Fair contracting rate for a newbie..
Posted By: Paulette on 2006-09-19
In Reply to:
Hi All:
I have a friend who is a medical transcriptionist. She gave me the name of a person locally who does hiring. I contacted the person tonight with my resume, and she asked me what days, hours, and how much I charge to do contract typing.
Since I have a year of experience, I have no clue what to even try to charge for something like that. Any suggestions?
Thanks a whole bunch,
Paulette
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Fair per line rate?
What is the current average per line rate? I have never made more than about 8 cents per line.
What is a fair rate per minute ? nm
What would be fair line rate if co. doesnt pay
Does it really make a ton of difference in your pay?
Hey editors..is 3cpl a fair rate for rad?
I know different factors play into this, but given the best case scenario (platform, etc) is that about what the going rate is? This company offers an increase to 4cpl in 90 days, so just curious if this is in the right neighborhood for editing. If you have some not so great MTs, you could spend more time editing and giving feedback than they did typing it to start with..and only getting paid 1/2 or 1/3 of what they are getting paid. 
What do you consider a fair per audio hour rate for MT work?
I am only accustomed to the per word rate in MT, but I know that the GT companies prefer the PAH rate.
I was wondering if any MT companies do use the PAH rate and what would be a fair price if there are indeed any companies using this method.
If a company I apply with has VR, what sort of editing rate is fair?
Most fill-in-the-blank editing rates are around 4 cpl. What are the usual going rates for 100% straight editing VR? 
newbie pay rate
I started out at 7 cpl as a newbie.
Way friggin' insulting!! Or getting a job at a higher rate & finding a newbie
s
Audio hour charge - what is fair rate to charge company?
Fair is fair -- relative or not, 1 house or 100.
She's earning income and the only fair, right, just, ethical and LEGAL behavior is to report it wholly.
Self contracting
I have been wanting to do this for a while. Can you tell me how you have gotten your previous contracts?
contracting
Hi there. when you talk about the following - when you return, you will have the backlog typed in xxx amount of days at xxx discounted charge what do you mean by discounted charge - the subcontractor who helped you?
I have also thought of contacting local IC also. Ihave found a few on an website. Can i ask you where else may be a good place to find them? My next computer will be a laptop also. NIce chatting with you! 
IC Contracting
I just signed on with a company for my first MT position (IC status). I will be receiving all of their software/programming next week. My question is, do most MTs abide by their security contract with the company as far as not letting anyone else get on their work computer? Is there a way for the company to tell when you log on and off your computer through some kind of network? We are looking for a new computer for my husband at the moment for his personal use and I was just wondering.
Contracting own clients
It's actually two units attached and working together: A Sony BM-890 microcassette dictator/transcriber and a DTI-800 phone interface. I bought the unit (years ago) for about $1,300.00. The top unit (BM-890) is where you put the tapes in and is like a regular Sony transcriber. (I transcribed the tapes on a separate transcriber, though). The unit gives the doctors the option of pausing and backing up to listen to their dictation and make changes if needed.
Contracting own clients
I agree - to make good money, you need to get your own accounts. My long-time cardiology group account just got EMR with VR, however, so I need to find a new account now. This one was really nice in that the doctors dictated over their phones to my Sony answering system, and then I would just e-mail the completed work back at the end of the day for the office to print it all out there; I never had to do any pickups of tapes or delivery of hard copies. Just wondering now, is this very unusual, or do others here have similar arrangements? Thanks.
Indenpendent contracting ?
I am just curious. I was thinking about trying independent contract jobs, but I have never been one. One question that comes to mind at the moment is..do I need a business license to be one? I know there are several benefits to being one, but just never really had that experience. Any insight would be appreciated.
So you are subcontractor, not contracting with doctor direct.
If that's the case, then you need to ask the MTSO you work for if they can provide schedules for the doctors. They may not have them, either, but they could ask the docs for them. So it was their staff and not the doctor's staff that couldn't verify his schedule? That would be different advice then. Sorry - thought you were contracting directly with the doctor as your client. Sounds like you were hired through an MT service instead.
Maybe they get the work from the doctor that way, but the MTSO should try to organize and work it out with the doctor to see that it's uploaded promptly. Not all offices will cooperate in that respect so it's on the MTSO to remedy that, unfortunately. Some just send when they please without regard to the MTs' schedules, and sometimes you can talk until you're blue in the face but they still do it "their" way, on their terms. The MTSO could hold their ground and request the doc to send on a more regular basis, but it's pretty much out of your hands, I'm afraid.
As an IC, you can say "this is when I'll be available to work," and let the MTSO schedule accordingly. Or you can always find other IC work to supplement so you can at least work while you are waiting, or just find another gig altogether if it gets really bad.
Absolutely, contracting my own clients now. No more Nationals for me either. YaHoo!
Got my old clients back in a snap!
Charge him an hourly rate. The current rate is
between $15-21/hr. according to your location. If he had to use an independent secretarial service, he would be charged much more. You can look in the Yellow Pages in your area under Secretarial Service and ask them what they charge, then charge accordingly knowing you can back it up.
I don't know but I try to be fair, but I can tell you
that I have had some management jobs that required 25 years of experience plus QA experience and MTs with less than 15 have applied and I had to tell them that it was not enough experience. That was hard, but they did not know what all was involved. I have had people get bent out of shape about it, but to be honest, I had my orders specifically from a company and nothing less would suffice, plus it was posted clear as day.
Also, there have been situations where people did not have resumes--yes, can you believe that? They said they had less experience yet they did not have it in a resume.
I think many do not understand what a recruiter has to look at and what we deal with.
still not fair
I understand how you feel, I too am in the same position. Its like you want to do a good job with quality work and once you prove that to whatever company you might be working for instead of appreciating your high skills they treat you like a door mat and start sending you all the work that none of the others want to do. We lose time doing bad reports/dictators just like any other MT and just because we can get through it with no blanks or it having to go to QA is no reason to give us all of the bad dictators/reports because its not fair and it doesn't make me feel appreciated what it makes me feel is used. I get no extra for doing these type of reports back to back to back even though we are supposedly working from a pool and the MTs who don't want to do these bad reports/dictators just keep zipping along. ITS LIKE THE BETTER YOU ARE THE WORST DEAL YOU GET AND ITS NOT THAT I MIND DOING IT (because I do want to keep my job) BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT JUST BECAUSE ITS TOO DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE ELSE WHO MAKES THE SAME cpl BUT THEN END UP MAKING A HIGHER LINE COUNT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THE BAD REPORTS/DICTATORS.
There should be some kind of way to be compensated when you are put in that kind of position but right now there isn't and you just do it because its your job. I have been in a situation lately where 95% of my work is from the list of bad dictators to be aware of and I am so frustrated. If there was some kind of compensation for say a multi-specialist Transcriptionist or ESL transcriptionist then it would make the situation so much better and there would be less resentment all the way around, I think that is something most companies should think about.
Of note I am not complaining, not whining, and not venting but just saying.
That is not really fair -
It is not as easy for some of us. I have gained 30 pounds in the past year from just sitting and emotional eating. Once you get down on yourself about it - well that makes it worse. A terrible cycle. Has anyone tried hypnotism?
Fair enough. I see what you mean.
I didn't mean to imply going straight for .12--lol! And I see what you mean by "demanding." I didn't mean that either, but I should have been clearer about what I DID mean. I do mean that the OP has SOME control over the situation--maybe not total control, but some control. As ICs we need to remember that we are in business for ourselves. We ARE a business, and we need to act accordingly. I'd be looking for another client as well. No need to put up with that!
I can't say I do, very fair here.....
No sideburns, no moustache, a few hairs under arms and not much leg hair either. I'm a freak! LOL!
3 cpl isn't fair for ANYTHING!
k
Seems more than fair, to me! nm
.
fair
I think that your employer is being harsh, but I do believe that by the end of a year 1200 lines a day should be possible, especially with your background. Of course, if you are working with extremely difficult doctors that may be different. I have what I consider to be a very good account with few ESL and most doctors are very clear, and was able to produce up to 1600 lines a day with relative ease if I actually typed 8 full hours at about 6-8 months. I had no medical experience, but I did have writing and editing experience, along with two college degrees. In part, I think it's the ability to use Expanders as tools efficiently that makes that possible. Are you able to use online resources well? Do you have a good drug reference on your computer with a flexible search tool? Do you have an Expander that you are using to advantage? In order to be productive at the rates people expect these days, I think all of the above are a necessity. I also think that even with experience as a medical secretary some training is needed in order to get up to speed as an MT. In fairness, it sounds like you just jumped right into the job, and that must be difficult. Good luck!
fair
There is a world of difference between a good Expander and using auto correct. An expander will show the possibilities with a few keystrokes, whether you know the words or not, and often as soon as you see a new word you will know it is what the doctor is saying, even in a new specialty. They usually include a very complete medical dictionary, some give the possible words with any letters typed in order, not necessarily having to spell it correctly at the outset, like a mini wild-card search function. With auto correct you are only able to get what you put in yourself for expansions. I would say that using an expander during my training was what made it possible to become proficient quickly, above all else. If you can, try one of the commercially available products before leaving. It can make life SO much easier as you learn.
what is fair
I worked for a small rural hospital and we (3) were on call 24/7/365 and rotated carrying a pager on weekends plus working on Sundays.
That isn't being fair
Whoa there - my husband has a terminal disease and we usually end up hitting a 0 tax bracket because of medical expenses (we file long-form and itemize). We spend well over $700 per month on co-pays for drugs every month and then when he has to get certain IV drugs as out outpatient, our drug bill hits over $2000 for that month. Why should my family be penalized when I work my butt off seven days a week, 365-days a year? I pay in a huge amount of FICA and Medicare taxes each year. Until my husband became ill, we paid in a huge amount of federal income taxes every year. We also have two chldren in college and we are allowed to deduct some of their expenses we pay out of pocket. And, yes, we usually qualify for some Earned Income Credit, but not near what you mention. My family can use the extra money just as much as any other family and I don't think we should be penalized because of exorbitant medical bills that place us in a 0 tax bracket.
That's not fair --
I never said I have common sense!
Seriously, sometimes the most obvious things can be right in front of me, and I miss them completely. I might be slow to get some things (although I am highly intelligent; doesn't make sense to me), but once I do 'get' something, then that's a completely different story. Some day I'll tell y'all about all the other common sense things I shouldn't have needed help with --- but did.
{;-)
Is if fair to ask
a company what the average line counts of other MTs on same the account are? I know there are others who feel this particular account is hard to make a decent line count, so I would like to know what the average is. Otherwise, how do we know if their expectations of us are fair?
Seems fair to me. sm
As long as accounts are consistent 1200 is a very reasonable expectation.
I would think 1 would be fair, it probably would
not scare them away.
oh well. no one said life was fair
you just have to make what you can out of it. There are many, many other subjects that can be debated as well. That is what makes life what it is; a great variety of people and view points. Enjoy the day. 
I think I get a fair mixture
I get ESLs, some I can understand easily enough, others I really have to work at and it slows me down. Then I have some docs who are very easy and good moneymakers. I get a mixture. I am not a newbie and can do harder docs. I just find that my managers are great at evening out the work. IMO.
FAIR and Honest... sm
I have worked for DSC (Document Solutions Center) in Alabama for many, many years, and have become good friends with the owner of the company... she is very fair to her girls - they come first, she is very flexible, they have a tightly established management team, and the work is abundant... she pays very fair, and gives bonuses and raises as often as she can... Another GREAT company is OSi... I am currently working for them, and they are just the BEST... I get the best pay per line, the greatest accounts, never-ending work, constant bonuses, gifts, 24/7 contact with staff... I can give you contact information on either if you wish... and no, I am not looking for a finder's fee... I am honest, and just enjoy helping those out who are asking for help... Contact me by email anytime... Bobbie
uhhh...not fair! sm
I work for west coast...and I didn't get paid. When I asked TC about it, she said there was no pay for it!!! 
to uhh not fair, DQS training pay
 I'd for sure take that one up with corporate or "ask Frank". It was stated when DQS first came out that ALL training was paid @10.00 per hour, period! Should be across the board, since it's company wide . I'd have to wonder where the training pay your offices did not give you, actually went to, because they sure the heck got reimbursed from corporate. I was in a training session for 2 hours with THE head honcho in training and she clearly stated, across the board, pay is the same, period.
That is a fair range...sm
I make a bit more but cover everything, not just any one thing. Hourly is the way to go to keep anyone as there is a LOT of time involved in trainng MTs, time to write feedback, etc., which I would guess you know assuming you have been doing it yourself up until now.
I have worked line rates in the past. Anything less than 0.06 you cannot make a living on unless you work 15-20 hours a day as the accounts would ALL have to have perfect dictators and your MTs seasoned on the well side to make a reasonable living in the MW.
Life just isn't fair sm
Hubby and I went out for breakfast this morning and came back to a voicemail that his best friend's 5-year-old boy died overnight from the flu/aspiration pneumonia/ complications. Life just isn't fair. This family has had a ton of tragedies over the last year and now this right on New Year's Day. The mother and I were just talking at the Christmas party about decent schools in their locale. They need some prayers, please.
Seems only fair to me. If we use it for biz, should pay biz rates.
????
Fair price?
I just picked up a new account today but was so unsure of what to tell them in regards to price. It is a psych account, PHP program, and they said they dictate on a total of 150 patients per week at 2 facilities. They said if all goes well, they have 6 more facilities they can add. I was really scared of giving too high of a price and not getting the account, but I also don't want to get ripped off either. I have quoted prices that were too low in the past and really suffered for it. Anyway, I ended up quoting them 0.08 a gross line, which I think is totally fair. They will be using digital recorders and they will be printing the work. What do y'all think?? I want to feel confident about this....
I think that is fair -- it is only 80 minutes in a day.
At my hospital, we have to type 120 minutes a day as our BASE!! We don't even get incentive until we PASS 120 minutes a day!
That's also 6 time turn around time.
sounds fair to me..nm
That's a great idea. That's what I was thinking as well. I was also looking at flat rate billing, picking a number like 2500 or 3500 a month, but that would just be ridiculous. Thank you for your response.
this sounds fair
nm
Oh well then it is fair game if not following
BOS. It could be interpreted any number of ways really. I would probably "sticky-note" it and let the doctor review it to be certain though. We aim to please, us nonBOS'ers. You are not saying though Patti, that all clinic notes, in general, do not follow BOS are you? You are just simply stating that you do not follow BOS for your clinic notes, I am assuming.
It might not be fair to the patient, but --sm
sometimes these referrals need authorization from the insurance company and those are never fast. Pain clinics are also booked up probably a month or so in advance with other patients, as well. I really do not think they are delaying care on purpose, just that sometimes these things take time. I know it is hard to be patient when one is in pain. maybe you could perhaps suggest a different pain physician who may not be quite so busy??
No. It's not fair. IMO, it's not even ethical. I saw
a pain management physician a few years back, but only went for 2 or 3 visits. I was made to feel like one of their laboratory rats, with all the new pain meds that are on the market still being tests, and new "wonder" procedures they wanted to perform, and even though their specialty is pain management, it was like pulling teeth to get a prescription; I even had to sign a pain management contract. Besides the weeks I waited to get the appointment, all the while in sheer agony, be prepared when you finally get in the door to wait just as long. They think that your time isn't as valuable as theirs, and that you actually enjoy sitting there for hours flipping through 2 year old magazines. As you can see, I have no faith or confidence in this fairly new 'speciality' -- just another money maker. I do, however, wish you husband well. Please keep me informed.
I agree that 12 cpl is fair and
I pick up and deliver. I make trash money with an online company that only pays 8 cpl. I'd rather hop in the car and pick up tapes and make much more poor hour. The pay cut is not worth it to be able to sit and take crap cpl from these nationals and small MTSOs.
It's fair to both companies...
if you're putting in the allotted time that each company requires. In this day and age with the ridiculous amount we get per line, some people may find it necessary to work two jobs. But, as I stated earlier, each company needs to be given equal time -- if you want to work those hours, go for it!
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