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Has anyone ever had their tax assessment jump 50% - Posted By: NYer

because they have chosen to work at home doing IC medical transcription? This may not be why, my DH is down to the TA office right now to find out why they jumped it this much. That's enough that we could have added 2 rooms to our house. DH thinks they may be doing this with the assessments locally so that in a few years they can raise the tax rate and say, "Well we haven't raised taxes in x years." It's a load of bull either way, so wondered if anyone else has had this happen to them. Thanks.

I need your opinion, please. - Posted By: Trying to decide

If you were given the option of either working at home on a schedule with a little flexibility for production with benefits or working outside the home on an hourly rate which is reasonable with benefits, which would you choose and why? Please give feedback as to why you would choose one over the other, pros and cons. I really need your opinions as you all know what is involved in this type of job. You may think of something I haven't already thought of and I value your opinions. Do you prefer to know your doctors personally so that you can get personal feedback from them or are you comfortable just knowing them as a "voice" and getting feedback from QA? Thanks in advance for your responses.

Does Shorthand conflict with AutoCorrect? - Posted By: anon

Question for you all...I'm using ShortHand and also AutoCorrect but I've noticed something weird happening with Shorthand. If I have a sentence in Shorthand and it expands in my document, sometimes it misspells a word in the sentence by leaving out one letter or it smushes 2 of the words together in the sentence, even thought it's not like that in the Shorthand entry. Any ideas why this could be happening?? The only thing I can think of is maybe Shorthand is conflicting with AutoCorrect. Should I not run the 2 programs together? Any help is greatly appreciated as this is really slowing me down. THANKS

Does anyone finding themselves needing a nap (sm) - Posted By: CDMT

Everyday almost, by 2:00 PM, I am so sleeping that I can't keep my eyes open. I think it is boredom actually, but a quick 1 hour nap helps tremendously:) Just wondered if it is just me.

Anyone working on Bayscribe? - Posted By: shopaholic

I just started on this platform, after having worked on DocQScribe for years. I am looking for info about the Expander in Bayscribe. Do I have to use this expander or can I purchase my own, i.e. Shorthand, etc. and use it in conjunction with this program. Unless I'm not using it correctly, it didn't seem to convert all of my DocQScribe expansions to Bayscribe. I find it rather cumbersome to use and am thinking about purchasing my own expander. Any comments or suggestions?

It's a sad day when a highly educated doctor can't - Posted By: even pronounce simple medical words...sm

I'm talking epistaxis here, ok...not that hard of a word. She won't even put forth the effort to pronounce words correctly, especially medications, which in my opinion is downright dangerous. I wouldn't want her for my doctor...way to dangerous of a dictator. BTW, I never, ever guess on a medication, even if I am confident about what she MEANS to say...so always end up sending hers to proofing...okay, I'll get off my now...good day all!!!

POLL: What is your cat/dog's name? - Posted By: Nielson family

My cat is Dorothy.

I need some help... - Posted By: not MT related...sm

Any way to get spray paint off the pavement? Long story short, my DD and her friend spray painted the street out in front of our house...my DH is going to freak when he gets home...any ideas on how to hopefully get this up? They've scrubbed with soap, bleach, and Comet to no avail...please say there's a way this will come up...

Has anyone ever heard of Angel Food Ministries? - Posted By: me

We just discovered it in our local area and it's cheap groceries for families. There's no income guidelines or anything here, it's just available to anyone who wants to order. I just wondered if anyone else has taken advantage of this. Here's a link to see if it's available in your neighborhood.

calls from India - Posted By: nn

Have received three phone calls from India...I can tell by the accent (I transcribe a lot of Indian doctors). The first two calls were just stuttering around, wanting my name, etc. The last one was Sunday night at 9:00 p.m., woke me up. I was furious and asked him if he knew what time it was. He said he had no idea, but started with that "your name please", etc. I yelled "don't ever call this number again", and I hung up. I have passed this around at work, and some people are getting calls from India...I think they get us off the computer some way. Anybody else having this happen?

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)."

I do not care... - Posted By: USA MT

If the past was unknown to us and we were dubed or whatever - we all understood this was an American site - NOW we know it is not - why didn't they continue to use the off shore forums they had to post on. Why did they feel the need to not post that they were no longer American? Because this site gives them the opportunity to review and apply for jobs posted by those who NEVER would post on non-US site.

When jobs are posted we always got foreign resumes, want to bet this is tripled now. Those who post anything here except their displeasure with his actions and the use of a once American site for off shore purposes are giving him his feed. Every hit on his website moves him up and companies who do not know will post thinking they are supporting a US forum that gets a low of attention. Ads are posted and PAID for thinking it is a US forum.

This is no longer a US site, ads should be pulled and renegotiated to let them know this fact. Companies with jobs posted should be informed so they can make the decision.

Other web sites that are US should offer the same to these posters free - watch them grow. If MT Daily were smart they would drop the subscription rate and offer it free.

American MT here spreading the word to every single poster and website I can - MTSTars is not owned by an American.....Enough said.

Group insurance for IC sm - Posted By: mlstoo

Are there any companies that have group rates for self- employed? Just curious.

Any suggestions on this? - Posted By: eScription person here

My system is running slow as molasses.in have DSL, just had new ram installed to bring to 1.5 gb and my dictation is coming through in jerks, I am typing faster than the screen and having to wait on it. Oh, defragmented also. Any suggestions on what I can do, should do?? Thanks.

Does anybody watch Dancing With the Stars? - Posted By: Addicted to this show.

I want Drew Lachey to win so far. Such a great show.

I wish I could ballroom dance but unfortunately..... not so good.

Bausch & Lomb ReNu recall - fungal eye infections - Posted By: Misha

http://today.reuters.com/business/newsarticle.aspx?type=ousiv&storyID=2006-04-13T001013Z_01_N12314067_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESSPRO-BAUSCHANDLOMB-DC.XML

Is $1.20 per report plus paid for links good for radiology? nm - Posted By: JustWondering

/

What do others think about (sm) - Posted By: maj

using internet resources (reliable and recommended, of course) for research purposes, compared to books (referring to posts below)?

Personally, I have a lot of success with websites (have saved certain ones under my favorites listing) when researching new meds, terms, etc. There is a wealth of info available on the internet as everyone probably knows already.

Going camping and already I'm tired...... - Posted By: Jeanie

Does anybody else find that they end up taking half of Friday off to get the camper stocked and ready to go for the weekend? I would sure appreciate any suggestions on how to have it ready so all we have to do is hook up and head out. It's especially hard when we have an event that we are taking in while camping because that means special clothes, maybe special foods (potluck), etc. Suggestions?

Having 2 branches.... - Posted By: TTD INC

Hi Everyone:

I am currently an MTSO on the West Coast. Well, we are going to be moving to the East Coast as soon as our house sells. We are going to keep our business going here too, but I have a question on how to maintain two branches. My main concern is receivng payments. If it were you, would you just ask your clients to send your checks to your East Coast branch (which is where we'll be) or would you find another way of them submitting payments....electronically??? Any ideas here? I don't want to lose any clients by them thinking we are jumping ship. I know there will be times when I'll have to fly back for meetings, etc. We have established our name here on the West Coast, and I want to continue marketing here. What do you think?

Leave your Link for Best Drug Ref site - Posted By: just me

Thanks! Lost my favorites

Has anyone taken the AHIMA on-line coding course? nm - Posted By: Feel free to e-mail me.

nm

Give MQ a chance... - Posted By: mqpeep

Isn't it just possible that after all is said and done, and after all the changes, MQ may very well be a much better company to work for? Perhaps closing all these millions of branches (and the wildly different management styles, i.e. Columbus versus Amherst) will result in a more streamlined, consistent company where there is consistency across the board? Trimming the fat can be a good thing, U know. Personally I think Amherst is on borrowed time - a soon-to-be relic of the bad old days when nothing was done the same way from branch to branch. After all the dust settles, MQ just MIGHT be an excellent place to work again - but at least we should hear them out and give them the chance to prove it. Just my 2.5 cents...

Just wondering - Posted By: Siren

does the moderator delete a job posting if the company name is not mentioned. There was a job posting a few days ago with either just recruiter or the person doing the recruiting's name, and now I cannot find it on the forum.

normals, templates, shorthand programs, etc - Posted By: tired fingers

I was reading an earlier post that refers to companies making adjustments in our line counts because we are using these word expanders. I have been wondering about that because even using as many as I possibly can, it seems like it does no good. I do about as many lines as I would normally do just typing the darn things out. How are they making these adjustments, does anybody know and is it legal? Seems we have no standard anymore as to how lines are counted and companies are doing whatever the heck they want to us.

Industry pay is sinking. - Posted By: MslaMT

With 9 years experience, I was offered 5cpl for straight typing. Nuts if you ask me. Yet the company filled the positions with that pay.

Lanier station - Posted By: MTangel

not sure where to post this, but I have a complete Lanier 219 station that I am going to sell. Any offers will be considered.

Advice on contacting a doctor regarding doing their transcription -sm - Posted By: Anon

I used to work for a small MTSO that did his transcription. I no longer work there because of not being paid for the work that I have done. I am still owed over $400. I never signed any contract with her so there is no noncompete clause. I would like to do his work as I have done it in the past and I would like him to call me before he goes with another company. Any advice on how I should handle this would be appreciated. I have never been here before. Thanks.

What are the pros/cons of FlashType, IT, Shorthand - Posted By: and Shortcut? Thanks! nm

nm

MTStars has a new chat software. Check it out. Click on the CHAT now! link at the top right corner. - Posted By: Administrator (sm)

If you would like to set times and days/evenings to chat, post here and we will include it in the newsletter.

Does anyone have a good recipe for salmon. - Posted By: b

Something easy and quick.

MT production incentives - Posted By: Janna

I'm doing an MT class project and need to know this: when a Transcriptionist is paid and hourly wage plus production incentive, HOW MUCH is the incentive (generally)? I've had trouble getting this info so far. BTW, the project concerns an in-house transcription department. I appreciate any help - even educated guesses! :)

MUST READ: INDIAN UNITS OF LARGE U.S. PLAYERS - Posted By: Digusted and Ashamed

Please cut and paste this Indian article onto your address bar. It is a MUST READ. It is titled:

The US Medical Transcription Industry: Perspective on Outsourcing and Offshoring

A blog by BHARAT, dated 5/16/08

The BIG U.S. Players are: CBAY, Spheris, Spryance, Acusis and Heartland (a play on words and INSULTING!).

The article goes onto to say, These large players account for almost 70 percent of Indian medical transcription offshoring revenues.

http://bharatbookbureau.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/the-us-medical-transcription-industry-perspective-on-outsourcing-and-offshoring/

Equipment Donation - Posted By: Yvette

Does anyone know of a tax charity to donate Lanier transcription equipment?

How the h@ll can I get this thing to erase! - Posted By: dawnsun

Sorry! I have been trying to get this Lanier Vw210 to erase a tape. I even had medquist email me the directions. At least I got a good deal on the unit. Brand new (someone decided they did not want to be an MT). Got the unit, plug, headset, foot pedal all for 200, which is a steal because its all brand new.

Back to my problem, any help appreciated.

Thanks!!

I use Chartnet and need to know how... - Posted By: Need some help

to backup my expanders. Does anyone know how to do this? Do I use a disk? I read about using a thumb drive or data stick. No idea how to use this either. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Meditech search method help. - Posted By: pdqtrans

Can anyone refresh my memory on how to search by DOB in Meditech. Preferably in RAD module, but I know it can be done in PCI. For instance, you search by Unit # (i.e. U00012345), account # (i.e. A00012456) and DOB is something like D/ or D mmddyy or mmddyyyy or mm/dd/yy.

I need to know what goes in the front "D" and the mmddyy layout. I don't have access to PCI on this account so I can't go in and check. TIA

ASR pay - Posted By: Lo

anyone know the average or going line rate for ASR? I'm totally new to this and eager to know the good, bad, etc. of ASR and how MTs are being paid and how much. thanks.

What would be fair line rate if co. doesnt pay - Posted By: for footers or headers?

Does it really make a ton of difference in your pay?

MS Word Help? - Posted By: mt

How do you turn off the function that automatically capitalizes any letter after a period.

does anyone want to "chat"--there's never anyone in the chat room - Posted By: alejandra

any late niters have a few minutes to chat, let's pick a topic, any topic, meet me there.

--this one is kind of creepy, how it winks.

how do you stay consistent and productive working at home? - Posted By: sm

Just wondering. I have a hard time lately with being disciplined enough to sit and do what I am supposed to. What do you guys do if that happens to you?

Companies? - Posted By: Kathy

What's the consensus, TransHealth or Precyse? Thanks in advance.

being productive with an infant...? - Posted By: Jenn

Hi everyone!! I have a 6-week-old beautiful baby girl who LOVES to be held all of the time (she is breastfed). I've really been struggling with making production, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice on this. I do not want to have to pay a sitter, as I feel I can work this out. Sometimes she is content to lay across my lap, propped against the arm of the couch. This works pretty well (although I'm at a funky angle and make more typing errors)...since she doesn't tolerate the swing or the bouncy seat for very long....

Citrix/Speech Q - Posted By: Jen

The hospital I work for just went live with the radiology platform Speech Q last week. I can access via Citrix from home but cannot get the foot pedal to work. Any ideas...........? Thanks!

Word count program - Posted By: Terri

I have an older model puter that is slowly going up and have word 97 count program on it. I am looking for something that is compatible with that - that also does all headers and footers - not just the header and footer on the first page that I can put on my new puter. I have checked in to SPellex and that is really slow counting. I also checked in to Abacus, which was fast and pretty accurate; it actually gave me a little more on a few of my reports as a trial run. ANyone have any ideas on this. Thanks for any help.

Poll - Ever since I saw that - sm - Posted By: Mrs. Gadget

commercial where the woman was cleaning her kitchen with chicken leg, I have switched to using a dishcloth instead of a sponge. That was the most disgusting commercial ....

Anyway, what to you all use? Cloth or sponge, or other? Just curious, as it takes time to get use to using something other than a sponge.

Cannot bellieve wages. - Posted By: Typingfool

Many companies now only want to pay 6.5 to 8 CPL. This is even for seasoned MTs. Even ICs are not offered much more compensation. I have friends working at WalMart making more than some MTs. If you type 200 LPH at 7 cpl that is $14.00 an hour, but the health insurance is very expensive at these companies. You must have over 98% on QA scores, but they don't want to pay more for quality and experience. Plus many jobs are IC and you have higher taxes. I feel that wages have been falling steadily in the past years and continue to fall. No wonder there is a shortage of experienced MTs (so I hear). More likely it is a shortage of experienced MTs that want to work for such low wages and no raises in the future.

just a vent!!! - Posted By: mtmomof3

Is it REALLY necessary for the doctor to PEE while dictating. Surely they are not THAT strapped for time. That is disgusting to have to listen to!!! UGH!!

Retta's posts - Posted By: Retta

Where did my posts go?? Did I do something wrong??