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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

First poll on what constitutes fair MT wages

Posted By: MT4MTs on 2009-01-09
In Reply to:

The numbers are in from the weekend USMLSU poll regarding fair compensation for full-time US MT employees:


BY THE LINE:  All work types



  • $0.11 per line base starting pay for MTs with 10+ years experience and scores of 95% or higher on pre-employment testing.
  • $0.095 per line base starting pay for MTs with 5-8 years experience, and scores of 95% or higher on pre-employment transcription testing.
  • $0.085 per line base starting pay for MTs with 3-5 years experience and scores of 95% or higher on pre-employment testing.

BY THE REPORT - Radiology and Pathology



  • $1.10 per report for plain film radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound
  • $1.25 per report for interventional radiology
  • $1.25 per pathology report

HOURLY PAY FOR MANDATORY BABYSITTING NO OR LOW PRODUCTION ACCOUNTS


Hourly pay would benefit those of us who spend countless mandatory scheduled 8-hour shifts babysitting overstaffed, underproducing accounts with little to no transcription work to be done.  As it stands now, in order to sit in front of our PCs for 8 hours doing little to no work (because there is none), in order to be paid for this mandatory idle time we must work weekends or night shifts to make up pay and quota for benefits, or request to use precious PTO time in order to be paid to sit idely for 8 hours to fulfill an unreasonable request promised to the client by the company:



  • $18.00 per hour base MT pay to monitor an account with little to no work - 10+ yrs experience and 95% or greater on MT pre-hiring test.
  • $15.00 per hour base MT pay to monitor an account with little to no work -  5-9 years of experience and 95% or greater on MT pre-hireing test
  • $12.00 per hour base MT pay to monitor an account with little to no work -  3-5 years of experience and 95% or greater on MT pre-hiring test

Please email your comments/suggestions/opinions.




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What exactly constitutes a "special" report at Keystrokes?
CT/MRI's? Angiograms? Its kind of an ambiguous term...
PLUS, a plumber sets his own hours and wages! As far as MT wages,
x
posting for the poll
SS and also proud of it!~
Poll: school vs. OJT, etc.

I was just curious....


How long have you been an MT?


Did you attend an MT school, or did you receive on-the-job training?


That's all for now.


Poll/question
If you were offered a job working for a company run by someone in another country such as India at .27/line would you take it ?
can we poll Heartlanders? Who has a job yet and who has a job that is better than the old one?
x
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Who thinks they work for the best MTSO?  Of all the companies, lets see who gets the most votes.  I vote for Transcend.
That's why it's a poll :) . Trying to find out about
nm
Let's take a poll-which platform are

you using at WMX?  Enterprise or Chartmatrix?  I think that's where the problem is.  I am thinking one side has no work and the other does.


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After reading posts below here's the situation: IC at company presently for a while which has lots of work. Decided to take E-Trans plus for security of employee position. Husband provides benefits. After reading warnings below:


1.  Take and try out anyway, despite the negative feedback.


2.  Keep IC job and do as much as possible, as it has not been a problem there and no need to stir the pot.


Just confused and seeking feedback since new information has popped up on the board. I am like the newhire below and do not want to waste time if job no good! Thanks in advance for your advice.


ELECTION POLL
They are conducting a poll on the politics board.  Please vote on it.
Poll question
As some of you may recall, I recently retired from MT.   I was wondering if the companies y'all work for would be more likely to hire newbies if they had an experienced mentor working with them?  I'm not trying to sell the service of mentoring but by way of explanation, I met a gal via the internet who is just finishing a course.  I think she would make an excellent MT and I would like to help her. As we all know, a graduate of many of the schools don't have a snowball's chance of getting hired.  I would appreciate your thoughts.
Taking a poll about VR

Do you use the mouse or the keyboard to maneuver through your VR documents?  Which one do you think is faster?


MDI Poll: How many MTs have resigned since the

nm


Poll -- or pole dancing
Sorry had to give you a bad time.   All you are paying extra as an IC is 7.5% of the social security and you should be able to write off part of that.  You need to look at both, see if the IC offers something to make up the 7.5% you will be paying.  You also have to know that you have the capability of putting aside your own taxes and paying them if you do not have a husband that can overwithold them for you.  But again if it boils down to the scare of the taxes -- you only pay 7.5% more as an IC for the social security.  As an employee they withhold the taxes for you -- you still pay them. 
POLL: Best Company You Ever Worked For!!
Nm
Is the OSi I saw down further under the poll for the worst companies
the one in Atlanta? I just accepted a position with them and when I researched the archives, I saw good reports only about a month or so ago. Tell me this isn't the same one I am going to start working for!
Transcription platforms: A poll

What company do you work for?


Is your transcription platform easy to learn and easy to use?  Do you have to go to multiple, multiple screens to enter data? 


How much downtime do you experience a day?  How many times a day do you have to work with tech support to straighten out problems?  How many times a day do you have to either reboot or fix problems that occur that you have learned how to do yourself? 


How many lines an hour or a day do you average?


 


Poll: Is your MTSO low on work (please name it).
nm
POLL: Which companies are currently using Voice Recognition


I am currently looking to change companies, and from the posts I have seen, VR does not seem to be too popular, with a huge cut in cpl, so I want to put those companies at the bottom of my list. 


 


Could everyone please list their COMPANY NAME and if they are


 


  Currently using VR


 Planning to switch to VR soon


 


Any comments about cpl, how long it took to get back up to previous pay, and if you like VR would also be greatly appreciated. 


 


Thanks for your time.  


 


 


 


 


POLL:Worst company you ever worked for and why?

nm


Poll: What % of base rate does your company pay for ME?
MQ - 70% of base rate for ME.
Poll: How long does it take your MTSO to cancel
nm
preference poll ~ DocQscribe or Extext
nm
This was a limited poll. Post your comments on

the Initiative web site, which I cannot post here because they keep deleting it, so ask around.


The more voices that are heard, the more input received, the more realistic the figures will be.


The person that posted that there are union MTs making $28 hourly with full benefits must have typed that during cocktail hour.  It's not happening any where, especially not for at-home MTs who are paid by production and paid nothing when there is no work.


Poll on ChartScript- Would you mind telling your likes and dislikes? nm
nm
QA wages

Anyone out there have any idea of how much a QA person should make per hour working at home?


Low Wages
When I got my VERY FIRST job transcribing, it was for a national service, and the pay was 7 cpl. It's been nearly 10 years since then - The pay for MTs has not gone up at all, and even worse, it seems to be DROPPING!!
wages
Yes, I totally agree. We need to unionize.
My wages are more than that
and like I said, you must be slow not to be able to make at least $20 an hour and yes, I can add.
about my wages. My wages and sm
my job are just fine. Yes we are allowed to have freedom of speech so I have mine too.
Wages

Since this board has become a they pay what? board, let's talk about pay.   In 1992, I was working as a receptionist and got paid $10.00 an hour.  Today, I looked in my local paper and saw ads for receptionists for $8-10 an hour.  Hasn't gone up much in 17 years!  I worked as an administrative assistant for $14.00 an hour in 1994.  Today, they are paying anywhere from $12-15 an hour.  I worked in-house for a hospital in 1999 doing medical transcription and got paid $15 an hour, plus a bonus for going over my daily lines.   Today, our in-house hospital is paying $13-15 an hour.  The local Sears store is starting their sales reps at $7.50 an hour TODAY.     My first work at home MT job was almost 10 years ago and I started out at 8 cents a line for straight typing.   Pretty much standard today.  


 


I really don't understand the constant complaining about wages on this site.  VR is terrible, I agree with that, BUT it isn't terrible for an experienced MT.  What it has caused is a way for NEW MTs to compete with the experienced ones.  If you work on eScription or a similar platform, the program really can learn the doc, therefore allowing a new MT to learn while on the job.   So, us experienced MTs are working right along side someone just out of school for the same pay.  Oh well!!!   I make $120 a day on VR in 8 hours 0.04 cpl (around $16 an hour), I have hit $160 if I work a couple more hours.  So I am still making the same as if I worked in-house and I get the benefit of working from home. 


 


Please stop the complaining already.   This job is not that hard.   When I first became an MT, the job was hard.   Well, 10 years later it is a piece of cake and I would rather make my $16 an hour any day then go work at Sears for around 7 bucks an hour. 


 


Am I the only one getting tired of the constant complaining about pay and jobs going to India?  Gag! 


MT wages
What is the point of your post...to irritate already upset MTs? I think people are angry that their wages have decreased so much. I would be okay if mine stayed the same, but I am currently making 1/3 of what I did 10 years ago and working twice as hard.

You compare our job to a Sears employee making 7.50? Well I would like to see that employee type medical records.
Average QA wages
Here are some known QA wages, starting out.

OSi - around $13.50
Transcend - around $13.50 - $14.00
Spheris - Mostly start at $12 - $13
MQ - $12
Sten-Tel - $12

In my opinion, a good QA should get 16-19, true, but that is just not the industry standard. It is lower than that.
That way they can bring our wages down
even further. I think some company suits must get on here and use this as their forum as an excuse as to why they rip us off. Come on people, this is what they think of us? Yeh I would say getting our own accounts or better yet just stop working for the asses that rip off. I say lets list every company on this board that cheats MTs and everyone stop working for them. Thats the only way things might change is to unite in our efforts.
Ugh --- SLAVE wages. - (nm)
nm
slave wages
These companies really want a return to slavery for the worker. The sad thing is that if you need any income, you'll take it and there is desperation out there, which they are counting on.javascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
Slave wages??? Not here,
Why are you earning slave wages? Maybe you should take a look at YOURSELF and what is holding YOU back! Probably easier to blame the big bad corrupt MTSO for your problems. I am not earning slave wages. I consider the $20 I make per hour to be decent. For 18 months of schooling, it's not that bad. My husband is a company executive and just took a 15% cut in pay. Hey, maybe he should organize a union for beaten down and repressed executives. Now there's an idea!
So did I! 80's wages were great! nm
x
I bet you complain about your wages
And it all can be traced to company waste, not to mention the economy. No time to be wasting money. As I said, this is MY opinion. We are allowed in this country to have freedom of speech and opinions, aren't we?
walmart, wages, etc
No I do not work at WalMart, never have, don't intend to.  I was told the wages recently by a greeter who works there, and she also said she gets a raise every year.  I was surprised to hear it.  I have never once told anyone to get 2 or 3 jobs, because I think that is easier said than done.  I believe people need a life too.  My whole point is simply that I think the MTSOs are largely responsible for the downturn of our wages by underbidding each other and then wanting to hire others to work for inferior wages.   I used to work in a hospital and we did it all, transcription, charting, xeroxing, etc., and we did it well, made decent wages too.   I don't think anyone should have to work 2-3 jobs to make ends meet.  Especially in this job with its knowledge. I think you have misunderstood what I am saying.  I am on your side!  I am sure you are worth a lot more than being offered.
walmart, wages, etc
No I do not work at WalMart, never have, don't intend to.  I was told the wages recently by a greeter who works there, and she also said she gets a raise every year.  I was surprised to hear it.  I have never once told anyone to get 2 or 3 jobs, because I think that is easier said than done.  I believe people need a life too.  My whole point is simply that I think the MTSOs are largely responsible for the downturn of our wages by underbidding each other and then wanting to hire others to work for inferior wages.   I used to work in a hospital and we did it all, transcription, charting, xeroxing, etc., and we did it well, made decent wages too.   I don't think anyone should have to work 2-3 jobs to make ends meet.  Especially in this job with its knowledge. I think you have misunderstood what I am saying.  I am on your side!  I am sure you are worth a lot more than being offered.
What it will get is ever decreasing wages. n/m
x
Taking a cut in wages with new company.

Am considering taking 1 and 1/2 cent a line cut with a new company, unlimited work, no set schedules, employee status with benefits.  They count each line typed (including headers, carbon copies, etc) and spaces.  I am thinking I will come out ahead over DQS program.  I know after being on DQS all this time my line count has NEVER returned to what it was prior, close but not there. 



Anyone taken this big of a cut without a suicide note? 


I think I will try it part time to be sure, but if the LPH are better than DQS I may take the dive and go FT. 


 


No, but they want Exceptional MTs at those pitsy wages, too! nm
s
Fighting low wages: Has anyone ever considered trying to (sm)

organize MTs throughout the country?  It seems like, judging by what I read in MR forums, that part of the problem is that when people first come into the business, they have no idea of what their hard work is worth.  Regardless of the fact that hospitals want to pay the lowest possible price for transcription, the only people who should be settling for less than 10, 12 or more cents/line are ESLs in India, etc.  American workers should be standing up for American wages.  Yes, there are some companies who will say, Fine, I'll contract with India.  Believe me, you wouldn't want those companies as employers, or to work for hospitals or clinics that operate that way.  Heck... I sure wouldn't put my care in the hands of a doc that uses offshore transcription services, that's for sure! 


SO, what I'm saying is, there must be some way to bring MTs from all areas, and of all experience levels together (OUTSIDE of AAMT, which has been in large part responsible for alot of the problem!), and organize for a decent living wage and health benefits.  If all of us were to stop working for 3 days, 1 week max, do you think that work would all suddenly be sent offshore?  I don't think so.  Some might, but then again, it's a good way to week out the undesirable clients & employers. 


I think we our often our own worst enemy when it comes to wages.  If we continue to accept less than what we're worth, then that's all we can expect to earn.


Also, I'm surprised that some entrepreneuring MT company hasn't cashed in on all the newbies and in-school MTs out there who just want experience and a chance.  Imagine if one of the larger, more respected services were to open an MT SCHOOL as well.  They would receive an income from instruction fees.  MTs could gradually cross over from student to trainee.  MTs could earn extra money as teachers.  (And should be paid well for it, too.)  The company training the MTs would have first pick of the best and brightest for work in their own company.  Beyond that, there would be more money to be made when it comes to referrals. 


The healthcare industry needs to be more educated in the fact that transcription is a vital part of their work, and how well their reports are done is a direct reflection of their competency.  If you look at how much money is wasted in these establishments on FLUFF -- excess management, inept management, some community programs, and in some cases excess in building glitz and glamour, one has to wonder why they feel transcription is a less-valuable service than those provided by their janitors, groundskeepers, or food service personnel.


One way to fight the low-wage problem is to continue to lobby for an end to offshoring of personal information, not only in the healthcare industry, but in ALL American industry.  NO personal data: phone numbers, credit card numbers, etc. should EVER leave American soil without the express written consent of the owner of that data.


Another way to fight low wages is to do as much research as possible on prospective employers.  Remember, they are not just interviewing you, you are also interviewing THEM!  Go with the best-paying company you can find.  If you are new to the field, that will be harder, but in your case finding the best learning environment is your best bet, and then work hard at getting proficient enough to be able to LEAVE a low-paying employer ASAP for a better-paying one. 


In terms of being an IC, I know it's difficult to deal with people undercutting you.  But once again, don't forget that when someone turns down high-quality transcription and goes with the lower-quality provider, simply because of a couple-cent-per-line difference in cost, the way to look at that client is Good Riddance!  I used to have my own, non-MT, service-related business.  I had two ways of weeding out the undesireables: 


One was a waiver of liability.  If they squawked about signing it, or started picking it apart like they were big legal experts, then I knew right away they were a future legal liability.  (Of course, that is less of an issue with MT... I don't know of MTs that make clients sign waivers!  It's just a 'fer instance.)  But the best way to weed out the cheapskates and nit-pickers was to charge a slightly HIGHER fee than my competitors.  I offered a higher-quality, more personalized service than my competitors.  So I stood firm on my prices.  And you know what?  There are clients who will actually LOOK for the higher fee, knowing that if you can command and get a higher fee, you are probably a better service provider. 


Also, steer clear of new clients who want a special deal or discount right off the bat.  They will NEVER be satisfied; give them an inch and they'll take a mile.  I believe that discounted rates are EARNED, not given out on demand.  A long-time client who is honest, pays on time, tips, is slightly flexible, etc., who gives you steady, reliable work that is easier to do, should be rewarded with a deal.  But that deal should only be between you and them, and not broadcast to other clients.


Some of my BEST business clients turned out to be people who at first pooh-poohed my fees, and went with the cheaper provider.  Quite a few of them came crawling back on their hands and knees later; sadder but wiser, and more than willing to pay what I charged.  And often they had such a big mess that needed to be straightened out (usually caused by the cheaper provider) that I initially had to charge EXTRA, on top of my normal fees, to straighten it all out!  These people often came to be my biggest TIPPERS, as well! 


 I think we have all been conditioned to believe we are lucky to have a job at all, and we need to start rethinking that.  MT's need to stick together, network, lobby against offshoring and unfair pay, UNIONIZE if at all possible or beneficial, and be far more VOCAL.  The normally quiet nature of most MTs and their behind-the-scenes work usually works against them when it comes to fair labor practices!  Those of us with many years of experience & skill need to TURN DOWN job offers that are insultingly low. 


Anyway, that's my take on the el-cheapo employers & clients, and the low pay they think we'll get down on our knees and thank them for!   


Happy 2007!  


It is hard to just compare wages....sm
Because there are so many other variables involved - like how many characters make up a line? What percentage of the dictators are ESL? Do you get paid for headings and spaces? All of these (and more!) could end up affecting your cpl (cents per line - if you get paid that way). You could end up making more, earning less cpl, if the dictator is really easy to understand and you get paid for spaces, headings, etc. Make sure you check these out!
Who is receiving Third-World wages...
Really?  I certainly am not.  I have never made less than $20 an hour as an MT.  If you are making Third-World wages, it is time for you to find a different job.  There are plenty of good opportunities out there.
So are we supposed to just accept low wages?
Are you saying we just need to accept low wages so MTSOs can make their money? The fact is MTSOs are making more than just a living and they are doing it off the hard work of the MTs while cutting our pay even more. My time is worth more than what some of these MTSOs are paying. If I take another paycut, I am out of MT. I could care less if that means they have to send records overseas. I am not working for peanuts just to save the American MT industry.
Someone indeed WILL work for that, which is why our wages are in the gutter - nm
xx
just more creative manipulation of our wages

It's facinating watching THEM dissect our pay in the most inventive and --don't forget-- cost-effective ways. 


Most unusual is the tiering of wages related to lines produced, and, of course, the *visible black character* and *not paying for spaces* continuing controversy, among the glut of other insidious ways they have their hands in our pockets. 


Bollocks.