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editing/cutting/pasting charging

Posted By: Tiffin on 2007-02-08
In Reply to:

Would like to know what to charge a potential client that is using voice recog for their discharge summeries, but they want me to cut and paste it into the form on their system. 


Any suggests on how to charge for this since I will not be listening to the actual dictation and doing it.


 


thanx for any help


 




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Are you still cutting and pasting normals? I can't do
nm
Cutting and pasting from Word....
...was grounds for immediate dismissal at one place I worked.  So what I did was put an icon for the clipboard on my Toolbar so it was easy to clear the clipboard after every report.  That way there was no danger of accidently cutting and pasting onto the wrong report.
Single spaces when cutting and pasting.
I was told when we first went on that platform that even though it looks different when you cut and paste, when it prints out, it matches the other part of the report.  I was never able to verify that by printing it myself, but that's what my manager told me. 
typing in MEditech and cutting and pasting - here's how I do it
When you are in Meditech, and it says something like - I can't remember what it asks, but it says something along the lines of Y/N RTF Editor or something like that - ... type yes, and it brings you into Word. Type your report, and then click on the RED X in the corner of your page and HIT YES. This will cross the report OVER INTO Meditech. Then proceed with finalizing your report the way you do.

Hope this helps
As long as you are cutting and pasting inside DQS, its okay. Just don't try to paste from a Word
xx
Editing Radiology Reports - Need info RE charging per report (Exam)
I am in the South - any suggestions on going rate for editing Radiology Reports per report (exam)?  I have seen charging prices from $1.25 to $2.00.  Thank you for any input, it is greatly appreciated.
10% to 15% MTs are cutting pay cuts or thats how much they are cutting from everyone's pay?
Know any good companys that are hiring? LOL
Not because of pasting but if you apply to any job
if it reaches the company you sent your resume to, just like when you post a message your email is already filled in.  It's cookies in your browser like above poster said.
question about pasting
Every time I copy and paste something, and right click my mouse, I am getting something that I probably pasted days ago.  Can't get rid of it.  Can anyone help?
Leave it be after pasting it in.
It will align itself in the e-mail.  I have had companies reply to that e-mail from here, and it is all aligned.....  No worries!!!  Good luck in your endeavors! 
One time when copying and pasting
from a previous report to get a sample of the PE, I noticed that the MT had put in spaces at the end of the sentence and throughout the whole next line instead of hitting enter twice. I never said anything, but I wondered if that MT would ever get caught for that. My company pays for spaces so I'm sure that can add up if he/she does that all the time.
I found out a long time ago that there are two kinds of editing.. one is editing MTs work (like QA)
and the other is editing as in VR. I have done VR editing, but when I put down this as experience on a resume, I was asked by the HR person if this meant that I had "edited" other MTs work. I think there is a lot of confusion out there and I wish they would just keep that as QA instead of calling it editing. Just be clear in what you want to edit as most companies that expect you to "edit" other MTs in a QA position do require you have a lot of experience. If you just going for VR editing, which is what Transcend has available and there are a few companies out there doing VR, none of which I think really require much experience as it is easy to learn. Hope I made some sense and it can be pretty confusing on how companies use the term "editing" thus it effects their expectations as far as experience goes.
Probably a ridiculous question about pasting resume...please see message.
When applying for a job, you know the small box that you are given to copy and paste your resume into? I noticed when I do this that ALL formatting is lost. Does the document retain its format after it is sent or do any of you sit there for an hour and "fix" it in that small box? Forgive my ignorance. I know this is probably a ridiculous question, but I need a job and don't want to send my resume all chopped up.

Thank you!
You are correct on all points-I ended up copy/pasting
XX
Editing is the higher skill. I earn more editing SM
because I'm able to produce more--if the company doesn't adjust the way production's figured down and down again to keep the account from going elsewhere (when that happened to me on EditScript with no explanation of why my income was dropping, I went elsewhere also).
If the cutting you take is - sm
woody (stiff and tree-like), then you really should dip the end in some rooting hormone and start it in dirt under a plastic bag until you see new growth. Woody cuttings are hard to start in water, and sometimes just rot. English Ivy has woody branches, unless you cut the very last inch or two off a branch, which may root in water. Hope this helps.
MT not cutting it
Most places allow a 90 day probationary period.  I would think half way thru that a new MT should be able to at least be fairly proficient with at least one work type and the easier dictators.  There has to be an equal upward progression in both speed and quality.  I have learned from experience though it's better to dismiss someone that you can tell just is not going to get it - no matter how much time you give them.
QA, pay not cutting it
I accidentally posted a (whinier) version of this to the Medquist board, oops. Sorry if anyone is seeing this as a double post.

I have a community college certification in medical transcription, but have only been able to find work as QA. I've been working QA for about 9 months and now do oncology exclusively - I had transcription work for a while, but then the account went over to an electronic system and that went out the window.

The pay I'm getting right now ($0.02 a line as an independent contractor) really isn't cutting it. I know I'm relatively new, but I just don't have 5-10 years to spend making this kind of money to get enough experience for a company that will pay me enough money to live on!

After losing the transcription work I had, I don't have much faith in transcription itself for a career. I think editing would be best, since presumably even doctors/hospitals utilizing an electronic program need someone to edit/proofread the reports generated. So, is it possible to find a QA position that pays adequately? Do salaried QA positons exist? What's the difference between QA and a transcription editor, if any, and how does one make that transition?

Should I just go back to school and become a coder instead?

I would also appreciate links to any QA/transcription Editor message boards.

I want to specify that I am grateful for my job. I like my supervisor and I greatly appreciate that someone gave me a chance. It's just that I can't live off it!

Thank you so much for any input.
I don't think cutting wages is against the law.
Not paying overtime for employees, inappropriate classification of statutory employees, etc., those items fall under DOL.

If cutting wages was a crime, then the airlines, factories, hospitals, virtually all businesses would be under "investigation" and in grave trouble.


What are you trying to accomplish with your post? Just put information out there about a company you won't name? Wanting advice? Truly, I don't understand what you are wanting in reply.

Cutting back.
My whole point in saying that some might need to reevaluate how they are living is that those complaining shouldn't be. Coming on these boards to complain about making money is quite disrespectful to those who are struggling to make half of what they make or are watching their family members struggle to survive because they don't have a job anymore. Does that make sense?
I understand that cutting back on
caffeine helps. If you work alone (as I do), try to use your speakers instead of headphones as much as you can.

Better no word than the company cutting you off before
x
Try cutting out soda and replace with
Green tea. I don't know if it will work but I cut out all diet pop this week and have been drinking diet green tea...Arizona brand, Lipton Citrus, and I've been making my own just with tea bags. I'm also 43, lost my dad in October, really depressed here in the Wisconsin winter, and a week ago I was at my highest nonpregnant weight. Well, let's see, actually I weighed about the same as I did at the end of my pregnancy with my first child back at age 21...and I gained 50 pounds during that pregnancy! So...not so good. I can't go all the way on induction again, but I have been watching my carbs this week, although I really believe that even without that, this green tea is helping curb my appetite. I used to sit here and grab a snack and always be munching on something all day long. I haven't been as hungry and have hardly been snacking during the day. I'm also not falling asleep in my chair at 2-3 every day. It might be a little change you could try and see if it works for you. One other thing I've done...I've actually gone outside and walked. I work all the time and never make time to exercise, but I was feeling at my wits end and very depressed at getting to that weight. So, on Sunday before anyone got up, I went outside and actually walked for nearly an hour..and it was 32 degrees, although sunny. I've done that 4 more times this past week, when weather has permitted, and I mentally feel better. I've lost 8 pounds this week with these little changes, but mentally feel much better and am just taking it one day at a time to keep it up.
Sounds like they are cutting wages.
They want us to type for free.
Medical institutions are going to feel it as well. They WILL be cutting
dd
An operation involves cutting, procedures do not.
..
Exercise, cutting down on sugar, and Prozac helps me. nm
.
Could anyone recommend a good headset and where they got it. Mine keeps cutting out.
I have had a heck of a time finding a good set of ear phones.. Everytime I buy a pair they either break, cord isnt long enough or sound quality isnt good.. HELP...
Hey, it you arent cutting me a check, dont edit
x
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/cutting.html
n
Charging

The equipment you have will last for a long time so there is not that much to get into business.  13 cents sounds okay, 1  to 1 1/2 cent higher than I charge but I am out in the NW area.  I do pick up of tapes, printing, delivering, use of "sticky paper" etc.  But I average $30 to $45 per hour depending on the clinic.  I haven't raised my prices in a while as I feel it is good money for me.  I buy transcribers off E-Bay, some last for a long time, some not so long.   I am planning on going digital in the next few months but I don't feel it is fair to pass that along to my clinents.  It is my decision.  Will still have to deliver back printed material.   But you have to get those accounts and keep those accounts so charge a fair price -- the docs have more overhead than we do -- make a decent living and provide an extra decent service and you will do okay.   I have said many times -- my accounts have been with me the oldest now 16 years -- psych account and my shortest is 5 years.  They pay on time, have never had to ASK for my check, never a bounced check, and always Christmas bonus and a Birthday present.  So that is why I keep my prices a little lower and spoil them a little but in the long run -- for five years now -- have not had to look for a new account/client and I know that they will not go overseas.   I have had my share of those accounts that stayed with me for a little while until they got something cheaper and those that were just not for me and so that is why I will do most anything to stay where I am right now until I retire in 7 more years.     I put in about 25 hours per week on these accounts as an IC and make $38 K per year.  So for me it fits just right. 


 


If you are only charging 11 cpl
They'll never know the difference, and it will make it worth your while.  These doctors do not care about 65 characters and all that jazz.  Just highlight the document, and charge them under line count.  This will enable you to be compensated for any searches or extras that come along with the territory.  They won't know the difference.  Take it from me.  You'll be fine, and you won't need to do all of this math.  These people are cheating themselves using 65 character lines and the like.  If it is an account you got on your own, then charge it like that.  I'm living proof it works, and provide great TAT, and they won't mind paying you at all. 
Charging

I was offered the opportunity to type for a doctor that is moving in wiht another group of doctors and need a transcriptionist. I have typed for other clinics in the area, but these physicians only paid by the hour.


I am wondering if it would be in my best interest to see if they wont pay by the line or character. I have never done this before. I work full time at a hospital and will be doing this at home in the evenings.


Any information on this would be much appreciated.


Thanks


When i was charging
17 cpl as an IC I did. Now I make less.

Could make that if I put in the hours but my priorities are the same. Would rather make less and have more time to do the things I enjoy but guess I'm fortunate to be able to make that choice.
Charging
I have my first interview with a Dr. tomorrow and I won't know what to say when he asked me how much!  Should I charge by the line, and if so , how much or should I charge by the page?  He will be my first Dr ever so I have no idea!  I have been reading about lines but I just wanted to know what active transcriptionists are charging!  Thanks.
charging per character
What is the average charge per char??  A dr called me and told me he is currently paying .002 per char.  If I calculated right, that would be .13 cpl.  Is it standard to charge char w/spaces or not? Thanks for any info, I always have charged by the line  
Charging for copies.

My charges for copies depend on who it is and how many copies.  I had one guy who wanted to use me and my little inkjet printer as a personal photocopy shop.  I was charging $.10 per copy to cover paper and ink, but he'd want 20 copies of each page I typed.  Finally, I told him to go to Staples to make copies because I wasn't going to do it any more.  I was driving there every few days for more ink and paper anyway, and he was just someone I didn't want to do business with.


I don't charge my other client for carbon copies because he usually only wants one or two copies.  Besides, he pays me really well and I've been typing for him for 8 years.  When he wants full color copies of digital pictures printed out, however, it's at least $1 per page because it chews up the color ink cartridges so much.


Just look out for people CHARGING for same.
If someone offers you FREE mentorship, jump on it. But don't fall for some folks on boards that will offer to mentor you if you send them a private message/e-mail, etc.

A lot of local hospitals and a handful of services have mentoring (legit) programs. Do a search for MT services and their mentor programs. I know that TRX Inc. in Portland had one several years ago. I'm not sure if they still do. There are several that are trying to promote growth of the MT workforce.

Just ignore the crabby, tainted, bitter older MTs that don't want anyone else coming into "their" industry.

I know Kaiser MTs that make $100,000/year. If you're good, have a GOOD ATTITUDE, and apply yourself and work hard, and don't fall into the trap of becoming persnickety and bitter :) you'll do great! It sounds like you have a really good attitude. Just avoid all the negativity! It's just jealousy, angst, fear, self-pity.
You are so right. Our pay goes down from same folks who are charging us more when we

Right now McDonald's in our town starts employees at $8/hour and pays benefits and some school benefits.


I have worked 30 years in transcription and make less now than I did in 1985.  That's 20 years ago.  I know more and earn less.  In fact I am a fraction above poverty level.


If you don't think MQ is getting ready to take us all below poverty level right down there with Mexico City, just hide and watch.  Or rather, sit here and think you are with a "good" company.  I didn't, because they are making millions in profit off your hard work and not sharing a penny of it with you. 


In the old days an employer spread the wealth of the company with the employees who made it happen.  This group has never heard of the concept.


But I think MTSO's are charging less
I know for a fact that it is very difficult here in the Chicagoland area to land an account for more than 11 cpl, and we used to routinely get 'em for 14 to 17...so I think you are seeing the trickle down effect. I used to pay up to 10 on gross lines, but I can't do that if I only can get an account for 11.
charging more works

I can agree with you.  I used to run a small "word processing service" as it was called back in the 80s.  I was competing with others and I figured one high-paying job was worth more to me than a bunch of inexpensive jobs.  My fees were higher than anyone else's.  I charged $25 an hour for anything other than regular text, be it medical, legal, foreign language, technical, editing, compiling bibliographies, checking footnotes for correct site within the text as changes were made....  I had more work than I could handle and it was all by word of mouth.  I had to hire 2 others to help with the overflow and still turned down work.  Would have continued except for needing to care for terminally ill father.  I had graduate students trying to book me years in advance to do their dissertations. 


Cheap doesn't work.  Not in the long run.  You do indeed get what you pay for. 


If If U have your own accounts, U should be charging MDs more. nm
.
The offshores should be charging more, too....
... even though lots of their work is cr@p.
charging for tapes
 Hi.  Could anybody give me the going rates for tapes (per line of course) that are not printed out and just e-mailed back to the clinic when completed.   I have been charging .11 per line including spaces.  I have charged this for approximately 1-1/2 years.  Could I charge more?  Thanks in advance.
Anyone with experience in charging by the word?
xx
charging for OFFICE NOTE mt

Hey gang !   Today I went my family's podiatrist for  the first time for an ingrown toenail.  As soon as the doc sat down with me, and saw my chart, he commented on my occupation of "transcriptionist".   Within 30 minutes I left his office minus an ingrown toenail, and plus a new account doing his transcription ! 


And this is going to be a lucrative account - 20-25 office notes per day, x 6 days a week.  Yippee !


Question - how do you guys bill your private docs for office notes?  He said some notes are only 1 paragraph, while some can be 2 pages.  Doc said he'd prefer to pay by the page. So should I charge a 1/4 page price, 1/2 page, full page?  How would you guys handle office note charges ?   I will be emailing the files, btw. 


Thanks !


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.
How to handle this re: charging account sm

How do you handle an account with a doctor who is constantly changing things?  I'm talking about a guy who will give an entire 4-5 sentences then have you go back and delete and change it.    I'm getting really, really tired of typing it all out only to have to go back and delete and retype. 


Do you keep track of how much you deleted and charge for that also?  It is really cutting into production.  This isn't occasional either.  He does this at least once, if not several times, in EVERY single report.  It is like the man can't string together thought.  Not to mention it is frightening how much things change sometimes.  I wonder often if he is talking about two different patient.


Are you serious? I make 16.5 per CPL and doc hollered I'm not charging enough!
I love my doc. Been with him 12 years. He would love it if I charged more because "it would be fair to me." This is at an IC rate. I would never drop him.

BTW, I live in a low-paying rural area and if it weren't for the self-employment taxes, etc., I would still be an IC. Had 4 accounts on my own and did make great money, but then hubby also went the self-employment route and the taxes ate up all our "profits."

So, I'm back to making peanuts, but love my job now.
Tell them will have to start charging for time
x
You have a point in charging for these items
Be careful when doing your taxes.  You can't have it both ways.  If the doctor pays for the ink, then you cannot write it off as a supply.  Just be careful because you may want to write off those expenses as opposed to letting the doctor write them off.  This is also true for mileage I believe.  If I were you, I'd get a good tax guy and also draft a contract including the what "ifs".  You may also want to include the fact that you do take time off and also you may at any time within reason raise your rate.