cpl WITH versus cpl WITHOUT spaces
Posted By: Didn't quite fail math on 2006-08-31
In Reply to:
I really don't want to open a can of worms about poor pay, but I am really trying to compare these two options. I need to make a decision about which company to go with. Since I have no idea which has the better platform or better dictators I'm pretty much flying blind. The obvious difference is that one pays for spaces and one doesn't (I didn't know there were still companies that DIDN'T pay for spaces). Both are part-time IC.
Company 1 -- 7.6 cpl with spaces, no headers or footers
Company 2 -- 9 cpl with headers and footers, no spaces
Any insight would be very welcomed.
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Spaces versus no spaces....
Can someone tell me how big of a difference it makes if a company pays for spaces versus no spaces. I have only every been paid without spaces. I have been offered a position that pays for spaces, but the cpl is less than I am making now. I am not sure if getting paid for spaces will make up for the pay cut. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
My line including spaces is 65 characters. I've heard that not counting spaces
takes away over 35% of your line count. I believe it too because you have at least 15 or so spaces on each line that you type. Use your first sentence up top as an example; you had 77 char and 21 spaces - in that line that would be a little less than 30% of your characters that you didn't get paid for. I don't think it's worth it and wouldn't want to work without getting credit for my spaces.
65 character line versus gross lines versus pay by word
I am checking into other options for transcription. Can anyone tell me how to compare all of these types of lines & also payment per word? I know companies use different scales, so I wondered how they compare. I have been paid on a 65 character line with spaces, but I may be making a change in the future - don't want to get burned.
Thank you in advance!
They used to not pay for spaces, but a poster here said they are getting spaces paid. Are there 2
s
Question versus gross lines versus 65-character lines....
I have always charged or been paid by 65 or 60 character lines or per letter or space typed, but have never been paid or charged per gross line.
What is the advantage of this? If I were to charge 11 cents per 65-character line including spaces, what does this figure out to for an average line rate and how do you do this calculation?
I'm wondering if it is financially beneficial for me to bill by gross line or to keep it the way I have it. I do know some accounts will only pay per 65-character line, as this was the deal my first own account I recently acquired. They were adamant on a 65-character line, but didn't specify with or without spaces and I personally would never not charge for spaces.
Thanks for explaining this. I appreciate it and hope everyone has a speedy day.
Pay No Spaces, Type No Spaces nm
nm
without spaces compared to with spaces
10 cpl without spaces equals to how many cpl with spaces?
DQS no spaces? Are you sure?
Are you sure DQS does not count spaces? When I first started, I took a report and manually counted each and every character, space, return, etc, and found that the lines count I was given for the report matched (rounded up) my manual count. Even now, I copy and past every single report to Word Perfect (which does not count spaces on my version), and DQS always exceeds my Word Perfect character count by a bunch, so I figure I am not being cheated. Take a medium size report, print it, and try counting manually and see what you think.
I know they don't pay for spaces
So tell me why when one day I did 800 lines and then 3 days later it shows I did 670 lines when I actually did 800 lines. The 800 lines is without spaces, headers, footers. So did those lines magically disappear? This happens to me weekly.
spaces
LOL. I think we need to transcribe a few reports without spaces..heck, let those being paid hourly fill the spaces in.
spaces
LOL. You just made my whole day.
iwoudn'tmindtypingaletterwithnospacestoday.
BTW that is really hard to do.
spaces
anycompanypettyenoughtonotcountspacesisacompanytostayawayfrom. Who'spocketdoyouthinkthe$forthespacesislining? Quite frankly, I've been a med trans for nearly 30 years and I'm so damned tired of watching big business cut into our means of living. How did all this start anyways? Used to be in the old days that we were all just ICers looking to make a living, and we did in fact make a decent living. Then came the introduction of nationals and everyone ran to them thinking they'd be making BIG money.......Now the nationals are in place and their CEOs are making the bucks we thought we'd get a piece of. Wish there were a way of reversing this.
Spaces
She's lying. MQ does NOT PAY FOR SPACES. They treat their transcriptionists like crap. I found this out and left them. I found it out for a fact.... They do NOT PAY FOR SPACES. They have started this "trend" and other companies have begun to follow suit. They make me physically ill.
Spaces
Been there 2-1/2 months. Love it. Plenty of work.
Issue: Spaces. Recruiter said no spaces. Trainer said no spaces. 
On the line count screen, clicked on one of my reports, then had an option to look at payroll stuff on it, so I did. It added up not only every single character I typed but spaces AND carriage returns (I had 719 spaces and 56 carriage returns) and used that number divided by 65 for my line count. NO KIDDING. I am surprised.
Who knew?! I'm excited! 
spaces
Was this on DQS? And could you give more detail on how you did this (i.e., what exactly did you click on to get this info?). Thanks!
spaces
I was told years ago that I was not paid for spaces on the account that I was on, but some accounts were. It depended upon how it was set up when they won the account. I think that's why there are some who are and some who are not, thus the confusion. The only way to know is to manually count your lines and compare them to what the system counts.
10 cpl with spaces. nm
x
What about spaces?
x
no spaces
I kind of messed up my original post. I meant to say that spaces are not included. Thanks.
I think w/o spaces is 30% less than with spaces. nm
x
They do pay for spaces
At one time they did not pay for spaces but they do now. They are fine to work for- I have worked there 3 years and have never had a problem. They do not lie to us and they don't make anyone work 7 days. They are a stickler for quality.
PPD versus ppd
Ok - maybe I am having a brain fart - the dictation says the guy smokes 1 "ppd" (pack per day) should i do ppd or PPD?? It is verbatim.
HELP!
Pay me for your spaces or else...
If they don't want to pay for them they must not feel they're important...just don't type them and then see what they say. : )
Spaces vs not
Take one of your old documents and figure it out both ways, even if you don't have a line counting program, do it in MS word and that will figure both ways and then you can see the difference and divide and see what percentage you are losing for no spaces. At least that will show you the difference between the two.
2 spaces
client probable couldn't care less.....but correct way is 2.
I would take 17 cpl with no spaces any day
Geez what do you people want?
spaces vs no spaces
Take a document and count with and without spaces and times it by your cpl rate to see what the difference is. Very easy to do. If you don't have a document, type a page or even a paragraph and even using microsoft word count, do the same. It shows you with and without spaces and you can see the difference.
Curious how do you make any money as it sounds like your doctor's office only pay 9 cpl (they are cheap and I can only charge 9 cpl) or did you mean you pay your IC 9 cpl and are not stating what you charge your accounts?
x versus X
I need to know if it should be x or X. IE 8 mm X 7 mm.
Pay with no spaces
Would some of the MTs who work with no spaces but do get headers mind sharing what their pay actually is? For me, I always break it down to what I am averaging an hour. After 15 years this just keeps going down , along with less benefits, and I am also starting to reevaluate my "career" choice.
Spaces vs. non - sm
When the company I worked for was going to IC status for everyone, and changing to not paying for spaces, I worked out the difference between several documents - it amounted to about a 28% difference - in other words, the line count was 28% less if they didn't pay for spaces. Pretty big chunk of change, so I left that company.
CMA versus CNA
Medical Assistants ARE allowed to give medications and injections, and have been taught properly by their MA schooling how to do this. CNA is all patient care, changing beds, changing clothes, bathing, taking vitals (maybe), but no giving of medications. They were not schooled in this and legally should not be doing it...and that is probably universal through all states. That was what I was taught when taking my MA courses. LPNs can, FNPs can, RNs can, PAs can, but not CNAs. Totally different area of care.
2 spaces
In WORD - tools, options, spelling and grammar - setting bottom right - change to 2 spaces after period - top right of the window that opens up
Spaces vs no spaces
What do you think of getting paid 12 cents a line/65 cpl, no hard returns or spaces?
Spaces vs no spaces
IC.
Spaces vs no spaces
Thanks for all the input! I will see when I get my first check. I will keep you posted!
RMT versus CMT - sm
The RMT (Registered Medical Transcriptionist) credential that is for those MTs who have just recently graduated or have been working but do not have the required 2 years of acute care experience to write the CMT (Certified Medical Transcriptionst) exam.
You can find information about the CMT and RMT exams and credentials at http://www.aamt.org/scriptcontent/creddesig.cfm.
I do 2 spaces
I have always done two spaces because that was the way I was taught, and I think it looks better and is easier on the eyes too. I do agree though that if you are not getting paid for spaces, then just do a single space.
Well, I use 2 spaces.....
...but that may be because I learned to type way back in the dark ages before computers were in wide use.
According to the AAMT Book of Style for Medical Transcription (2nd edition), page 66:
"When using a proportional-spaced font it is customary to mark the end of the sentence with a single space; however, double-spacing is still widely used, especially with non-proportional fonts, such as Courier. The choice is usually determined by departmental or company policy."
That would seem to indicate that the single space is now the preferred method; however, it depends on the company.
RE: cc versus ml
We were told cc was on the "Do not use" list, according to
Joint Commission for a couple of years now.
CVA versus CVA
One is an infarct in the heart, the other is an infract in the brain, but I agree with other posts. Many times it will be dictated in the body of the report and you can determine the exact differentiation between the two. However, if you absolutely cannot do this, you cannot guess in a diagnosis and have to simply leave it as CVA, or possibly defer it to QA, in which they probably cannot determine it any more than you can, and they would probably leave it as CVA.
MT versus MLS
How about the MTSO Company who now refers to their MTs as Medical Language Specialists. Does anybody believe they get more money for being an MLS instead of just a plain ole MT?
MT versus becoming RN
Hi all.
I did a search in my area to look at RN salaries. I know working from home I can make $52,000 with some effort. The having to pay my own taxes is offset by not having to drive to/from work. Just curious of any of you have decided to go to school to be an R.N. My husband thinks it would be a good idea, but since I have been at home for over 10 years, it would take some convincing! |
|
|
|
Base Salary |
$59,036 |
70.4% |
|
Bonuses |
$150 |
0.2% |
|
Social Security |
$4,528 |
5.4% |
|
401k / 403b |
$3,670 |
4.4% |
|
Disability |
$947 |
1.1% |
|
Healthcare |
$5,328 |
6.4% |
|
Pension |
$2,486 |
3.0% |
|
Time Off |
$7,740 |
9.2% |
|
Total |
$83,883 |
100% |
Well, I'm not sure that you really want an answer of HOW to do it versus
just defending yourself, which is fine, by the way. Well, if you want an opinion on your situation, you see the problem yourself. You admit that you didn't discipline them and let them always have their way, which you feel is responsible for today's behavioral problems. Chances are they would have the same problems were they not with you 24/7 cause its your parenting skills that are at issue. Know what I mean? No, being an MT at home and raising your kids is NOT equivalent to what you, yourself, admit you did. You can't sit and type and let children run the house free will. You have to use your head and multitask, as the other poster said! Plan your days, plan activities, have a schedule for them, etc. Not trying to be mean, but that's really obvious, isn't it? You realize it now. Why not say something encouraging, like, Gee, I'm sure it can be done, but not the way I did it. I messed up. Rather, you post your negative experience which YOU caused and act like it can have no other outcome. It can. I have 3 kids, and all 3 different personalities. My oldest and first was the most demanding. I basically set up a Little Tykes playground for her in my office, and STILL she didn't want me to "type", as she grew to call it. Constant battle of wills, but guess who prevailed? Me! I'm the parent! She grew to understand that she would have her fun time AFTER my work - i.e. going to the park, movies, etc. My second child was an angel and would just sit on the floor playing with fuzz if that's all there was. My third child was a boy, and enough said there! I had no help whatsoever - unless you can include a bunch of negative relatives who mocked me rather than offer a hand in help, but it CAN BE DONE, and we were SO happy together. It is SO worth the effort - these are your children - your legacy - your LIFE. If they aren't your life, then my words are falling on deaf ears. I work around the clock - still do - typing hours here and there to have MY FAMILY as my #1 Priority. All my employers have always understood that and been more than willing to work with me. Also, I had stayed away from working for some companies that demand a set schedule because I refuse to work a set 8 hours shift with kids. Know what? Every single company said they would let me do "my own thing" on hiring, so while everyone else complains about having to work a straight 8 hour shift, I didn't have to! It can be done, even with the strictest companies! They respect where our hearts are, if its with our kids! Again, sorry for what sounds like a horrible experience for you and your kids, but you, yourself, admit it was your own fault. You are not the majority, though, again, the posters on this board are definitely anti-kids, so you've found your niche in that regard, so to speak! And, also, now that your kids have behavioral problems, severe, I believe, per YOUR words -- is the solution going to come from an outside source? From a stranger? Or from you? It doesn't sound to me like its working now. Only YOU can really fix your mistake and change your kids. As long as they're still with you, no matter how old, there is hope. But passing them off to the school system, or counsellors, or some "expert" is probably not gonna be too successful. Ground Zero is Mom, good or bad, positive or negative.
DQS does count spaces
DQS counts everything on your text page including spaces. However, it does not count anything imported into the ADT field. It does count anything the MT types into the ADT field.
My problem with your post is that your office actually reduced your line rate because they said you would be making more money? That is really messed up. Here's why: Even though many ADT fields are autopopulated, these are characters we would normally get paid for. We still have to listen through the dictator giving the information, information I was able to type in no time and get paid for it. Then there are the times we have to do searches and sometimes be very creative with the searches and sometimes have to sift through multiple admissions to be sure we have the right selection. Then there are the times the doctor keys in data for the wrong admission and we have to recognize and fix.
Therefore, this simple ADT field and the fact we do not get paid for it, IMO, takes away whatever production assets the program offers. I have been on DQS for a year and am lucky to produce the same as I was on my old platform. Since I know everything in the text field is counted, the only reason I can figure is the ADT field.
Any MT who was cut back in pay when put on DQS should absolutely be upset because I don't think anyone's production has really been increased that substantially.
DQS does count spaces, but you definitely deserve the 1/2 cent increase.
characters (with spaces) / 65
xx
You're getting spaces?????
..
melena versus whatever
You are correct - and heaven help us all (including the patients) if that's the kind of QA you're getting on your job. Just to get more confused, check out "melanosis coli" which refers to dark pigmented lesion in the colon - NOT to bleeding or melena.
Paid for spaces
Was told years ago that the account I was on did not pay for spaces even though the contract I signed as SE said I would be. Was told that we were compensated by being given the headers and footers in our line count (yeah, right). Was then told they didn't want to lose me so if I was totally unhappy to ask my manager for another account which did pay for spaces. I, of course, was told there was no other account available at that time. On some unscientific studying and counting, figured out was losing 13% to 17% of my counts by not getting spaces. This is one of the reasons MQ is being sued by the employees in the lawsuit. Don't believe anything management tells you. Just count them for yourself.
IC versus employee
 I have been an IC/MTSO both married and divorced for the past 15 years. I feel that I bring home "more" of a dollar than if I were making the same amount as an employee. I do have quite a few write offs as I do have a real "office" in the home, I take my depreciation on the house as I feel when and if I sell prior to dying, will deal with it then. I do deliver and pick up so have mileage. I save for my vacations and time off. I have the flexibility to take time off during the day if needed --work at night true but I CHOSE it not someone else. When married I just had my husband over withhold a little more and did not need to worry about the "tax bite" on April 15th. I planned and planned so I knew what he had to over withold. But again, when I make over $50K and end up paying SS on only $15K or so, it is well worth it to me. I did take a small "in-clinic" employee status this year to get out of the house as with no hubby - thank the Lord, and no kids it gets me out and I take out more of my taxes that way. But when I did not do that, I just took 5 to 10% out of each check and put it in a special account and it was more than enough to cover my taxes. Truly look at your paychecks as "employees" and see what you really bring home but everyone thinks that because your "employer" pays those taxes FOR you, you are not really paying them. So you just have to do the same. And you have to add the two salaries together even as an employee so that also hurts. But again, I feel being self employed or IC is the only way to go. Even when on vacation I stop in a local transcription company or a couple of clinics or hospital and talk to them about providing services so I can count part of it as a write off. Also look for seminars in cities you want to visit. I go to Vegas every year for the "electronic show" to see what is new for my company. Again, if you look carefully at deductions and plan, plan, plan it is better - at least to me - financially to be an IC. Patti -- e-mail me if you wish
At 9.5 cpl what are you really getting paid without spaces.
:
i use MPCount but not sure about w/o spaces. nm
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