ICs -- what are your rates right now? what are you charging per line, page, minute, etc?
Posted By: Dont want to lower industry standards! SM--Cee on 2006-04-23
In Reply to:
I'm trying to get my own docs and want to set rates that are equivalent to everyone else so as not to undercut and lower our industry standards. But, I can't seem to find out what rates are locally, soooo, as much input as possible would be appreciated. Anyway, I know that local family practices have been quoted by the hour, by the minute, by the line, by the page, and so on.
I don't really want to do by the minute -- it makes them feel like they have to dictate at sonic speed. Some of them balk at by the line because no matter what you tell them, they feel like they are penalized for having nice formats. They balk at by the page because they think you will extend it to 2 pages for more money. Then there are the ones who gripe about hourly rates because they feel like you will type slower to make more money. I actually typed a sample tape for a local practice a year ago and based on my rate the office manager figured it up PER PATIENT and said it was too much!!
I know family practice docs and nurse practitioners don't make that much money but dangit I gotta feed my family too.
So help, please!!!!
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Charging for a full 60 minute microtape...
For you IC's out there, what is the average charge for transcribing a 60-minute microcassette? I am estimating about $45.00-$60 at most with 60 minutes of transcripiton. It takes me anywhere from 5-6 hours to transcribe. Is this about the norm? I am thinking of raising my rates. I also print the reports out and deliver too. 
TIA
Which font if charging by page?
I am doing something very different from my usual transcription. They want it single space and a different format. I am using Courier New 10 and it looks like they are getting a heck of a lot on the page for what I am charging - I am working for ZIP with this setup. Can anyone tell me what font to use, this is so small when I print it, that I can barely read it, my eyes are killing me as well. Help! You can E-mail me if you wish, I am very, very tired, 12 hour days on this with little to show for it.
Has anyone kept a list of line rates, report rates, benefits, etc for sm
the different companies out there? I feel lost and confused. It seems like everything is changing daily, and I am not being organized enough to keep up. I am about to actively look for full time employment again but if there was a list, I would be able to sort through a lot more quickly.
Can anyone help? I am going to start keeping a chart myself in case anyone needs this in the future.
Line rates in the Northeast - can anyone advise as to what the going rates are in the NE part of the
country? Specifically Connecticut. I want to make sure I am on target here. Thanks.
Per page rates
Hi guys, I just received a call from a doctor looking for transcription services but he uses templates and also wants a per page rate. I have never charged a page rate before. Does anybody do this currently? Is there a way to calculate or a going per page rate?
Gross line = each line on page counts as a line, even if it's only 1 word. nm
x
For california MTSO's. Are you charging 65 cpl or gross line?
Trying not to price myself out of the market. Thanks for the help. 
Line Rates
I have only been working from home for 8 months now and my previous MT work was done while i was office manger and of course i was paid hourly but did more then just MT work.
I was wondering what is the going line rate other companies are offering??
Line Rates
I made much more 10 years ago than I do now. Pretty sad -- we get less and less, but tested more and more -- ever hear of doctors or lawyers getting tested for each new job they apply for?
line rates
Is there anyone out there who pays more than 8 cents these days? The platforms are sluggish and user unfriendly and it's impossible to make any $$. I am getting discouraged.
Line rates for RAD
I have been making 9 cpl on RAD as an IC with 1 year experience. Med-Scribe advertises 10 cpl for 3 years experience. I have at times seen others offer more, and so am currently available & actively looking.
Line rates
A large company with good benefits is offering 8 cents per line to start, with a 1200 line per day minimum requirement for full-time, an eight hour day. After 13,500 lines you get an extra 1/2 cent per line. They pay time and a half for overtime (over 40 hours), and say overtime is usually available. No weekends required. Does this sound good? My friend works for a local hospital and gets 12 cents per line. She says 8 cents is low. If someone is a fast typist, can you make good money at 8 cents a line? Any idea how much money you can make in an eight-hour day?
Line Rates
Forgot to mention that this 8 cents per line is with employee status, health benefits, 401K with a match, etc.
line rates...
I was an hourly employee hired in 1989 at 7.00 an hour, and after 17 years was making 13.00 an hour when I left due to my job being outsourced.
My first IC account paid $1.50 a page, and I got a raise to $2.00 a page (dumped for nonpayment). My 2nd IC account pays 10 cents per gross line including blank lines (Word), and I haven't gotten a raise in 10 years; afraid to ask; I sub that work and make a killing.
My 3rd IC account on my own I charge 12 cpl (65 cpl w/ spaces), and I can get his work done in no time; so I average about 50.00 an hour for that.
My online account I started at 7.5 and now make 8 and do all clinic work and easy, peezy dictators, no set schedule; no line quota; and no they are not hiring.
My Salary approximately:
2006 - $27,000.00 a year approx
2008 - $45,000.00 a year approx
I never realized I could double my salary if I worked for myself and worked production instead of hourly. WOW! 
line rates
I started about 15 years ago at an hourly rate, then became 0.08 cpl, but with all kinds of incentives so that sometimes it was maybe 0.095, and benefits. Since then it has become: no benefits; no incentives; then without telling us they changed the DEFINITION OF A LINE!!! How underhanded can anyone be?!?! So the more experience I have, the better I get, the less I make.
Line rates
I'm just curious, is anyone out there charging extra to do ESL dictations or dictations from the really difficult, horrible dictators? I know it is be hard to break these out from other providers of the same group who are of average difficulty but it just seems as though we never have any idea of the quality of the dictations when we agree on a line rate. Then, whammy! You discover the quality is really poor. Sure some may be good those that are bad tend to be really bad. I think we should be able to charge extra for those.
I'm an experiened MT and it never ceases to amaze me how we set a line rate, but then that goes down the tubes when you get providers who dictate in broken English (taking lots more time to re-listen) and/or those that leave huges gaps of blank recording while they look stuff up, answer their cell phones, etc. (I guess this is where charging by the recorded amount of time would help).
Any creative line rates out there to compensate for these, i.e. charging differently for residents, ESL providers, providers who do not know how to use the pause button????
Line Rates
Hi,
Could I get an idea of the "going" line rate for clinic dictation, please.
They tell me I am too expensive and want me to lower my rates......
Thanks, I really appreciate some help.
Line rates
Current company on Mediscript and I get per page rates wanna slave? -- quit griping I have seen SUBSTANTIAL drop in my income from 1991 to the present
Where are these low line rates? sm
I have two jobs, one FT employee, one PT IC. The FT is new and the PT I have had for two years. FT pays me with 9.5 cpl WITH benefits and the IC 10 cpl no benefits.
I had been working for 8.5 cpl with good line incentives and benefits. They went BIG TIME VR and I left.
I have not seen less than 8 cpl in ages and I DO LOOK.
Where are these low line rates? me again.
WHY ON EARTH WOULD I COME HERE AND LIE??? I have no reason to do that.
I have always said that line rates are arbitrary. So much more of what you can make is platform, Expander and you.
I left TT not too long ago. I really wanted out and really wanted another employee situation with benefits. Being very motivated to move on and not being able to afford to wait, I took an IC job for 8 cpl that could go to 9 cpl. The lines were easy to get. 1000 lines took about 4-5 hours for me to get. The platform was better than Extext where it took at least 6 hrs to get to 1000 lines, FOR ME.
While working the IC job, I had the opportunity to test with a national. While I rarely agree to test, I did this time for many reasons, most of which was wanting the job very much. I did well on the test. I was offered 9 cpl, an incentive program and shift differentials for working both weekend days. Because my shifts are split, all over the day and evening, as well as both weekend days, they decided to nix the differentials in favor of another 0.05 cpl to offset my odd hours. It comes out in my favor and I was very happy to get it. The platform is sizzling fast for me and my 1300 lines a day only takes 5 hours or so.
The PT IC job I have at 10 cpl is one I have had for a number of years. The account is one that most MTs will not even attempt. In the last year we have been through about 8 MTs, all of whom tried the account and failed...either because they obviously didn't have the experience they claimed to have, or because they didn't want to do the extremely high number of ESLs. It is paid highly because of the level of difficulty.
While it is not nice of me to say this, it is the truth. This business is getting down to the survival of the fittest, most capable and knowledgeable MTs who get the better money. The rest will have to settle for whatever they can find and whoever will hire them. It is an MTSO's market right now and they will grab the best they can get for the money they can pay. The better they pay, the better MTs they can attract.
There are other expectations that MTSOs have these days, like getting off QA in short order, and making your minimum lines very quickly. Although the longest I have spent on QA in the last five years is only four days, and I have always made the minimum lines from day one, this is a very stressful time for me, and I have proven over and over that I can do it!
If your jealousy compels you to slam me, so be it. I could not always do what I do now. Instead of slamming people, I chose to ask them how they did it, so I could do it better. I still ask questions of those I respect in this business. Every year there are fewer and fewer MTs I have yet to out do, but that doesn't keep me from trying to do better. It never takes me long to find more work when I want it, and when I need work/money I have been known to take less money knowing that the work is pretty mindless and I can make enough to get through the rough spots.
My name is "Not working quite so hard" because these days I am working four days a week for more money than I made at TT in 5 or 6 days, and with less grief. Then again, I took some undesirable days and an couple of undesirable accounts.
Line/minute calculation
This way of calculating comes from way back, before actual line counts. Over the years we've counted documents in Word and then compared them to the minute equal line theory. If everyone is in the same pools and has the same chance of getting fast and slow dictators, over a week it equals out. It's bad on days that you have more short reports and speedy dictators and your day will drag. That's when everyone wants to go to an actual line count; but on the flip side, there are days that you will have more long reports with slow speaking physicians, then you think that--hey this is great. The reports are usually a variety throughout the day. We really would like to move to actual lines as this would be an accurate measure for every report.
line/minute calculation
I only get credit for 30 lines on 1 full page of single-space text, even though it looks like 50 actual lines.
Lowering IC Line Rates
As we all know, line rates for ICs continue to fall due to offshoring and other issues involved. I can no longer quote a decent line rate or I hear the phone slam in my ear.
Therefore, I've decided to do what I have to do to compete and get accounts, which is lower my line rate to 10.5. Naturally, I am not going to give this large cardiology group a 65-character line for that rate.
What do you feel is fair for me and the group line character-wise for 10.5 cents line? I was thinking of a 50-character line. Your opinions, please.
Thank you!
gross line rates
For my smaller accounts I charge 12 cpl under 4,000 lines per month. For those from 5 to 15,000 lines per month I charge 11.5 and I have one account at 10.5 but that is only because he gives me a week's turn around time. Again, I look more at what I make per hour than what my cpl is and if I make $45 an hour at 11.5 I keep it there. Even with the 10.5 cpl I make close to $50 an hour. But if it is a large account and it goes close to 2K per month, they will freak out. I do give a 1% discount for payment within 3 days of receipt and they all love that and do pay mostly the next day.
Patti
RATES PER GROSS LINE
WHAT IS THE GOING RATE (GROSS LINE) FOR TRANSCRIPTION AT HOME. I AM SETTING UP MY 1ST CLIENT A DOC IN UROLOGY.
MTSOs and line rates
I know there is a similar post further down the board, but I am in a similar situation....how DO you figure out what to charge your client? I think charging what you made as an IC and then adding a few pennies makes sense to me. Do other MTSOs think that is reasonable? If there is no way to know what the previous transcription service charged, do you just ask what the CLIENT thinks is reasonable and go from there?
Also, lets assume that the MTSO (very small, of course) has a remote phone-in system...how can the MTSO figure this into their price? Do you bill them separately for phone charges or just tack it onto the cpl? If so, that makes figuring the cpl even more complicated.
Any wisdom from other MTSOs would be MUCH appreciated!
insane line rates
I got a pay quote yesterday from a company that starts you out at 6/cpl and maxes out at 9/cpl after much time has passed and many hoops have been jumped through.
That's insanity! How are we supposed to feed our kids?
Editing Line Rates
I've looked through several old threads on this board about eScription/EditScript and have seen those who love it and those who don't. I may be moving to an account that utilizes this platform and am trying to see how my earnings might be impacted. I understand there will be a learning curve, but I anticipate getting "up to speed" quickly as I have always been fairly good at learning new technology. What is the average line rate I can expect using EditScript software? I've seen rates quoted from between 3 cpl up to 5 cpl. Is that right? Is anyone making more than 5 cpl editing?
What is the average line count for editing I can expect (hope) to achieve? I've seen some say 300+/- lph and others who can do 600 or more lph. What is the highest sustained lines per hour one can expect when editing, if utilizing all the keyboard shortcuts, etc., available?
Thanks for your input.
pay per dictated minute versus per line
which is better being paid per dictated minute or paid per line?
the accepted way to figure line/minute sm
is that one minute equals 10 lines. I guess you have to figure out your line rate from that. Obviously it can be less lines if the dictator is slow and more lines if the dictator is fast. At what seems to be the going rate of 8 cpl these days I guess it would be about 80 cents per minute?
I have worked on a minute basis and it all seemed to equal out pretty much the same unless you are getting a lot of "motor-mouths."
Hope that helps
The low line rates aren't much better, lots of
q
Line rates by city/state...
can anyone share what going rates are for IC and transcription services in their area?
Line rates vary geographically.
I wouldn't work for less than 0.08/65-character line that included spaces. If you're traveling, printing, etc., charge more. Tax advice should come from professional tax preparers, not this site. Also check IRS website.
line rates charged to clients
I know that 10 years ago, Medquist charged one of their big hospitals in St. Louis 24 cents per line!!! Yet of course they pay their employees peanuts, since they pay by the WORD. (MQ is more concerned with paying Wall Street.) But there's your upper ceiling of what you might dare think of charging!
Line Rates for Michigan residents
For all of you who live in Michigan what is the line rate you are paid? I want to get an average of the industry here is Michigan.
Line rates are set by company, not state.
x
MI MTs who posted line rates, would you make
x
Line rates can also be regional. Too many variables to
give somebody else hope that they might someday get the same rate. If you don't like the rate an employer offers, don't take it -- that's the only way to make them listen. It's not the baloney you seem to think it is.
Plus, line rates vary by company
depending on the account. I told someone how much I made, she got a job with the same company on a different account making less $$.
Plus, line rates vary within the company
depending on the account. I told someone how much I made, she got a job with the same company on a different account making less $$.
per page is better with rad than per line - sm
Per line means you will work your hiney off just to make any $$. Per report is the best way to go. I was paid $1.40 per report. I averaged about $33-35/hour and worked 3 hours a day.
If I worked onsite for a radiologist I was paid $88 (EIGHTY-EIGHT) for 2 (TWO)hours onsite.
By the page or by the line?
Is $2 to $3 per page good or getting paid by the line better?
By line or page?
Hi all...if you had an account with progress notes where you use a previous visit note for the patient and then only change the date and the vital signs on the new note for the patient, would you charge by the line for those reports or by the page? These are physical therapy notes where the patient comes for HUMS therapy just about every day to every other day of the week, so everything in the note stays the same except the date and vitals. Thanks in advance.
OMG--4 cents/line? I've never heard of rates that low (SM)
Please, Gaile, you are worth so much more than that. My first job with MQ in 2001 I earned 7.7 cents per line. Since that at other jobs I have earned 8 cpl, 10 cpl, and now about 9 cpl. Please do not sell yourself short. Two years experience is enough to get much better than that. Good luck to you whatever you decide to do.
Sincerely,
Chickadee
MY GOSH, I am getting ripped off! Those are some excellent line rates...
z
Need MT section on this board to post line rates sm
and what company to help turn things around in this industry, meaning, the 4,5,6,7,8 9 etc per line which is grossly under paying if one takes the time to figure, how many lines, how many lines per hour, per minute, per second to make HOW MUCH PER HOUR. This is the key, how much per hour you make.
With a list of where to refer to, it helps curb this slave labor mentality.
THE MTs NEED A SECTION ON THIS BOARD to list going rates so the industry becomes more competitive and not at our expense with all this " supply 3 phones, supply long distance TO THEM. BUY THIS AND PROVIDE THIS TO THEIR COMPANY. Buy this license, this software.
My contribution: As taken from their ads the last month (looking back) at least 10/ln
Future Net Tech - California 9-10
CPR Tech California 10
Digital Records California - California
Phoenix Trans
Keystrokes Ill.
Tidewater Virg.
Trans tech
Ascend 9-11 BVirg.
Paladin
TTS New Hampshire
Softscript - California
MWPS Michigan Rad.
i
CPR - California
Phoenix
nix
Line rates gross versus 65-character
I recently had a call for family practice dictation and I offered 12 cents per line. Have always charged by the gross line and was charging 14 cents, which I thought was too high, so lowered it to 12 cents. However, the more I am reading I see that 65 character seems to be the way everything is getting billed. I also realize at 12 cents per line I lose a lot going to 65 character lines.
I also realize with family practice that they might have a lot of times where there is one or two words on a line and probably wouldn't be too happy about paying for gross lines.
I guess I'm looking for advice on charging. Is charging for gross lines unheard of anymore? I have already quoted the 12 cents, so that will have to be my charge. But as far as gross or 65 character, I haven't been asked that yet but would need to have that absolutely straight with them before starting. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I know I'm a little behind the times and am trying to catch up and stay competitive also.
Thanks!
Cherrypicking didn't make our line rates less -
the lower line rates are what started people c-pickingin the first place, so they could make enough each week to live on. Back when I was paid by the hour (and lots more than I'm getting now per hour, I did whatever came along. But I'm sorry, I'm not gonna GIVE an employer a chunk of my change for the 'privilege' of doing a 40-minute report by a gum-chewing ESL with static on the line, partying nurses, or crying babies in the background, that I just plain can't understand, when I have the option to choose something that is at least transcribe-able.
page v. line count
It can be anywhere from 40 pages to 75/80 pages depending on the length of the report.
page v. line count
I'm basing that on 1200 lines per day!
Per page versus per line
Does anyone know how to compare a per-page rate versus a per 65-character incl. spaces rate?
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