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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Nonpayment for Services/BBB will not take report...sm

Posted By: paulap on 2007-06-28
In Reply to:

Hi, I would appreciate any help as I do not want this to happen to someone else.


I worked for a short time for a company who did not pay me.  The BBB says they do not help with collection of this type (which I understand), and she said she could not put a complaint against this company.  I tried to tell her that I just do not want it to happen to anyone else.  Before I started with this small company I did check the BBB for complaints of which there were none.  Now I know why.  You can't report nonpayment of services to the BBB (or at least that is what she told me).   She gave me the number for the US Dept of Wage and Hour or something like that.  The lady will be gone until 07/02.  However, I am not sure that this is the right place to report it anyway since I was not an employee.


This lady jerked me around, had me buy equipment (although as she said I could have worked without it), told me I would make 10 cents a line which 2 days before I quit said no it was only 9 cents, and gave me virtually no instructions.   I daily had to beg for work which would arrive whenever she wanted to send it, and she had excuses for everything, i.e., her assistant had surgery, she was sick, she pulled an all-nighter, the doctors needed time to adjust sending it to a different box, etc.


We did not part on good terms, but I do have an email from her stating that she will pay me as soon as possible. 


Has anyone else had something similar happen to them.  To be quite honest I have pretty much given up on actually receiving the money but I don't want it to happen to others.  It is a very small company.  I could take her to small claims but for $300 I would have to drive 2 hours each way to file the claim, drive 2 hours each way to go to court, plus take at least one day off.  It does not seem like it would be worth it.  The BBB suggested a collection agency which I may try.  I probably would only get half, but I would have the satisfaction of knowing she paid the entire amt. 


Any suggestions would be very much appreicated.


Thank you!




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What to do for nonpayment.

 I did some overflow work for another IC in February and March.  I was paid for the work done in February, but have yet to recieve payment for March.  My emails are going unanswered and I don't have a phone number for her.  I am livid.  I need the money.  I have all emails that had ever gone between us saved on my computer so I have plenty of evidence to show what she agreed to pay and what dates she agreed to pay me.  I'm not sure if I should call a lawyer at this point or not.  That would cost money I don't have.


I'm beginning to wonder if she intends on paying at all.  She cut the time I was with her short by sending me files on a day I specifically told her I would not be working then got angry and told me I am unreliable when I was not there to do them and return them in the 12 hour TAT.  I've never run across this before, but is that a tactic used to justify not paying?  I'm fine with her deciding she no longer wanted/needed me, but I expect payment for the work I have done. 


Anyone have experience with this type of thing and any advice.  Thank you!


nonpayment
Here is what I suggest - make copies of all emails - and send to her via email noting a 15 day period for receipt of money owed or you will be retaining a lawyer and she will be responsible for lawyer fees and court costs. Send the email with a receipt requested - ALSO - copy that and the other emails twice - save one - the other one mail certified return receipt to her, get the receipt when arrives and go to a lawyer that will accept fee on winning and all cost from her. - Sometimes just the scare tactic works - but you must be absolutely sure you are right on with what is owed, one wrong item and it could cost you problems.
Nonpayment
 I had this happen to me too a couple of years ago.  I worked my behind off for this lady, worked through the night typing IMEs.  Ended up being owed over $600 and she said it was mailed, she said she mailed it again.  The sad thing is that I worked another week and a half (and another $200) for this lady before it hit me that she was not going to pay.  I was nice, but firm for another 2 weeks but then called her every day for a week with promises for three days that it would be mailed that day, the 4th day no answer, and the 5th day her husband answered the phone and told me I had the wrong number.  Now it actually took me a minute to realize that I had her programmed into my phone and so NO WAY it could have been the wrong number.  I called back and left a message, sent an email, and sent an IM that if I was not paid in 3 days that I was going to contact the doctor myself and ask for payment or at least an expected date (she tried to give me the doctor has not paid me excuse).  Now fortunately it said nothing in my contract about contacting the doctor directly.  I know this would not be exactly professional, but I felt like I had no choice.  I do not work for free or for the fun of it.  I really enjoy MT, but I do need to get paid so that ...... well you know so I have a dry place to keep my computer and food to feed my children, you know silly stuff like that.  I got a paycheck the next day in full and fortunately her bank had a branch in my town so I took it directly to her bank and cashed it.  I did not want anything more to do with her!  I hope that you are able to get paid.  I do not understand when people do not pay.  You know the sad thing for her is that if she had told me that she had some financial troubles, I would have done my best to work with her, but no she had to lie over and over and then finally made me super angry (insert much stronger word here that takes me a long time to get there, but when I do watch out) when she had her husband answer the phones and then I knew it was no longer time to be nice.  Sad really we are expected to go without sleep, without time to eat healthy, without seeing our families all so that they can get work to the doctors on time and keep their accounts, but then think that we are not too smart as to go without getting paid!?!?! 
Nonpayment
You'd really have to look into filing an action in civil court being an IC.  And you have every right to do so!  Good luck and I'm sorry that this is happening to you. 
Nonpayment - sm
I had success with reporting the MTSO to the state labor board. They took immediate action, and I was eventually paid. I turned their name in to the BBB, but got payment through the state labor board. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Nonpayment
1) Send letter of demand for payment within 10 days return receipt requested; 2) when they fail to pay, file in small claims court. Been there only let it go on too long. Send no more work to them.
Nonpayment
Please email me separately and I will tell you which company it is.  I do not feel it is right to post their name on this board at this time.  Thanks.
?legal recourse for nonpayment
Does anyone know where to start to collect pay owed by a Transcription Company? I was absolutely harrassed into quitting because the CEO didnt want to break my contract I guess. Now I am having difficulty getting my checks and they owe me for 2 pay periods. I do not know where to start other than contacting the labor board and BBB. Being an IC I am not sure the Labor Board is the right place to start.
Ty
You do not need the 1099. You just need to report the income. Report the company/person ...sm
to the IRS for not sending out the 1099. 
I charge the same amount for a "normal" report as for any other report.
You still have to listen to the dictation and change anything that's different.  I had one woman try to pull this on me.  She'd dictate, "Just pull up my normal, but change this, change that, switch that around, move that, add this, delete that, and change the other."  Then she'd only want to pay me what equated to $.03 per line.  She wanted 1:1 on her dictation to transcription ratios.  I told her to take her cheap account down the road because I'm worth more than that.
Oh, a report just came in. A report actually just slid in, can you believe it. Hip Hip Hooray. I

had better get that sucker typed before it gets out of ONE MINUTE TAT.


If you are careful with putting the correct report in the correct report shell and patient, you will
not have any problems. I only take away this option when someone is careless. There can be NO room for error on this. One mistake can be very serious. Many do it well though, so just double check and you will be fine.

Where are the services that pay 11.5?
I have 18 years of experience, and the most I've been offered is 9 cpl and that's jumping through hoops.  11.5 for a company is just not the norm, sorry!
HIM/services will get you any way they can!

Howwouldtheyliketoreadareportjustlikethisandcodeasfastorbill? Maybe we can charge "air time" for all those times the docs leave us hanging while they figure out what they are going to say.


services
Carol, I have never worked for an on-line service but was thinking of switching. I'm tired of getting screwed by the hospital and cheated on line counts. Which services are you speaking of.
Services
Services Provided as Key Activity of the Business

If a worker provides services that are a key aspect of the business, it is more likely that the business will have the right to direct and control his or her activities. For example, if a law firm hires an attorney, it is likely that it will present the attorney’s work as its own and would have the right to control or direct that work. This would indicate an employer-employee relationship.

Does this mean I am not an IC because my company presents my work as its own and they tell me what platform I have to use?
You keep saying they tried other services?
Why did they try other services if they were so happy with you? Maybe they keep coming back, but one day they may not...
What extra services...
I was wondering if any of you MTSOs, or MTs that work for an MTSO, offer any extra services to your clients? For example, do you do their envelopes and labels as well? Or anything else? Keeping in mind that you are not in the same town and that your employees are not in the office or even same state as you, lol. Thanks for any suggestions!

curious
Yes, small services (sm)

used to pay 11 cpl IC, have now sold out to squids who in turn pay 7-8 cpl.


And services left average 8 cpl, if you're really experienced you'll get 10 or 11 and get such bad dictation you'll get a headache you'll never forget. 


ICs can work for services, as well. nm
nm
Funeral services
I agree. I personally did not attend my first funeral until I was in my mid 20s, even when my beloved grandmother died, it was her wish that we "kids" not attent (age 12 at the time). I have never forced my own son to attend as a child either. I now feel obligated to attend services for husband's family, etc but always dread the whole ordeal, even for just a distant relative, etc. Grateful that my parents also will not be having formal services, just simple cremation. You must do what YOU feel is right for your child and your own situation.
armed services
My sone joined the Navy in his junior year of college. He went in as an officer. They finished paying his college and then sent him for Officers training. He is now teaching nucler physics for them for 4 years and go do something else in the Navy after 4 years to do anything he wants.
Did you get a contract for your services?????
If so check your contract.

if not

Are they normals he supplied you?? If not then are they YOUR MACROS???? If they are then I would think they would be your property. Did he pay for your ShortHand or Office programs or even your spellchecker????? Did he furnish your computer?????

If your answer is repeatedly no then perhaps you should tell him NO money No macros.

Just my humble opinion.
And then company has right to not use services
x
Not being paid for IC services

What steps can I take to collect payment for my services as an IC?  Company is ignoring me.  The only thing I can think of is to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.  Hiring a lawyer wouldn't be worth it.  Thanks.


Transcend Services

Thanks so much for the information. 


 


When you market your services with a
business name and a business license, it shows the doctors or hospitals that you are representing yourself as a professional business and are not just a homemaker or housewife trying to make a few extra bucks. They will treat you with more respect and take you more seriously, and in turn will be willing to pay you a fair rate as a respectable businesswoman. Think about any business in your community or town. They all first procure a business name and a business license before they open their doors. You may be working from home, but you can will present yourself in this fashion. I would also suggest obtaining a P.O. Box to use as your business address instead of using your home address. Believe me, this works. I have been running a successful small MT business from home for over 20 years now, and I support my entire family on my earnings.
No, these services have not cleared
it with their legal staff. If they did, they would not be advertising IC status and flexible schedules, then presenting a contract that requires Tuesday through Saturday, set hours, or Sunday thru Thursday, set hours. No, no one has to accept a contract, and I certainly would not under those conditions. I bet there are a lot of MTs though who need jobs, don't know the law, and who are willing to accept a contract under those conditions. However, it is ILLEGAL under IRS guidelines. If the national MTSOs have consulted their attorneys, then pray tell why are they hiring ICs, controlling their schedules? Under those circumstances, they are considered employees under the law, and these large nationals KNOW IT. I'd fire my attorney if I was told it was okay to operate under the screen of IRS detection. No, you do not have to shy away from services and find your own accounts. Get real. I subcontract to MTSOs, albeit smaller ones, as an IC, and do not have my own accounts. Right now, I am under contract to only 1, and I am not breaking any IRS laws in doing so.
MRT Services - anyone familiar with them?
Anyone ever heard of MRT Services? I saw them online. Please provide feedback.
Gmrtranscription Services

Good morning,


Has anyone heard of Gmrtranscription Services or Verilogue?


I am testing for a home position and I am curious about their reputation.


They transcribe physician/client interactions for medical marketing research.


Any advice is appreciated.


Kymee


I didn't say they tried other services after

Yep, I know they've used Medquist, MRC, Medifax (long time ago - don't think it's the same Medifax that I think is in existence now) and some local services I won't name because they'd be identifiable by their names.  How do I know this?  I knew about it before I even went on my own; in fact, that's one of the reasons I did it.  I saw a need for QUALITY transcription, not the crap that was coming back from services, and I knew i coulld provide that.  Also, I have contacts in the HIM world who told me by name the services they used and what poor quality/turnaround time they were getting. 


Transcend services
Has anyone heard of Transcend Services? Is this a good company to work for? I need to find a dependable reliable national co to work for.  Thanks for any advice
Medical Dictation Services Inc

Does anyone here work for this company that is based in Gathersburg, MD?  If so, I would like to talk to you.  I have been away from transcription for a couple years but want to get back into it and am hoping to hear from this company.  Any info would be appreciated.  Thanks!  MSH


and they have offshore services as clients.
t
Southern Transcription Services

Any info on Southern Transcription Services would be helpful.


TIA


Telerecruiting Admin Services
Has anyone worked for Telerecruiting Admin Services, or do you know someone that has. A friend keeps getting email from them, and wants to know if they actually hire or pay people the wages they advertise? TIA.

Heartland Information Services

I have read all about the difficulties with MQ here.  Anyone here have any experience working for Heartland Information Services. 


 


Thanks


Transcend Services does (see inside)...
The company website is at:  http://www.transcendservices.com
Academy of Business Services
Has anyone ever heard of these people - they are advertising for a conference in my area for people interested in learning medical billing.  Does anyone know if they are legit or a scam?  Any info would be appreciated. 
Services are having to lower their prices, too..sm
I get routinely outbid for work by other services who are willing to do 24 hour TAT and fax or print the reports - all for 11 cents per line...So don't be too sure the services are making all the money either!
Creating a proposal for services
I have been asked to submit a proposal for transcription services for a local imaging facility.  The dictation is accessed over the internet and the reports are typed directly into their own system.  I am a bit sketchy on how to submit a proposal like this.  Can anybody provide me with a "sample."  I will be hiring additional subcontractors to help me on this account.  I have only been employed as an outside contractor on one-site facilities and dont really know all the wording that is needed.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. 
Anybody had any experience with tax relief services SM

for back taxes owed, specifically state tax? I owe some back taxes to the state (2005), not much, $1200. Need to come up with it pronto. I saw an ad on TV about tax relief and was wondering if anyone has done this. Thanks.


What bother me is that we all pretty much know this, especially those of us who do QA for services
and know what we are doing. The work is atrociously bad, both from MTs and even from some other QA'ers! So why does it continue to go on? Your guess is as good as mine!
I haven't gotten paid for my services....sm
I was wondering if anyone knew how I should go about getting paid for my services. I provided over $700 worth of services to a social worker and she refuses to pay. I have a signed independent contract with her. I also have all the emails she has sent me promising to pay me. I also have the recent email that she sent that she is not going to pay. I have since sent her 3 letters and emails. She hasn't responded to any of them. I also tried calling all the numbers I had for her and they are all disconnected. She has since quit her job and they don't know where she is. I do know where she works now. I would like to take her to small claims court, as I mentioned it to her in her final notice. I think that is why she disconnected everything. The only address I have for her is a PO Box. Is there anyway I can file a petition at small claims court and have them subpoena her at her job? Please help me. Thanks.
with some digital phone services--sm
the product you mention, Phone Tools by BVRP, is not able to be used as some digital phone services do not support faxing functions, as of yet.

I use MaxEmail internet fax service. They have a free program for using a limited amount of faxes both outgoing and incoming. They have a Lite service, which I use, for about 10.00 per year, for unlimited incoming and outgoing faxes during that time. I have been VERY satisfied with their service. I have used them for three years.
Actually, there are MTs who have started dictation services sm
I think this practice has mainly involved discharge summaries. Anyway, generating a report from existing documents is just a matter of restating facts that have already been signed off on and placed in the permanent record. It's just a matter of repeating the known facts under different headings and giving the report a different title. If one is not forging a signature or making up information, then what part of this is illegal? Sounds perfectly cut and dried to me. You take the known information, reorganize it under different headings, title the report, and hand it to the doctor for his/her signature.
How to file a complaint for services....please sm
I'm not sure if this is the correct board. I was wondering if anyone knows of a site that I can get a sample on a complaint that I would like to file to the administrator of a hospital. My mom has non-Hodgkin lymphoma and during her last 3 visits at the same hospital, they gave her the wrong medication. This is the medication that she has a severe reaction to. She has hallucinations, toxicity, etc. to this medication. She is in a different state and I would like to file a complaint to the administrator to prevent this from happening again, as she is in and out of the hospital. Thanks for the help.
Dictation Services Group

Hello all,


I'm a newbie to the board and in fact was just hired today by DSG. I've read some of the old messages regarding DSG but can't seem to find anything written about them lately. So I'm asking...does anybody out there have any advice/suggestions or revelations regarding DSG?


Also: I've never worked from home transcribing before, but I'm so excited and feel BLESSED and THANKFUL to be able to finally get to do so. I am, however, a little concerned about how difficult it may be to learn the accounts they assign me to. Do any of you have advice or wisdom regarding how long it generally takes to "get used to" your account(s)?


I am aware that the company uses DocQScribe. Are there still problems with the program?


Thank you all SO MUCH in advance for your help!


liz, oklahoma


before I worked at home and for services

and when you physically *see* 3-year-old kids with leukemia or others kinds of cancer, it can very well break your heart but you see  how brave they are....in dealing with their illnesses.  I couldn't take it after about 5-6 years in both radiation oncology and then surgical oncology....


and started working for MT service right after my stint and then from home.  I absolutely love transcribing oncology even though it's sad, it is not as sad as physically seeing the patients in person.....


JMHO.....


 


call in dictation services
If you go to the mtdesk classified section where people are selling used equipment, books, etc...you will see advertisements for digital call in services.  There are companies out there who offer you a 1-800 number and charge you by the minute.  I think they offer you packages in different minute increments and for so many dictators.  You give the docs the 1-800 number, they call in and dictate, and the company uploads the file to your computer.  Pretty cool.
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