

Anyone else with lifestyle changes planned for 2006?