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MT companies negotiate with the insurance companies until they get what they want

Posted By: Company's discretion on 2007-07-22
In Reply to: Question about pre-existing exlusions on new - insurance if you have COBRA. nm

It is strictly up to the agreement between the employer and the insurance company.  Your new employer can tell you what the pre-existing clause is in your new policy.  Some require proof of insurance for the past 12 months.  It may say something like if a diagnosis has not been made NOR treatment received within the last __ months.  Not good when companies negotiate with a pre-existing clause in order to get a lower rate.  Better check with your HR with your new company before doing anything.  It really gets hairy !




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Do any MTs just go buy their own insurance, is so which companies do you
nm
Insurance companies
I do know that there are insurance companies that will deny coverage of a person if that person has EVER been TESTED for HIV, despite circumstances involved. People entering the military are automatically tested for HIV. This in effect just caused the person to be denied coverage from that one particular company. I know of another company that has denied one man benefits for life insurance because of a medication he has been taking, despite the reason for that particular medication. Imagine being denied life ins because maybe you took Wellbutrin, a medication that can be used for several purposes.

Medical records are not protected despite HIPPA. Medical records are the most available records to any eyes of all records out there. HIPPA is a smoke screen to appease the masses, so that people don't storm Congress.
While many insurance companies sm
have been paying for this over the past few years, it's become such a "common" thing that many have it on their list for non-coverage this coming year.  When you find out the company and the insurance company they use, call and verify that it does in fact cover the surgery. 
Considering insurance companies
only reimburse .02 on the dollar, they'd need to bill over $500 to make their $5 needed.  Sad, but true.
They usually herd them because tis what the insurance companies
x
Insurance companies get rich
If you look at the profits, insurance companies are getting rich.  They are the ones pocketing all the money.  Plus probaby the hospitals are not far behind. I feel the same, my docs are not getting rich. 
has anyone ever charged insurance companies for doing their work - SM
I have a lot of medical issues with my family and so see a lot of doctors and pay a lot of copays.  Each and every time I see a doctor or facility I have to pay a copay, which I always ALWAYS charge on my credit card.  No exception.  Do not pay, do not see the doctor or have the test.  Yet time and time again I get letters from the doctor's billing or facility saying I owe a copay to them.  When I call them up, explain that I paid my copay at the time of services rendered and do not owe anything further, I am told they don't have a record of it.  I must find the receipt and send them a copy for proof of payment.  In short, I must do their job because they are either too lazy or inefficient to do it.  Earlier this month I got a statement from the x-ray facility saying that I owed a copay.  The customer (dis)service person was very unhelpful when I explained that I always made my copay first and it showed up on my credit card statement.  Finally I told him I would call the facility myself and get things straightened out, which I did (they had put my copay into a different account by mistake).  But I ended up doing his job and got treated rudely to boot.  Then yesterday, I got yet another doctor's billing statement saying I owed my copay.  I called and left a message saying that it had already gone through on my credit card bill and would not be paying.  They want proof.  Am I out of line saying, fine, I will photocopy the receipt (and this is an NCR receipt so the office has a copy of it) and my credit card bill (with everything else blanked out) and send it to you as proof of my payment, but it will require my invoicing you a $10 processing fee.  If you are not willing to reimburse me for my time to straighten out your mistake, then I will not provide proof of payment.  This takes time out of my day to hunt through my receipts, make a photocopy, document it in writing (LOL I learned that VERY early on), then postage, etc.  Why must I do this without being reimbursed for it.  IS ANYONE ELSE FED UP WITH PEOPLE NOT DOING THEIR JOBS?????  Arrrrghhh.  I feel every so much better.
Insurance companies already know. Doctor bills them you know.
I'm not running for political office. Who would be interested in my medical records and what could they do with them if they did have them?
wow!! not true - they just changed insurance companies (sm)
at the end of the year.  I don't know about the family coverage, I get the single, but it is about 1/3 of what you said.  Maybe you should give them another look.
the major insurance companies should also be notified. SM
Plain and simple, HIPAA regulations mean nothing once their insured patient's medical records leave the country. I really cannot understand why the major insurance carriers in the U.S. have not cracked down on offshoring medical records, as this is not within guidelines of HIPAA, which was created by the Department of Health and Human Services. I feel the insurance companies here in the U.S. should refuse to pay insurance claims if a patient's confidential medical information leaves the country where no regulations on privacy are in place or enforceable. Can you imagine how many doctors and hospitals would make themselves more informed on where patient medical records are being transcribed if their claims are suddenly being denied for payment. I say inform Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Health America, Medicaid, Medicare, etc. I think this is where the changes need to start.
Most companies do no use their only files (HIPAA). They use files provided by other companies, serv
If you can get through the test files, then the sound quality on the actual company files is better. And, the dictation is never as bad as the test files, plus you have QA to help with hard blanks.
MT companies
Hi, there are many MT companies out there, and there are some that you should steer clear of. The one company who scammed me real good for 2 years was amatrans-am out of Valrico, FL. If you see an ad for them run in the other direction. Or just check the BBB. They have really scammed a whole lot of people unfortunately....but there are better ones. But just stay away from the ones that ask you to do like 1,000 lines a day. You won't be able to do it, or if you could you would be dragging yourself off to bed, only to have to get up early the next morning to begin it all over again.

After a couple of years, I am now working, but mind you, I am really a semi-newbie, and I only make 4 cpl. The money won't make you rich, but the experience can be very rewarding, and what you learn keeps your mind working. If you want any more info, feel free to e-mail me brooklyngirl1112@hotmail.com
Gaile
Are all companies like SS?
I think I will stick to my day job god....
Why is it okay for other companies
to be informed about and not this one. My heart bleeds for these MTs. Obviously, it is not just one employee posting here. Can you imagine the frustration of watching your fingers move more and more and your paycheck go down without being told or informed why. They have a right to vent and warn. I want to be warned ahead of time before I make a mistake. No slander involved, facts are facts and that is it.
What companies, if any,
. . . hire and actually promote professionals who have forgotten more than many MTs know, have years and years of experience, work when needed, don't rock the boat, and produce excellent work?  At my company, the editors and managers usually have just a few years of experience as an MT, if any, and many have no management experience.  Some managers have never even seen a typed document.  That doesn't make sense.  What companies give one a chance to actually grow with them?  Any of them?  How do the promotions go to those who took an on-line class and have been an MT for 2 years?  Kudos to anyone who could answer this . . . Bewildered 
USA companies only for me.
 USA   Overseas.
companies

What are some of the best small companies that you have worked for?  Does anyone live out in the sticks and is on dial-up?


MT COMPANIES

do u like working for this company.  Do they treat you fairly.  I was told to download and they will give me first files to fit me with proper account.  They have been great.  Does this continue?  Please let me know.  While on the subject does anyone have any information on Amphion, Medware, QTmedical, Orion and Transhealth.  Any information appreciated.


Does anyone have any information on smaller companies hiring at this time.


 


 


 


What it is with these companies?
I am now on my third job since deciding to work at home August 2005.  What is it with these companies?  Don't they realize that without us (transcriptionists)  they have no business????   I have been lied to, nit-picky QA'd to death, had money taken away from me, treated like crap, and received nasty emails.  Every time get familiar enough with account to start making some real $, guess what?  Get switched to another account.  I have always worked for hospitals, clinics, etc. 20+ years and never have I encountered such treatment.  It is just amazing, actually no, it is pathetic.  This third job is it.  If this does not work out, going back to the hospital.   I have a lot of admiration for those of you who tough it out and are still working for these amazingly unprofessional companies.  Maybe that is why there is so much outsourcing.  Workers in other countries will take their CRAP. 
MT companies
Does anyone know of any Canadian medical transcribing companies that are looking to hire people to work from home??  Thx

MT companies
I'm from BC.  How about you?
which companies use
I had asked on the company board and no one answered.
Thank you.
There are companies to go with...
There are companies to go with that are at home business that are selling a product and making money without having to put a lot of your own in it. Tell them before they try this company to go TheFreshAirShop.com
Why do companies always do that?

Don't they realize the more familiarity an MT has with a certain dictator or group of dictators, the more accurate they are going to be in their transcription and the faster they will be able to produce lines?


Or is it that transcription companies simply don't want MTs to make a decent living?


I don't get it. 


if so many MT companies are bad...

i.e. don't pay on time, lousy platforms, too many ESLs, etc., how on earth do they manage to stay in business?


Ever wonder how companies
come up with their minimum requirements of experience, 1 yr, 4 yrs, 7 yrs, etc. Is there some sort of table/formula they use? ;-)
Yes, and a lot of companies are
at least trying it out. There is a board here called voice recognition and you can also look at the jobs on www.mtjobs.com - usually you will see a posting for "editor" which is a little deceiving because sometimes they are QA jobs and sometimes voice rec jobs. You will always be able to tell by the line rate though :-) I have see an average about half what you normally might expect for transcription.
There are a lot of companies like this. They

live in feast or famine.  It's better for them when it's famine because the work is out fast (too bad for us trying to be consistent, huh).  Top that off with people who don't work the whole pay period, just towards the end which is when the work tends to run low (too bad for us trying to be consistent, huh).  So during the time when these don't work, you get overloaded and need to work as much as you can to make up your time (too bad for being consistent, huh).  I know, I live in those same shoes, buried and then scratching and scraping for work to do.  Gotta love it!


Companies
Does this sort of thing happen a lot? I was just curious. I am a student in Medical Transcription, and I was just wondering if anyone had some good tips for job hunting. I don't think I want to start from home. That is something I would be interested in after I have had some experience. Any advice is welcome. Thanks.
MT companies
Hey, don't be discouraged by what you're hearing here. Disgusting. So, SOMETIMES, in my experience, yes, companies are constantly looking for MTs because they are a bad company and can't keep typists. Sometimes their standards are impossibly high, sometimes they are rude to the employees, etc. SOMEtimes it's because they are vibrant and expanding, but beware that some companies expand too fast, and can't keep up, and end up folding because of it. CONTACT them, ask them, go fishing. The only good advice I heard in the whole post thing is, keep looking. You need to be able to evaluate each company based not only on postings and web site evaluations and word of mouth, but also by personal contact. YOUR evaluation will be different from MINE, and you might be comfy working for a company I would hate. So, in that respect it is personal. And the "good" company of today, can fold tomorrow. The terrible company of today, can change it's spots. Find the fit for YOU.
Run away from those companies. sm

I paid $350 a month through Consumer Credit Counseling for over a year and they sold my accounts to Money Market Management and never told me.  They never paid a thing on my Sears bill because they were still waiting for Sears to accept their proposal, which Sears never did.  I was never told that either. 


I don't know where all of the money went because when I dumped them, my $200 Home Depot credit card bill was suddenly almost $600. (Late charges and over limit charges).


Work with your creditors.  It worked for me, at least for the most part.  Sears doesn't usually budge, but you'll find that in this day and age, creditors are willing to work with you and settle for a certain amount a month if you are willing to do direct debit (even $20 a month) from your bank account.


Good luck.


I would like to use this - what companies
x
What companies
Being a Christian, I would not work for any of them because the antics I have seen displayed in the industry would be at odds with my ethics. I will be consent to raise my child and leave the boardroom to someone else.
I mean getting other companies to allow
us to bring them to the office!
Best companies
Me too.  I'd love to hear about some place that treats their MTs well.  Is FOCUS a good company    ?????
The best companies are . . . (sm)
Transcription at its Best Get Back Jack BestPRN (Florida) ProScript (Florida) AccuStat (Wisconsin) In general, these are all companies with fewer than 100 MTs, so they treat their MTs like humans. The downside is you will frequently have to invest in a specific foot pedal or FTP program or even, ugh, C-phone and long distance. (See, that's what the IRS means when it asks whether you can lose money at your business.) These smaller companies also require a lot more communication and better work ethics than the big nasties do. If you can't do your assigned work, you'd better find a sub that can that very day. If you don't like communicating with the service owner frequently and keeping fences mended, you're better off with the big anonymous you're-a-number-to-us services. Best advice? Search through the old pages of the Company board and go to mtjobs.com and search the old listings. The companies who have just advertised are working their way through the average of 300 to 500 resumes that each ad produces. (Makes you wonder about those big nasties who keep advertising, doesn't it? Why so much churn?) I've had excellent results both with that and with "cold calling," meaning cold-emailing these days. Make your resume short, sweet, and effective; design an effective cover letter, and don't forget the outstanding subject line. Research the service and emphasize those of your qualities which exactly fit what they're looking for. Bonnne chance!
Some companies do.
You may want to try and find a company who is willing to work with a new MT. There are companies out there who will help new MTs gain experience and not pentalize them for their errors.
Companies?
What's the consensus, TransHealth or Precyse?  Thanks in advance.
There are still a few companies that will allow

dial-up.  I've seen a couple within the past month on the job boards but can't remember which ones.  She could get a job that uses a C-phone or Lanier, though she may also be required to get unlimited long distance too.  Most companies will rent the equipment or you can frequently find it on the equipment board here or e-bay for a reasonable charge.   There is a thing called an Air Card.  Verizon has one and I believe Sprint may have one - not sure.  I have used a laptop for many years and don't know if a desktop has a slot for the card to go in or you can use something internal.  The card is a couple of hundred dollars and the service is approximately $49.00/mo.   Some cell phone companies offer some type of data transfer that might be an option provided she isn't so remote that she can't get cell service.   In my city we have a new service called ClearWire.  I think it is along the lines of a cell phone transmission.  You plug the modem into an outlet and you can move it from room to room.   They don't have it in my neighborhood yet though so I don't have more particulars.   They may have the same service by a different name in your friend's area.


There is also satellite, although some companies will not allow it for security reasons and because the speeds are inconsistent.


That is all the options I can think of right now. 


I don't know if it is the Companies trying to rip off MT's but
I can tell you this - it used to be nothing to bid a job at 14 cents and walk away with it because you had the best service at the lowest price - now I routinely can bid 11 cpl and get underbid by someone else who is also offering 24 TAT and faxed reports.  If the MTSO can't get 11, you sure can't pay 10. I think that's why prices are starting to stick around 6-8 cpl for the MT's.
Two Companies
I just work for one company as an MT, but I also work as a Transcriptionist for an insurance company, so yes, I do work two jobs, but they're both not as MTs.

Yes, there are companies where sm

you can work with dialup.  It's very, very sloooooowwwww, though.  I lose 2 hours' production each day because of it.   If you find a company you like, just ask if it's possible.   There are many that offer C-phone dictation (or Lanier), too.  If you don't have a C-phone or the Lanier gizmo, you might want to check ebay for a good, used one. 


Good luck! 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Very, very few companies pay a CMT more, ...
and even fewer 1 cent.  If anything, it's more like 1/4 cent or even less.  In addition, for an MT working a full-time to make around $50k a year isn't really incredibly impressive.  In fact, it's a little on the low end. 
Most companies want to know where you rec'd your
Some companies only hire grads of specific schools.

MedQuist only hires new grads from Career Step.

Do you think there are any companies (sm)
that might give an MT a chance with past acute care experience? In my 21 years, I have 4-5 years of acute care, but my main love is clinic/multispecialty. Acute care was okay when I was doing it, but I'm not sure if they require recent experience or if any experience counts.

What do you all think? Give it a try? Thanks for any input!
I have done QA for 3-4 companies (sm)
and unless the punctuation makes a huge difference in the sentence - I don't worry about it.  And sentence construction?  Most accounts are verbatim or pretty darn close to verbatim - I don't think it is the MTs responsibility to fix what the doctor said - maybe at a higher rate of pay but when these MTs are getting paid 6-9 cpl - no way!  It's a struggle to understand the docs most of the time, marble-mouthed and rushing through this stuff!!  Now if the doctor dictates the punctuation I make sure it is there - the doc needs to take some responsibility here - the MT is always the one to take the blame and that is wrong.
US only companies
What companies have you found that do not outsource? I would definitely like to check them out for potential jobs. Personally, I think it is ridiculous that they would have someone ESL auditing English translations of English speech. That would totally get my goat! I would never work for an Indian company or any other foreign company for that matter. I'd change careers first.
Not in all companies!
There's a difference b/w QA and training, like someone mentioned. I work by the hour, also, but am mindful of the cost to my company and also keep up with the total lines per hour that I QA. Each report that goes through QA costs money; if the company is paying a decent line per hour, 100% relisten by QA should not be required.
Companies
I understand how you feel,but since when is MT work not a real job? You sound just like my father, who hasn't got a clue how difficult this job is! I cannot speak for everyone on this board, but for me this is the most stressful/difficult job I have ever had.
some companies have VPN
connectivity and satellite has a delay anyhow so if something goes wrong, like the weather, as someone else said deadspots, it is not a "reliable" way to get the work back on time...or let's say it is less reliable than cable internet or DSL.
companies
Can you share the company's name?  I have been treated so coldly and my employer has gotten so snide, so short with me, that I am afraid of asking questions, less they fire me! As it is they are not happy with my line count performance.