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How do you think this new pay plan will affect that rate. Any ideas.

Posted By: MQMT on 2005-07-22
In Reply to: 10cpl plus incentives - HAT

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    My account has an 800# but I have a flat rate plan because of sm
    my college kids and it is only a few dollars more a month than not having it. I set it up as a business line with unlimited long distance when I started with KS at their suggestion. It only costs me $54.99 per month and I have kept it because of the kids. Long distance charges aren't like they used to be. I used to pay $400 a month a few years ago with a different company. This is so much better.

    I honestly dont think MQ would pay everyone a base rate of 9.50 even on the new pay plan because
    they hire a lot of new inexperienced people and a lot of people do clinic versus critical care etc etc. People have been making on 8 and 9 cents a line for years and they have refused raises why would they all of a sudden given people a base rate of 9.50. Find that hard to believe unless they are going to throw everything on ASR and then reduce your income by 2 or 3 cents a line. Hard to say.
    They weren't good for me. Their Mosaic plan dropped my pay down to an unacceptable rate, so I
    s
    No Long Distance Charges...they pay flat rate phone plan or use internet
    ..
    Who is FI and does this affect us? n
    nm
    again, EMR alone does not affect MT work.
    nm
    How does this MT not liking to do VR affect
    your work life in any way to the point you'd tell them to quit their job? If you're an MT enjoying your job and your VR, then why would this MT's opinion on VR bother you? You sound like management doing damage control.
    Cont.above: and your time off should not affect them.
    x
    If it does not affect your paycheck, who cares.....sm
    If you can do as many lines or as much work as you want daily, who cares if you are on QA for 5 years. How they run that part of their business should not matter to you, unless you are limited as to how much work you get; thus affecting your paycheck.

    I would not give a hoot if they kept me on QA for years, as long as I make my daily line requirement I need to survive.

    Just my 2 pennies worth!! :-)


    Many variables affect work load
    Sometimes I have run out of work.  Sometimes my accounts are swamped with OT, while other accounts are caught up.  Some platforms have more work/accounts than others.  Some specialties are overstaffed, some are understaffed.  Its pretty much the same at other companies.  Its just that people speak in absolutes on this board about their experience.  You have to take it all with a grain of salt.  I have come to understand that everyone's situation is so different that maybe we all should put a disclaimer that my situation is this and not make blanket statements using words like always and never, nor argue with one another about who's reality is valid - they all are.
    No, only changes your computer screen color...does not affect what you send...nm
    ;o)
    Some ideas...sm

     


    I hope you decide to look for your own accounts.  If you wait until you know everything there is to know about running a home business, you will never accomplish anything.  Do you think every entrepreneur—Bill Gates, Henry Ford, Martha Stewart--knew everything when they started out? 


     


    I have had my own accounts over the years and with some, I have signed a contract.  With a few doctors in solo practice, we didn’t sign contracts and I had no problems.  I sent out flyers or letters of introduction in the area where I lived. I also called every physician office to follow up.  My first account came from the local hospital MT department.  None of the other MTs had time to do the account, so an acquaintance asked if I was interested.   So contact MT departments to see if any doctors are looking for someone. 


     


    If you send out flyers or letters, have someone you trust who is very good at spelling and grammar proofread them before you send them out.  Remember that your language skills are what the client is buying, so be sure everything is letter perfect. 


     


    Try to find accounts close to home if you have to pick up and deliver.  If you have clients who are far away and you have to drive there a few times a week, charge them a little extra.  Make friends with the office staff so they’ll be willing to help you out when you need them to look up patient names, referring doctor addresses, etc. 


     


    As far as what to charge, it depends on where you live.  Remember that you have to pay taxes on what you make, and the physician will send you a 1099 form at the end of the year.  So charge anywhere from 15 cents to 20 cents per line, depending on where you live. 


     


    I use the Microsoft word count to calculate line count, but you can buy software to do that if you like. 


     


    Be sure to have a few backup people to help you out when you want to take time off or if you’re sick or your kids are sick. 


     


    Make macros so you maximize your time, and always use your word Expander software, or Microsoft autocorrect, to the max while transcribing.  I include an invoice with every batch of work delivered and get paid every week.  I had one doctor in the past who was very demanding but very slow to pay.  I had to go see him and tell him I rely on that income and I need it NOW, and would not take any more work, or return any, until I received payment. I finally quit working for him because he would never pay me on time.


     


    Good luck!


     


    I have several ideas...
    but do not want to do anything until that check is in the bank. I appreciate your suggestion. I will post a message with my name and what happens once the check is deposited. Thanks!
    Or if you have any other ideas

    OR..if you have a company you can recommend, I would also be interested in hearing about it.  I need to start the process somewhere immediatel (have two children at home and one in college, so down time isn't really much of an option for me).


     


    I do have 11 years experience, and if someone can recommend a really decent company, I would be happy to go on as a referral.


    Any ideas???
    nm
    Any Ideas??

    I know it is almost impossible to start a union to protect us against pathetic wages, but if anyone can come up with any ideas on what we can do as MTs, speak up.  I'll fund, start, do anything if the result is fair treatment and fair pay.  The organizations out there are geared for the employers to pat themselves on the back, not for us!  Paying memberships for those as an MT is just pointless.  We need these employers to come to us instead of us sending out a zillion resumes only to be told they pay 1 cpl.  I've been an MT a long time, I believe in it and I like it, but I want to love it again.   According to salary.com, the median salary for an MT is $36,000, well many MTs aren't coming close to that.  We need to do something - Thanks!


    Who comes up with the ideas that
    stuff like that is a good idea or a way to indicate appreciation -- I think they just look for the cheapest way out. The worst by far was the year MQ gave $30,000 to AAMT in our honor!!!!! Seriously, if they had that to give, they should have given it to those who earned it for them.
    Don't worry just find out and then have a plan A and plan B
    I have gone through something like this but not with that company. I too am the insurance provider for my family and there are preexisting conditions, so a private policy is no good.
    First of all, I work elsewhere but had the same situation. I fell short of line count, but not because of me, because they did not have enough work, and I like many others cannot make quota because of the way they count lines. Then, on last paycheck there was a negative on insurance money taken out of check. I thought I lost insurance, but found out at the end of the year, they did an audit and found out that I overpaid all year and so I actually was owed money that check.
    In the meantime, I found another job but have to wait 90 days for insurance. Can't find a policy to bridge the 2 jobs, insurance is on my mind all the time. My heart is with you. Personally I am getting the 90 day meds, working on my second job which will become my real job and if I lose the insurance, Cobra will kick in in case of disaster so that is like major medical.
    Sorry such a long post, but I suggest: Not to panic. You probably did not lose insurance. Call the benefit provider to see you are still covered, not the employer. If you are not still covered, get 90 days of Rx if your plan covers by mail and be billed, immediately get another job which is a better place to work anyway (I found one) and in 90 days you will be okay. Some places like Disriter cover the first of the following month, but I would not necessarily suggest you work somewhere which is not so great just for insurance. You can consider TransTech. That would be my suggestion. Sorry for such a long post. But this hit a nerve and I wanted you to understand some options, as I have gone through it. Good Luck.
    Your suggestions would be welcome, Sue. Any ideas?
    XX
    Any ideas who the culprit might be?
    If you focus real hard, you might at least be able to narrow it down to a dozen or so possible perps.
    Where to go with this, great ideas...
    So what kind of ID could we use that is known by all of us and would not be known by the company? Bottom line, whatever we would say there could possibly be reported back by an MT who is on the fence or feeling loyal to share what is being said. But, the idea would be to create a forum that, for the most part, is out of a public venue where everyone can see and everyone can monitor. More ideas? Anyone up for creating a yahoo list? I have no idea if this can be done anonymously.
    Thanks, Sue. Your ideas make sense.
    XX
    Any ideas appreciated and welcome. Your experience, pls. n/m
    v
    Thanks for the creative ideas. I will do that. My acct. mgr....sm

    already e-mailed me today with a concern over production, as if they're surprised it is so low.  Perfect opportunity to respond with my own concerns. 


    Sounds like my husband's ideas
    He is always the optimist, I am the opposite. I consider him naïve because he seems to believe most told him. I can understand what you are talking about. I have thought just in the past few years (now since I am in my older years) that if worse came to worst, at least I would have my retirement fund (the work doing now is after being outsourced from this place I will now draw funds from) and then social security kicks in for me next year. I want to continue working plus drawing full benefits from social security and the retirement- that is my goal and I hope to make it.
    People's ideas of rudenss vastly different. Who is to
    x
    for MQ STAT employees tier rate applies to ME rate as well and how calcluated?
    for a STAT MQ employee:  Does anyone know if the tier rate is going to be applied to the ME rate as well or are they going to go with the 80% of the MT rate for each tier level?  If the tier rate doesn't apply as well to the ME rate then going by the 80% of the MT rate is less than if the tier rate would be applied.  I'm sure that MQ is going to go by whatever keeps money in their pockets.  Guess this is a question for the supervisor tomorrow.
    Their line rate was less than my current nat'l rate, even with mucho experience. nm
    no msg
    VR rate is 1/2 rate of traditional typing,I believe it is 4 cents line.

    I took that to mean you can get to that rate after 1600 lines and that is not the starting rate.
    :
    Webmedx ASR rate is 70% of your regular line rate. sm
    So if you are on a 9 cpl account, you get 6.3 CPL plus any bonus / incentives / shift differential.
    From the current editing rate not typing rate
    .
    new MQ pay plan
    It's been in QNews, snail mail and on MQ's home page under the QNET as promised by Frank for the last six mths.
    What do you like about this new MQ plan?

    I would just love to know what people like about this new plan because the way I see it they are not paying for your internet service anymore which is essential to getting this job done and they are not offering any kind of weekend incentives which is when they are always begging people to work and also, the part that really is laughable is even if you are part time and say work 15 hours a week and want to work 20 instead one week you have to get that approved.  Now, they are always begging people to work so why do we have to get approval to work extra.  I can understand over 40 hours but if you are part time what is the big deal.  As long as you put your hours in that you are supposed to, why do we have to go through the trouble of calling our supervisors and asking to work an extra hour or so. 


    I don't see much of any kind of incentives in this new plan.  I mean if you type over 1200 - you get a small increase.  Say you type 1500 well you would make an extra $1.50 that day.  What kind of incentive is that?


    I just don't get it.  Maybe I am missing something and people can explain to me what they like about it.  I would LOVE to hear it. 


     


    new plan
    There is nothing to like
    well i DO like the new plan
    It adds up to a lot of $ to have 18 days PTO at production rate vs. 10 days, plus now the 6 holidays at time and one-half. The difficulty premium adds another level of fairness and compensation to the skill tier.

    As far as part-timers having to ask to work an extra hour or two -- where do you read that? i went back and looked and see that your option is to work between 8-39 hr a week -- if it requires permission, i guess i missed it. I can see where it would help in scheduling and TATs though.

    As far as the lack of I/N payment now, that's not a plus, BUT you CAN claim it on your taxes along with your books, etc.

    It may not be an exciting plan for those who have limited skills and just can do the easy stuff, but for me, it works well enough.


    Better than MQ's new plan. sm
    You would need to check with their recruiter for what you would make. They have the MQ-type quarterly bonus and shift bonus for night, which allows one to make good money.
    TRS pay plan help!!!
    I have been working at TRS almost a month now and still cannot undestand the pay scale.  I thought I did,but I am lost.  I am on a difficult account and I am having trouble making line count.  My first pay check is coming up soon, and I need to get another job.  Should I hold out, or run for the hills?  I hate to jump ship, but  I don't want to stay too long if I cannot make any MONEY!!!!!!! thanks
    Pay Plan
    Well I am one of the MTs who does like the pay plan. I've done quite well on it. I would suggest that you talk to your supervisor and ask for a better explanation of it and be sure you understand it. Once you have a good grasp on it, it's not that tough. Good luck and I hope you stick it out!
    The plan is this
    IMHO: Hire good typists to transcribe for peanuts; then hire qualified MTs to QA for peanuts.

    Ain't globalization fun?
    Thank you - I may have a plan now!

    Thank you all for your comments...


    I am still racking my brain (which is not helping my production by the way)...but I may have just brewed up a plan!!!


    Since I was meeting double the LPH requirements, I am just going to slow way down and meet the required production - they require set hours...they are going to get it...they will still get quality work, but I am not going to stick my neck out anymore...


    Instead, I am going to focus on the smaller company and pray it turns out good. I will take the extra time from the national and even out the line count I need with the smaller company..and hopefully, it will all fall into place and I will decide the smaller company is my answer...


    In the meantime, I am keeping my foot in both doors and looking out for myself for once!!!  Staying more and more loyal to the one who actually appreciates me....yup, the smaller company


    Thanks!!!


    What new plan?
    xx
    But it isn't quite going according to plan.

    I like how you stated that the benefits SHOULD flow into our countries when companies are allowed to compete better.  Unfortunately SHOULD and ARE are two different things.  So far the only things happening is that the companies are getting huge, billion-dollar tax breaks that are benefitting other countries.  The profits that the companies are making are not benefitting the US workers, they are lining the pockets of shareholders and CEOs.  They're not creating jobs here and they're not benefitting this country. Whereas, look at India and China and all the news reports of how their economy is growing at an unprecedented rate.  This theory can only work if other countries cooperate and the American companies use profits to grow their businesses, instead of lining the pockets of their CEOs.


    Having a plan
    is always a good idea but no one should have to try to juggle 2 jobs just in hopes of staying employed.  I personally think the best strategy would be to find some way to become self-employed.  Everyone has some marketable skill or talent, even me.  I wouldn't recommend anyone to get into the field of MT as it appears to me with all the changes, offshoring, no work, etc. ect. etc. it is a pretty poor way to make a living.  I know that many people swear they are doing great in the business although how is beyond my comprehension.  I'm more inclined to believe those who say they spend 24/7 praying for a job to pop up.  I know my own income toward the end of my career went way down and I'm one of those who can do anything that is thrown at me.  THAT didn't make an iota of difference, I got the same no available work that the majority seem to be getting.  I could think of half a dozen ways just off the top of my head that I could start and operate an at-home business outside of MT.  No one should have to hold 2 jobs unless they just want to.
    Have heard nothing about the pay plan,

    SE possible health insurance, or anything else that is being talked about by certain MQ MT's.


    I have had the web-based email since "day 1", and did not need 800 DICTATE to set it up for me. It was simple!  Just not getting any of the emails that some are speaking of receiving. Get PLENTY from my supervisor. Guess having no problem receiving emails . . . so where are all these other emails I did not get???


    family plan
    Anyone know what the cost would be for a family plan?
    family plan
    I can't find the info they sent me...It should be here somewhere.  I'll look some more Sunday and see if I can find it. 
    family plan
    I've looked everywhere and can't find the initial info they sent.  Maybe someone else who has a family plan through MQ or at least can find their introductory info on the insurance plan can answer this.  Sorry! 
    How do you think this will be affected with the new pay plan.
    :
    Has anyone gotten the new pay plan packet yet?

    I haven't gotten any information at all regarding a new pay plan. Was the first of this sent out to ME's only. It seems that only MQ ME's have mentioned anything about their pay.


    I have a hard time believing that MQ HR would call EACH and EVERY MT. Do you know how many phone calls and how much time that would take to accomplish. They probably hired temporary employees again to do this calling, as they did when the new benefits package was rolling out to work on the benefits hotline!


    If ANY of you receive any letter/packet/phone call about a new pay plan, PLEASE post for us. TIA


    No. There has been announcement of the new plan yet....
    and we have not been able to even verify the few random reports on here of ASR 20% reduction...whether they are for a specific office, etc.

    Please, stop trying to scare people with the implication that you know something, that there IS a pay cut, etc.