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You mentioned smaller companies, but MQ is the largest, so do you think thousands will be let go?

Posted By: maverick on 2008-05-22
In Reply to: Cbay has laid off all of their US MTs and Editors - lost Cbay job to India

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Insurance companies pay out 10s of thousands
that are not guaranteed. They tell you every surgery has no guarantee its going to work and we type that phrase daily. I believe IVF should be covered under every policy as a necessity for maternal and parental well being.
There are literally thousands of companies and hospitals and doctor sm
offices to work for. As a service owner, I would not even speak to someone who has not even started school about a job.

The field is solid, regardless of what you might read on here. There are over 200,000 MTs in the U.S. and many thousand more in offshore.

However, don't believe the matchbook covers. You will not make $60,000 the first year out of school!
I know that MQ and Spheris are the two largest companies. Who are the next ones in the top 10? nm

zzzzzzzzzz


What are top 5 companies size-wise? MQ still largest? nm
,,
There are a lot of smaller companies out there

That have managed to stay in business for a while because they don't get greedy.  They're also the ones who don't really need to advertise because the people they hire usually stay with them for a long time and there isn't a high turnover.  I left Transcend for a company that doesn't normally advertise for employees and has been in business for years.  They don't supply equipment and don't have a huge tech support team, but all that overhead saving is passed onto the MTs instead of the lion's share going in the owner/CEO/shareholder's pockets.  They also see the larger companies investing in VR, but they're just biding the time because they know that sooner or later companies are going to see that VR will go the route of offshore outsourcing.  It's not the major wave of the future as some may think because there will ALWAYS be clients that prefer quality over quantity and are willing to pay for it.  VR just does not offer the quality that a human can and the way editing is geared towards producing as much as you can to make enough to compensate for the wage cut, the mistakes will abound. 


The easiest way to find the companies like this is to post your resume. You don't have to post your name. The companies that pay to see your resume are the only ones that will see it.  Let them contact you instead of going for the companies that advertise consistently and are offering big bucks to get you in the door.  Usually there is a reason for consistent advertising for employees or offering the bucks to hook you in, and it isn't always because of getting new clients. There ARE still companies out there that will pay for quality instead of quantity and will reward loyalty and experience.  Some companies actually DO "get it" and realize that keeping the MTs happy keeps the business running smoothly.  The company still makes a profit and has less problems. The problems arise when the companies get bigger, want more, and offer less.


Some smaller companies might. (sm)
Check locally.
Smaller companies
have a tendancy to have this problem because some of them tie payment to contractors to payment by their client. This is OK IF it's discussed up front and agreed to by all parties.

Frankly, any company that can't cover $200 payment has no business hiring people of any status (employee/IC).

These companies don't seem to realize, or care? just how critical it is to be paid on time, consistently.


I think the 2 largest companies that do not offshore are Webmedx and Keystrokes. sm
Webmedx is in the $25m range with 750 employees and Keystrokes in the $20m range with 600 employees.

I am not sure about SoftScript or Transtech but I do not think they are bigger than those two.

I know that both have goals to be in the same size range as Spheris. I worked for Spheris in management for a while before coming to my senses and both companies were discussed frequently.

I just hope that MQ or Accusis does not buy either of them. The rumor is that neither will even think of selling but $$$ talks and MQ still seems to have plenty even after losing the lawsuits AND after having a negative income for several years. Not sure how or why, but their pockets are deep, as are those at Accusis.

Thoughts?
How do you know which companies are Nationals and which are smaller companies.
Is there a list somewhere? I'm new to this.
You may have to search smaller companies
and look for a few IC jobs.  Smaller companies have doctor office transcription and also will assign 2-3 docs.  It seems to me that the larger nationals are the ones requiring you do acute care first and foremost, but these are the companies with the larger hospital accounts.  Keep checking the job seeker's board for smaller companies. 
The larger companies are squeezing out the smaller ones, so they
probably do have 3 new hospitals starting. I have been letting my accounts fade out naturally, not renewing them when contracts come due, not replacing people that quit, etc. I am down to 3 of us, and will be looking to work for a national soon. No more headaches, no more worries about keeping hospitals happy, no more worrying about the financial well-being of my employees. I am done kaput. Finished as an MTSO.

Who do you think will still be around? I am looking at Medware, Execuscribe, Keystrokes, SilentType, Cymed and MDI-MD. Any others? Do you think these will be around and survive? I lost two accounts to Keystrokes and one to Silent Type. Neither was cheaper but the hospitals all felt they were bigger so better. What's up with that?
The smaller companies just can't afford the health
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send resumes to the smaller companies, try your state first, and then branch out. sm
they are out there. If you can put your money where your mouth is and prove your skills, these small to mid size companies will grab you. I work for a mid-sized MTSO in my state. They absolutely do not outsource overseas, do not mess with VR, and I make .10 at minimum, more depending on the specialty I get. I bounce around between 5 specialties, but have become familiar enough with each specialty to make a good line count. Sorry, I'd rather not share who I work for. The company does not even advertise. You will find many of these companies do not advertise because very seldom are they in need of MTs, as most of their MTs stay with them for years.
As in largest - largest number of MT's -- what is the order of the

Is the Q still the largest ? Is Spheris next ? 


Does anyone have a feel on this subject of late?


The companies you mentioned
Company 1: Good company if you like ESLs. They have lots of accounts in areas that teem with ESLs. For them, I would choose QA.

Company 2: This company has had more conflicts than Carter's liver pills, and the turnover is outrageous. The problem is that they are always out of work. They overhire, then nobody has any work. Lots of big wheels. Public company and making millions but the MLS's as they call them don't get the money. They promote from within. They are going to speech recognition and cutting pay in half. Forget them totally.

Company 3 outsources like crazy and hires people who don't know what they are doing. Just started decent benefits. Moving to speech recognition. They do not stay in "touch" with the real workers who keep them afloat. If you are not an insider you will go nowhere with them. Forget them.

Company 4: I would shoot for a QA or editing job since you have the experience. There is some pettiness but you don't have to be that way and the managers don't expect you to be. Good benefits and stable company.

Which companies? I've applied to the one OP mentioned
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Read down the board. Mentioned just 2 posts below yours and mentioned
multiple times this week. 
Thousands?
I seriously doubt MQ employees number in the thousands anymore. I left months ago, and they have called a number of times to come back. I feel sorry for the people who are hanging in there until the big crash, because I would be willing to bet its coming!
I think we're still in the thousands....
but only because they count ILPs and are hiring lots of newbies. So much for their rule of having years experience...I think when I started it was 3 years, now it says 1 but they hire right out of those worthless training programs.
One doctor? They deal with thousands. They have more than one account. Jeesh again. nm
nm
Who are the largest? Top Ten? nm
nm
Q is largest with Spheris second.
Q has over 7000 MTs/MEs/QA. Spheris has around 3800 to 4000.


Largest Nationals?
What would you say the top 5 largest national companies are?  Thanks!!
Administrator...I have text set for largest, but

...have to keep the settings in control panel as is for my job.  The text is awfully small.  Would there be any other way to enlarge it, or do I have to make-do?  


I love the site and the changes, too, just find it rather small.  Unfortunately, on my end, I can not change any other settings, and the +/- does not work for me, either. 


Yes - it's the 2nd largest national, begins with S. :) NM
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I seriously doubt they are the 3rd largest. Maybe on another planet?

We know pretty much who the largest companies are. I think the best benefits I have seen have been with TransHealth.  They are reasonable and they have really good healthcare insurance as well as dental and vision.  Most companies just do not care about the benefits for their people. 


3rd largest DOMESTIC employer
Besides MedQ and Spheris, who else has 750 domestic MTs?  And to answer your question before you ask; yes, CyMed really does have that many.  I work in the corporate office and they've been stuffing envelopes for employee Christmas cards and gifts all week.  (Finally getting them out the door on Monday.)
The largest number of complaints (sm)
about companies that I see on this board are for two reasons: 1) Companies that routinely overhire and make everyone fight for adequate work but still insist on line/hour quotas being met; and 2) Companies that don't communicate well -- recruiters that are more focused on selling their particular service than listening to make certain there will be a good fit between service and MTs and supervisors who are quick to send emails to criticize an MT but are frustratingly unavailable when the work volume is low or when MTs have problems that need addressed.
SPi acquires Cymed - becomes 3rd largest Co.
The talk doing the rounds is almost official. At least one senior executive had confirmed the deal. Further details awaited.
I read that Transcend was the third largest
How could Keystrokes be that big? From what I heard Keystrokes is still midsize. I would say there are plenty larger than them. Also Transcend has several divisions, which I do not believe is similar to Keystrokes at all.
Sorry, but not according to one of the largest financial insitutions in this country.
They totally disagree with what you say. I have talked to them in depth
silly wabbit, take a look at the CEOs of the largest
The MT industry IS male- dominated. The ICs and small mom-and-pop MTSOs may still be predominately women, but when the higher echelon of the larger companies are in fact males...well, you just don't come off sounding like you have it all together. Additionally, most of those male-dominated large MTSOs have sunk huge amounts of money in offshore facilities/employees. Our government has made it lucrative NOT to do business in the US.

About this work stoppage thing and organization efforts you advocate, you must not be well read in MT circles on the 'net. There have been some serious people making serious efforts to organize the MT industry and time and time, these efforts fail. The biggest reason for this failure are anonymous message boards like these (no offense to the board owner/administrators) because people don't want to put their name behind what they say, don't want stand up for what they say. There are too many people who simply want to keep their jobs. I DO believe that if the US MTs collectively stopped working for a week, services WILL find alternatives and there will be loss of jobs. Remember the air traffic controllers? Best example I can offer.

I could go on but I got weary from reading your post as I have seen it time and time again, and unless you personally are willing to stand up and organize it, why are you stirring the pot?

Milton's Red Stapler
Wow, Will that then make Spheris the largest company?
nm
My husband works for one of the largest corporations in the U.S. (not MT). sm
They are paid on the 1st and 15th and his will not post until Monday. They were told that it depends on the clearing house in their region, that their bank sends it any day, even if a Sunday, but if that middleman, so to speak, is closed, it will not go until the next day. Same with holidays.
India has one of the largest growing economies in
xxx
Sorry, but I used to work at one of the largest financial institutions in this country.
Thank you very much. Unless you have proof in your hand that the deposit was supposed to go in on a certain date, DO NOT go writing checks and spending money without that proof because stuff happens.
Diskriter - Working for the largest hospital system in FL.
The benefits look fabulous! Strict schedule? Good PTO?

Thx!
HELP!! Looking for a smaller MT compay!

I am looking to work for a smaller MT company.  The kind of company where you transcribe the same dr. every day!  That sounds so great to me!!  Anybody know of any???? If you do work or have worked for a company like this, please tell me likes/dislikes.


Thank you so much!


I wonder if you could try a smaller MTSO? sm
Maybe a smaller company would like the option if you are interested especially in case of emergency and p.r.n. for summer vacations, etc.  I think you definitely have something here with what you're asking.  I'm just not so convinced a national would be receptive, but who knows?
yes there are; keep looking, try smaller company.
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How about going for the smaller ones that don't test at all but pay well :) sm
They are there. You just have to look!
There are many. Try smaller MTSOs. (nm)


What about starting a little smaller, like the op-ed
The larger a paper you can get your piece accepted by, the better the chance that one of the TV shows might pick it up. Remember, it's not just about MT... our problem is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to America selling itself and it's workers to the lowest bidder. Telling the nation about MTSO lies, scams, bait-and-switch hiring tactics, and sweatshop working conditions would be a very good way for the media to illustrate the SYMPTOMS of a much larger and more pervasive problem.
Allscripts - Just found out that one of the divisions for one of my largest accounts has started
to use Allscripts instead of dictating with my service. I believe it's just a matter of time before the rest of the divisions follow suit....this can't be good!
10.75 cpl National; 11 cpl smaller MTSO. 25 yrs exp. nm
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I have a question.. are smaller transcription

I've just been wondering this because I made the switch last fall from a national to a smaller place, kept a 99-100% accuracy with a national, but never feel good enough for the small one.


Thanks,


Kel


 


What does one consider a smaller company, 100 MTs, 150 or a lot less? Just curious so I know where
to look.
Smaller company? Not me! Heartland was a
shocker to me!! No thanks! Smaller to me means easier to put on idle status - or lay off!
I don't agree -- some of the smaller great sm

companies find you from your resume.  I recently had an offer and accepted a postion with a very small MTSO who saw my resume.  If she posted an ad, she'd probably be inundated with tons of resumes, if you can believe what everyone says here on the boards about the amount of responses.  Instead, she looks at the qualifications and contacts those who meet her requirements.   I suppose if you are currently in a position and afraid to have your employer know you are looking, it could be a sticky situation, but ...... use a different email addy and/or a different ID of some type until you find out.  


Bottom line ..... I never say never :-)   I feel very fortunate to have fallen into the situation I am in -- a great small MTSO with great accounts,  who cares about helping you achieve whatever you want to achieve. 


 


Is Keystrokes smaller than TransTech?
Do they have more MT's than Transtech out of Houston?
And with so many smaller MTSOs selling out
to larger MTSOs with no warning, it certainly justifies our being suspicious and expecting the worse possible outcome.

I don't know about D...her silence during this entire month-long famine has made me second-guess my opinion of many of those at MDI-MD whom I previously thought very highly of. While selling MDI-MD wouldn't make her dishonest per se, at this point it feels like she is selling out her dedicated MTs.

I was completely exasperated with her email this morning which made no mention of any of our concerns and instead acted like it was regular Happy MDI Wednesday.

The lack of acknowledgement that there is a problem on more than one account just flabbergasts me.