go with a discount plan, sm
Posted By: anon on 2008-10-23
In Reply to: IC's who pay for their own individual insurance - sm
you can use YOUR dentist, not just anyone on a list - ask at your dentist's office what discount plans they accept and look them up on the web. just like insurance, they all cover differently. Similar, tho.
the main reason I went this way is because there is no hot-shot company of office workers on the other side of the country playing doctor and denying claims. They are doing that more often in these days. I was shocked when it happened to me with a cracked tooth - then EVERYONE told me they went through the same thing with their companies.
you don't need any suprises like that - to the tune of thousands of dollars.
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that doesn't sound like insurance, sounds like a discount plan:
x
You're confusing the new QA plan with the new pay plan. New pay plan is still completely under wr
Shhhhhhhhhhh....
I am talking about the QA plan I dont know what the new pay plan is.
:
Discount
Yeah, it is a discount plan, which means no pre-existing conditions, no claim forms. I didn't sign up for the medical part of it, which is available here in Tennessee. I just signed up to get the dental benefits. I needed a lot of work done on my teeth (3 crowns, 1 filling, a bridge, and a root canal) and it has saved me a ton of money using AmeriPlan.
I mainly just wanted to make people aware, especially Transcriptionist like myself, that if you don't have insurance, this could be an option. Or if you do have insurance, you could still use it and save even more money.
Discount
If you go to the link I posted it says in big letters that it is not insurance, that it is a discount program. I'm not trying to fool anyone. I signed up for it myself through my father-in-law. It may not be available in all states. You can go to www.ameriplanusa.com or www.ameriplanhealth.com to find a provider near you. I live in Tennesse and have a regular dentist that accepts it and my husband and son go to an eye doctor that accepts it.
Discount
You don't have to give me your email address.
Here's the website, go check it out for yourself. I am a member myself, but somebody has got to sell it, right? It really is a good benefit.
www.everyonebenefits.com/BradfordInc
Thanks.
Discount -from below
I charge a decent price, I make VERY good money, have had my accounts for 5 to 18+ years, have never had a bounced check, am always paid within 48 hours of receipt of invoice,they NEVER question my line counts so if it costs me 1% per month - to me it is worth it. They also give me free medical care, medication samples which more than makes up for the small discount that I give. So though many of you disagree - it works for me. I can pay my bills on time because I can COUNT on the checks to pay them. No hassle at all. I get it back in different ways. One antibotic prescription per year makes up for it.
I wouldn't discount sm
on-line dating but there are so many weirdos out there these days that I would be EXTREMELY careful and follow all the precautions that have ever been written on the subject. In addition to meeting in a public place, hopefully with someone with you, I would be extremely careful that I wasn't being followed when I left the date. From what I've read many, if not most, of the mass murderers came across as being very nice guys but then you really don't know anyone when you first meet them no matter where you meet them. I recall at least one of the infamous mass murderers was well-educated, well-liked and apparently well-respected in his community. I don't think I would ever go for the internet dating myself but apparently there are quite a few people who have been successful in finding their mate that way; I just don't happen to know any personally. I don't think probably it would be any worse than any other way of meeting people, you'd have probably a 50/50 chance of meeting someone you would want to spend your life with and a 50/50 chance is about the best we're gonna get in this life no matter what we're gambling on; we only have a 50/50 chance of making it through this day.
They probably got a discount since they are outdated.
CMT (Indian MTs have discount)
Sadly, I am slowly moving from lower middle class to poverty level since pay cuts as a full-time MT.
After numerous requests for some kind of help toward paying for the certification, I am told by AHDI (AAMT) discounts are not even being considered in the near future.
With the future so bleak for the future of MT, I am not sure why I should put out all that money. I am bringing home less than $300/week after taxes and health care...? How do I justify the $287 or so cost, when I have my utilities threatened to be shut off every other month for simply just not having the money...
For me, I do not have a partner who supports me. Am I the only one in this boat?
Don't discount ops. That's how I make my big production. SM
There are SO many phrases you can shortcut. They're all the same! I insist on working where I only type ops.
So do you think gas stations should discount gas for us pumping our own gas?
I'd rather scan and bag items I am purchasing, folding them the way I want to and separating them then pump gas out in the cold with the smell of gasoline on my hands.
Not to discount your fear right now, but didn't her doc
advise her that the risks involved with surgery would include perforation of organs, and other complications, including death. Medicine is unfortunately an inexact science, and doctors are, after all, only human. May not be a clear cut case of malpractice, may "merely" be an unfortunate complication.
I've seen many people rush into a lawsuit, only to have their lives and money consumed by them, to find out they don't understand legal concept of malpractice and even if malpractice, if the insurance company has a better lawyer, you can lose anyway.
For now, I would focus my energy on praying rather than suing...
Students get a hefty discount
If you're in continuing education, could you still call yourself a student? I don't know, but when I bought it, I just had to tell them I was a student and I got a discount.
Discount - sorry long message
I do offer my docs a 1% discount if they pay within 3 days and especially if their account does go over $1000 I get my check the next day. One of my newest accounts did not apply their discount to their second bill and I was told "You work hard, the work is returned on time, good quality, Dr. C______ is not the easiest person to work for and I did not take off your discount because you deserve every penny of your invoice." He is a dermatologist, has lots of Op notes, good gross line count and he is really not that hard to do, lots of shortcuts but he does have an irritating habit of clearing his throat about every 5th line but you get used to it. But again I have been luck, all accounts pay within 3 days at the longest, never a bounced check and never a question on my line counts. But along my 15 to 18 years of doing this, I have had my share of poor ones but for the past 7-8 years I cannot complain. I have older docs who will probably retire in the next 10 years but then so will I. They are stand alone, 1-2 in a practice and so don't know if they will ever go EMR or even digital but will continue as I have. The accounts are out there you just have to look and perhaps go through several before you find one that appreciates you.
I do give a discount - some ideas
I do give a discount and my accounts pay usually the next day and in one account the doctor actually writes the check to me. I would call back and talk again with her explaining that you are a small business and need to have a check by a certain time in order to pay your mortgage, etc. Ask if you submit them the invoice by the 25th to 27th if you can count on a check by the 1st or if you submit on the 1st you can have a check by the 5th. So if you need your check by the 1st, I would give them the invoice by the 25th to 27th depending on what day of the week it is and put a note on it stating "per our conversation payment is due to me no later than the 30th." or whatever date you agree upon. I have found that offices do not like bi-monthly billings and like to pay only once a month. I have 4 accounts for invoicing and payment by the 1st and 2 for the 15th and payment by the 18th so I have cash flow throughout the month. But try talking to them as people and see if it works.
Your personal creditors may not discount amounts due, but
commercial entities often do. In doing the books for numerous local businesses, I was required to pay ASAP to take advantage of discounts. For example, "terms 2/10 net 30" means you get a 2% discount if you pay within 10 days, otherwise, it's the full (net) amount due within 30 days to avoid a late charge.
I agree with you. Why would we give a discount for being paid what
we're legitimately owed? Some businesses do it to encourage prompt payment, though.
U.S. offers them medical school at a discount
if they remain in the country and practice in out of the way places for a period of time before returning to their country or to a higher wage earning position within the medical establishment.
J &R Electronics discount 83.00 with free shipping. sm
Not a bad deal. just wondering about quality with just voice and not music.
I have a 100% discount for you. Don't take the test! It's worthless as is the association be
Check with college, sometimes you can get a student discount for a laptop....nm
xx
Do you give a discount for standard procedure notes? SM
I have an account who asked me to provide them with a form that could use for standard outpatient procedure notes. I personally feel that there are too many variations for them to use one paper form and offered for me to do it for them at a discount since almost the entire thing would be a standard that I don't have to type in its entirety. This account is a great account and I figured it isn't a big deal say to chage 25 cents instead of a $1 (example) for the form since I only have to type a couple letters to pull up the form and insert any changes.
I really don't know the easiest way to keep track of this discount or what amount to discount. Any ideas? I'd rather see me getting a small amount for doing the form then to get nothing for them using a paper form. Plus, the account is newer to me and I thought it might look like a plus for me to offer them a discount and to make their life easier by not having to dictate the entire note.
Thoughts...ideas??? TIA
I would not offer a discount. You have to create and then edit each report--sm
to make it patient-specific and that will take time. It will also be hard to keep separate which reports were edited and which one was not.
Once you start lowering your cost, this will not be the only thing they will want a discount for. I do not think it will be a plus for you and in the end you could be doing yourself a disservice in the future when you need to raise your rate.
I must comment: You do know Indian MTs get a huge discount on the cost, right? Do
you think that is going to come up and bite us some day. The association seems intent on making this a standard, that everyone should have the certification, and they are certifying foreign MTs way more than American...
What are they up to with that?
I got a discount by joining a study group...I think they still offer that. nm
;)
I plan to..
I knew they did that at the hospital I worked for at home but never imagined it would be done through an internet based company...that is ridiculous!!!!
Don't plan to either
THAT IS CRAZY!!!!! Those people should not even be allowed to have such access.
How is everyone doing with MQ's new QA plan?
nm
What plan?
What QA? WTF?
So WHAT'S THE PLAN?
That's the question. Plain and simple.
WE KNOW!! What IS the new QA plan?!?! nm
..
MQ new pay plan
It is based on a combination of your line count and QA scores, maintaining 98% or better. I've heard "mention" of it since I'm trying to get on full time, at the moment I am an IC. What he told me is you will get raises every six months if you produce a certain amount and maintain a good QA score. For example, right now you are required to do 12,000 lines per pay period. If you maintain above average, lets say you're right around 14,000 average for six months while maintaining 98% QA, your higher pay is locked in for the next six months. So its a combo of the two. He was very vague, didnt say how much, if it were half cent, a quarter cent or whatever, but he seemed to be thrilled to death about it. Now I noticed on this board that someone keeps posting about the new MQ pay plan and have we heard of it. Just spill the beans if you have more accurate information please? Thanks.
Regarding the MQ new pay plan for SE that is to come out, does anyone know or at least think that
this pay plan will reduce the line rate of those that have been with MQ for many years and have worked up to a higher base line rate. I wonder if we will all be moved to a base rate at the same level and then have a tier. Does that mean it will be starting over for those of us with higher line rates now.
New SE/Pay Plan- LM
I want to offer my congratulations also & wish you the very best. I'm sorry you've received so many negative comments, but, maybe a little history should have been included to possibly offer some insight as to where some of the
"long-term" statutories are coming from & why they now possibly feel insecure because of the new plan that has been offered to you.
Around 1999, at "my" office, at-home employees had a minimum production of 12,000 lines/pay period 65- character line that they had to meet. At home statutory employees had a minimum of 4,000 65-character lines each pay period; 10,000 lines or more a bonus of $50; $10 for each 1,000 lines over 10,000; 11,000, $60; 15,000, $100.
The new incentive pay plan for a statutory employee has obviously raised the standards beyond what was at one time expected of their
"employees." Medquist is obviously raising the ante quite higher & those that only wanted a "part-time" job with flexibility with fewer hours & minimum lines are going to find this new minimum impossible to meet unless they work full-time. This, coupled with the fact that many are making 6-8 cents/hr & have been there for years, is going to cause tremendous resentment on their part.
I believe most statutory transcriptionists who have been with Medquist for years will feel this is their way to effectively "weed out" part-time statutories and, in fact, gain full-time "statutory employees" while still offering no benefits. Many, many transcriptionists chose Medquist because they had the flexibility to work a few hours a week, pick up maybe 4,000 lines/pay period - just enough to help them through their rough times while caring for their elderly parents, etc. I now see this as impossible for many & part-time work for them nonexistent! Their income, no matter the amount, probably helped fill a void that was absolutely neccessary due to their circumstances. Medquist, as far as my knowledge, was the only National to offer this flexibility in earnings for a statutory at-home employee.
Mind you, I may be wrong in my perception, but I feel this is why you've gotten the negative responses that should be directed to Medquist & not to you!!
Just thought a little background from my perspective might help you understand why you've been bombarded, albeit unjustly.
Again, wishing you the best!
new pay plan
You will be offered squat diddly. I have 20 years exp, am a CMT for many years, also asked for a pay raise and told I'm already above the highest level for an MT, (.875)so raise declined. Instead, they reduced by base rate to .0700 or ASR reports, so that is your answer. Don't get too excited
new pmt plan
I'm confused. I will have been with MQ 6 years this Nov, and I do Nuc Med, Uro, Cardio, Pulmo, Neuro, Psych, Ortho, Specs Rad, Onco, you name it. Does that mean I'll get a 100% rate increase from my base? Yea, right. PA'LEEZE.
I'll be sure to mention all my specialities and the fact that I have been a MT for 18 years now. Sure that'll make a big difference.
new pay plan
This letter of 9/2/05 states nothing really! I thought our pay rates were already supposed to be based on skill and experience. Daily incentive pay? I'd like to see the bookkeeping program they wrote for that one! Evening and night premium pay - nothing new (they just didn't want us to know about it). What is the difference in an MT/ME, an ME who does QA and QA? Already looking for another job in a totally different field!
new pay plan
How do you know you are a level 3? I did not know that MQ even had "levels." Is there a way I can tell on the F9 statistics page? Also, what is the difference in an MT, ME, QA/ME, and QA? How does one become an ME. I am still a lowly MT.
what do you mean, new plan, they don't pay
for that stuff NOW
Yes, I know of plan sm
1-1/2 years ago we did massive home improvements and racked up about $25,000 in debt. It is on 2 no interest credit cards and I have it paid down by about 1/2 by putting every extra penny towards it. When I seen something I might want to buy, I just remind myself how good it is going to feel when I get this debt paid off. I can't wait until the time that my money is mine again. I am working 2 MT/ED jobs, which is getting tough, but you do whatcha gotta do. Btw, we are putting out DD through commumity college and also have 15 yo son.
Yes, you need to plan for it - sm
If you are married, you can have you husband either take less exceptions (thereby having more taxes taken out), or have additional taken out on top of what he normally has taken for his taxes. My DH takes less exemptions and is taxed as "single but married" and instead of 4 exemptions we do 1 or 2 (forget which it is). Or if you are not married, then you need to do estimated SE tax payments, either quarterly via the mail with a little booklet they will send you ; or via this electronic system I mentioned above. Go to irs.gov to check it out. Someone else mentioned it here a while ago and that is what put me onto it. If you don't pay anything throughout the year and owe (which you probably will), it is said that they will assess penalities against you. I have never owed so I don't know about that. Remember to right off anything and everything pertaining to your job on your Sch. C, I usually have about $2K in write-offs a year, though I do not write off my home office, but everything else pertaining to it, electric, phone, internet, heat, office supplies, etc. Have fun.
Well, here is my plan
if India takes over the MT world to the degree that I cannot make a good living MTing in America then I will become a legal Transcriptionist specializing in medical malpractice lawsuits. BECAUSE when all of the crappy work these Indians are putting out become major medical errors (unfortunate for the patient, I know) then I will be ready to be a part of the action plan that does something about it!!!!!!!!
They let you set up a plan?
The rep I got said that I owed too much to do that (roughly $4000.) I got on their website and found that unless you owe over $10,000, they have to work out a plan if you can get it paid within 3 years. I guess I'll have to keep trying to get a person with halfway decent manners....if that's possible with the IRS!!!
Which plan?
I am told that DSL is coming very soon to my neighborhood and I am wondering which plan I should go with. Verizon has 2 DSL plans. One is the "Starter Plan" and it is 768Kbps/128Kbps and the other plan is "Power Plan" it is 3 Mbps/768Kbps. OK this might as well be in another language because I really do not know what these numbers mean. I am going to be doing VR/SR MT work so would the "starter plan" be good enough for VR/SR work?
Thanks
Your plan is my plan
I explained to my doctor everything that you said in your post. That I could do a better service for THEM if the dictation was digital. Then a tape broke and he had to redictate 4 patients. Then I got a little behind and I told them I'd be typing right behind his dictation if it was digital. A day or 2 later, I brought it up again and not only was he in agreement but he bought the 2 recorders they need and some software, all told more than $700. Take a typed tape in there, pull its guts out and tell them that this could happen tomorrow! but would never happen with digital. If you have to, go buy one, put it in his hand with some very simple instructions and let him play with it. Then gently remind him/her that tapes are an old, unreliable technology. :-) I want about 25 accounts this way. My wrists hurt and I probably need to stop typing in the next 2-3 years so its my plan to build a small company that I can run/edit/shmooze the doc's offices....
OUTSOURCING PLAN...
Okay, here is the plan. For all of these hospitals with heavy ESL dictation loads, outsource these yourselves to India, Pakistan, Trinidad or where ever they speak that English as an unknown language. It won't matter if it is correct as typing those documents is just a best guess scenario anyway. Leave all of the English as a First Language (EFL) here in the US for those of us to type as we have been working long and hard to gain our experience and deserve to have decent work. If a hospital has a lot of ESLs that they have brought stateside to staff their hospitals as hospitalists as they work cheaper then it should be their responsibility to give them English classes and monitor their progress until they can speak English clearly, concisely, and accurately. The solution to this problem with ESLs is in our HANDS and we know it. The large companies and hospital clients need to take note before it is too late and we are all retired. You need us more than we need you.
OUTSOURCING PLAN...
And it is you and your "oh so thankful to have a job" kind that have gotten those of us that are MTs and will never be MLSs into this ESL cesspool by allowing it to happen. Anything for money, right??
OUTSOURCING PLAN...
Sure, my world is called Affirmative Reaction, taking back what was ours by right of being an MT before the almighty dollar spoke and we allowed our hospitals to actively solicit these ESLs, bring them stateside, pay for their malpractice coverage, and employ them as hospitalists, and now we are stuck with a language barrier that, in all other fields, requires a certified translator but now that we have been awarded the title of MLS we are supposed to type an accurate medical document while listening to an ESL's attempt to speak English?? This is your world now, I have done my time, and you are welcomed to all the ESLs you can handle or rather fool yourself into believing that you can do so very accurately.
OUTSOURCING PLAN...
Okay, this string is not a question of what our ancestors did, it is to get those of you that are new to the MT business to realize that if we don't do something about this outsourcing of medical transcription, your "oh so wonderful jobs" may be forfeit. Look at IBM, laying off over 13K stateside and hiring 14K in India. Any Capitol One sending all of its customer service to Manila--that's right, your credit information. Think money has anything to do with that?? Open your eyes, your job is slipping through your fingers...
OUTSOURCING PLAN...
If these ESL doctors are such wonderful humans, why don't they stay in their homelands and help their own people? There would be no third-world problems if the privileged and educated people stayed in their homeland and actively helped their own, rather than fleeing to the US to live the good life that their own countrymen will never see. Charity starts at home, remember.
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