I beg to differ. That is what the companies want you to believe. Not all clients are paying Less!
Posted By: Exp MT on 2005-10-12
In Reply to: really? - Kare
The companies are lining their pockets more and more. AccuStat-Carolinas is not a "good" company to work for anyway. Read the archives!
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
I think when clients were paying
what they considered to be 'top dollar' they felt they had every right to be picky about sentence structure, and the placement of every comma and semicolon, etc. Now that they want to pay 'scratch & dent' prices for their reports, they have to be willing to let some of their former pickiness slide. Not to say that they should accept reports riddled with errors, but some of the stylistic items that have no bearing on patient care can be overlooked - to save a buck.
Overcharging clients and under-paying
employees
Accounts, companies, platforms differ...sm
To my mind, the only true barometer of compensation (aside from benefits) is one single number: What do you make, on average, per hour of labor? By "on average", I mean, for instance, as measured over a period of time such as a week or more.
Think about it: This one number takes into account all of the variances that we see between accounts, companies and platforms when it comes to nonproductive "clerical" demands, dictator variances, quirky site specifics, technical level of the content, sound quality, the usability of the platform, and even work availability.
I've found that those who wish to be paid by the hour are often being overburdened by nonproduction requirements, challenging site specifics (for instance, in one case, over 100 different worktypes with the need to listen to the first part of the report before you knew which template to choose!), or by platforms that are not "transcription-friendly", while those who are happy with production pay are more fortunate in one or more of these regards.
It is so difficult to compare the variables among accounts, companies and platforms individually that you need a single number like this to bring things into focus. That means that an essential question to ask any prospective employer is this:
"On average, how much are people in your company who have my level of experience earning per hour once they learn your system?"
You'll get one of three answers:
1. One that sounds knowledgeable and frank.
2. One that sounds "hedged" or questionable. Probe further. "How sure are you of that number?"...etc.
3. "I don't know." I would run very far and very fast from any company that is so poorly managed that they do not know how their production numbers relate to hours of employee transcription time. Such companies are likely to overhire and to make errors in creating their client teams, and they don't have a handle on the basic business metrics that apply to this industry.
Well they used to underbid from what I understand other companies to get clients and then as we know
they SUPPOSEDLY padded the bills. That is what the lawsuit is about. Now they have to be fair to the clients and therefore there is no bill padding and they have already underbid other MT companies so they are making bare minimum on their clients. Whose pocket do you think this will come out of. This is why I think the best is over. Plus I do believe they are losing clients and I know the good MTs are leaving. Hard to tell what will happen with this new pay plan when it comes out. It wont be in our favor for the reason listed above. This whole thing has also been discussed on another website as well. Pretty common knowledge this is what is happening. Now they also have to reduce lines rates to hospitals supposedly for ASR as well and I know my main hospital account asked to have their line rates reduced or they were leaving MQ so on it goes. A lot of this info comes from emplyees in the office that have quit and then they seem to want to discuss all this stuff that they hid from us before. You know the game.
Yes, if you think the companies are not just out for themselves and will try to get out of paying
nm
If the companies are paying for spaces, yes. nm
X
Totally agree with you. Companies are paying
pittances for this work and it is crummy work - almost impossible to make any money. I believe it is more difficult than MT or QA and the $$ is just not there.
Only you can determine what is fair pay. Just because companies are paying 4 cpl to edit VR sm
does not mean it is fair. It is downright criminal, in my own opinion. It should be more like 10-12 cpl for editing.
What one thinks is fair, the other does not. Only you can determine what you are willing to accept as a fair pay.
I beg to differ
When you do those awful dictators, do them consistently time after time, the supervisors see this. Therefore, they assign you those jobs, knowing you will get them out. They know its not good for the company to have newbies, lazies, greedies, getting these reports, because they will either guess and make tons of mistakes, or bypass them anyways. So they figure, give em to the gals who can do them! Therefore, they look good to their boss, everything is nice and tidy on their end, and we're all happy.
Except those of us stuck with the horrible dictators. No matter how good you are at them, if you get them over n over n over, it will reflect on the amount of lines you do because it takes time to not only decipher what they are saying, but also research on that one word which he "might" be saying but your not sure. The cherrypickers and whiners and lazies are the smart ones, they're making the $$$$
I beg to differ
It that your reasoning behind your accusations of who Barney is and who she isn't.
That is pathetic.
It seems as though Barney has not responded lately and you know what, I don't blame her. I am outta here as well. Good day!
Beg to differ!
This board DOES allow this company to advertise here, although it admitted to offshoring once it got caught. There are ads here all the time posted by this company.
Is is this the email you are talking about from Mr. R?
"Whether we think offshore labor is right or wrong, it has become a fact we cannot escape from. XXX will not actively pursue offshore labor contracts, but we have made the decision to experiment with using some offshore labor to save this large XXX client from going elsewhere. We believe this is the best decision for our employees assigned to this account and the company because this account is growing and we can assign the offshore part to the future increases and not have to reassign any XXX MTs. XXX is committed to continue using US MTs for the majority of their work and we will continue to resist going offshore."
I do have to differ
My doggie DOES go to the bathroom in his crate. I had always read that dogs won't go in their crate, but this one DOES and he just lays in it until we get get home. That's why I stopped putting him into the crate, because every time we would leave him in it and then get home, he'd have to have a bath because he had "whizzed" all over the crate. He's a little pill, but I love him so! :)
I beg to differ
I also was in court reporting school 15 years ago, and even I know that the court reporting machines automatically translate the ShortHand into English, so what you are saying about having to retranscribe it into English, you must be mistaken, and not to be mean, but I can't imagine going through a 3 year course that has an 85% drop out rate passing the exam and then saying you were burned out, unbelievable, but then I am not you, so I can't really know.
I beg to differ here about...
My dad and my husband's dad both make an excellent living driving a truck. My parents raised 4 kids on a trucker's pay, and we lived very well. Now, as far as couples trucking, I don't think I could do that, just because I wouldn't like being stuck in a truck with my husband for days on end....although I love him passionately...enough is enough, know what I mean???
Good luck, though, with whatever you choose to do! 
I beg to differ -
The labor board will get involved in certain situations, check your local office. Also, there are many other government offices that will support a independent contractor - and non payment of services, considered theft of services - I ask that you review the news regarding A&B fuel in PA, and look into what is happening with D&L Typing. The Transcriptionist is a business owner, independently just as a plumber, electrician, or other service professional - time that the transcription companies start remembering that. And time we start to treat ourselves that way too.
Beg to differ
I was paid by the minute of dictation - it's actually the fairest system - depending on of course the rate per minute...
Sorry but I beg to differ on this on
Phillychick was not bragging. Simply stating the way she lives. There are those of us out there who choose not to live beyond our means. Just because some of us do not have to work our fingers to the bone to pay the bills does not mean that we are bringing this industry down.
I have 3 teenagers at home presently so I do understand how tough it has gotten just to buy the everyday necessities, but what we consider necessities has also changed with the economy.
If you cannot make a living doing MT, then you need to get a job that you can make a living at, plain and simple. It amazes me the bitterness that I hear come through this board regarding this profession. If its not right for you then find what is and stop blaming the rest of us who have made a go of it, and succeeded.
Ah, beg to differ
What you saw was very one-sided and probably paid for by WalMart. I was not a bad employee. Never missed a day of work, always on time, good reviews, etc. They pay minimum wage, always changing your schedule around so you do not get enough hours to qualify for benifits, poor management, when you ask for a raise they make things very difficult to get you to quit, etc. Employee discount was 10% where I worked. The worst employer I have ever worked for and thank God I was only there long enough to graduate from school to do MT.
I beg to differ
I would like to know where one of those jobs is.
I beg to differ.
I do operative notes only but for every single account in the company. I never know where the next report is coming from. Good dictators, great dictators, mediocre dictators, awful and absolutely horrid dictators.
Again, really sound experience and lots of investment in my expansions combined with a positive attitude allows me to be productive, steadily, even though I am working on so many different hospitals and dictators.
Everyone will have good days and bad days in this work but it happens with all other jobs, too.
Please don't try think and try to make others think that everyone in this line of work fits into that limited box. It isn't true.
I bet to differ
When I worked in house in several facilities our desks were lined up directly in front of the charts. If the clerks were making a floor run, we had to answer the phones and pull charts, etc. I've never seen a facility where the MT department was totally separate, except for one hospital. They didn't have the room so they put all the MTs in a storage closet.
I beg to differ, OSi DOES offshore.
Or, trying to kid, it is a very well known fact that OSi offshores.
I beg to differ with you. An MT transcribes,
she/he should not have to translate/decipher what a rude person is trying to say. Doctors should realize, just as the MT does, how important that medical record is and that their dictation of that medical record is vitally important. Maybe they should be taught dictation and manners and grammar, etc.
I'm sorry, but I beg to differ -- my company would never
try to pull a fast one -- and, if that's the case, then there are tons of other companies out there doing the same thing, I see them every day on the Job Seeker's Board both here and on MT Daily.
I beg to differ Hayseed
Ebonics is a term coined, originally intended and sometimes used for the language of all people of African ancestry, or for that of Black North American and West African people, emphasizing the African roots of the former; since 1996 it has been largely used to refer to African American Vernacular English (distinctively nonstandard Black United States English), emphasizing the independence of the latter from (standard) English.
The original poster most definitely was referring to a particular race here in her commentary.
You missed the point entirely.
Beg to differ on Heinz
Kerry's wife has no involvement in Heinz Int'l. Never has. Neither did her late husband, who worked for his father's company for a short time just after college. He inherited the Heinz fortune, as did she when he died. She does, however, have much involvement in the philanthropic organization with the Heinz name, also not related to Heinz Int'l. This information can be found and is public to those who wish to find it. A lot of people have been blathering for years about how Heinz "outsources," etc, ad nauseum without actually checking the facts. Heinz Int'l is a multinational company. Not the same as "outsourcing" by a long shot.
Beg to differ - Schedule C with your sm
business expenses - 100% deductible.
I beg to differ-EMR will take our jobs
I beg to differ but I know from firsthand experience that EMR can take our jobs. I lost a really good acct about a year ago that went to EMR, yes it was clinic work but I still talk to the doctor and staff and he said the whole hospital is on it and they have no transcriptionists at all. They even sent me a clipping of a story that was in their local news about it. Also my own doctor and the hospital system that was my main account when I was MTSO has been using EMR without transcriptionists for 3 years. I've seen it in my doctor's office, the ER and my friend is a manager of a hospital department and says they had to let the transcriptionists go. Sorry but hospital work can be done with EMR. Also just because EMR starts with transcription does not mean it will stay there. I have a friend in Texas who is going through that right now...they are phasing her out. So girls be afraid, be very afraid.
I beg to differ with your comment
When I worked in house MANY years ago, doc dictated in the "allergies" section that the patient was allergies to pencillin -- I then got to the "medication" section and lo and behold the patient was on GUESS what? PENICILLIN -- I went upstairs, pulled her chart looked through it and sure enough, the patient WAS allergic to penicillin -- I pointed out to the charge nurse who IMMEDIATELY called the doc and doc later came down and thanked me for saving the patient's life -- so yes, in a SMALL way we DO count!!!!
What are you paying your MTs? If you're only paying 7 or 8 cpl
and expecting extremely experienced MTs, forget it. You're not going to get it. If, however, you're willing to pay 9 or more cpl then you will find what you're looking for. There ARE experienced MTs out there who will work their fingers to the bone IF they are compensated well and treated with respect.
I beg to differ - I love my company!!
I beg to differ - not all kids need medication....sm
Many with ADD/ADHD can learn just fine without medication as long as you break the tasks into smaller segments and implement visual aides.
No drug is completely safe. They all have chemicals in them. Ritalin, which you mentioned, caused my nephew to have growth retardation while he was on it and it was only after he came off that stuff that he started growing.
It's not the media afraid of drugging kids. There are many of us out there that don't believe that drugging a child is the correct answer. Sure there are kids that really need it if they can't stay focused at all, but asking a child to stay focused for an hour or more without a break when they're say 7 years old is extreme, especially if they're able to learn the same information if it's broken down into 3 20 minute sessions in the day.
Kids are now being pushed to learn more at a rate that for some of them taxes where their maturity levels are, and this can aggravate things like ADD/ADHD, especially when they don't have the recess breaks at school to give them a diversion from the classroom for a while. I'm glad that in my state some of the school systems have started mandating recess again - and those schools test scores have improved.
Beg to differ with the adding of words
to report if not necessary. That is commonly known as "line padding," especially adding "the patient" when it is not said. I know MTs who have been let go for doings things like that.
I beg to differ. I work 35-40 hours a week
FT and have an IC job I work maybe 3 evenings a week for 3-4 hours. I easily make over 50K a year. There are good jobs out there that pay wages one can live on.
ATT- I was paying $320 for 7000 minutes, I am now paying $175 for 5000 minutes in CA. nm
nm
To get own clients or not....
I have thought about getting my own clients, but working for a company, if I want time off, I can easily arrange that and know there will be co-workers to cover the accts. If I get sick, the company will find someone to cover the accts. I don't have to worry about the billing, tech support, trouble-shooting, complaints. Maybe someday I will chose to give up what life I have and get my own clients, but for now I like being an IC for a company. This way, I am a great employee and an even better boss.
My clients...
Consist of clinics. They all get 48-hour turnaround time guaranteed, and anything STAT (a TRUE emergent STAT) they need, it's done at no extra charge. Radiology gets four to eight-hour turnaround for obvious reasons. The rest of the clinics don't need a 24-hour turnaround time because let's face it, their staff basically sit on it, and I'm not going to break my neck so they can just sit on it....
Clients
Hello! I'm new to the board but not to MT. I've been working from home for my own clients for 10 years. I wondered if others who do the same have ever experienced a situation I just encountered and wondered what your thoughts were. I had a client whom I transcribed for for two years, then he moved and started back up in his practice and called me and I've worked for him for an additional year in that new practice. When I noticed recently that I hadn't received his dictation as usual, I questioned it, i.e. was he on vacation, did they lose a tape or what? The receptionist said he must not have dictated yet. I found this off as he usually dictates each day he's in the office. A week had gone by w/o work so I called and asked and the same girl said she'd have his wife (who works in the office) call me because she didn't know why there wasn't work, etc. At this point I got suspicious and had asked the recep. if there was something going on I should know about. She said they're working on this new software and maybe they just got behind. New software? I talked to his wife and "I" mentioned this software. She didn't. I asked if this affected my workload and she said 'yeah, probably quite a bit.' I asked if she would please let me know AHEAD of time if they were going to make this transition so I could prepare and plan (she had just made it sound like they were just looking into it and kind of testing it out, NOT that they'd by any means started using it full-time). She said oh certainly they would let me know ahead of time. Then I pressed a little more and finally she told me he'd already been using it for his patients and when I asked if I should replace his work, she said yeah, probably because he really seems to like it and will probably use it. I don't know what the software is but I hate it just because it took a big client from me. But I"m also wondering if this is common practice for a physician just to outright not tell an MT that they weren't going to use their services any more. I mean, not only did they not give me notice beforehand, but they hedged on admitting it when I came right out and asked. I find this incredibly rude and inconsiderate, especially when I've been a faithful MT for them for three years. I"m just dumbfounded at this behavior. Has anyone experienced this? So now that leaves me in the lurch with bills to pay with an already tight budget (hubby in college, two kids, high heat bills, blah, blah, etc.) and me looking for work to fill in the gap. Sorry I ranted and rambled. I'm just really upset by this and wondered if anybody experienced being treated this way and/or knows what this software might be and if it poses a threat to any of us. Thanks so much!
Own clients
This has been discussed many times with many different opinions/ideas. You might do a search as there was quite a heated debate on this about two months ago. I have a brochure that I send out with my card. For those I am very interested in I do stop by in person or if anyone calls inquiring I stop by in person. You have to be prepared with equipment to do tapes or digital and some may inquire about a call in system. You may have to pick up and deliver, provide your own paper. Be prepared to do any type accounts. Your rate will depend on the area you are in and can be anywhere from 11 to 16 cpl from what people say on this board. You have to be prepared to have some back up if you get very sick or have an accident and for vacations. You will not get any benefits, will not getpaid when the doctor takes a month off to go to Spain. It will be a tough go at first until you esablish a rapport with the office staff. But I like it and have been doing it for 18 years. Just did a report and have made 4K more this year than I did last year so things are looking up for me. Good luck. Patti
One of my clients for whom I have done only
tapes for has given me a CD to load onto my computer. I haven't put it on yet but I'm wondering if you all can help. It's an Olympus CD and looks like it's for .wav files which is what he intends. He says I should be able to load this onto my computer and then after that, he can email me voice files. Now, is this correct and what will I need to have in order to play and transcribe his voice files? I have a Bytescribe pedal. Please tell me I won't have to buy a different pedal for this! Thanks in advance for any help!
want to get own clients
Hi Everyone,
I have over 2 years’ experience in medical transcription and really want to get my own client(s). I feel that I am finally ready to take that leap. The question I have is – how do you go about talking to potential clients? What is the best way? Mailings, calling, just going in? Should I make business cards? Unfortunately all of my doctors offices (family, ob/gyn) husband's GI doc and daughter's pediatrician are all EMR. Ugh. So that's no help.
I’m not really afraid of what to charge or contracts, the rest is what has me stressed the most. Should I buy a program like DocShuttle or will they basically tell me what they want? I have been with nationals and small MTSOs alike and just am not sure how to go about everything myself.
You can feel free to e-mail me with any advice also.
I really appreciate the suggestions/help!!!
Getting own clients
I am currently transcribing for GI docs who are using the EMR system, I love it. There is barely any paper for me to handle, I fax everything right from their system to the referring physicians, once in a while I will get a physician who doesn't have a fax and so I need to mail. The final copy goes right into their system. I am currently working from home through my business. They had the equipment installed at my house, fortunately for me, I was with them for four years before I went on maternity leave and have been doing it from home for the past two years.
I also transcribe for ENT docs in my area, before I went on maternity leave I asked them to use my digital phone in system (really didn't expect them to since they were 'set in their ways' but they agreed).
As far as getting new clients, I would get some business cards printed out, and some fliers stating what equipment you will use, i.e. tapes, digital; will you be dropping the finished work off, and also turn-around-time. Then if it were me, I would take these to local doctors, speak with the office manager and offer your services, may be you can start off by offering to cover vacations (I know how hard it is to get coverage for yourself on vacation. You might have to start small and work your way up, but at least it is a start.
Well that is all I can think of, I hope this is helpful to you. Good luck!!
Best way to get clients? sm
I want to market my service in my area. I have gone to offices before in the past, but they sometimes get annoyed. I have also done mailings and get no response. Is there another way to get the OM's attention that maybe I overlooked? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Some clients won't go there
Some doctors have such rotten dictating habits they know running their reports through ASR will result in utter garbage; they have TAT to meet and they know if they take the time to have those reports extensively edited post ASR its just an extra step. Some clients know for them it will be a time and money waster; it is the MTSOs that are pushing for all ASR, not the clients. Many hospitals have tried ASR inhouse and end up scrapping it and going back to MTs. Its a lot like outsourcing in that many people are on the bandwagon, but there'll always be some that refuse to ride it.
Clients have the right to not have an
MT transcribing that reports if that MT continually makes mistakes. Not talking about the ones QA catches, but the reports that are sent straight through without QA and they catch the mistakes on their end and have to send it back. The client I am assigned at my MTSO has said that certain mistakes will not be tolerated and those that make those will not work on their account. They have the right to pull the account from the MTSO if their wishes are not followed by the MTSO.
getting own clients
Does anyone have a sample letter that I can look at to try to get my own accounts? I would really appreciate the help if there is anyone willing. I just need something to get an idea of what to cover in a letter just to get my foot in the door.
Thanks in advance.
I don't have any of my own clients...sm
so I have never had this problem. They said you were no longer transcribing his letters. Does that mean you are still transcribing other types of reports for him or is that the only type of report you did for him?
If the secretary called you before and asked questions about "How often ARE you coming to get work" or something to that effect, then it leads me to believe he was not happy with you for some reason. Sounds like he found someone else to do his work. He could have found someone to do it cheaper, who knows? I hate to hear you lost this client. I know money is tight.
Why not just get your own clients?
Just curious why you would rather subcontract when you could just get your own clients and make more money instead of paying a middle man.
MT companies negotiate with the insurance companies until they get what they want
It is strictly up to the agreement between the employer and the insurance company. Your new employer can tell you what the pre-existing clause is in your new policy. Some require proof of insurance for the past 12 months. It may say something like if a diagnosis has not been made NOR treatment received within the last __ months. Not good when companies negotiate with a pre-existing clause in order to get a lower rate. Better check with your HR with your new company before doing anything. It really gets hairy !
I just heard clients are now
very interesting, indeed.
Finding Clients
I had gotten my previous clients when I worked in a hospital Medical Records Department as an MT. The docs just came to me and asked me to do their work at home. I am going to have a professional letter and business cards made up now to send to local doctors, just anyone in the phone book who looks good, but mostly cardiology, neurology, neurosurgery and orthopedic docs. They seem to have the most consultation letters.
|
