need help with fees - digital
Posted By: Lynne on 2007-05-03
In Reply to:
I can get a new contract but will do the work digital. I have only worked as IC the old fashion way - tapes and picking up, printing and delivery. I will now do everything through e-mail and a C-phone. The office manager is trying to squeeze me for a good price, telling me she has somebody willing to do the workload for 6c/pl and she says its characters only, no spaces etc. Their previous lady did the transcription for a fixed amount per month but this sounds really screwed up. Any help or suggestions on what I need to think about regarding charges etc? I now get $3 a page and that includes my driving etc. I am happy that I would save gas and time but don't want to work for free either. My $3 a page figures to about 11cpl when I checked.
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Fees
I would not be tax deductible per se. You would not receive the money, therefore it would not be income.
Fees
Actually, the fees are deducted from the income, but you never see it because it is deducted. I'm pretty sure it would be tax deductible. Again, I am not justifying the existence of the fee.
I do tapes and digital. And I was told if I'm not logged into the digital system, they assume I&
BUT she wants me logged into the system by 9:30 a.m. So I'm confused too. I've decided that I may come back to her and just say I'm not going to do the tapes anymore. I hate the tapes anyway. The voice quality is horrible, it fades in and out. It takes me twice as long to transcribe their tapes than the digital.
Rental Fees
 I noticed that several companies are charging their employees rental fees for equipment/software. If one was in-house, they would not have to pay a rental fee. How are these companies getting away with this? Why would you, an employee, agree to pay for their equipment? The only time you should pay a rental fee is if you are an independent contractor. As an employee, you do not pay to work for the employer, they pay you!
I am just amazed that companies are actually charging their employees to work for them!
late fees
My business attorney told me I could really charge whatever I wanted - BUT - it had to be put as a disclaimer on the bottom of every billing you send them-- that is their "notice" -- you can't just charge them without warning them. I charge 5% of total billing. Mine reads something like "late fee of 5% will be charged if invoice is not paid within 10 calendar days." Be careful on the verbage of calendar days versus business days. And don't be afraid to charge it or defend it -- every other vendor they have is charging it!!
definitely charge fees if you do that
high ones... they don't want you to do it for free, do they?
I sympathize.. $100 an hour... what a job
Monthly fees
May I ask which carrier this is through? I have ATT and to use my laptop I can hook it up through my phone with a USB cable but in order to get on the internet I would have to buy the data package for $59.99 a month. Thanks, we do a lot of traveling in the summer.
Any IC charge late fees? Please advise.
I have been contracted with a hospital for almost 13 years and never had a problem with getting paid every two weeks. I email my invoice on Monday and receive check via mail by Thursday or Friday. Within the last three years I have had a little trouble, not often, but usually critical times for me, with receiving payment during that time. Does anyone charge a late fee and if so, do they pay it? I thought about putting at the bottom of my invoice "Payment is due within 5 days or a late fee of $ will be charged.
THEIR pro wages paid with membership fees.
x
I doubt it, though they will sock you with late fees and expect - sm
both your Feb. 1 and March 1 payment at the same time. You could pay the one by March 1 and use the 15 day grace period and pay the March 1 payment by the 15th (along with late fees from the previous late payment) to get square again. I have to use the 15 day period now and then, hate to do it, but it does not hurt anything.
I just started using "mydocsonline" - no extra fees unlike the one advertising above this - sm
Simple to use to, I only have 2 users so $99 for a year which is half the cost of most of the others, and HIPAA compliant, etc. Not sure how cost effective if you have a lot of doctors though, but I like the fact they give you so much space a month, you can save/delete whatever you want to do, no extra charges/mb or kb--metroscript is 14.95 a month (or more) and .34/megabyte of each upload, I would have ended up paying about $120 a month, forget that! I tried the free trial of mydocsonline and it works well for me.
If you're talking about MetroScript, I didn't find that they had any extra fees (sm)
They pretty much only charge you for what you use. I only pay $14.99 per month and it works great for me.
Check into adoption through local Catholic services, fees in our state (Ky) were based on income and
although expensive, not as bad as private adoption. Still, a long wait, we were told.
Digital
I am brain dead also, since I've been away from the "job" due to husband's illness. I do not see any replies on here. Please forward any good info to my E-mail. Appreciate it. Turn your back around here and technology changes, zap!
Going digital
Hi,
I read your post and was wondering if I could get in this thread? I don't have my own accts yet, I work for a small national and a large national. However, I am seriously thinking about getting my own accts. Before I go looking, I thought it would be good idea to have a digital system in mind and ready to set up.
One idea that I have seen that I found really interesting was in the Transcription Gear Catalog. There is a 2 page spread about their idigital system. This is a toll free dictation ASP, very similar to what the nationals have, I would think. With this system, you pay for the minutes that you will use during the month. Has anyone else used this type of system? Any thoughts about it?
digital
I have two different setups for digital. I have an internet based call in system, which allows me to set up Transcriptionist to receive the work directly to their systems using Express scribe and I also have a doctor who uses a handheld digital recorder that he uploads in the evenings and sends the work to me through Magic Vortex......There are several great companies for you to check out. RTKING, JAY VANCE, START STOP TRANSCRIPTION are a few good places to start with. There are also other options for sending and receiving work, such as FTP sites, Hypersend, Magic Vortex and many more.
Going Digital
I switched to my 5 accounts to digital using Jay Vance with Vance Digital in March. I absolutely LOVE it! Wish I would have done this 5 years ago! e-mail me with any questions.
digital sm
How on earth do you print to the docs? Do you both have to have the same WP program and do you supply them with a printer? The offices I worked with were too lazy to even take the tape out of the tape recorder, "not their job" so I gave up on asking them to do "anything at all" as they were so lazy. By the way, thanks for sharing, not too many are willing to do this; would rather play their hand close to their chest. You are a wonder! Thank you!
digital
I'm doing digital for my client and it's wonderful--no more traffic jams. They use Olympus handheld dictation devices. We use hushmail to upload the dictation and transcribed reports so they are encrypted and HIPPA compliant. It's fairly inexpensive -- I believe $30 a year. One nice thing about that you can be anyway to pick up your files as long as you have internet access. I've often taken my laptop with me on vacation to cover emergency work. Not that I want to work on vacation, but it makes the client feel better knowing you can access the work.
If you want to go digital this is what I did
Purchased DocShuttle Admin ($300) and DocShuttle Client for myself ($99), had doctor purchase DocShuttle Dictator ($99) and an Olympus recorder ($129). Rented FTP site (about $45/yr). Set up DocShuttle so once dictator docks the recorder, it takes file from recorder and erases recorder, imports into DocShuttle, goes to ftp site, posts new dictation, pulls off old. You may want to go to Bytescribe's site though and see if the program they have for doing it by email would work for you. If you are the only MT and they are the only client, then do it by email. Email me if you need any further clarifications.
digital
i went with transcriptiongear.com and have been very happy. you can email me with questions.
for those new to digital...
FTP stands for file transfer protocol. An FTP program transfers files (uploads and downloads) from a virtual warehouse on the Internet, called an FTP site. FTP sites are rented by size. FTP programs are free or cost a fee. You can post ANYTHING to an FTP site. You can put your's kid's first grade picture there. You can put your resume there. You can put your back up data from your Quicken there. You can put a love letter there. You can put a .wav file there. You can put a MSWord document there. You can create folders there. You can password protect your ftp site and some software allows encryption, different levels of user permissions, etc. Once it is there, anyone who has the password to your FTP site can then go and pull it off. i.e. TRANSFER the FILE. So if your doctor dictates on a digital recorder, downloads the voice file into his PC, then uploads the .wav file to the FTP site, you can go to the FTP site, download the .wav file, transcribe it, post a .doc back to the FTP site wherein your doc can then go to the FTP site, pull the .doc off. Voila!
Going Digital
Hello
My doctors use Olympus recorders. One doctor does well with the DS-10. The other uses the DS-330 (No longer in production). The DS-330 has the advantage of overwriting. For instance, if the doctor makes a mistake, he can back up and record over what he has already taped; however, this was a disadvantage for my other doctor, who taped over his entire morning of dictation by accident by hitting a wrong button. It depends on the doctor. With the DS-10, you cannot tape over anything. If you are sending the audio files over e-mail, you should consider first encrypting the file for confidentiality reasons before sending. I use e-mail, because it is free, and it was easiest to train the office staff to use. There is a free software program, ZipGenius that will encrypt your files. Yes it is free. When getting a handheld, you want to consider the types of files also. A .dss file is much smaller than a .wav file or a mp3 file. That is also why I went to Olympus recorders, because they record in .dss format, which makes for much faster upload and download times. If you have other questions, please e-mail me. Also as one poster has already said, the express scribe software is great and free as well. I bought the recorders. They have already paid for themselves in gas and time.
Lynn 
You would have go go digital
If you are doing digital for a national you already have the foot pedal if not then you will need to get one that would transcribe the type of files that will be sent to you, wav or dds. I don't do digital just the tapes but from what I have read you would need to get an FTP set up going so that you can transfer the documents and then if you have your pedal, you should be set to go. So just send out flyers/brochures giving your experience and stating what you will provide and go for it. But you will be a little limited since you only are available for digital and don't pick up and deliver back printed material. You might be able to do overflow for some local large clinics. Some might require a C-phone to dial into their equipment. Good luck.
Digital
I have a couple of accounts that I go daily and pick up tapes/deliver. One of the docs wants to start sending me dictation via computer but does not know how to go about it. I must admit I have no clue. Can anybody point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.
digital
 What about encryption when sending through an email?
Digital
Hello,
I need help from anyone that can write in and give me suggestions. I was just approached by a physician that has 4 in a group and they want to go digital and have me do their transcription. This would be a great opportunity as I have just lost 4 of my accounts to outsourcing to India, so I need all the help. They need to know how this can be set up. Do they need a FTP site and do I need one? What kind of system do they need and all the basics. I am sure the easiest and cheap way to do this over the internet the better, as you know physicians-HAHAH. Also if Patty is on any information from you would be appreciated. I have this weekend to work on this and give them a proposal on Monday with the costs. I know what to charge by line as I am an IC already; I just need help on the way to get me the files and for them to send. I presently do tapes and pick up still. 
Thanks Everyone in Advance!!
digital
Hi Luvdigital,
I just posted on board. I was approached to do a large 5 DR. account, but want the easiest and cheapest way to do this digital way. I have some questions as your way sounds easy. 1. Do you have the software on both of computers, the one Dr sends and yours? 2. Do you send just by email or to a FTP site and can you send to FTP after? 3. What is this DDS Player? 4. Do I need a foot pedal, what kind? I have to make up a proposal this weekend, so info is needed ASAP! Thanks again for your help. I would love to land this account as I have lost 4 accounts to outsourcing to India and need this badly, so the easiest and cheapest would work and I not very computer sassy, so easy is great for me.
Thanks,
Mary Lou
digital
Thanks everyone that wrote in with suggestions about going digital. I have a few questions about the brand of digital recorder. I researched the Olympus, but do you recommend the ones that have editing capabilities or not, as I am unsure what this really means. Any other types that your Docs use would be helpful.
Thanks!!
digital
I think you misread me. I am landing the account. The Drs are paying for it all. I just need to know what recorders are the best and cheapest. I also need to know what wav pedal is compatible with Olympus. They are paying for the FTP sites. They just wanted me to research everything and give them the prices. Sorry if I confused anyone.
If there is not a way for them to go digital
I would at least seriously look into a way to have a delivery service - I used one myself 10 years ago....... most areas have them - they send the tapes in a locked pouch and you sign for it when you receive it and visaversa if you have to print out work and deliver..... it can be compliant - you just need to secure the information - these companies are bonded.... time on the road is costing you money big time lady!!
Going digital
Do some research here.
Going digital, again.
http://www.transcriptiongear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=T&Category_Code=DIGITAL-TOP
Sorry, the link didn't post. The tricks are to get your doctor(s) to give up their old recorder(s) and learn to use the new one(s) and also having office staff able to download the recorders reliably and retrieve/print the reports/notes, etc...You will love the convenience, but if you're in-house it still won't help locate patient charts (LOL)
going digital
I also want to go digital, but don't know the first thing to do. I also have 2 doctors that I am picking up and delivering tapes for. Thank you so much.
digital...me too!
Can you please email information about how to go digital cheaply??? Thanks!
Digital...
Why don't you investigate going digital and cut down your overhead ever further? No gas, no paper, no ink...etc. Worth some thought.
Digital
The situation I had was my account brought in a "consultant". HE decided that we all needed to go digital. It got to the point with some of the doctors that they had to "hide" the old recorders/tapes so that they had no access to them. It finally worked, they are all on digital and everyone is happy. I love it. I can't believe I actually drove around with tapes and completed work - when did I ever transcribe! If you go on it, you will love it. Change is always hard, but if you want to compete in the marketplace - that's what you have to do.
Going digital.
Your doc needs a digital recorder and you will need a secure method of transferring the voice files as well as a software program that will allow you to play back audio files. This would also include a foot pedal to control playback.
Express Scribe is free and the program has "hot keys" that allow you to control playback from the keyboard but that is not as smooth as using a footpedal. Also, be aware that if your doctor buys an Olympus recorder, you will more than likely has problems playing back .dss files using Express Scribe.
You could purchase a full transcription kit, which would include a footpedal and headset, from places like Transcription Gear or Olympus, to name just two.
Transferring files can be done via FTP or a secure website like Files To Go or My Docs Online. Both you and the doc's office would need to have a little bit of ability to accomplish these tasks but they're not that difficult to learn.
It takes a bit of homework in the beginning but once you switch to digital, you'll be glad that you did and wondering why you waited so long to do it. Good Luck!
I actually think digital is better, at least you have more
adjustments you can make if you are having trouble hearing. I just recently started an account where I'm using a C-phone versus having used downloaded dictation for many years. I think the downloaded dictation is of much better quality overall than via the C-phone.
Going digital - sm
Have a dictaphone system at home but it is now causing some problems and the doctors are having hissy fits.
We want to go "digital" (there are 3 of us) and we each have high-speed internet service.
Am looking for guidlines, suggestions, etc. as to what is the best program and any tips you may have. This is new for us so will really, really appreciate any help. Thank you. Barb
Going digital
I have finally convinced my docs to go digital! I am looking at using the DocShuttle program. Has/is anyone using this and if so, how do you like it?
I also need to find an FTP server. Does anyone know if this is included with DocShuttle or do I need to find my own? There are so many out there - could really use some suggestions in this aspect as well.
Thanks for your help!
Shell
Need help getting doc to go digital
Hi, All!
I need some help. I have a doc who dictates a soap note after he sees each patient, so walks around the office with his handheld microcassette recorder. I have been using only digital files for several years now and hate going back to transcribing tapes. Since he walks around and dictates a short blurb after each patient, a call-in system won't work for him. What I need is to set him up with a digital recorder and then an easy way to upload the files to me to transcribe, and then I can email them back. I have used MEP for encryption in the past, but have always had the voice files sent to me from an MTSO, so have no experience in that end of it.
Does anyone know an easy way to set this up? I need simple, as he is not very computer literate. Even if I have to stop in and download the voice files from his recorder to a jump drive a couple times a week, that would be better than tapes. Ideally, I would like to set him up with a recorder that he can upload the files to his computer and then email them to me. Is there a reasonably priced digital recorder out there that will work for this? What's the easiest way to transfer the files? Is there a particular brand(s) of recorder that is good (or bad)? And how much memory should I look for? ANY help with this would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Thank you!
digital
I'm glad you guys posted this question, I have been wondering the same thing. I am almost done with school and my chiro. was talking about me doing some work for him. He currently has an MT that works with tapes, be he wants to go digital. She doesn't want to, so he is considering having me do it. Could you guys tell me where I can go to find the info on how to set this up?
Thanks!
Going to digital?
I'm thinking of switching to digital from microcassette. Silly question: When I want to go on vacation and hire a temp, will she/he have to come to my house every day and use my computer to access the wav files? What would they need to do the work from their own house? The answer seems obvious - they'd need the same programs I have. But maybe there's an easier way to go about this, and you never know till you ask!
wanting to go digital
and I am totally clueless! Had a call from a cardio group today and they want to send me transcription via WAV files, guessing I need a WAV pedal?? HELP
Also, I am tired of the old tapes and want to "go digital" I have heard of 800#'s for a call in system, but dont know of any websites. Any help is much appreciated!!
TIA,
sunnyMT
digital - Stacy
Stacy, thanks for answering, it would not allow me to E-mail you so please E-mail me at pjsword@aol.com as I do have some questions.
Thx -- Patti
digital recorders
Anyone familiar with the digital recorders? One of my docs wants to get a recorder and send me his voice files via email, he's not worried about being encryped or anything like that. I think he is looking, of course, to get the cheepest one out there. Is there anything specific that I need to tell him that these recorders need to have?? Is the docking station that come with some just for convenience or is that the only way to send the files via email?
Thanks ya'all!
Digital Records - SM
Most come with software and a docking station and software. He would need to dock the recorder and transfer the files to you, either via e-mail or send them to a secure FTP site. If you order it through Transcription Gear, it comes with really cool software, including a player for you.
digital recorders - duh!
nm
Cost of going digital
I am trying to decide if it's worth it to get a local office to go digital. They don't even have a website, so technology is not their thing. I assume that because of this I would still have to print/drop off reports? Is that right? This is a very small office, so I don't want to spend a lot of money to try to do this. When I try to do an internet search, there is way too much information that is way too complicated. I just want to know what I would need for the most basic setup. Anything advice/help you can offer would be helpful. Thanks! LL
going digital in degrees
Hello,
A hand-held digital recorder (I have a Uher DH-10 but there are many, seems to be a lot of DSS files out there - Olympus) and an image mate if the computer can't accommodate a variety of media or flash cards.
How to move files:
FTP site - commercialy maintained and/or your own with a static IP address through a web hoster - Apache servers are the best
FTP software is out there for free - Core FTP using SSL
CryptoHeaven
HyperSend
DropChute (expensive) Lite (free)
X-Drive
I-Drive (I had a run in with them, not too happy)
Hyperterminal (part of windows)
PC Anywhere and a static IP address that would allow computer-to-computer file transfers pick up dictation, drop off documents
MEP or PGP encryption and just move those babies through the e-mail - there are a bajillion encryption software PGP is free and MEP is commercial for sale. These make self-extracting files all you have to do is use the right password and you're good. There are others, though.
I guess it depends on what the office personnel are willing to do in the way of faciltating the transfers or loading the dictation onto a computer or a FTP site or e-mailing to you.
Having DSL or cable (I have DSL - its never down, ever) is a must because wav files can be large sometimes if the recorder doesn't utilize some sort of compression
and PC Anywhere on a phone line is too slow to download digital files from wav or DSS the phone line can only go about 23 which makes a 56K modem overkill
I have used PCAnywhere without a static IP, you do a start/run ipconfig command (that was for win 98 I can never remember the one for XP)and it gives you the address of that log on - you just put that in the remote PCanywhere set up to dial in - this is kind of a garage sale version but it works
There are also TASPs out there to buy for a penny a line or 10 cents a minute with 800# all set up for you. Sometimes they charge to add doctors a little set up fee
:) Has this helped at all?
If you do go PCAnywhere and set up a host computer at the doc's office or load PCAnywhere on one of theirs, it doesn't HAVE to be an XP comp. And if it does have XP for an OS you MUST use version 10.5 or higher - only one compatible with XP
I know for a fact that version 9 does horrible things to XP ;) Not compatible is not compatible, I thought I could download a patch or an upgrade. ha ha.
winzip is a free software to make many files one nice little package for to be encrypted and then attached to an e-mail
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