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The changes are in the medical care area. Doctors want to make

Posted By: money. Ins. do not want to pay. on 2005-09-26
In Reply to: Is our profession drying up? - Nancy

They are cutting costs where ever they can. It makes sense to cut costs. But, human error can occur in a place where lawsuits are allowed. I think we will be a safety net for awhile, until a cap is placed on the amount of awards, anyway. I do EMR also. But, they still do dictation a little bit just so they remember who the patient is and can keep the referring physicians well informed.

I just got an account that I under bidded on. My competition one of the nationls (states with an S) but they wanted the work done close to home. Radiology.


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In my area, the doctors do these tests automatically as part of your yearly exam -

And on my local ER account, if you're a female and show up at the Emergency Room, they will automatically do a pregnancy test on you, even if you've had a hysterectomy.  I think it's a huge scam.  The kinds of tests that are becoming "routine" is getting just plain silly.  


 


Any medical centers in hurricane area need help?

How can we find out and how can we help?


Look in your area for medical secretary jobs
get a chance to transcribe.  You have to understand that a lot of MT's are wanting to work from home.  The ones with the experience are the ones that will most likely get the positions before someone fresh out of school.  Even though some students do better than others, this field still takes the experience.  You can't really blame the companies, it is their loss when you can't produce because of lack of experience, and I do not mean this in an unkind way.  Think about it though if you were offer a job with benefits... who would you choose?  The one with the experience right?  I know it is such a catch-22, but I guess the training institutes do not clue you in on this part.  I agree with the other posters, try to get a small local account for yourself and do not set your expectations too high at first.  You'll gain experience and self-confidence. 
Doctors don't care what's in BOS

I agree, its crap.


And I'm willing to bet the price of the latest version of the Book of Shite that not a single client has even heard of it or gives a fig what's in it.  Most clients have a pretty good idea of how they want their reports to look, and will insist on it no matter what the supposed industry standard is.


Some doctors simply do not care.....sm
I was talking to my mother's surgeon at one of her checkups about outsourcing, and he said their hospital outsources all the x-rays to Australia, because while we sleep, they are transcribing, and the work is back the next day for them. He just smirked and could care less this is taking jobs away from us. As long as it isn't taking his job, it means nothing to him. He's attitude really sickened me.
Maybe doctors don't, but most acute care facilities do.
x
I think doctors in general just don't care about their dictations... sm

I know there are some who are really great and are careful or even just considerate.  But I think for the most part they just think it's a pain to do and want to rush through it and get it done... let the lowly MT deal with whatever garbage comes out the other end.  Maybe I'm a bit bitter, but at this point that's how it feels.


 


Disclaimer: No need to critique spelling, grammar, or punctuation within my posting... this isn't work, it's a message board.


so people who are frustrated doctors can give medical advice.
so
Make the sign very simple to read and put it in a very visible area
such as over the doorbell if you have to.

Some younger kids may not be able to read a lengthy sign.

Maybe "NO CANDY HERE" will work.

I know having the porch lights out does not work for my house either but whenever we came across a house with a sign I would have to tell the kids since some of them can't read yet to pass that house up.
United Health Care medical insurance

Well, I am about to use my vision coverage insurance for United Health Care.  Eye Exam 2000 said they only covered 15-20% of the exam, 20% of cost of lens/glasses.  I have never heard of such a low amount covered.  I guess I have the wrong plan.  Anyone else disappointed with United Health Care benefits besides me?  I work for a large national.


Thanks.  I guess I am hoping someone will tell me I am wrong and that 80% of the bill is covered.  That this is all a mistake.


Signed,


Squinting


As already said, expanders make multiple doctors easier. SM
Agree with everything said, including that you'll LOVE your Expander once you start using it. Treat yourself by starting with putting in all the stuff that especially aggravates you to type. That'll be the very last time you every do so. Like hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg p.o. b.i.d. My Keystrokes for that specific one are hyc25mpb and include a wrap code so the "25" always stays with the "mg" without my ever bothering over it again.

But the reason I chimed in was to point out that people who concentrate on building personal expander dictionaries can take their expansions to almost all employers (and woe the employer who can't accommodate the standard expanders) and apply them to thousands of dictators. They are not at the mercy of one particular employer and the availability of one particular pool of dictators, which is not a good position to be in in this very changeable world.
You are right..Every modern convenience, even medical care, is traced back
x
Do you think doctors are generally arrogant and make a lot of money and so inconsiderate of us?
I had been listening to several breast onco dictations by the same female dictator who kept on yawning that it was so annoying...made me want to post a complaint to a forum of mother MDs (though I was not quite sure where I would post it) which I previously run into...

I then saw under the General Discussion board this thread:

http://www.mommd.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/1/t/000236/p/1

That made me feel like reaching out to the sleepy doctor who was probably not being paid for that time she takes to dictate about her patients (she apparently let them pile up before dictating) and just let her head rest on my lap (I am a female). Maybe she did not have enough sleep, or not even enough time to enjoy her family...
I was just thinking if I could be a mind reader, I could make a fortune. Doctors driving me crazy

Make sure you have selected Medical as your speller type.
Tools, Options, Spelling and Grammer. Select Medical from the drop down list under speller type (right side).
Acute Care or Clinic????? Which is easier? Where can I make more
I have been transcribing clinic reports for the past 3-1/2 years (not for the same clinic).  My company does have some acute care accounts and occasionally asks for someone to switch.  I was just curious if anyone had any opinions on which is easier.  I mean where can I be faster and a better lph.. clinic or acute care?  TIA
I have 17 years acute care experience and don't make 1200 lines in 6 hours. sm
I work for a company that is VERY picky about their work, 100% QA everything.  I have been with them over a year, and have to go back and listen to my work a second time while proofing.  I only make 160-170 lines an hour, but the pay is good for that, and I have learned so much in the year that I can go to work anywhere without problems.  For me it is worth the extra time to put in the few extra hours a week to have really top QA.  There is room for all types in this business, the really fast ones, and the slower ones who work differently, you just have to find your place.  Ideally, we should all type 200 lines an hour and have 99%+ QA, but I don't thank too many of us make it.  Good luck to you.
The MR reports were being filed. Referring physicians/medical care providers reports were not.
This is a hospital radiology department with in-house MTs and a clerk who is in charge of the report distribution.
PA - Pittsburgh area is one locale, Philadelphia area also.
TriState area - PA, NJ, DE.
I would buy new a Dorland's Medical Dictionary, Stedmans Medical and Surgical Equipment...SM

and Tessier's The Surgical Word Book, 3rd edition.  Books you could buy used I would say would be Stedman's Pathology and Lab Medicine and Cardiology/Pulmonary word book.  These are all the books I use the most during my day.  You could buy other speciality word books as you need them and could probably go used with those.


I wouldn't bother with buying a drug book, new editions come out every year and I just stick to the FDA website and RXList as my drug references.


Also FYI, not a book, but I use my Stedman's Electronic Medical Dictationary a lot.  It's easier to open the program than it is to pick up a huge 30-pound dictionary.


Kinship care versus foster care/adoption
Having been placed in a position where I now have custody of my 3 YO granddaughter and going through the legal system, I sought an online network of relative caregivers for children. I would encourage you, especially since you are in Georgia, that if you take any children into foster care with the idea of adopting them, there is federal law that requires the state to take certain actions in a specific time frame. When a child is removed from it's bio parent(s), the state is required to investigate any possible relatives who can take the child before foster care is considered, but even before that, reunification with the parents is the priority. Once a child enters the system and is in the system for 15 out of any 22 months, the state is required to find permanent placement for the child.

The problem with this is that there are case workers who may favor a foster family and do not seek out relative care. I have a good friend in Georgia who had to fight all the way to the state level to get custody of her grandson after the child was placed from the hospital into a foster care home with the promise that the foster parents would be allowed to adopt. She has now adopted her grandson, but it was a long, hard battle to get the state to admit their own interests were placed above those of the child and/or family.

If you get a child placed through the state, please make certain there is not a relative who wants that child before you get your hopes up. The courts are now favoring return of children to relatives even after a child has spent years with a foster family who hoped to adopt them.

States get bonus federal funds by complying with the time lines and being able to close the case, so some states place children in foster care because it is easier than trying to locate relatives.

Didn't mean to go off on a tangent, but I can't imagine my sweet bella going to someone outside her family.
Medical Transcription In The Era Of Electronic Medical Records
EMR has revolutionized the healthcare industry in recent times. Many experts felt that EMR & Voice Recognition would totally replace Medical Transcription - however; the industry soon realized that transcription has certain advantages over point & click charting and many physicians preferred to dictate notes rather than document the data at the point of care themselves.
If it was a clinic, it might have been urgent care, but it was NOT acute care. sm
Acute care refers to work in an acute care setting, a hospital, doing at least History and Physicals, Discharge Summaries, Consultations, Surgery notes, Emergency Department notes, and much more, including GI procedures, Cardiology procedures, Neurological procedures, Pulmonary Function Studies.  It goes on and on and it means and acute care hospital setting, not a clinic.
I always figure if they don't care about their dictation, they probably don't care about their
nm
Dont care how many languages you took. Care
x
At ease, soldier! This isn't a medical document. I repeat, this isn't a medical document. nm
x
I've thought about coding. My DH does medical coding and I think with an MT's medical termino

background and anatomy and physiology knowledge, a transition into coding wouldn't be hard at all.  From what I can tell by looking through my husband's books, an MT would have to learn insurance regulations and legalities.  We've basically got all the medical background down or we should be if we're worth our salt as an MT.


I even contacted AHIMA and found that the qualifications for taking the CCS or CCP coding exams are completion of the a coding program, RHIT program, or RHIA or related work experience.  Transcription is part of HIM, albeit the red-headed stepchild of the HIM department, but a part nonetheless and so satisfies the qualification of having work experience.


The test is tough though.  My husband didn't pass it his first time out and I think I read something like only 20% or so pass it the first time.  So it would probably be best to take some sort of formal coding class, in my opinion.


oh, so if I don't care about my job, I "should" care
you come off as narcissistic.
You spending 3K in gasoline to make 4K plus all that time on the road?That doesn't make sense Pat




medical abbreviation list and medical drug list
Hi,

Anyone there who could help me out finding the latest abbreviations list.
I even want the latest drug list because my current program does not have many drugs.

So if anyone could suggest anything which is available online for informationd quick look purposes.

any help for medical abbreviation list and medical drug list would be very helpful.

Your English teacher does not do medical reports. This is for medical reports.
.
How nice that the world revolves around what you make and no one else could possibly make more. sm

Marla in So. California pays 11 cpl for a 55 ccl, Oracle pays 9-1/2 cpl, MDI-MD 11 cpl, JLG 10 cpl for gross line, etc.


Of course, these are rates negotiated and paid to qualified MTs.


Is DSL not available in your area?
It's worth it to have it.  It's tax deductible as a business/work expense.  It's only about $35 a month here total, compared to $20 a month for dial-up.  It's so much faster, more reliable and easier to use than dial-up.  It also doesn't tie up your phone line like dial-up does, so no need for a second phone line and no getting bounced off the Internet when someone calls while you're trying to work.  I'd still have it even if I couldn't write it off on my taxes.
I'm in the D/FW area and we have taken in several ...
and Dallas is making sure the children are in school, there are special job fairs to make sure the adults get jobs, even though our economy was terrible to start with, companies are making jobs for them, and every one that is interviewed says they are never going home and making their home here in Dallas/Fort Worth. I know they need places to say, what happened to them is terrible, but this area really did not need the strain of all the added people. Several of the people have been offered new housing back in their state or such, but they say they do not want to move again. I just think everyone needs to be looking at the big picture as to what is going to happen in the long run, as New Orleans is going to need some of their residents to come back and help rebuild. I have a son that has been looking for a job for over a year in the field he went to school for and has had no luck and now he has to compete against 1000s more people. I just don't get it.
If you have one in your area, may I
They are a corporation who apparently does give a rat's a** about its employees. They don't give their top people big bonuses, etc. and instead pay their employees a living wage...a REAL living wage and have one of the best reputations for treating their employees like real human beings from all I've read about them.
See if this is in your area
http://www.wildblue.com/

bay area MT
Since you mentioned you were also from CA, I was wondering if you have seen much about relocalization and eating local? I have read a lot about this and try to only purchase goods that are produced within 100 miles of my home in the South Bay or if not available within that radius, only from our state. I have also started my own vegetable garden growing different types of squash, lettuce, spinach as well as others in addition to fruit. Everything I am growing is either from seed that is not genetically modified and is organic or I purchased from the nursery from organic growers. My housemate is suprised at how much variety we have with our container gardening. She was just saying this morning that she never realized how easy it was to grow things yourself.

Another thing to support your local farmer is to sign up for a CSA. They had an article not too long ago about how organic goods really wanted by consumers, but even though these goods are organic, they are being brought from different parts of the world, which kind of kills the organic goodness considering you are expending oil to deliver it.

As for offshoring of our work, I have found since I moved to CA getting close to a year ago that there seem to be a lot of companies who do not offshore and will not consider it a consideration. I think there is hope:)
bay area MT . . . sm
You see, I am right!!! They also had an article not too long ago about what the true savings from offshoring work has come out to. Instead of getting the 50% to 60% or more most places advertise to cut costs, the only real savings has been around 20%. They had an article about that in our local paper as well as I think I saw it on Yahoo News if anyone wants to search for it.
What area are you in because....
I had to fight to get $1.35 per minute IC directly from a hospital and was told that was the average.  I recently did some math and figured I was being paid between 8-9 cents per line.  I get 10 for a PT IC position.  Trying to figure if I should ask for more again, especially since I get several different doctors now that they use hospitalists.
Is this in the KC area?
I'm from a town just north of KCMO and plan on moving back in a few months and was just wondering if you worked for one of the hospitals there? I currently work for a national, but am hoping to get a local job when I move back.
None in my area.
Many are mad at this organization because of their stand on things. I am not happy with them at all.
if it's available in your area
This may be getting off topic here but there are some states which have monetary assistance (moolah to you and me) for small small businesses (SSBs). It is the same as first-time homebuyer money, which is aimed to get people into homes who otherwise wouldn't have the downpayment money. But you take classes, come up with a business plan, and I don't know what all else. I was in the homebuyers program for 1-1/2 years, taking classes, working on perfecting credit, etc, and eventually got 10K. In some of my monthly classes there were small small business people participating for state money for starting a business. You will, of course, have to check in your area. Just a thought!
When I see mistakes I repeatedly make, I make a quickcorrect for it (sm)
for example if I type we plant o instead of "plan to" I have a quick corrct so that if I type plant o, it replaces it with plan to, etc. It is hard - I was with the same company for 8 years. I do not work for anyone with an accuracy requirement though.
In our area .. Cingular has that
Check cingular.com
Are their any IC in the Tampa, FL area?

Just wondering if there were any other IC in the Tampa/Brandon area, and do you think line rates are cheap around here?? 


 


not sure of the prices in your area

..but gas here is $2.73 (cheap stuff) 


Home prices have gone through the roof here.  We sold our home last year for 250, and we bought it 2 yrs prior for 170.  In our area, homes sell before they even make it to the MLS listings. 


I am an IC and have no problem finding work.  I have actually turned away 2 offices last week.


Oh, health insurance, may not want to hear this one--we pay 200. per week for a family of four.


I live in the Tampa area.


Best of luck,


Sunny!


I can REALLY relate to you in one area...
My DH is a high school principal, however, we purposely and specifically moved to a different town so that our children would not have to go to school where their Dad works.  Our oldest (a senior this year) did her freshman year at the same high school, and then we moved.   Some kids were very rude, saying mean things about her dad within ear shot so that she would hear, and kids telling her that some senior was "looking for her" because he was mad at her dad.  As far as lying... I think you might try teaching her a lesson about lying.  Tell her you're going to get her a car and then when the day comes to go get it, you can say "oops, I was lying, we're not getting a car."  In other words, show her what being lied to make a person feel like.  She can know that you're doing it in order to teach her a lesson, and that she just might never know when you're lying or telling the truth.  She will soon realize what she is doing to you and what it's like to live with a liar.  My DD is very honest and we havn't had any troubles with her, but I've got 2 more coming up so who knows what's in store for me there.  There but for the Grace of God go I, so I will not boast about the one well-behaved teenager that I have raised.  Sometimes in spite of everything we do, and the best upbringing, some kids just make poor choices.  Hang in there.  I now know why God invented menopause. Can you imagine what these people having babies at 45 have in store for them in their 60s?  They're NUTS!
Any Denver-area MTs??
She needs a neuroophthalmologist and I cannot find one in Denver for her.  Any insight appreciated!  Thanks.
I can REALLY relate to you in one area...
Dear Lisa,

My ex's latest bimbo (who is now his wife) badmouthed me in front of my then 12 yr. old daughter. This trash even went as far as to discuss their intimate relationship in detail in front of my child.

Although my daughter lives with me, she has no respect for this trashy woman.

Your daughter will eventually see through this woman's lieing and manipulation. From 15 to 17 is a tough age for girls and your daughter is right smack in the middle.

I would be firm with my daughter and tell her that calling you names and being rude to your fiancee and his family is unacceptable and you just won't tolerate it.

Further, tell her that respect is earned and she'll have to clean up her act if she wants your respect.

Your daughter knows how to "push your buttons" but don't let her get to you. Ask her, "How would you like it if I called you names all the time?" When the shoe is on the other foot, teens have a tendency to think about things more than we realize.

A real job doesn't have to bring in a paycheck. The most important jobs that we women have is being a Mom. If we are able to juggle motherhood and still bring in a paycheck then all the better. It doesn't matter if your office is in the living room, or in an office downtown.

If that paycheck helps buy your daughter things that she wants, I would simply say next time she asks for something, "Sorry, I don't have a real job, so there's no real cash to get you what you want."

Sometimes you have to stop being the "nice parent" and put your foot on the brake. In the long run, your daughter will come around and respect you for it.


It's a tricky area (sm)
Let's get real--in the vast majority of these companies, they're using you as an employee yet calling you an IC. That's the reality.

Therefore, I think you should let them know that you want to raise your line rate. Though technically another poster here is correct in saying that you can give them a notice that "effective x date, my line rate will be x" I think that's risky. That's assuming MT companies are functioning legally and ethically and actually treating you like an IC, which again they're not.

What I did when I was an IC (very recently) was call the company and said I would like to negotiate a higher line rate. I cited that I could do all work types, accents, worked weekends, and therefore was valuable to them (it takes a little practice aloud first and some chutzpuh to make that call). I gave a rate higher than I expected, and they came back with something in the middle, which was just fine to me.

Yes, it's wrong that it works this way, but the reality is you are probably in an employee position yet called an IC. Therefore, unless you have other accounts and don't really depend on this company, better to take an approach that is somewhere in between employee and IC.

Good luck!
Walmart in our area.

I live out in the sticks, but we have Walmart in several small towns close by.  My friends who work at Walmart have an income comparable to other retail jobs in our area.  A close friend's son is in management at Walmart and makes a very good living for this area.  I do not like some of their business practices, but a lot of the smaller businesses around here have shady business practices as well.  I am willing to pay a little more and support local business owners, but I had just as soon buy a few groceries as go down the road to Ingles, Kroger or Bi-Lo and pay twice as much, as these are big chains too.