Are you venting as a patient or as an employee/contractor? -nm
Posted By: JC on 2008-03-25
In Reply to: I have yet to actually even find a doctor that cares about people! All they are interested in is mon - discouraged
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venting re foreign patient names
I just typed a long report where the patient has some weird foreign name so it's difficult to tell gender. The doc dictates as a male throughout, i.e. he, his etc. At the end changes it to a female. 
Contractor vs Employee
I've asked this before, but now have new problems and am hoping to get some advice. I've been working at home for a small clinic (one physician). Her husband, who is the doctor's husband, let me go due to physical problems that kept me from doing some additional duties they needed me to do; also, my not being a "team player"--not enthusiastic about the extra duties. So I'm at home with no contract now for about 1-1/2 months. The OM didn't think it was necessary--he said "we trust you!!" The OM calls me on the weekends or nights with requests or questions, and messages get increasingly snippy if I don't return his calls ASAP. This week I had a job interview out of town, because I cannot live on my current income (approx $850.00/month gross). I informed the office I was going out of town. During the time I was gone, less than 24 hours, he called three times and sent an email. It wasn't anything that could not have waited until I returned and responded to one of the phone calls or email. I feel like an offsite employee (with no benefits) rather than an independent contractor!
How should I handle this? Probably, as my daughter tells me, I should just put up with it until I can find another job. Any experience with a similar situation? Thanks--
First, were you an employee or contractor?
This will make a difference. If you were not an employee, you did not earn wages so it would not be reported.
Second, if you feel that is in error, contact your local Employment Security Division and explain that situation. If you have paycheck stubs for that time period, take them with you.
Let us know how it turns out!
If you are an independent contractor, you are not an employee so the
rule of thumb is that pay should be made to the employee within 30 days from the date of resignation. If, however, you signed a contract that says specifically that half of you pay can be held until say equipment is returned, etc., then you may have to abide by that. The company may just want to make sure they get their equipment back.
Employee vs Independent Contractor
Click here:
Yes, but are you employee or independent contractor?
There's a difference. When I had a job as an IC, I had to pay all my own equipment, software, references, phone, internet, utilities, self-employment taxes at 15.9%, etc. No insurance, no retirement unless I paid for private plans. No holiday pay. In fact, no days off at all!
I'm glad you're happy. I'd be happy to have a job paying $11.50 an hour, but I can't even get an interview! There are 800 people competing for one job if you check out the job board ads.
My spouse and I together are down to maybe $1,000 a month now in income when we used to gross $5,600 a month. Time for welfare, I guess. Can't get unemployment being a contractor. Cripes, Walgreens won't even hire me.
Employee + set hours. Independent contractor
do the work at your convenience. Within reason, yes. As long as the work is done by the deadline. But if you are partying it up or visiting friends or whatever and don't meet your deadline, then you have broken your end of the contract. Yes, ICs DO have a responsibility, even though you seem to think they don't. There is a deadline to be met. It is completely irresponsible to be doing OTHER things and not meet your work deadline. As an IC, when you agreed to do the account you agreed to keep up your end and have the work done by a certain time. If you don't want to do that, the MTSO can and will find someone who will.
What if you hire a roofer? Is it okay with you if he just puts your roof on whenever he gets around to it? Or is it okay for him to put it off if there's something else he'd rather do? I think you know the answer to that.
Statutory Employee vs. Independent contractor
I work for company "A" as an IC. I work on Dictaphone ichart platform. I make 9 cents a line. Good accounts. Good managers. I have been offered a job as a statutory employee with company B, still on dictaphone, still 9 cents a line. Is justifiable to make a lateral move to company B just for the sake of being an employee? Tell me pros and cons please! Thank you!
I venting as a patient! No doctor cares if I live or die--could care less in my eyes!!!
Putting patient versus The patient (sm)
When did this "rule" come about? I've been an MT/Editor/medeical records tech/ART for 30 years - Never, ever was I told to put that. You cannot make the sentence be "The patient sent to Radiology" but you can put "Patient sent to Radiology."
Thats just insane.
Excuse me but federal taxes are paid as employee by employee
The ONLY difference in IC is you pay the ENTIRE amount of the SS which is the 15.25%, as an employee you only pay 7.75%. And you can easily make up that difference in deductions. As an employee you just have someone else manage your withholdings and as an IC you do it yourself. I have much more usable income being an IC and not an employee and I am strict about putting aside what I need to. But everyone always says you have to pay your own taxes, well your employer does not PAY them for you -- except 7.75% of SS, they merely withhold it for you. As an IC you are the employer.
What actions can I/should I take when contractor will not pay?
I did some IC'ing for a company, and they have not sent my $ yet for the last 2 invoices. They say they are going to send it around the end of the week, but just in case, I want to know what steps I should take because I WILL get my $ one way or the other. They are located in Houston, Texas. Does anyone know about the court system there and what are your opinions on what the next step should be for me before I sue them--which I do plan on doing if I do not receive my $ by early next week. I do not want to waste a lot of time waiting. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Independent contractor here (sm)
How about you?
Boyfriend is a contractor
x
Independent Contractor
This is the form that all ICs have to use for their taxes and I can't find the answer anywhere. .Thanks.
IC = independent contractor
I think you meant employee not IC as a subcontractor and IC are the same.
Independent Contractor
In the contract I was considered an Independent Contractor, so labor laws, etc. do not apply to me. According to the PA Labor and Industry Board my only option is to take them to small claims court in PA, and I live in CA, so that would be difficult and costly at best... I just mean there are restrictions that apply to me because of my Independent contractor status...
Independent contractor
I am hesitant to take that giant leap into being totally an IC. I have an IC position now and my boss has offered it to me FT and he lets you work as much as you want. Basially I try to keep somewhat of a decent schedule. I also work for a large outsource company. I can make more money as an IC and have checked on a zillion insurance companies, all about the same. I have never been without health insurance doing transcription and that is what scares me especially since I am older.
One friend has quit this company that we work for already. It is such a struggle to get line count especially since they do not pay for "S".
Do any of you IC people that might work for a smaller outsouce company regret being an IC? I know that one has to be organized and set aside money for taxes but I feel that mentally I would be happier if I would just take the dive. I have worked this PT position for 4 years and the boss is great to work for and he tells you all of the time he appreciates your work which one very seldom hears and he also has good bonus money for working holidays if you want and even gets you a Xmas gift which is very nice and he really is thoughtful and I know we make him lots of money, but he is lucky to have dedicated girls too.
I am thinking that I need the mental change and I will be doing the work type I love to do and that is OPs. I have just lost my drive, motivation of going to work everyday for this national company and I just cannot seem to get beyond that barrier no matter how much I have tried. We run out of work, too many people on accounts, then have to sit and wait. My time is valuable just like theirs. My doc wanted to put me on Lexapro and I took three and then I got to thinking I am not going to let my old hospital drive me crazy and depressed and I quit taking the Lexapro. I need to focus on another goal right now. I feel like Eagle Eyes are watching me all of the time. The only thing holding me back is I have medical insurance with this other place but since being there I have only reached the 800 lines a day goal a few times and it took me about 10 hours to do that which is awful. It seems like you type forever and get nowhere. I have lost my speed and I very seldom get to do OPs anymore. I used to do 30 a day at least.
I want to enjoy life a little more and there are other jobs out there that do pay much better than I am making taxes or no taxes to fool with. I have done this type of work for 29 years and maybe I am at that burnout point and just need a fresh change. I really think I need a fresh start so to speak. Thanks for letting me vent. Any feedback will be helpful. I do not have any small children, all grown so I am very very flexible.
Is it worth being an IC, bottom line????
Independent contractor
I have worked for this PT company for 4 years and he has always paid on time, never a problem with paycheck and I personally knew him when he was a salesman for Lanier, so I am comfortable with him.
It is a big step to take and he a 5-year contract with hospital so there is plenty of work. I am a pretty organized person, but if it was not for that darn insurance. Someone told me that the company that I am working for FT will have open enrollment in November and they are changing to a new insurance but you have to be producing 1000 lines a day to qualify. With their platform it takes around a 10-hour work day just to get to the 800 lines. That is what we all thought, 800--no problem. Boy did we have a rude awakening, everyone is struggling. It basically boils down to how much of a hassle for doing own taxes very peace of mind and get back to what I really like to do without someone "dinging for every little comma, semicolon, hyphen and incorrect verbage. I am a good MT but here lately I am beginning to doubt just about everything I type and I am always having my head in the BOS. I have been doing this for 29 years, but I do feel like I am just coming out of English class and just a newbie which is not a good feeling at my age and exp. I want to like to do my job but right now not feeling that. Thanks for input all.
independent contractor
It's like being self-employed. You don't get taxes deducted from your paycheck. You have to do it yourself. You are also supposed to be able to set your own hours, although some companies still make you work a shift.
venting
You are right in the way you feel. It hurts. I know, it happened with my mom. There was no real money, but it was more in the way she treats me and my child versus my other sisters and their children. I have to take care of her needs because they refuse, but she always seems to lean toward them when wanting to give them something or do something for someone. I finally broke down and told her exactly how I felt and what I thought. Although it didn't change anything, I have limited my contact with her. It made me feel better to let her know how wrong she was.
Venting
Things like this happen because companies/people do not have to be accountable for their actions anymore. I wonder how these big companies would feel if it were the employer who made decisions like that (put the shoe on the other foot, so to speak)?
I am with you on this--those people who will be displaced (to include you and your family) are going to have a struggle when it comes to finding other employment.
Doesn't make much sense to me anymore...
Venting
I am originally from the midwest and on February 14 Electrolux announces it is laying off 700 people over the next 2 years in a community of about 9000 in Webster City, Iowa!!! Ouch!!! Not only that the company is building a new plant in Mexico (imagine that). The supposed reason is the plant is not big enough to meet demand. Ha!! Then why not build a new plant there??? This country is going to be so sorry some day. We are moving our companies to Mexico and Mexico wants to live here. I wonder when the US workers will lower their paychecks, etc. to keep their jobs.
VENTING
I'm glad you are so very eager. That is a wonderful attitude. This is a wonderful profession, but like all professions there are bad and good companies. Unfortunately, the MT world is in the center of a debate now with offshoring and cutting costs, which puts more pressure on the American MT. Fortunately, I work at home for a hospital, good money, good benefits, great grreat job. I wish all MTs had a job like mine. I understand completely how the MTs feel who are venting. That is what this forum is for. But, at the same time, you have made a good career choice.
RE: Venting about
By any chance would the doctor have to report this as an incident to children's services?
Have you given your son a broad-spectrum antibiotic as a prophylaxis? A lot of junk can form in there as it is warm and moist, just the living quarters a bug would love to call home
Good luck! Sounds like you did the correct thing by kicking his lazzy butt out of the house!
Venting, venting, venting...
I have had this same ESL female for the last 90 minutes. She obviously doesn't want to disturb anyone because she is talking so quietly. I have the ear pieces of my head set shoved so hard in my ears they almost meet in the middle, which also means I can hear her clicking her hard candy against her teeth really well.
Okay, venting over! Have a good one!  
Venting
I need to vent !!!!! I am currently a full time student, work a full time job, and I am pregnant. Why do people say stuff behind your back and go to your manager!!! Why can't people in today's world just say things to your face !!!! You see I work a customer service job at an airport and I wait on people all day and if someone does not like you than they try to get you fired or a customer does not like you then they try to get you fired. I am ready to dig a hole and stay in it and stop working !!!! IF ONLY I COULD AFFORD IT !!!!
Does anyone ever wonder why we even get out of bed in the morning and why we even try to get along with all of the back stabbers in this world !!!!!!!!!
Hopefully my MT career will be a better experience !!!!
Just venting!!!
I am bored!! I have a line count to make today and there are NO jobs available to do!! Days like today make me wonder what I am doing!!! Thanks for letting me blow off some steam!
venting
I sure can sympathize with you !!!! Been there, done that. I don't know why medical transcription companies/hospitals allow these dictators to get away with it. Been putting up with this for 20 years, and it never seems to get any better !!!!
just venting
This doctor I transcribe for almost always dictates the patient's age incorrectly. In fact, in the subjective she will dictate one age and in the plan she will dictate a year or two difference than what she dictated in the subjective. Thankfully I have the DOBs on the patient list, so I can figure out the true age, but, in my opinion, I don't think I should have to calculate the age. Don't you think the office staff should do that for me and write it on the list beside the patient's name? Mind you, I'm not lazy, I just don't feel like that is my responsibility. I do it, however, because I want the report to be accurate, and it should be accurate. Just wondering how you all feel about this. Of course, I'll keep doing what I need to do. Like I said, just venting.
What a day--NOT-venting
Why do doctors, NPs, PAs, etc. decide to dictate without being prepared? I did a 14 minute report with 7 minutes of dead space while the dictator looked through the records to decide what they wanted to say.
This isn't the first time it has happened. Last week, EVERY dictator did it. Of course, the reports weren't 14 minutes long, more like 5-7 minutes, but it gets frustrating.
Do they just pick up a report and sign on the line? Why can't they look at the reports FIRST, then sign on? 
I don't mind if they have a 30 second (yeah,right) pause to chose the right word, but holy bananas, sometimes it just drags on and on. Then there are the doctors that answer phone calls, doctors who talk to the nurses, PAs who can't find a report that they need for lab data or vital signs, and on and on and on.
I think part of their training should be a chapter on HOW TO DICTATE.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Just Venting
An emergency room physician assistant repeatedly dictates "thenar emesis."
Venting a little.
Surely, we all get those dictators who have clear voices but are halting and hesitant, change their minds frequently in the body of the report without TELLING us they want the text changed; sometimes it's obvious/sometimes it's questionable as to what they mean/want. I've been running across this a lot today and it's really very trying!  Thanks for listening to me vent.
Venting
I definitely understand.
The only thing I can suggest it talk to your supervisor or MTSO.
Technology sometimes works against us. We have one MT who is forced to use dial-up in her area and we accomodate that by getting her work offloaded to an FTP for download rather than her calling into the system. There might be something your service can do.
Communication is vital.
Best of luck to you.
Just venting about TAT....
If these hospitals are so picky about turnaround time...These docs come in on Saturday night and dictate 50 charts from the last 6 months that they haven't done, every report is 15-20 minutes long, and by cracky, they had better be typed and on the chart within 48 hours, or the transcription company gets a fine.
OK. I feel better now.
RE: Venting
AMEN
QA Venting
I've been transcribing for almost 20 years. There isn't a medical specialty,ESL accent or work type I haven't done. If I could stand the sight of blood, I could probably do the diagnoses and surgeries myself!
I believe that a lot of these MT's are fresh out of school, or nowadays just finished their on-line, home study course! I think that because some of these dummies at the transcription companies see that they have passed the CMT exam, so they must know it all, but over the years I have had to QA the QA's work many times.
Now, I am by no means perfect, I have made my share of mistakes and have tried to learn from them. I have also come across some wonderful QA people that have taught me a lot, but for the most part it's the other way around!
Nope, I never got my CMT, but have no doubt I would pass it without any problems. I have also never bought the AAMT Book of Style, because it changes every year that it comes out and the wonderful people at AAMT have done everything possible to make this a profession that not many people want to get into anymore.
Sure, it was great when my girls were babies and I had a lot of flexibility in my job, but I could also put in about 6 hours a day way back then and still pull in over $40,000 a year. For the past 5 years I have been working all kinds of crazy shifts for pennies less than what I used to make!
Even though in being an MT you do learn something new everyday and there are a FEW good QA people out there who are very helpful without being condescending!
Although most everything I have learned over the past 5 years I have learned from Google!! LOL!
Basically, it all comes down to what the client wants, and that is what I do.
Sorry this is so long, but I also needed to vent! QA people, think about who you are dealing with! - Real people with real families. We also have feelings, but for the most part QA people NEVER let you know if you are doing something right. I'm sure if I could QA 12 hours straight of your transcription, then I could find a few mistakes and then I could E-mail you and make you feel stupid and question your skills as an MT!
I welcome any feedback, both good or bad, to this post. I could care less, I am getting out of this profession because it is going nowhere, but overseas!
Anyway, Ms. Venting, hang in there, have some beer or wine and just relax before you call the moron on the phone and give her your opinion of her! For the rest of you poor MTs who choose to stay in this profession, I wish you luck! Really I do - because God knows your going to need it!
So, if you hire an independent contractor to sm
paint your house, do you do a criminal background check on that person. It's the same thing. Independent contractors are just that.
IC meaning independent contractor?
As far as I know...no...for independent contractor, they do not have to pay any benefits or even take out SS, so I would think it would be MORE not less for IC. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
Independent contractor status
Don't forget, though, as an independent contractor, you will be paying 100% of your social security tax, which accounts for somewhere around 15% of your gross income. You have to factor that into the equation. Working employee or statutory status makes it mandatory for the employer to pay half of your social security tax; being independent makes you 100% responsible. Also, you are responsible for sending in quarterly tax statements/payments, whereas as an employee, your company owner does that for you. I would want to factor all these things in and allow enough to take care of the social security at least.
This is confusing. An independent contractor IS
nm
As an Independent Contractor, you set your own rate.
then you are not truly an independent contractor. How she bills a client has nothing to do with how you bill her.
Statutory MT/Independent contractor
Does anybody know of companies that still hire Statutory or independent contractors? Since I take the standard deduction on my personal taxes I can no longer deduct my MT expenses and that's a major ouch. Thanks for any help.
You are not an independent contractor, if you only have one client.
x
starting as independent contractor/need help!
I'm going to be able to return to work very part time since my disability is getting a bit better. I have an offer to work as an independent contractor, probably not making more than 12 grand per year.
This will be my first time being a contractor and I'm boggled after reading the IRS info on the site. Do I need to file for a taxpayer ID# or can I just use my Social Security number? I think I can wade through paying the taxes, etc, but may have an accountant do this initially.
Thank's in advance, Becca.
independent contractor lunches
can i deduct lunches as a business expense?
For those "Indenpendent Contractor" positions...
For U.S. MTs and U.S. MT companies, here are the basic U.S. Dept of Labor definitions of who is and is not an "Independent Contractor":javascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs13.pdf
Venting on job interviews - sm
I'm so disgusted and discouraged. I've had three interviews in the last week, about three more in the last month, and ALL of the recruiters I spoke with had absolutely NO clue. After listening to their canned speech about their company, they invite my questions. My main concerns are the platform, how a line is defined (with or without spaces), headers and footers included, progam compatible with Expander that I have (IT or Shorthand), do they take out MY state taxes, (some don't), how is PTO paid, and a few more, but for each interview, but the time I got to this point in my list of questions, I'm totally disgusted because the recruiters cannot or won't answer my questions.(They are good about skirting the major points of things). They have to contact someone else, who is not available at this time, etc...and will get back to me - yea, right. WHAT is wrong with these people? Can't they answer simple questions? I don't feel that my list of questions is that outrageous, do you? Am I out of line for even asking these things? I've been burned too many times to agree to a job without asking these, and quite a few more questions, but can't get past first base with these recruiters. Are they so far removed from the actual transcription aspect of their companies that they can't find these things out beforehand and be ready for an appplicant's basic questions? The recruiter makes the first impression for a company, and if they are so far out in left field, what is the rest of the company like? ANYONE else have this experience?
Venting session
ROFL! I am so there. I went to interview at a warehouse driving forklifts this past week. They said "have you ever had to work at a place where you had a certain production or deadline to meet?" and didn't understand why I started laughing. I probably won't get it, but I am ready to do ANYTHING that doesn't include sitting in front of computer for hours at a time listening to somebody sleep dictating while eating Cheetos at 3 a.m. I bet I could paint some houses, too.
Grrrrrrr! Venting!
This doctor is particularly annoying in that while she is looking for information, she repeats the last word she just said. Add to that her nasally voice and I am ready to rip my hair out!
Lab reports revealed that...that...that...that...that...
The patient....patient.....patient.....patient.....patient also had....had....had...had
period....period....period.....period.
Stop the madness!!! (Okay, I'm done. Back to work.)
Venting is allowed. :o}
You go right ahead. I had a sweet ESL lady today. I actually liked her accent because she at least said all the syllables for me, but I could tell she was putting in an extra effort with certain words to help. It was so sweet of her. Wish the spanish accent dictators would do that for me, LOL.
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