Patti....
Posted By: mac on 2006-06-07
In Reply to: From below regarding tapes - Patti
you don't need to explain yourself to Tikki (aka Kikki) or anyone else on this board. You took a bashing about the cookies and now about tapes, and money for gas, and on and on and on and on.
You are obviously a very successful and talented MTSO/MT/WOMAN. I admire you. May you continue to have good fortune shine down on you.
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Patti, I'm a big fan of yours
I always make a point of reading your posts. You should do some sort of column. The networks do pay well for transcription. They can afford to only charge $20 per transcript because they sell hundreds of them. Keep in mind that the Transcriptionist is producing a product that they mass produce and make a huge profit on.
hi patti ...
I'm in lower Westchester County, NY, about 1/2 hour north of NYC. Do you know of a good, reputable MT company that I can contact?
Thanks ...
Joanne
Thanks Patti
I'll ask about it again this evening if there is still no check in my mail box when I get home. At least I am not doing this full-time. I have an outside FT job and I do this in the evenings for supplemental income, but I still need it as I am on my own. I have learned my lesson about not signing a contract again that states I get paid when the client pays them, never again. I've started sending out resumes, might as well get ready to move on.
thanks again Patti...
I was just doing the math for the 3$ per page with sample copies in Word, and it wasn't adding up (many more lines on a page than I had anticipated. I thought a page would only have 30 lines or so...not!) You all are GREAT. All this advice is helping tremendously.
Patti, you are right...
I used to have my own accounts and at my highest, I made $60,000. I have gone to remote only and my income has dropped significantly. I just wanted to give my input and back you up, you are absolutely right!
To Patti
Hello Patti
I definitely agree that this can be done. I believe back 3-4 years ago, you might have been the one who inspired me to get my own accounts and even offered me wonderful technical information. I am not sure though. Anyway, I am offering you my support. I make about $30/hr, but I only work about 7 hours a week as an MT. I have great dictators, use expanders, and charge 0.13 cents per line. The other MTs in the area charge about 0.15 cents per line, and the one that I asked said she made $45,000 last year working part time. It can be done. Good for you. Keep up the good work! 
Patti - sm
Their fee is $40 a month, which I didn't think was too bad. The total I will be paying them is almost what I am paying now. The difference will be the interest rates and time it takes to pay them off. My husband is really upset that we are going to do this, but as I said before, I don't see any other way. I am keeping one credit card with a low limit for emergencies, travel, etc. and the rest of them will be history!! When I get out of this mess, it will never happen again. Again, I appreciate your info.
Patti, maybe if you... sm
explain to her that not capping a brand name drug would be like you lower casing her name (or the doc's name). Maybe that would help. =)
Hi Patti!
Boy Patti
You've been one busy little MT today posting left and right under all these different names of yours about your 1,000 sq foot mansion on the water and your hefty checking account of $20K a year! Okay, it's gorgeous, the most beautiful home we've all ever seen and could ever imagine having and with a yearly income like you've got, well who needs to win the lottery? LOLLOLLOL.
Patti - sm
Could/would you be willing to post a picture of the views?
And we wish you the same Patti.
May you one day realize your life is worth living and trying to impress people on newsboards with what little you have is not necessary to make your life whole or meaningful.
Prayers and blessings be with you honey.
Thank you Patti ---- nm
.
I do like Patti. sm
I have created a simple macro to do it for me as my accounts have rather small margins that need to be changed to get 65 characters/spaces in a line. My macro highlights the whole document, changes the margins to 1 and 0.9, and then changes the font to courier 12, very quickly.
I like Patti too.
LOL
Thanks Patti! NM
:)
Thanks Patti ...
Your reply is so encouraging--I thought that sounded a little "squirrely." In my opinion, this office mgr has been misleading me ever since I started work there, and really was not too disappointed in leaving, even though I liked the other people very much!
I know you did, Patti--sm
and I appreciated it. At that point in time, there were only a few that did support me and most of the ones that did not believe me really were pretty nasty about the whole thing. I really detest being called a liar when I know I am not. I know how hard you work too, and you are so smart about taxes and all, and you really help out so many people on this board. You are a really great person! You have had your days with some of these people criticising your ways of doing things too in the past, so believe me, I know what it feels like. I so envy you! Take care, and have a great evening. (I was able to do 58000 gross lines this month--37000 the past two weeks, so we are pretty comparable)! :^)
To Patti
I know you are busy and I don't want to interrupt you, but you are so knowledgeable about tax questions and I thought maybe you could help me, somehow. If you could possibly email me, I would really appreciate it, as I do not want to divulge personal tax info on this site. thanks so much. When you have time, of course. 
WOW Patti
That is an awesome line daily line count! Is that consistent, every day or nearly every day? Do you use shortcut software? How have you been able to escape wrist, neck, shoulder stuff?
To Patti
I want to go out on my own but don't quite know where to begin. Please e-mail me. TIA.
We really need to know if Patti follows BOS?
If so, then Hayseed is correct. If not, then she may or may not use a dash as she so desires. Same rule would apply, I guess, for the comma.... LOL 
Thanks Patti!
Thank you Patti
Thanks Patti
I will only be typing short letters to referring docs. I have listened to some of types and you are right about the meds. I had trouble with some of the topical creams.
Thanks Again
Patti
Patti,
I have had the same account(oncology) for five years. I would also like to pick up other accounts; however, this doctor keeps me sooo busy it is almost impossible to transcribe for someone else. I have picked up dermatology account, but only 26-30 letters per month.
I am going on vacation in June for about three days and worried sick about coming back from vacation and having to type over 200 notes!! This doctor sees over 75 patients a day and also has a Saturday clinic (40-50 patients). Any suggestions????
Thanks Patti!
Hello Patti
The medications is what I am having a hard time with as the doctor tends to mumble and speaks very fast. His notes are very short, no OP notes.
What usual drug pages are you referring to - Is this a list that you have started?
Hi Patti--sm
Congrats on attempting digital!! I think you will like it once you get used to it.
Anyway, whether you transfer a file through e-mail or FTP, you will still retain a copy of it on your computer until you decide to delete it. Once you have the file on your computer, you can transfer a copy to any of your ICs and still keep the original for yourself. Your ICs can go to the FTP and download also, but they have to be set up with the FTP site to do that. It is kind of like *permission*. They have to have a user ID and password, just like you will have, to be able to access the file.
I wish you all kinds of luck! ks.
Thanks Patti
So, there is NO WAY to do any kind of short cuts???
Thanks
Thank you Patti....
I appreciate a response coming from another Transcriptionist trying to keep everybody happy.
Patti
too funny! I have a keyboard like that. When I worked in-house I went through three or four keyboards because the letters were gone. The IT people hated to work on my computer because they did not know where the letters were.
Patti is right
It is easier to use plain good quality paper for everything and not waste time switching paper. It is so much more efficient to print the letterhead and some print jobs you can load and walk away without directing documents to bins and sheetfeeders and even can generate the envelopes all at the same time. One client I have I do this for. They thought they didn't want it until it started and now they are sold. Just raise your rates to pay for the extra expense and by all means use only laser. You can even pick up a used HP laser at some printer repair places refurbished. I have one new one and an old HP workhorse that cost me little and keeps on going and going and going day in and day out. About once a year I get it cleaned and serviced for less than $100.00 and it is so much faster than ink jet and I too only buy about two or three cartridges a year. Take advantage of their request and make it work for you too!
Thanks Patti. I'm definitely going to
check out transcriptiongear.com and am in the process of doing more research on this but trying to do this quickly so I don't lose this opportunity. Thanks again for the info!
Hi Patti...
Thanks for responding, for the advice, and tips.
I see where you guys just talked about this and I got a lot of info. there as well.
Thanks.
Thanks patti! (sm)
I can't wait to run these ideas and things past our big boss. Hope it helps them.
Hi Patti. I appreciate your post, although I don't have
to put up with much of anything that is "garbage" in my opinion at my jobs.
It IS work. Hahaha I just take it as it comes and have learned to not get bogged down in the politics of anything. My accounts are verbatim so I just have to literally transcribe verbatim and use BOS2 rules. Not that difficult.
I'm impressed with your 3200 lines. That's fabulous!
Thanks for the info, Patti
I personally concur completely with everything you stated.
I think it comes down to the insurance companies in the long run that are at fault, as well.
Not sure if I am the correct Patti
It all boils down to whether you signed a non-competitive contract stating that for so many years you would not approach any account that you worked on. Just like when you are working for a company through a Temp agency, you usually sign a contract stating that you will not approach that company for a job and if they do you, they have to pay the Temp company so much money. That is protection for any company, just as I do, that someone does not come in take your client list, bid low for your clients and attempt to take them away. If they do then they usually have to pay you something as specified in the contract. That is my 2 cents worth. If you have not signed a contract, approach them. Just do not try to get it through bad mouthing or putting your ex-company down. Approach them professional and point out your good qualities and do not point out their bad ones. It is a very small world out here and you could come in contact with them again and you do want to act profesisonal, honest and with integrity.
Patti
I agree with Patti, but I also need to add this.
I think your anger is misplaced against your mother. You aren't protecting her from embarassment. It sounds like you're avoiding the situation (telling her the truth) and blaming her for not seeing anything. You need to ask her to meet you at a neutral place without him and tell her exactly why you're being "cold". Don't punish your entire family, especially your mother, for the actions of one nasty man. As Patti said, what about the other females in your family? If he's being inappropriate to you, what about any younger relatives?
Thanks, Patti - so it does it all for you - that's good!
I feel a little nervous going IC status just because I'm used to everything being done for me as an employee, but I'm more excited than nervous - I just want to do things right. I appreciate your input and if you think of anything else I may need to know in particular, please feel free to post it!
Patti...you are an MTSO?
Do you need help?
Patti or other MTSOs...
Hi,
Need to get my own account/s instead of relying solely on the national (guess who). Getting a client in my area is probably the easy part. The hard part is the logistics of software, paper, etc. Not having dealt with this stuff working with a national, it is the *simple* things that are a mystery to me (and others, I suppose). I hate to even inquire about transcribing for someone, not knowing what equipment I will need, what software, kinds of paper. I am sure I would come across as an idiot (like right now, maybe?)
OKay, well, I looked online at Dictaphone and it looks like there are mini, micro, and standard cassette units (not to mention digital online programs), so I guess you WOULD have to find out which the client prefers before investing in one, and I know you can get them on EBay, but what else? Does the software come with the transcriber? I don't suppose you can type them out in Word? I suppose one can buy a medical spellchecker. Then you need paper if you are going to print them out...what kind? Anything else? There are so many variables. I suppose I should first contact the two MTSOs that I know locally and ask for overflow work. That way, they could help me learn about this stuff.
No slamming, please. Very sensitive tonight as I just received a call from my Supervisor, very nicely hinting that I need to bring my line count up but, as we talked and now, hours later, I have *no jobs* on my screen. Pretty hard to get that line count up with no jobs!
Thanks for any tutoring and/or advice. 
Bravo, Patti!!
Smart, energetic people like you who are willing to put the effort into finding the niches you have described will always fare better than those who prefer to take what can be had with no effort.
You're right. Your detractors are jealous, but probably not enough to go out and hustle and do what you did to get what you have. They would rather tear you down and try to believe that what you have done cannot be done than put some effort into making their own lives and incomes better.
You go, girl! People like you will always come out on top, regardless of what happens to the MT profession down the road. Congratuations!
Amen, Patti
You go, Patti. It's called paying your dues. I spent many a morning carting 3 kids around in an old clunker of a car making pickups and deliveries, pulling all-nighters working, accommodating my clients, and developing a relationship with the staffs. I double proofed everything that went out of my office. It was my face they saw every day, not just a voice on the phone. That's how I gained respect and loyalty from my clients. I always kept my word. When digital came into use, I gave my clients the choice of going to it, but did not demand it to make MY life easier. We are a service, not dictators on how to run their offices. (and some old dogs you just can't teach new tricks.) I bit the bullet and invested in the equipment and software to make it happen for those who wanted it. I spent hours developing an very effective brochure and logo to use, and invested in having it done professionally, rather than have some home-made paper tri-fold with runny ink. I kept my prices competitive, and my clients knew I would always go the extra mile for them. They are my biggest referral source.
My bottom line is, you can't sit back and expect everbody to jump to your rules. You have to sell your product and yourself. Your reputation and name are your biggest assets. You have to actually WORK for it. Nobody starts at the top. I made well into the 6-figure income the last two years, and I EARNED IT.
Thanks for the info Patti - I will definitely ask. sm
I have talked to a credit counseling agency, but have not committed yet. They are supposed to be sending a proposal. From my understanding, though, the credit cards will be paid back in full, just at a lower interest rate. I will be sure to verify this, though, before going ahead. I really don't see any other option at this point, as we are getting farther and farther behind on payments. The credit card companies will not negotiate with me (as someone had suggested) because I am behind on the payments. They will, however, negotiate with the credit counseling agencies. I will be paying a small fee to the counseling agency, but my credit cards will be paid off in four years.
I agree w/you Patti...
I've been there...swore always that I would in no way tolerate cheating, but I did...I forgave him and now, our marriage is better than ever. Of course, this was almost 13 years ago and I was much younger and much less self sufficient back then. But now, if he did it again, he'd be out like a light! It's hard to *forgive and forget*, in fact, I don't think that's even possible, or wise...especially the *forget* part. I'll never forget, but think I have forgiven.....
Patti - Are you the one advertising for an IC and YOU
Big no-no. If you're specifying hours and rates, honey, you're an employer!!! PAY UP ON THE EMPLOYER ISSUES!!
Wrong Patti
The only thing I have complained about is one of my I/C's and was deciding to go back to going it alone as one of my IC's was really giving me a bad time and I was basically doing it all alone anyway. But I have always made a good living and continue to do so, more than if I was in an office and hopefully God willing it will continue for the next 10 years that I will continue to be in this field.
I feel sorry for you Patti,
I don't let my clients dictate to me and neither should you.  I run a service and I have certain things I offer. I am not going to offer services that are not profit making, that includes watching all my per-line charges go flowing down my gas tank. You really need to learn about the Internet based software and digital call-in systems, Patti. Picking up and delivering is totally archaic and let's face it you can't be making money if you're in your doctor's practice going from from.office to office picking up tapes 
I was going to say the same thing Patti
You don't need to defend yourself to Tikki or kickbutt kikki at all. You do what is best for you. Her opinions don't matter, so just consider the source and try to forget about her obnoxious attitude. You Rock!
Don't even worry about it, Patti. There are still a lot
and as many MTs transcribing them, but not too many will want to admit that now just because of a few shortsighted people here who think THEIR way is the ONLY way.
As long as you are happy and the clients are happy, no need to justify it here. You don't know these people, have never seen them, and don't even know if what THEY are saying is true.
Make money however it suits you and don't worry about the opinions of others because that's all they are -- opinions (and you know what they say about those!) ;)
I thought of the guy from Sat. Night Live, Chris Farley?, who always said "I live in a van down by the river" when I read your floating home comment. :D
Did Patti say she spends 3K/mo in gas? How did you
I'm sure you are just speculating, because you'd have to know what gas mileage she gets, how far she drives each day, etc. to know what she spends in gas.
Regardless, any smart business person would charge a delivery fee based on what they spend on gas. Again, no one wants to address the important aspects of this. There's nothing wrong with taking on a client that wants deliveries as long as you CHARGE for it appropriately, and best if that's not just included in your line rate since the price of gas goes up and down. Another option is hiring a courier service and you charge the client the fee for that. Yet another option is to tell the client they must deliver to you, which is their cheapest option since they can just have an employee that's already being paid by the hour deliver.
The added expense or hassle may be enough to get them to switch to digital but believe me, I have some hardnosed clients that still won't budge from their beloved tapes even to save the extra money. For those clients, I charge my line rate for tapes plus the delivery fee, which pays for my gas and then some.
HTH for those of you who actually want to know about using tapes. Again, many private practice docs still don't and won't use anything but for now, so since others turn them down if they won't go digital, you can profit from that. Pushing them into new technology might backfire anyway when they decide to take the technology a step further and start using EMR.
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