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I feel your pain, $300, in Central Florida.

Posted By: Another Floridian. on 2006-07-09
In Reply to: Try $400 and summer has just begun... nm - Life In Florida

nm


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Wow! I'm in North Central Florida. Last month's electric bill was $165. sm
I have electric everything and keep the thermostat set at 73. Some folks here with a different electric company have had bills triple to quadruple their normal. You may want to do some investigating.
I feel your pain. If at teaching hospital, great pain. SM
Some doctors do give standard discharge summaries, so you could just make copy and then pull it up. It is not easy, especially when they give 20 lines of lab results.
I feel your pain.
Don't forget, not getting paid for spaces also contributes to the inability to get a decent line count.

Heck, I can't even get the ESLs I had finally figured out anymore. Sometimes I'll get the same crappy dictator for 10 reports in a row. I've also had full shifts of nothing but ESLs. I sure hope all the other transcription companies are not like this.

I would suggest you start testing for other companies. I did and will soon be going to a better place (I hope). However, at this point, just getting paid for spaces will be a big step up.
I feel your pain!
I can completely relate with what you are saying. I actually have gone through a site called SupportKids.com and they were doing a good job at collecting from him. Whatever they collect they keep 33% of it and send a check to me for the rest. Unfortunately, I have not seen a dime since last December. It's as though he has either switched jobs...or whatever but he has managed to slither away for the time being. I don't get it either how these guys get away with not facing their responsibilities. I have one daughter...and we are doing pretty good...(always could be better) but money is a constant struggle and it bothers me to think that he's out there...dodging his responsibilities. My theory is that one day...he will be old..and alone...I don't get how some guys don't realize how precious children are....Like I said...we have our "money" issues but I would never change anything in my life...(other than getting a check from the sperm donor)...Give that site a look at though. All you need to get started is a court order stating what he should be paying. Good luck and hang in there....you are truly not alone!!
I feel your pain

I'm the same way...the day after the end of the pay period is terrible.  And, yes, I had to work like a dog yesterday, and didnt make production...so fire me!!!


You're not alone, honey, I know just how you feel. Now, how do we handle this?


I say we go for a long cool dip in the pool, lay in the sun for hours, sip Long Island Iced Tea, and forget about the rest...what cha think?


Oh I feel your pain
I have a habitual candy sucker. He chews, he slurps, he sucks, all while he's trying to talk. It gets especially bad when he's trying to think about what to say, he really goes to town on his candy then. I seriously want to hit him when he does  this and I'm not a violent person by nature, usually I just resort to yelling at my monitor and removing my headphones at particularly juicy times. 
I feel your pain....
I'm going thru similar situations myself at work, being challenged, etc. Can't go into details, as all of -them- are on this board as well. I know its so hard, but my advice is to just stick it out and be relatively silent. If you say anything, try to keep it a positive - avoid the temptation of squashing this idiot. In my case, I have found that the bigger guns really do have a sense of what is going on most times. They just keep quiet as well, but I believe that most times, those above you basically 100% know who is the one playing games, and usually the biggest clue is which of the two of you has class and dignity. Know what I mean? Hard words to live by, I know, as I am struggling with it daily, but so far, so good. Whether its fate, or karma, or justice - whatever your belief system - what does go around, comes around. You will be the victor if you keep a cool head.
I feel your pain (sm)

I can relate to your and hope that you get it resolved faster than I did (I am stubborn to a fault).  I had tailbone bone pain that was so severe that I could not bear to sit on a hard surface for more than a minute without agonizing pain that would last for days!  I finally did something I said I would never do - I saw a chiropractor.  I went for adjustments three times weekly, then tapered over a month and have not had a problem since then.  


By the way, my tailbone had actually been broken (apparently during the delivery of my daughter after all the relaxation of the pelvis, etc) and had a bend to it on x-ray, so when I would sit on something hard I was sitting right on the bone.  OUCH! 


Best of luck to you getting this worked out.   


 


I feel your pain! sm

Neurosurgeons must take a special residency course where they learn how to speak without opening their mouths at all!  LOL  Thank God for Normals.... And I wonder, will VR ever be THAT sophisticated? 


I feel your pain:(
Yep, I just started a job and my first day was on 05/08. I have NOT even received ONE paycheck yet! I was told that I would be paid 0.09 cpl based on a 65 character line and would be typing OPs. I have 17 years experience. The OP account was lost so I was put on an ER account and dropped down to 0.08 cpl and was told that they have NEVER paid on a 65 character line, always 70. So I left a great paying job because the new management was horrid and now I'm making 0.08 cpl based on a 70 character line and here I am almost 2 months later and still have not been paid. The only good thing about this job is that there are no holidays or weekends, unless of course I "misunderstood" that too.

You all are probably wondering why I would stay, but I've known the owner for years, the flexibility is awesome, you are considered an employee, but with IC benefits. Plus it's summer and for the first time, I don't really have to work. I'm debating on going back to school. I'm just waiting this one out because this little company just did a merger. We shall see.
I feel your pain......
I actually have a deformity in my thigh from the chair arm because I'm tall and it digs in my leg.  I bought a larger chair and the back kind of leans back. I bought a cushion from Dr. Leonard's catalog and then a small pillow to put behind my back. Sometimes I give up and put the recliner next to the desk and work from it. 
I feel your pain
I feel your pain!  I do the same type of transcription.  My doctor however, is very easy to work for.  If I question something she has written and wants me to transcribe, we will discuss each of our points, if she still insists on "her way", even after I have showed her my research, I do it her way.  She signs off on the final transcription before it goes in the patient's permanent record so ultimately she is responsible for what is transcribed.
I feel your pain
Unfortunately I don't have any family left to hear that from, but I do hear it from other people.  I don't think my husband even understands what it's like. I've been doing this now for nearly 20 years and have been editing only the past 5 or so.  I work 2 full time jobs and "read" an average of 4000 lines per day.  Break that down into pages and it's nearly a novel being read 5 days a week.  No it's not an easy job and neither is transcription.  Try being responsible for people's lives on a daily basis, and we are, because one mistake can kill somebody.  Try sitting in a chair until you can't feel your legs (I actually have nerve damage), getting pressure sores on your bottom, have your back so stiff you can't hardly stand up straight.  Add to that carpal tunnel, decreasing vision from staring at a screen all day, and good old headaches.  A lot of jobs out there people do but don't have to really pay attention.  For example, if you are a stock person somewhere, you are stocking shelves, but you can be thinking about something else.  We can't.  We don't get much of a mind rest.  I find that at the end of my day I can barely even form words.  No they don't understand.  I think we are all underpaid.  What a joke to pay someone responsible for a human LIFE a few cents per line when the MR clerks in the hospital now make more than we do.  We have to know all the specialties (think about it, physicians only have to know their chosen one, they call in consults), the equipment, the medications, formatting of dosages, PLUS anymore with the way companies are doing their QA, you need a masters in english just to format a sentence.  You deal with power-hungry account managers and QA people who instead of trying to help you become the best that you can be, talk to you like you are a third grader who colored outside the lines.  Yup, all we do is just sit at home all day, what a lazy bunch we are.
I so feel your pain!
Here's my story for you so we can commisserate together. I work 2 at-home MT jobs, pretty much 12 hours a day plus weekends. About a year ago, we bought a house in what we thought was a quiet cul-de-sac in a nice residential neighborhood. We were in the house not more than a week than we discovered that our next door neighbors, the house closer to the room I work in, rent out the house for professional band practices! I talked to other neighbors. They told me that they were such a nice young couple and had "sound proofed" the house. We hear the drum pounding, etc. through our bedroom wall as late as midnight on weekend nights.

I am very hesitant to say or do anything. We are the new neighbors on the block and I don't want animosity and/or retaliation. We are so annoyed that the previous owners did not disclose this to us. Of course, we would not have bought the house if they did!

You have my sympathy. I don't know what to do, either. Maybe someone else can give us some good advice!

Have a nice holiday weekend!
I feel your pain
I have major IRS nightmares from back when I was an IC. still owe, but mine is like $15,000 or so. Filed BK mainly because of that, because the lawyer said, "Oh yeah, that debt will be gone once you file". NO IT WAS NOT. I'm still paying. Set up a payment plan and will be paying those taxes for the next 4 years. Tax time is my absolute least favorite time of year. While others celebrate their huge return checks, I sit back and write my check out for my monthly payment. Oh well, guess it was my own fault though. So I'm done whining.
I feel your pain.
Did this many times for many years with same practice. I have finally found one facility that I used to work at that finally pays me within 2 days of invoice. Shocking. Doctors have thier signs, payment due when services rentered yet they do not return the favor. If you like working for these people I would first talk with someone and say look. I expect payment just like you do when I work. I don't know if you submit invoices or if they pay you when they do regular payroll. Set some rules for them, and do like I did. I held thier tapes! I know a lady that I used to do depositions for. She owned the Court reporting business. She had another girl working under her, taking depositions. They would both give me depos to type. I would turn in the depo to the girl. I would get my check right away from owner, but sometimes it would be 2 weeks before she got the depo back from the reporter. She finally started holding that girl's check. She finally caught on and got her stuff in order. Maybe you should hold the transcription or don't pick up anymore tapes. When they wonder why you don't show, say well, I assumed when you decided you did not want to pay me that you no longer needed my services!
i feel your pain..

I tool have dial up, shamefully only 2.5 miles out of town.  Lines apparently all full.  Anyway have you checked with your local cable co. or computers stores that might have cable DSL.  My neighbor has cable yet cable co. does not run their internet cable here, how lame.  I was considering satellite.  I work through Citrix on Meditech and it is slow.  I recently went to  a friends house and loaded my program on her comp with satellite it was slower than my dial up!  Recently read some post on here and you might search and check them out regarding fixedwireless.


I have found it easier to type in Word, cut and paste and go on with my business.


I feel your pain..
Nissa, I have over 25 years' experience, and I have a hard time, but it is because of the way the work comes to me-- as I am sure you know.

Your best bet is to try to work for somebody small who still meets your needs, i.e. benefits, etc. Try Googling your state name or surrounding states and medical transcription and see if you come up with some smaller companies.

A year and a half of experience ought to be enough to get a job somewhere small.

Your best bet, really, is to get an employer who will keep you on the same dictators, so you can get used to them. --Also, little employers are better at giving you a steady workload, dedicating a certain amount to you.

Some other things I've found that help-- BIG-TIME, MAJOR HELP was INSTALLING an EXTERNAL SOUND CARD in my computer. Soundblaster. Just a modest one, I think it was $40.00. But way better sound than the on-board sound on the mother board. Just open up the computer, plug it in, and run the Install CD that came with it. Then plug in your headphones or speaker to it, not the sound port that came with your computer.

The second thing I did that helped was I got a MIcrosoft wireless keyboard. Easier to type than my other one, but people like different things.

I hope this helps. You really just need to look at smaller companies, the larger ones--I worked at 5 or 6-- didn't pay attention to a word I said, constantly ran out of work, I did different people constantly, and could not make good money. I'm still not making good money, but I can hear them and I get the same dictators, and I am hopeful that I can build up to a good income someday.

Put your resume up, even if you have to use an email your current employer won't know, and ask for what you want and mention your state. It's good to work close to home. Good luck.
I feel your pain. (nm)
.
I feel your pain there
There is one specific cherrypicker I am complaining about and I have told management NUMEROUS times that she does this. I know that others that work on my account have mentioned it, too. It can be proven. However, management obviously either ignores me or she ignores management - I think the first is more likely.
I feel your pain...sm

Which Word program do you use (i.e. 2000, 2002, 2003?)  I've been using 2003 and have had nothing but problems for the past few weeks.  Mine started from trying to use Stedman's Smartype.  My whole PC would just lock up. After doing some research I found out that there is a conflict between 2003 and Smartype.  I'm getting ready to uninstall and load 2002. 


I know this probably didn't help you, but just wanted to let you know you aren't alone.  Plus I hate when I post and don't get responses.


I feel your pain, believe me...

types of corrections.  I am from the school of as long as it does not change the meaning of the report, it's okay to let someone spell it a certain way as long as it is in the dictionary that way. 


These posts go back to last week in regards to new MT and experienced MTs.  The experienced MTs got bashed because there claims put forth that an experienced MT may have been doing it "wrong" for years.  Well, if I was doing it wrong, then wouldn't a physician have pointed it out by now?????????  I've worked for plenty of physicians in my 20+ years. 


In the case of still blank, I'd e-mail the QA or someone above QA and ask for clarification.  I think if I were you, it would be time for me to go above QA.   


I feel your pain
I've been trying hard to figure this out too and cant seem to figure it out!
I feel your pain

True, we can't compete with India and make a living.  If our government continues with the same mentality, my fear is that America will become a "3rd world country" for anyone but the filthy rich.  I transcribed yesterday on an elderly couple who told their doctor they hadn't been on their meds from October through December because they hit their Medicare drug coverage "doughnut hole" and couldn't afford them with milk costing $4.69 a gallon and eggs almost $2 a dozen.    When I looked at our newspaper later on in the evening, I noticed the wife's obituary.  I couldn't help but wonder if her being off her meds for three months had something to do with her demise.  It is heartbreaking to even have to wonder about something like that.  Our elderly on fixed incomes shouldn't even have to pay for their meds. 


The doctor incidentally mentioned off record, "This couple worked all their lives and lost their retirement because the company shut down and moved out of the country under a different name.  Doesn't that just make you feel good about growing old in our great country?" 


I don't feel good about our country right now - I feel frightened.  I've felt the pinch of losing work to outsourcing.  I, as the other poster, have also had accounts come back because of the horrible quality the doctors noticed after switching transcription companies.  Then again, I had another solo practice physician call me in and ask if there was any way to trim his bill a little bit because he was having a tough time making it himself (which I know for a fact was true) and that he was trying to cut back on expenses.


Oh, I feel your pain.

I am seeing the same thing happen that you are. In my latest experience, I just had one MT that went on a 2-week vacation but didn't bother to tell me she would not be available. I thought she had dropped off the face of the earth! On her return she's emailing me and calling early on a Saturday morning wondering where the work is. So when I looked for someone to replace her, I specifically posted what was needed/required to do the job. Lots of responses from MTs who overstated their experience and qualifications but when it came down to actually being able to meet the requirements, they're unable to handle the job. (A simple thing like MSWord and knowing how to use it is not too much to ask.)


I will second your request that if you're not serious about working or don't have what is needed to do the job, don't waste anyone's time until you are ready.


I feel your pain!
I have the EXACT same issue!  Unfortunately I have been dealing with it for a few months and am currently looking for another job, mostly because of the footpedal issue, but other things too.  It STILL drives me nuts and tech support has no idea!
I feel your pain
This same thing has happened to me.  I've actually lost two accts for BS reasons....I feel like they were pulling for someone else to get the $$.  After several months of stress in my life, I'm actually relieved to see them go which confirmed my thoughts.  It's too bad that people like your friends supervisor ever get hired in these sorts of positions.  Hopefully she's the only one affected like this or they give your supervisor the boot.  She'll have to live w/this on her shoulders...if she even realizes it.  I hope things go better for you!
feel your pain...

The same thing happened to me a couple of months ago when I decided to take an inhouse radiology position that paid hourly.  The problem is that when you are paid hourly instead of production, you must be ready to meet the line count quickly, even though they say to take your time and learn the account.  I will never want to go inhouse again.  I went back to my at home job and they were gald to have me.  I am familiar with my account and do at least 1000 lines per day, but need to double that since I am on VR and need more money, but my company is happy with my work. 


Do not let this discourage you---they just were not the right fit for you.  There are plenty of other jobs.  Also helps to get with a company that will mentor you and give you tips to improve your production.


Good Luck!


I feel your pain.....
My husband has been out of work since May. He has exactly four weeks left of an Associate's Program for school and there was no reason to send him back to work right away. We live in Missouri and with his unemployment, my full-time hospital job and part-time at home job, it gets tight sometimes. Remember to prepare yourselves now. If you know he is losing his job, start setting money aside if possible to help offset the time until he gets a new job. Also look into a Career Center in your area. The one where we live goes through unemployment and is actually paying for our childcare (5 and 7 year old) and gas and mileage for my husband to drive back and forth to school. It does get stressful sometimes but have faith. If you ever want to talk, email me. If you have people you can talk to it helps when times get tight or stressful it could help.
Feel your pain
You need to stay calm and focused and hopefully you have a macro Expander which can help alot.

Obviously experience is not what you are lacking. You need to find balance in your life with good diet, exercise, proper rest and perhaps take some herbal supplements also.

If you are making grammatical errors that can be easily corrected. Don't feel bad about making less money as you are not alone. I am sure most of us are in that situation. No one is having an easy time these days.

I would say stick with MT it. You know it, you've done it for years and now you need to take it up a notch and hone your skills a little better.

You really have an edge over a lot of new MTs with no experience.
I feel your pain (sm)
There have been times in the 10 years I've been with my present company that QA has been nit-picky like you describe, other times when I hear nothing from them for months on end and wish I could get some feedback (however, if I have to choose, I would choose to be ignored). Hope it helps a little to know that I understand what you're saying!
Feel your pain.
How about one who says "the patient is in AGREEANCE" or "Activity to her TOLERATION" Huh? Metroproprolol.....EOMIs intact.......Hemocrit......hypercholestermia......

WHAAAAAAAAAT????????!!!!!!! It's a wonder I'm not bald.
Wow.. I "really" feel your pain.
I've been where you're at, and it's horrifying.  The best advice I can give you is to "research, research and more research" on the boards regarding different companies.  When I was in your situation, I made "pro and con" lists of every company on the boards.  After a while you can get a feel for who is just a "chronic complainer", no matter how good (or bad) the company is.  I e-mailed many recruiters, CEOs, or whoever was in charge of the hiring process....and I refused, yes REFUSED to test for a company that would not give me information about their rate of pay, benefits, account I'd be working on or any other pertinent information that I was entitled to BEFORE I wasted half a day proving I was good enough.  Maybe it's my Brooklyn born and raised kiss my ass attitude that gave me strength.  I'm sure everyone is going to jump on me for not revealing the name of my company, but they are a small MTSO, not presently hiring, and I would never post their name without their OK.  There are many happy, well paid MTs out there working for decent companies.  GO FIND THEM !!!  YOU CAN DO IT !!
I feel your pain, Lynn sm
I can't afford a day off either, much less a whole week! Whew, I'd freak out. I wouldn't have any fun, though, cause I'd be so worried about money! Oh well, our day will come...I hope! Keep your chin up and know that you're not alone, if that helps any!
I feel your pain, honey sm
my summer has been horrible (whole 'nother story).  Be glad when school starts back, not that the kids made my summer bad, just they need something else to do besides bug me!
Oh man! I feel your pain. It's happened here before.

One year we actually got 6 inches of snow on May 2nd. 


This winter has been way too mild for us, so we're expecting to get belted with snow before it's over.


I feel your burnt pain!
I have been feeling this way for years. Sometimes I think I need straps on my chair to keep me in it! My mind wanders and my focus is not there and sometimes I am just down right mad at myself for sticking with something that makes me so miserable for so long. However, there are other opportunities out there to make money. You can do it!! I have some ideas for you, but you need to e-mail me. Keep an open mind and open eyes and something will come along that may help make you feel better. You may need some aloe-vera for that severe burn, though! I will send some prayers your way..keep your chin up, you can do it.
I feel your pain! I had the Slingblade ESL....
the other day (if you have seen that movie you know what I am talking about). Amusing for the first 20 seconds, then the remaining 15 minutes was sheer torture!
Missouri, I feel your pain
I had three OPnotes today from a Doc who can turn a page and a half into one long solid run-on sentence. He really dropped my $$/hr today while I had to translate his own personal language into something recognizable to others. UGH.
I feel your pain, Hayseed.
As a former battering ram, I was the ONLY person to do a certain account, not only because it was hard and I was more experienced, but I think it was a situation where the squeaky wheel gets the grease, ya know? I never complained about it and was a yes man until one day I 'sploded! I have to say, I have switched companies now, it is an open pool with no cherry picking, and I am happier than a pig in ____.
Ewwww, I had one the other day, I feel your pain
I thought I was going to be sick.

On the upside, I did eat less lunch. Could it be the new MT diet plan??? LOL
I feel your pain....honestly I do!
--
BTDT just 2 months ago myself. I can certainly feel your pain.
nm
Feel your pain, but knew you would get slammed. I think

I feel your pain! This is the time of year sm
when I take advantage of my Netflix subscription, having movies delivered to my home. Also, there is PLENTY of great entertaining, informative stuff on the "cable" channels (I have a dish). I'm hooked on HGTV and DIY. The Food channel makes me way too hungry so I avoid that one. You can take a "mini vacation" just by watching the Travel Channel. Even the Weather Channel has some interesting shows.
I didn't vote for him, but I feel your pain. :)
.
I feel your pain, but remember there is always tomorrow.
Hopefully, that will be a better day for you! Hope the sun shines on you and you feel better!
Happy Holidays!
I feel your pain. I have 30 years experience,
MT and QA, but have found it takes so long to go thru the whole testing process before even speaking to a human - while I love working at home and online, its one drawback to me - having to apply amongst apparently thousands of others, and you are just an email address for most of the process. Very tiring. And the testing? Horrible! There are some programs that help you hook up your foot pedal - Express Scribe? But still its so awkward. I easily transcribe 300 LPH without a sweat, but on testing? Its so not user friendly. I would apply at so many companies, but just get overwhelmed at the thought. At least I'm just looking for part-time work, though, so it is easier to put it off.  Hang in there! And I know what you mean about not hearing from them. I have always tested perfectly, and often don't hear from the companies for months - other times, I will have an offer within 2 minutes. Just depends on the companies, but to hear nothing is so disheartening and unprofessional.
I feel your pain and I've already QUIT! s/m
After 17 years in this field, the last 10.5 being at home, two weeks ago I just "quit." I have zero discipline, am so burned out, and my whole family has been begging me to get out of the house. I'm a people person, am very out-going, and being cooped up in the house day in and day out, working all night at times has made me irritable and depressed. I actually had to start taking Adderall about a year ago just to try and stay focused. My doctor actually told me that if he had my job, he'd be taking it. When you have to take a drug to do a job, it's time for a change.

I have grown to absolutely detest transcription. Not only has it affected me mentally/emotionally, I am receiving radiofrequency ablation from C2 to T4 due to several back/neck problems. There's no challenge and it's just brain-numbingly boring!

I actually qualify for disability, but I'm only 37. So, I could go back to school with the government paying my tuition. I guess they'd rather pay for a few classes than give me a check every month for the rest of my life.

Even with tuition paid, my husband isn't at all supportive of me going back to school because he wants to build a house...jerk. So, I guess I'll try and find a job in a doctor's office. At least it's M-F, no holidays or weekends.

Good luck to all of you taking that brave step of tossing away the headphones!
I feel your pain. I just received packet SM
in mail from AARP, where basic major medical was quoted for $250 a month with $4500.00 a year out of pocket. That is fine, but what will it be next year? I have six years to go until retirement.
I feel your pain, and you are DEAD ON on how that account sounds!!
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