It is time to seek you own accounts to be paid what you are worth! nm
Posted By: MTE on 2006-08-28
In Reply to: quite concerned - nn
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- quite concerned - nn
- It is time to seek you own accounts to be paid what you are worth! nm - MTE
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accounts - plus my 2 cents worth
I started doing part-time when working at a hospital as an Admin Sec/Assistant as docs were unable to find decent transcriptionists. Went to full-time as my hubbie was a trucker and gone a lot and started in 1989 full-time. At first did brochures/flyers to offices, subcontracted to local companies. Then they started coming word of mouth. I have not added an account for 5-6 years as have had enough but recently one of my favorites passed away and so will be adding another after Chrisitmas. Have thought about expanding more with more IC's but I really have trouble finding people that are dependable and realize that sometimes work comes first and it is my name out there. Since I am a small MTSO I can only pay 8.5 to 9 cents per gross line but all they do is type and I print, deliver and pick up. My oldest psych account has been with me since 1988 and my latest since 2000 so they stay with me. Pay on time, treat me pretty well and so can't complain too much. My last mailing, mailed out about 90 to 100 flyers and got 5 phone calls and 1 account but again that was 5 years ago.
Some of you have to realize the cost of running and maintaining a business. Though the doc gets $50 to $60 per office visit, more with labs, but think of their overhead in the office. Also lots of times they only get 60 to 70% of what they bill out. They not only have to pay me for the typing -- 35 to 40 lines, (3-4 dollars) but the receptionist, billing clerk, nurse and themselves. So the docs are not getting rich and I again say it is the insurance companies that put the squeeze on them and causing a lot of them to look for cheaper ways of doing things.
getting paid what (we think) we're worth
You may chuckle at what you're being offered, but there's a possibility that the company you're applying for a position with cannot offer more than that. If they're billing the client 13 cpl but after all of the overhead (401K plans, paid time off, software programs for MTs, employer's share of the SS tax, etc), comes out 5 cpl (which leaves 8 cpl), how are they going to keep enough for company expenses (i.e. lawyers, accountants) and still pay a decent line rate to the MTs.
So, unless you have access to the accounting books and have access to the profit and loss statements, you don't really know why MTs are not offered more than they were in the late 1980s to early 1990s.
Not worth it if you work your fingers to the bone and then never get paid
Good luck
Switching Around Accounts While Getting Paid for Production
Appalled, I understand what you're saying, but there's another side to your point that I think you didn't verbalize quite well enough for MT30+ to understand.
When the employer, who is paying you for production, or even the employer who might be paying you hourly, asks you to switch accounts frequently, the employer is also going to suffer. When you're not typing up to your potential, she's not profiting as much from your typing either.
Let's say the MTSO just got in over her head with backlog and needs more staff. It does take time to find and hire new staff. But if the MTSO doesn't do that AND QUICKLY, then the MTSO is going to be suffering from the learning curve of the MTs she's asking to pick up the slack in the meantime.
Everybody suffers when the MTSO doesn't staff adequately in advance for new accounts, not just the MT.
On the other hand, if the MTSO anticipates a new account and hires in advance, then everybody suffers again because they start seeing the No Jobs Available message from overhiring until the new account kicks in.
It's a very tricky business when you're taking on a new account, hiring new people to staff it, and trying to coordinate it all so that everybody stays happy.
She is not worth your time
 These were my thoughts as well. I have been reading both your posts and I must say I do agree with you. The last statement of hers certainly made no sense and I am glad you addressed it. Better just leave well enough alone now - she is worthless - don't waste your good transcribing hands on her - perhaps she will just go to bed, or we can only hope so. Better yet, perhaps she went to Walmart to make those purchases of a new sense of humor, etc. HA HA HA
is it worth your time?
Sometimes even if it is minimal amount, making a point is worth it you know? My hairdresser took her owner to court for like $100.00 not because she wanted that money, but because of the principle of the situation. If you can spend the time and money if it doesn't go your way, go for it. I think everyone should be held responsible for wrongdoings, now matter how big or small.
is it worth your time?
Sometimes even if it is minimal amount, making a point is worth it you know? My hairdresser took her owner to court for like $100.00 not because she wanted that money, but because of the principle of the situation. If you can spend the time and money if it doesn't go your way, go for it. Personally, I think everyone should be held responsible for wrongdoings, now matter how big or small.
Not worth the time or money
unless you are into titles
I do it the same as you...takes a little bit of time but worth it. nm
t
Thanks, just trying to get a feel if it is worth my time or not.
Some platforms are money makers, and others are not. This one may not be.
I figured it up and even at 10 cpl, this doc is not worth my time...nm
x
I know it's work, but is it worth your time?
Or should I have said, what level of frustration can you tolerate - I should have stated in the above post that this is time consuming and can seem daunting, but if you choose to do this, just take one step at a time and choose a chunk of time you will have free, and in the end, you may just have to make the time because our computers are our livelihood and need to keep them in good shape. Then again, you can just hire someone to do it for you; and just a clue, they use a lot of these programs too. But registry issues, of course, that is another issue - a professional would definitely have to tackle that one. Take care!
It means they probably weren't worth your time
and that unless they were not being straight with you (perhaps you did not actually pass their test for example) that they are disorganized and careless when it comes to recruitment.
Look elsewhere - APPLY MULTIPLE PLACES because this IS unfortunately not a unique situation. I have 20 years in the business and I have often had four resumes out at once because I KNOW some of the jobs advertised are not real jobs and I will never hear back. Others will SAY you have a job and then drop the ball to get you started.
The ones who seriously want to hire you *now* will make that very clear... Basically whoever gives you work first (that meets *your* requirements of course) is the company you go with.
Make a note of those companies who don't act professionally - and consider yourself forewarned about what they might be like to work for in the future.
SOME have legitimate communication oversights - but there are a TON who are poorly managed. It shouldn't be rocket science to figure out that ignoring a candidate (dropping the ball) etc., very loikely elimiates a potential person for future needs.
Yes, I always have the notes. One time, it was an entire day worth of clinics except for one!
How did they just get one note and not the rest? There have been a couple of times when the doctor just didn't dictate on that particular patient, but most of the time I typed the notes, printed and delivered the notes, and then they say they never go them! And I always have them on my PC and backed up on CD.
I agree - doesn't sound like it's worth your time to fight her anymore. NM
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Time off from own accounts
Most of my accounts have been with my for over six years and so they are pretty understanding when I take some time off and I let them decide if they want to hold the tapes or I can have one of my friends who also has their own business do my accounts. 95% of the time they decide to hold the tapes which is good and bad. I don't lose any money but I am quite busy when I get back. I don't take a lot of "long periods -- more than 2-3 days with a weekend" off and take more short times off, Th, Fr, Sa Su etc. I did go to San Francisco last year and took my nephew for his graduation and did take Friday through Weds off but came back to the tapes. The docs did do some of the notes themselves. But that was their choice. I do not have any children or a husband so I that helps out. But you more or less gotta form some networking with other small MTSO's in the area to cover for each other. I am also lucky that my largest account, surgeons, are not in every day so I can usually take time off and only miss one of their days. That helps. But most of the time your accounts will work with you. But that is the downside of having your own accounts.
It slows down every August and January on both ER accounts that I have. This time sm
of year is the worst. I forget about it every year until it happens again. It usually picks up again at the end of August and then is really busy until the end of the year. It slows down a bit (not much) in the beginning of January and then is really, really busy until mid to late July into August.
I have been doing this for 13 years and the only year ever that it did not happen to me was last summer. Not sure why, but both hospitals stayed busy the entire 2006.
If you like to get paid on time, don't go there.
.
not being paid on time
I absolutely agree with you. My particular work is being done through the mail from the doctor's notes. I have not sent them anything else since this happened and I told them that and they said that is fine. Hopefully this afternoon this other person may come in. My husband told me hang in, it will all work out. They always pay, so I will keep praying like I said, prayer does work.
not being paid on time
The office manager is on her honeymoon until the 20th and the doctor cannot handle anything about the money. It is a very large account, he says there is plenty of money, no problem. I just keep praying about and asking for God's help. The doctor's wife is the one filling in and writing checks and coming in with no set hours.
Not getting paid on time
I have been having a huge problem and wanted some input from others who have gone through this. I have been typing for this company who shall remain namless for the time being for over 6 months now and I actually really like it. I like the people, I like typing almost all of the doctors, which I think is rare. However, my main problem is with getting paid. I am supposed to get paid weekly, but I have gone weeks, literally weeks (3 or more) without getting paid and it is really starting to interfere with my ability to pay my bills on time. I am not working to make a little extra cash, I actually have to pay bills and buy groceries and I find it extremely frustrating that companies feel it is okay to do business this way. I am expected to work and cover my shift an should I not expect the same in return for getting paid on time? I am so angry about this and do not want to have to look for yet another position, but this is getting to be ridiculous. I would be extremely interested to hear if others have gone through this and what you did about it. I am almost getting reluctant to do any more work for fear that I will never see this money. Any advice would be appreciated!!!!!
not being paid on time
It hasn't been that long, thank God, about 2 weeks. Then they get it straight and then again they are late. The person who is responable just got married, she will be back on the 20th. The other person who writes the checks is not that reliable.
not being paid on time
What would you do if you had a private account and payment is sporadic?
I am paid by time
one minute of dictation = 10.5 lines is how we figure it. It usually works out even. Sometimes they dictate fast and you get in a few more lines then you should and sometimes they talk slow and you get more lines. It works out well.
Paid by time?
The first thing that came into my head was "DON'T DO IT!" The doctor is trying to lower the amount of money he would be paying you. Think about this... he dictates an entire 2-page operative note in 1 minute and 20 seconds.. don't say this can't be done. I transcribe these types of reports all the time. Even though I get paid per line and for a service, the docs talk as fast and furious as they can. The doctors and hospitals are always finding ways to pay their transcriptionsts less. Also, seeing that you have never raised your rates, he remembers this and is always thinking.. don't kid yourself. I've been there and done that for 25 years. Put out that fire now ! 
getting paid on time???
I have recently gotten my first contract with a local physician's office. I received my first payment on time!! Since then I have not gotten a single check. I have talked to the office manager several times. They currently owe for three billing statements. Any suggestions on what to do until I get payment or how to get them to speed up the payment process? Thanks!
Paid on time
I have been in this same position twice and let me tell you, run for the hills. I will never be put into this situation ever again. I gave them chance after chance because the work was easy and the doc was easy to understand, but after being late on several of my own bills because I was not getting paid on time, I just stopped typing for them. I told them that I could no longer afford to work for them because of non-payment. It is ridiculous for anyone to be treated this way.....We are not allowed to be late with our bills or we are charged a fee. Maybe consider charging them a late fee! LOL
AS THEY GET PAID ON TIME AND IT IS CORRECT
while we sit her typing for you fools and YOU RIP US OFF. GONE, OUTTA HERE.
TO GET PAID ON TIME FOR A CHANGE.
SS strikes again. I AM OUT of this place.
Always paid my taxes and on time so never
had to worry about this, but I would be leary of any company wanting $$ for services. I'd just call the IRS and tell them the situation and see what they say. Of course, this late in the tax season getting through may be an impossible task. If you have a local IRS office it might be better to go talk to them in person.
If her MTSO actually paid her on time...sm
She might have had a bit more of a substantial cushion if she was paid on time. But this is not possible if she is always being paid considerably late whether it be by weeks or a month. If this happens to her often this "cusion" will be depleted quickly. You cant save something if you dont have it. By the time she does get paid she probably has late fees for bills, taking care of her sick child etc. Have some compassion. Whether she has any type of "cushion" makes no difference. The point is if she was paid on time she would not have the added stress and probelms from the lack of recieving a pay check on time. I am sure her work is on time, why not her paycheck.
If you're not paid for your time
you shouldn't account for your time. It's none of their business if you have to go to the bathroom or get a drink of water or even load the washer or pet the cat. They just want control which they don't want to pay for.l
Down time should be paid, period.
Not our fault we show up for work and there isn't any. And I don't want to sit all day and night at my desk waiting for work to dribble in, either. If it isn't there during my scheduled shift, then DOWN TIME. We have families to take care of and be with. 
It takes a lonnngggg time to get paid.
You get paid for work you did a month ago. Paychecks were short. No answer when questioned about how they arrived at their line counts. Advertise holiday bonus and $1500 bonus for acute care - do not know of anyone who got one. Probably just management cronies. They have great accounts but it is difficult to get lines. All the work is straight type with lots of looking up because they have teaching facility accounts, so it is difficult to set up templates. All the better work I am sure goes to preferred MTs or farmed out elsewhere. The platform is not transcription friendly, lots of looking up and spreadsheets, and they do not pay for headers and footers. They also micro management big time.
I make $2-3/hr (we are ICs paid for talk time only)
We are ranked. If you aren't in the top ran you do not get as many calls.
I wrote out a longer message but for some reason it didn't post.
paid for "wait time", too cool!
Gosh, I might be doing okay if I was being paid for "wait time", as it seems like that is all I have been doing lately. This two week pay period is nearly up and so far I have only typed 3000 lines, mostly because there is not enough work during my shift. I just don't know what to do.
anyone paid by the amount of time dictated?
I am being paid by the line right now, but my office is switching to a completely new system that counting lines would be a nightmare.
The doc has suggested maybe paying me by the amount of time dictated.
Has anyone done this before, and if so what are the pros and cons, and what is a reasonable rate??? I have NO idea!
Thanks so much for any info.
I have been with them for seven years this September and never raised my rates, which I brought up to him while speaking about the new system saying I would hope whatever we decide is more than I make now!
Last time I was paid this little was during the Reagan administration.
Sigh.
Oh it is a lot of extra typing that takes time which I don't get paid for! nm
nm
Paid downtime vs unpaid slow time - sm
Do MTSOs, nationals, usually pay for downtime for employees? If so, what has been your experience - ever received downtime? your company's policy, i.e., pay for two days downtime?
Also, as an employee for a nat'l, if you have a set schedule, what do you do when very little work comes in, for example one dictation/hour? At what point do you cut out? I'm new to working for a national and this has happened a lot lately - I know, the holidays. If there is little work, I usually only stay connected for two hours, let me sup. know, and call it a day.
I swear, sometimes I hate this industry!!  Any other company, at least in my state, if there is no work, as an employee, you still get paid or after a certain period, you get unemployment...something!
Your insurance benefits will be effective through the period of time you have paid them which...sm
could be the end of the week or the end of the month or the day that the company calls the insurance company to cancel them. You cannot depend on thinking if you quit in the middle of the month you will be covered through the end of the month. You have to find out exactly from your company. Also for COBRA benefits you are eligible for up to 18 months or perhaps longer in special circumstances but yes you have to pay the premium all by yourself, the company doesn't chip in at all. The plus side is you are still in a group plan. You cannot get individual insurance unless you have NOTHING at all wrong with you, no high blood pressure, no depression, nothing. It is very important to not have a lapse in coverage greater than 60 days. If you do, you will lose coverage for any preexisting conditions when you go to your next GROUP insurance (this is the other part of HIPAA - portability). If for example you are covered for high blood pressure and you don't choose COBRA and your insurance lapses for more than 60 days, when you get on the next group plan, they will not cover your high blood pressure M.D. visits or medications for up to 1 year.
You can get relatively cheep individual coverage if you choose a high deductible, to carry you through. That is, if you can get it. Good luck.
Please have her seek help!
Men are pretty clueless about this eating disorder issue. While there are men who can suffer from it, it impacts FAR more young girls and women. What sometimes starts out as a way to lose weight becomes a lifelong issue with devastating results. I have typed reports for several young girls who died in their early 20s of heart and kidney failure. The parents were hysterical and still pretty clueless as to the "why." Please take the lead and get her into a program to speak with someone. Good luck to you.
For QA consulting I'm paid per hour; QA instructing (college) paid salary, QA editing paid per li
I am an IC and work for two different MTSOs as well as instruct at a business college.
Once again I seek forgiveness...
Perhaps I spoke to soon. I am very well aware of the problems facing MTs today. I am also aware that the MTs who have sweated blood to learn this profession over the years feel cheated. I have no personal control over that. Your choice is to move forward or move on. I have no anger towards Gloria or anyone else. The profession is difficult, as well as being a low paying job for the quality of work and the knowledge required. But, this is not the only job out there in todays marketplace that feel the brunt of cut-backs, decrease of benefits, and too much work on one person.
LOVE teaching hospitals and long-winded reports. Less ADT time which I'm not paid for.
Hate filling in ADT screens w/ searches just to do a one minute report.
It says nothing... It only says that some people seek out crack pot
x
Hey if you just sat back and didn't seek
support, I would not think very highly of you. How do you know my situation? Are you judging me? You don't even know the whole story and how is it you are posting and reading it? Why do you even need to respond? Are YOU obsessing? Have you read every post? Let me tell you, NOBODY'S perfect!!
SEEK MARRIAGE COUNSELING NOW!
You need to be telling this to a marriage counselor. If your husband won't go with you, go without him. It will give you the insight needed to make this tough decision.
Seek another physician as fast as you can sm
the one you have obviously does not have your best interests at heart, nor does he care. Any good physician with an ounce of brains knows exactly how addicting OcyContin is and should not keep any patient on it for the long term. You should also seek a rehabilitation clinic for addiction problems. You can't do this by yourself. I think they have outpatient clinics, but you need help and you need to get it soon. Good luck.
Please seek the advice of a counselor, not your mom.
It is not fair to involve family members in these things. Trust me when I say I have been there and done that. The counselor we saw also told us that. The best thing we ever did was seek the advice of a counselor. Yes, if he refuses to go then go alone. Start there. Do not make any decisions until you speak with a trained, impartial party. The Dr. Phil book "Family Matters" is an excellent source of information as well for the entire family. I truly hope you work this out. Our society is far too quick to just take the high road, especially where kids are involved. You need to truly TRY here.
I suggest you seek out an accountant sm
Since you have no experience as IC, you really need to talk to an accountant. Honestly, that is the only way to be knowledgable about it. I had to do that 18 years ago when I started as IC. Each year, the tax laws are updated, new write-offs, things you were deducting can't be deducted anymore, etc.
I have had the same accountant now for about 12 years, and he is not that expensive. Last year, he charged $180. Not too bad.
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