Question for MTSO owners/ICs
Posted By: BadwatahMT on 2007-02-28
In Reply to:
After years of working for others, I am looking to start up my own service.
Can anyone tell me what is the average going rate to charge for a hospital/acute-care account ? I have no idea of where to start my offers out at.
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Wow..I'm so shocked. I didnt know this happened. I know the clients pay the MTSO owners so why ca
the MTs who do the work. Is this the same person. It sounds like she is a nice person but nice does not pay the bills. Anyone care to give initials of the company as I have been looking for a IC job and obviously with these people having a huge turnover due to nonpayment, I do not want to fall into that trap. How awful!!!
and it's mostly owners now but....sm
I have lived under 3 different families with children, all children being in the MASTER bedroom above mine. I have had to wait for TWO sets of kids to grow up. It's the noise from the kids from the first 2 families. Ok, this current family, has toddlers - little toddlers of which the older one (5) is a little terror....
I transcribe in both bedrooms, the master for private MDs (as the 2nd BR used to be my daughter's but she's married now and out of here), and the 2nd BR for a national. With this 3rd family, besides the children, this bruja (Spanish for witch) decides every now and then to BLAST her music at 3 PM so loud that my walls shake (it's the bass that bothers me the most). I have complained at the concierge desk, has been documented for one year, and then a few weeks ago I decided to introduce myself, big smile on face, while her music was blasting, and tell her that I live under her.
HUGE MISTAKE!!! This bruja says *oh, YOU'RE the one (who had been complaining)* and pointed her finger at me, and I said *NO, YOU'RE the one, the one who is totally inconsiderate of those above you, below you, to each side of you, and across from you* to which she said *take it up with the concierge* who met with her and said *you can take action* -
an hour later, the police came to my door, BECAUSE I RANG HER DOORBELL - can you imagine - well imagine the courts today, how they worry about the rights of the criminals and what about the victims. While I wasn't a *victim* - the years' worth of documentation with the concierge AND security, should've been enough. Nope, they told me not to ring her doorbell anymore and if her nose level gets that bad to avoid the concierge and CALL THEM. I hate bothering the police for things like this.....but I WILL.
S. Florida is where I live in case you might be wondering where they could possibly be THAT inconsiderate.......yep, S. Florida......
Welcome new owners, but please let us know
or if our posts or information are shared with anyone.
Irresponsible pet owners
This is similar to thread on the spotted board about irresponsible owners. The posters there had sympathy for people who were careless with their pets.
This IS the owners board to do with as....nm
owners trying to compete
The companies are trying to keep their profits high, be competitive with India and the doctors want to pay next to nothing. It's a tough business right now. I would look to other options or really push for more money. I wouldn't work for less than 9 cents. On the other hand, there are MTs out there who think they are very good, but they are honestly terrible. I think if you push for a quality company and sell yourself and you truly are worth the money, you will get it.
I don't get it....the owners, the advertisers....
nm
Owners set the tone
Owners can indeed be nice, but they also need to set the tone, or the corporate culture, for *nice*. Polite and respectful has to be the clearly stated expectation for behavior by everyone. *It goes without saying* does, indeed, need to be said and reiterated every so often. The idea that everyone in the firm is a client of every other employee needs to be stressed. Some of these things are fairly easy for the owners to check. Ever call your own business as a potential new hire and see how you're treated? Ever call Technical with a problem and describe yourself as a worker instead of a boss? It can be a real eye opener, and it's something owners need to know.
That sure is odd! I wonder if they meant the OWNERS of
nm
OSi owners can do transcription...lmao
For the board owners, just a note to say
nm
I would!!! I get so irritated at irresponsible dog owners (sm)
I hope you file a complaint. As someone else said, at least it will be on file.
I second the pepper spray!!! We have dogs in our neighborhood whose owners let them use others yards at their litter boxes, so to speak. I don't have dogs but have a yard full of dog doo. With kids who like to play outside, or even when MOWING! that is nasty!!!
Previous owners were jerks....dog got hit by a car, by the time they took it - sm
to the vet it had gangrene. They told the vet to put the dog down (a year old)...vet called a Husky rescue organization who "rescued" him and had the necessary surgery done. My family adopted him about 2 years ago....great dog, keeps our lab company too. He can run like the wind which is pretty amazing.
Service owners/cherry pickers
Why do service owners never seem to notice cherry pickers? Even going to great lengths to deny there are any in their group?
Because owners, managers, and CEOs are all trying to cut costs
so they can make as much moolah as possible. EVERY OTHER JOB I have ever had provided on the job training, EVEN the salaried professional white collar positions. Going to school or college does NOT train a person to automatically step into a position knowing everything. Nurses, doctors, lawyers, managers, HR directors, personal bankers, vice presidents, all of them had apprenticeships, internships, training, or worked their way up. MT is the only field I know of where nobody is willing to train or mentor newbies. The training at my last MT job consisted of an emailed two-page explanation of how to pull up their jobs. That's it. No account specs, nothing. Go live on day one.
I've noticed a lot of business owners
have their own way of doing things - sometimes too extreme for me. They either have done so long their way - they don't realize things have changed since they started - or they go by the BOS down to the letter - each and every single letter - and possibly your accounts have not followed that closely in the past - or they are just picky as all get out and have a huge ego and want to make you feel inferior. There is also the possibility you may be doing some things 'wrong' - but if you have been in the business for 20 years - cannot be that serious - and obviously you know what you are doing!! I have run into absolutely crazy things in the last year with different MTSOs.... you dont' even want to know!!
Any small MT business owners in CA out there? I need advice!!
I'm looking start up my own small bus., just a couple accounts, but I need to know if there are any HIPAA contracts or anything else that I should be providing for the doctor and myself to sign. Any advice would be truly appreciated!!
Thnx, Rachel
The owners of both Andrews and M-Tec very accessible and can help you with your decision.
Best of luck. :)
Why do you assume the names here are made up? Could it be the new owners
just posting to post? I have always been here (ss) and I have seen Hayseed, TRose, Country MT and many others that I no longer see anymore. If everyone would keep using their same names, initials we would know who is who.
The owners of the companies I work for certainly could increase my cpl rate. nm
:}
the people who really make BIG BUCKS are business owners
especially when they go into...say- window washing or something right away, instead of into debt. In general, I'm for college - plan to push my kids to get their master's right away as that seems entry level nowadays - but where I made really good money was owning my own service. Make(made) more as an MTSO than I ever will as a nurse-practitioner.
And will you admit there are plenty of wannabe service owners also?
nn
American Association of Medical Transcription Service Owners
They do not represent the rights of the individual Transcriptionist it seems but rather promote their organization in order to continue to exist and to continue to survive, they seem to think they should stand up for the service owner and not the MT.
You'd think they would be giving information on how to get more production since our wages have stood still and unless speed engines are used, we make much less than what one would think.
Solid company, nice owners, LOTS of ESLs nm
Dogs dying from 'miracle drug'. Heads up, doggie owners
Marketed as a miracle drug for man's best friend, Rimadyl is one of the most popular painkillers available for dogs. And it's killing dogs by the thousands.
Vince Sharkey was faced with the decision every pet owner dreads, whether to euthanize his beloved dog King Billy.
Arthritis and deteriorating bones made it too painful for the 8-year-old golden retriever to walk.
His veterinarian recommended putting the dog down.
"He had so much life in him. I said, 'I just can't do that'."
Then Sharkey discovered Rimadyl, a prescription anti-inflammatory drug heavily marketed to owners of older dogs. Sharkey says Rimadyl saved his dog's life.
"Before I had him on the Rimadyl he was not even able to walk. He would drag his back half of his body. The moment we got him on Rimadyl, he was back to being his normal self again.
But Lynne Bradburn tells a very different story.
Her Saint Bernard, Honor, was just 22 months old when he died after taking Rimadyl for a sprained knee.
"He'd been sitting in my lap. And he looked up at me, and he died," Bradburn said.
Honor died after taking just four doses of the drug.
"They tell you it's as safe as aspirin. But it's not. And yes, I'm angry. And I will always be angry," Bradburn said.
The FDA reports some 12,516 complaints about Rimadyl dating back to 1997, including more than 2,300 cases where the dog died or had to be euthanized. The largest number of cases involve liver or kidney failure or internal bleeding.
Rimadyl's manufacturer, Pfizer, maintains the drug is safe, saying some 10 million dogs have taken over a billion doses of the drug, with less than 1 percent of them experiencing any negative side effects.
"There are side effects just as there are benefits with all medicines, with all medical procedures and certainly with Rimadyl. The good news about Rimadyl is that for the overwhelming majority of those 10 million dogs, plus, it has provided safe and effective pain relief," said Pfizer spokesman Robert Fauteux.
But the FDA approved Rimadyl after it was tested on just 549 dogs, raising the question, were the rest of the dogs that took the drug acting as guinea pigs?
Retired veterinarian turned attorney Paul Mabrey says a drug for humans would never be allowed on the market with such a small sample.
In response to continued concerns about the drug, Pfizer sent a letter to veterinarians across the country warning them that some side effects may "occur without warning" and, in rare situations may result in "hospitalization or even death."
Still, veterinarians continue prescribing Rimadyl more than any other drug in its class. But they're careful to warn dog owners looking for a miracle cure.
"There's a lot of people that want the medication not fully aware of everything that's entailed with that but we make sure to do everything we can to educate before they go on the medication," said Dr. Deborah Feltz, a the Elliott Bay Animal Hospital.
It's a warning echoed by those who know first hand what happens when a miracle drug proves imperfect.
what is MTSO?
I'm an MTSO. I can tell you....
We don't hire *anyone* unless they have successfully completed a college education, meaning an associate's degree, in medical transcription. It doesn't matter if they learned on the job, learned in their garage, learned on their patio, learned it on their own 25 years ago or 25 months ago, taught themselves or taught the next door neighbor, or if they used to be a nurse, doctor or janitor. The short and simple of it is: No formal college training in MT, no job! (And that includes the "make-$40,000.00-a-year-correspondence-courses, too!). We've seen the handiwork of those who say they're self-taught, and it's not pretty! 
mtso
Amen!
I'm an MTSO
and trust me I believe in paying above average for an above average job, but when you can't get the docs to cough it up because you've got third-world countries and VR breathing down your neck, not to mention newbies fresh out of school who will do it for even less, well, what do you expect...the MTSO to pull it out of her pocket to pay for you to work. Never forget ....MTSOs have to make a profit. They're entitled to that dear....If not, there's no reason to be in business. If you don't like what you're being offered, you're always free to get brave, strike out and get your own accounts.
When I was an IC I sent my MTSO
Christmas lottery tickets, which he loved. Nothing compared to the $500 bonus he gave me. Now that I am working for a large national, I'm just another number lost in the shuffle. I probably won't send them anything, don't expect anything from them and probably will receive nothing, though a full day's work would be nice once in a while.
I am a MTSO
I am a small MTSO and also IC'd for another company a couple of years ago and something similar happened to me. However it was probably a little different as I did the pick-up and deliveries although I was an IC for the company. When she did not bill the clinics so that I could not get paid, I knew the clinics and so I went to them and told them that after a certain date I would not be doing their sevice because I was not being paid -- a little different than your story but you can also let the clinics know how that service is being run. Again, only after you write your calm, fact filled letter. But if someone threatened my business with anything like that - going to my accounts -- they would be paid within 24 hours. Reputation is what counts in this business. But again, just write to them calmly and with the facts asking them to prove that you had signed a contract, then giving them 48 hours to produce such contract or send you a check for your services or you will see them in court. Again, I would threaten to go to their accounts to let them know how they run their business but only as a last resort. But just do it, write them you deserve your money. Was there problems prior to quitting and that is why you just left suddenly -- I know this leaves them in a lurch but if they were a crummy company they probably deserved it. Also if you did not sign a contract stating you would not go after any account you worked on for two years go for the accounts.
I'm not a MTSO, but
my hospital's TAT is between 24 and 48 hours depending on type of report. When I worked in-house, it was from 2 to 48 hours, with Op notes/HP having a 2 hour TAT. I think it varies a bit between hospitals, but as a general rule most reports are no greater than 24 hours. Sometimes discharge summaries have a longer TAT, such as 48 hours. I don't have any experience with VA hospitals, but they probably aren't much different.
What would you do re this MTSO?
I am an IC for a small MTSO. I have a deduction taken from my invoice every pay period for renting Transnet equipment. My foot pedal broke and I asked urgently Monday morning for a replacement foot pedal to be Fed Exed to me - work was on the system and needed to get done. Well, after many many phone calls and e-mails I got the replacement foot pedal via Fed Ex (they shipped on Friday) on Saturday morning. So I worked all weekend to get caught up on a whole week's worth of work. Got my invoice yesterday (late - the MTSO has rescheduled their payment schedule as they are not getting promptly paid by their clients - the ICs had to accept the new payment schedule or quit). There was a deduction for $40.13 for delivery fee for the foot pedal. The Accounts manager says that "many memos" have been sent out that ICs are responsible for delivery fees. Huh? I looked over the memo I received about Transnet rentals and it said our invoice deduction covers maintenance costs for faulty equipment, etc. (the MTSO had originally said I would be billed for a new foot pedal - then I brought up the memo on rentals that covers faulty equipment and that got dropped pretty quickly). I told the Accts manager that postage is the MTSOs expense, just like it is my IC expense to return the faulty equipment to the MTSO. I also mentioned that the MTSO pays for phone charges to fax stuff to ICs; likewise the ICs pay for their phone charges for faxing to the MTSO.
What would you do? I am so fed up with this MTSO...I don't make that much money on Transnet anyway (most of my lines are from microtapes) that I am tempted to just tell her to take all of my doctors on Transnet and quit doing these willy nilly deductions without my approval or knowledge. This is the third time the Accts manager has taken "deductions" from my invoice without telling me - the last time was for Chicago taxes on rental equipment (totally illegal according to Cook County govn't) - that took 2 weeks to get straightened out! Arrggghhh!!!
i'm not an MTSO,
but i think you did right and my guess is that within 6 months to a year, they'll come back to you.
MTSO
I have checked the labor sites and just could not find anything. In the beginning, my accountant told me I would need to either collect sales tax or get a wholesale exemption from my client, but after calling the local and state sales tax offices and being told I didn't need one, she changed her mind too. The problem with offices is you don't always get the right answer but you are still responsible for the results. I just thought if nobody else charged, then I could be pretty safe in not charging as well. Thanks for replying anyway!
MTSO??
x
MTSO
I am just starting with an MTSO and looking foward to many, many happy years with them; locally based to my area. Can't wait. Start training tomorrow.
Everyone should be IC/MTSO at least once
it gives you a great prespective on where your money goes and how much goes to taxes... people think that when you are an employee the employer is "giving" them benefits, paying their share of the employee's SS taxes, etc. but actually the employee is paying indirectly, reflected in their wage amount, cpl, etc. They just don't have to write the check for the taxes, it's taken from them before they can see it. The problem with being in this business and being IC is that you need to make a better line rate than an employee and people do not realize that until the tax bill comes. I had to go with a national last year as my large physician group went to an EMR, so I switched to employee status. They were only going to pay the same line rate either way, so it works out better for me now to be an employee. As an IC/MTSO I had alot of deductions, kept every reciept, took depreciation, mileage (a big ded for me as I live in the country), etc. but now with my national position everything is internet, no printing documents, etc. so it only made sense for me to switch to employee. I have another sideline business which provides plenty of deductions right now and not much income. Planning is key whenever taxes are involved, check out the IRS publications or home business books, etc. Some great information to avoid the same tax problems next year.
MTSO
I loved your comment about the outhouse!! :) (And some of the matchbook schools could well BE outhouses for all we know.)
mtso, who?
or stirring up trouble?
As an MTSO, I would want to know
if an MT is directly contacting my client and I would appreciate the tip that I could follow up on. A good MTSO will be able to handle the situation in a way that would not result in you being in the middle. Perhaps the MTSO could approach the MT and simply say that the client said that they were contacted by one of the staff about whatever the topic may have been and to no longer make direct contact with the client.
I wouldn't necessarily say it's none of your business considering that the job you hold is your bread and butter and if your coworker says something to the MTSOs client that could jeapordize the MTSO/client relationship, that COULD affect you, so I believe you have grounds to speak up.
Bad MTSO
I worked for someone like that as well. I bet it was the same company/person. She expected you to work 24/7 so if she needed you all she had to do was IM or email. I wasn't supposed to have a life. I have 2 children and a disabled husband. I did my own accounts -- always on time and when my work was done I had other things to do. Well if your work was caught up you weren't suppose to have a life or rest you were supposed to do more work for her. The paychecks starting coming later and later until one day I had one returned for NSF. I quit at that point. You have every right to vent. Your family comes first. I have had a number of job offers since and I am currently working again with yet another offer on the table. Good Luck!
MTSO here
I am a small MTSO that has two part-time IC's and can only pay them 0.85 cpl to 0.9 but because of the account they can make $45 an hour. Again, I stress to me it is what I can make an hour. But it is a psych account, I pick up tapes, meet the gals, and then they have 3 days to do the reports which are long, 10-12 pages but I developed so many templates that they can do them about 60 to 75 minutes. They E-mail to me and I E-mail the reports to the docs. We pick up on Thurs, and they have to have to me by 10 on Tues. My other accounts they sometimes help me with but again I can only pay .85 to 9. Again though they can make $25 an hour which I don't feel is bad pay. I just cannot charge the docs more than I do at 11.5 to 12 cpl. They pay on time, never a bounced check and appreciate what we do so I feel we all benefit. Also they have been loyal to me and my psych account has been with me for over 16 years. See what you make per hour.
That is my Saturday 2 cents worth for the day. If any typo's cannot find my glasses so sorry if there are. Patti
That must be one of my MTSO...sm
I know the feeling ALL too well. I have one I help out prn, only if I have the time. I never have any idea when she will need me...a week could go by and I hear nothing, sometimes 2 weeks. I have other large accounts, plenty to stay busy. I check my e-mail in the am, see what needs to be done and get busy.
Well, when she realizes she is in over her head and needs help, she thinks I am sitting on my e-mail and should reply ASAP! I sign off at night, the next morning she has a nasty message in ALL CAPS wanting to know why she hasn't heard from me. Well, for one thing, you sent the e-mail at 10 pm...I am NOT sitting on my e-mail at 10 pm. She then rants and raves about how she is short some MTs, and this account, which she has taken on to help someone else out, is putting her in over her head. She is very short tempered and nasty when she gets herself in these holes and then thinks we should bail her out... and if we are not available, it's somehow our fault.
She preaches on and on about how late she sat up getting the work done, as if it is somehow OUR fault she dug herself in this hole. As I told her, just because you do not want to turn down ANY work, do not expect everyone else to be free to help you out when you get in over your head. And I remind her that IC means just that. After 2 years helping her out, she does not want to pay any more than before. So, when she starts a tantrum, I just remind her that I am working on clients that pay me 2 to 3 cpl MORE than she does, and they are my priority.
MTSO
ok, i give up, what does MTSO mean? i been reading this for months and i can't figure it out. "My Tired Sore Ohhhhhhh...." lol
She's not an MTSO
But if she wants to train MTs for free I am sure nobody is complaining.
LOL you must be an MTSO
It's not dangerous OR hateful advice and it's worked for me in the past.
The OP *should* hire an attorney if needed, BUT BEFORE she/he spends one nickle on an attorney to collect HER money! she/he should give the MTSO one last chance to get it right - and that would be a with a warning about what is likely to occur if she sues.
If the MTSO has a LEGITIMATE reason for a delay they can speak up about and negotiate. But ignoring a contractor who is owed $ is NOT acceptable.
which MTSO are you?
nm
Not MTSO, but
I have used ibackup for a couple of my clients with a need for multiple people to access files.
http://www.ibackup.com/
It's secure. You just send them your directory link and viola.
What is the MTSO
What is their name?
what does MTSO mean?
not trying to sound dumb but new to the boards and keep seeing MTSO, just curious what it stands for
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