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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

yes! i used Consumer's magazine to make my choice,

Posted By: sm on 2006-09-13
In Reply to: Can anywone recommend a good vacuum cleaner? My old one broke and has to be replaced. Thanks. NM - MTSO

and love mine - Eureka the Boss, SmartVac (an upright) -- less than $150 at Walmart -- very quiet, picks up very well. Only drawback i see is the cord is not retractable. If upright is not your style, or you want particular features, i'd still suggest using Consumer Reports suggestions. Neighbor just bought a Kirby for $800 -- bet this one would outclean that. Its even advertized as outcleaning a Dyson by 60%.


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Get the April 2006 Consumer Reports magazine...sm
It gives you a rundown on all vehicles as well as which ones have held up well and which ones haven't over the years. It's in the stores now or your local library should have a copy you can look at for free. :o)
You might want to check out Consumer Reports 1/08 magazine, had article about ins and suggested visi
x
Most recent Consumer Reports magazine did an article about this. Most effective was hormone replac
.
E. It is not my choice to make, it is their choice.
Every job has its pros and cons.  The more US MTs we can bring in is that many fewer jobs going overseas.  Besides, I like my job.
As an IC I make the choice whether or not....(sm)
to accept 5, 6, or 7 cpl.  I personally will not work for that, but there are many MTs who must in order to pay their bills.  I started off five years ago making more than I am now due the changes with India and such.  When I am looking for a job, I have to weed through the low offers, but still I have never received an offer or negotiated a rate higher than 8 point something to start off in the last three years.  The higher pay is just not there (at least for me with my five years of experience).
Which choice to make??
I need anyone's advice on my situation! I was a MT for 10 years and then I left my IC job to take a job at a children's hospital as a unit secretary. I left my IC job because the practice I was typing for were switching over to EMR and after reading about EMR I figured that my job would be eliminated. To play it safe I got a different job that had actual job security!! The problem is I have three kids whom I see for 45 minutes a day in the morning before I drop them off at school. I work the 3-11 shift at the hospital so I am not home when they come home. My husband on the other hand is. The practice that I left has not implemented the EMR yet will in the next month or two. I have been contacted by them to see if I would like to come back and type. I am very tempted by this because that would mean I would be able to see my kids more. On the other hand, I am back to where I was with no job security. I've been told by the manager of the transcription department that the EMR will not impact the amount of transcription but I know that the EMR can impact transcription if the docs use the templates that will allow them to type in their own reports. But this is a big practice with docs who dictate very long reports so I can't imagine them typing in their own reports or even using VR because they tried that in the past as well and that was not very successful. Any advice on what to do? Should I go back home where I will be happy with the kids again but unsure if my job will be secure or should I stay where I am at and maybe try to get a different shift? I love to type but I also love knowing that my job is secure! I would love any advice you all might have. Thanks for listening!
Tools, Set Background Color, then make your choice.
.                                                                                                                          
Their skin is not a choice. To commit sodomy with a man is a choice.
I don't care if they are attracted to men or dogs or goats. I care that they act upon it.
The consumer age is here.

I have watched bank tellers, cashiers, gas-pump attendants, farmers, pharmacists, butchers, telephone operators....you name it, lose their jobs due to technology and the need for mass production.


Everyone wants it now and they want it cheap, whether it's medical transcription or food.


Yes, it's depressing but I'm just as guilty as the next guy.  I shop at Walmart and that has put a lot of little specialty stores out of business, but what can ya do? 


It's just a sign of the times I'm afraid.


consumer credit
i don't know about them, but CAmbridge is a good one. They pay the creditors on time and are always in follow up with you. They do, however, charge a fee but it's not too great of one.
Consumer Credit

I talked with them and there was a HIGH fee for them handling my payments.   Too high for me.  I talked to the credit cards directly and worked with them.  I think my payment to CC would have been about $70 a month.  Also through them, the interest rate was lower, but the payment was higher as they do a percentage of the balance.  But now that the credit cards are doing higher minimums, more people are going to be in this situation.   I did go throught Trinity Credit Counseling and my fee to them was only $25.  So you need to check around.


Just my two cents worth.


 


 


RE: Consumer Credit Corp.
Are they the same as Consumer Credit Counseling Services? You might want to check with this service in your city. I used CCCS many years ago, and they were very helpful. They were very strict with budgeting, but they explained everything before I agreed to their requirements. I also attended classes when I could. They also have a toll-free number: 1-866-331-2227. Hope this helps.
We are the largest consumer of goods. nm.
With all of the outsourcing, a lot of products are being made outside of the U.S. All countries are helping in the problems with our environment.
I'll never buy another car without using Consumer's Guide!

Dept of Consumer Advocacy........nm

What magazine did this come out of?
Cults 'R Us?
the magazine
I've always found them to be a very good source of information.  They are fair and unbiased.  I have no reason NOT to believe their statistics, do you?
Big rip off for a magazine!!!!
If you want to support a dying organizations final gasps for survival, buy it. Otherwise, save your hard earned money! I was a member for the first 3 yrs of MTing (where they magazine was included with membership) and then dropped them. They are still aggressively sending me info stating I can renew my membership or even buy their magazine without being a member. How generous of them! LOL!!
magazine
I agree about Advance Magazine. I know it's important to flag some errors, but agree that is out of my expertise.  
Consumer Credit Corp. ? Anyone have any info? (sm)

I seem to have some high balances on a couple of credit cards and am curious as to whether their claim for negotiating a lower interest rate is valid.  It would certainly help me pay these off quickly. 


They claim they negotiate these lower rates, set you a payment schedule, disperse the money as agreed upon to the creditors and there is no charge to you.  I am sorry, but I am a bit dubious.  Their web site shows BBB logo on the bottom, that does make me feel a little better about it.


Any input appreciated.  Am NOT looking for a free ride, just checking out my options so please no flaming.


 


Avast also recommended by Consumer Reports.
x
Rising costs always causes the consumer to look for another solution
in the MT field, this includes offshore, EMR and SR, and people taking pay cuts. Once everyone around your wonderful doctors are getting the work done reasonably well for much less, they will take a second look too.
medical magazine ads sm
I did this once in a small town, New England. Only one reply all year and it was from a doc who later got arrested for child molestation. True story! For me it was a waste of time and thank goodness, I did not take his dictation because he had really old equipment and I had no transcriber for it. Perhaps you'll get a more positive response, but this was truly my experience and it was costly to do this.
magazine article
I'm sorry, but I have a very difficult time believing this. I believe that there was an article written, but the content is ridiculous. If we went to medical school, I'd want the same pay as a physician, wouldn't you all ? For us "old-timers" in medical transcription and having been a CMT for 15 years, we were never, ever told that and I'm certain that as strict as AAMT used to be, we would never be certified to transcribe.
Consumer Reports June 2005 covers this.....sm
type of information if you'll go to your local library they usually have a copy available there.   Happy researching! 
Forgot to add my accounts say "Closed at request of consumer."
x
I blew a big wad on my last one - Hoover WindTunnel - because Consumer Reports (sm)

gave it great marks about three years ago.  The self-propelling feature was nice, but it kept breaking down so now I'm back to my K-Mart Bissell.  So much for Consumer Reports.


 


 


 


 


Contact your state Consumer Affairs. They will guide you.
nm
No but I think Consumer Reports and other industry specific testing
Honda recently made the announcement they're going to pull production on the Accord hybrid due to lack of demand.  You'd probably be better off getting a vehicle that uses ethanol, which many of the new ones do already, if you have stations that have ethanol pumps.  Ethanol is selling for cheaper than gasoline apparently.
From experience as an insurance biller and a consumer with 2 policies.
I think it is always beneficial to have two insurances. I think if it doesnt cost you anymore to have it for him...then do it. Most insurance companies have what they call a "coordination of benefits" and the second insurance usually does pick up what the first doesnt. Say for instance though, with your primary insurance has a $25 copay so they pay for everything but that. That is in turn will go onto your secondary and typically the secondary will pick that up, depending upon their "COB" (coordination of benefits) policy. It may not benefit you a lot if the second has a high deductible until something major, god forbid that.. but I had that happen with my child. One hospital visit and your deductible is met on both as well as your stop loss so basically your covered 100%. Again, it really depends on your insurance and how they do their COB so you may still have a small amount of a copay or percentage but if it costs you no more to haveh him on it, then do it. Trust me, you will be glad you glad, especially in cases of large medical bills. Anymore questions, let me know.
Consumer Reports did not give the best rating to Dyson....
which surprised me.  The top were Sears, which also surprised me.  I just recently got the Sears bagless with HEPA filter for about $300 and I am EXTREMELY pleased with it.  I could check on the model # if interested.
did anyone see the article in Advance magazine

about how wonderful it is to train Indians to do our job.  OH YAAAYYY, LET'S HERE IT FOR SPHERIS AND HEALTHSCRIBE   Let's give a big whoopie and cheer them on while they continue to post for transcriptionists on this board and yet outsource and TRAIN Indians to do our job.  I guess I'm angry about the article on other levels, such as the fact that it seems that Advance magazine is constantly promoting offshore transcription.  This is not the first time they have printed articles like this. 


 


Our hospital used Spheris and Cbay and we spent hours up hours redoing the reports, yet these companies got paid in full.  Where is the logic in that?  Thank God, administration wised up and brought the work back in.  Now we can go back to doing what we've always done ... OUR OWN TRANSCRIPTION ACCURATELY!


 


I sent Advance magazine an email
I think if enough people did, then maybe they will stop glamourizing the overseas work. This is the third article in a year's time that they have done. A few months back Advance actually interviewed an Indian owner, picture and all, about his company!!!


She's now "published in PC Magazine." Who needs friends?
x
Walmart is trying to save the consumer MONEY. It's not all about corporate greed.
Rubbermaid products are advertised. So the costs of doing business with Rubbermaid factor in advertising costs. Now I don't care what brand name of plastic container I buy if the quality is equal. So I buy Rubbermaid's competitor (I forget the name) cheaper because they don't advertise. I also think there are a lot of big executives at Rubbermaid who take a bigger profit each year which once again factors in the price of Rubbermaid.

With the economy as it is, gas prices soaring, interest rates up, taxes up, our pay going down (MQMT), I don't care to subsidize Rubbermaid's advertising budget or their CEOs salary. And I go to Walmart and buy the plastic container that is cheaper because they don't advertise.
The magazine is free. no subscription fee. Advertisers pay
x
No magazine. It's from me. You're first on the prayer list though!
:)
I guess you know more than PC Magazine, CNET, and Newsweek :) sm
You and your unspeakable qualifications are the reasons you're a technical pro with more knowledge than the folks that write the articles and why're you're hanging out on an MT bulletin board! Yes!

Firefox absolutely is relevant. Your choice of browser does increase or decrease the likelihood of your acquiring a virus. I've never heard anyone say that because they use Firefox they're protected from all viruses. But you're the pro with more knowledge than anyone else, including those in the industry who write the articles, so let the rest of us tread lightly around you and your ego.
Has anyone ever advertised their business in a medical magazine?.. sm

I am a small MTSO (just me) and have been trying to drum up business with postcards and letters.  It has been about 6 months and nothing!  I found a medical magazine for my State and was thinking about placing a classified ad.  Wondered if any of you have tried this, and if so, were successful.  Thanks!


Check consumer reports ratings on the size SUV you want. I went with Subaru Forester..but sm
Its just me..no kids to haul around.  The Ford Escape is in your range..but check the repair record.  They were brand new the year I was looking..take into consideration tires..Escape uses truck tires which are more expensive than car tires.  Have fun shopping!!
Try off of the Advance Magazine web site, pasted inside. nm
http://health-information.advanceweb.com/main.aspx
Check out Nov. issue of Plexus Magazine from AAMT
and from whence they came.
HPI publishes a good magazine called Perspectives.
x
Isnt there a transcription paper/magazine that comes out monthly??
I remember years ago when I was working at a transcription agency that there was a monthly subscription of a magazine/newspaper-type that came out monthly that I read.  It was always sitting around.  I cant remember the name of it.  Can anyone tell me the name of this??  And do they still publish it monthly?  Thanks!
Advance magazine? Anyone notice the letter to the editor?
It's on page 5 entitled Does Walmart or Home Depot pay better?......Gee, I wonder what company this person is talking about?  Okay, which one of you sent this in? hahaha!

 

Well, while everything the writer of this letter says is true about the company, I think we all know most of us make a bit more than 8 to 10 bux an hour.  For myself, it's about twice that.  If I really were only making that for what I'm doing, I WOULD head over the the Walmart or Target.  I would NOT do this for 10 bux an hour NO WAY in HE double toothpicks!

Idea in letter to Editor in Advance magazine (sm)
Just last night I read a letter in the Advance for Health Information Professionals from a former MR who is now a cancer registrar and loves it. I had looked into that myself a few years ago, although I chose to stay with MT. At the time there were on-line courses through community colleges.

What about coding? I have a friend who works now for a local hospital at home doing ambulatory coding.

Just some thoughts.

BTW, the letter to Advance can probably be found on-line at advanceweb.com/him. It's the Nov 5 issue.
There was an excellent letter to the editor in Advance Magazine last month sm

that spelled how why, but here are some of my reasons:


1. In all their years in existence, the AAMT has yet to make life easier for the AMERICAN MT.  In fact, the state of MT in this country is worse than I have seen it in a very long time. 


2.  The AAMT chose to align themselves with MTIA whose board of directors is largely composed of Indians.  They also support offshoring and have adopted the motto "work smarter" which to them means pay hundreds of dollars for a CMT that most companies will not even acknowledge and then hundreds more dollars to join AAMT yearly to get their crappy publications.


3.  They are now certifying offshore MTs.  Yes, nothing like opening the cover of the AMERICAN Association for Medical Transcription and seeing the names of the Indians who have received their CMT. 


4. I get less pay than I did 20 years ago and offshoring is the main reason.  So pardon me if I am a little testy that I just paid so much money to an organization who stabbed me in the back.


5. I certainly think they SHOULD change their name to something else.  How about the I SOLD THE AMERICAN MT DOWN THE RIVER ASSOCIATION FOR MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION.  Bitter?  You bet.  Gosh, they made so many promises and all they did was take our money for a piece of paper rarely recognized by anyone at the same time extending a hand to the reason I am making less money than I did 20 years ago!  


6.  It's a bloated association full of lots of people who "do things."  Everything except stick up for the American MT. 


7. Oh yes, and the BOS is ridiculous.


Wish me luck. I just sent my query letter to my favorite women's magazine! I've been a sm

self-proclamed freelance writer for a while low. I have quite a few topics I am working on, Christian-based, geared towards women.  I had to write a letter stating my credentials (I have a few, believe it or not), future topics, experience, etc.  I feel very positive about my letter. It took all day to write.


I just pray this pans out.  I eventually want to write a book. That's been a life-long dream. I love to write. I've avidly kept a journal for over 25 years, keep an on-line blog, read every day, and writing just comes naturally for me.  Also, I outlined my editing experience, so hopefully that will help!


I will let you know what they say! Keep your fingers crossed....I want to get out of the MT business so bad...It's been a blessing, but I would LOVE to get paid by doing what I love doing.....Sharing my shallow thoughts and life's secrets to other women through the use of story telling and faith-based philosophy!



In the back of Advance Magazine you see all the coding jobs. Can access it online, too.
s
It is so easy to post a letter on a newspaper editorial or magazine. Everybody write one.
If you have a story to tell - get busy.  Go to news shows, magazines, newspapers.  It is so easy.  Talk about the MT business or about the whole offshore process and its cost to the U.S.  Any and everything written only solidifies our total point of view.  GO TO whitehouse.com for sure.  Don't wait for others to carry this for you.  Support Travelin MT's efforts on the company board!!!!
Not much of a choice is it
Not on VR yet. I have not heard one thing about VR, the checks being sent out or the pay letters. Been here 8 years. Everything I have found out about is off this website and that is pretty sad.