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ask them about your assigned (or not) doctors - be careful with KS

Posted By: what platform with KS are you looking at? on 2007-07-06
In Reply to: Do you use Lanier with KS? Wondering about this working situation. n/m - Perhaps KS MT ?

also, no auto backup with Lanier footpedal, can only work when Lanier is available.


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As everyone said, you have to have it assigned back to you...(sm)
It's actually not a part of ExText that you do it in. The program that handles the voice jobs is Dictaphone's JobLister. Not only would you have to have the rights to access it, you would have to have the program loaded on your pc. This is, with most companies, only given to team leads and QA.
I have always had an access # assigned....
If you could get into a records system without a private passcode, that would be a major HIPAA situation! I always have a sign-in ID asigned by the facility for any C-phone account I have worked; but it is strange that you are hearing a beep and not an operator giving instructions. I've never had that situation before. If you don't have an account Lead you can contact to get help, I'm thinking you'd best tell your employer this isn't working! Good luck.
being assigned same dictators
does help you get to know them so you can get fast with them and set up macros and auto-text but when are these MT companies going to realize that and quick putting us in pools? I realize they have to have their accounts covered 24-7 but this is no way to make money and really increases your chance of errors. It would be beneficial for both MT and the company to assign us our own dictators. There are only really a few companies out there who do this.....what a shame!!!
how is your work assigned?
I just started with a new company and very frustrated with how they handle work assignments.  I'd like to hear from other MTs how they feel about it and how they are assigned their work.  I have always been assigned a specific amount of work each day or worked a specific amount of hours.  When my time was up or my jobs were done, then I was done for the day.  This new company is doling out work in a very unusual way.  It is a clinic Ortho account and she assigns work as it comes in, which is understandable.  But if I happen to be gone for an hour or so and she gets work in, she will assign it to another MT who can do it right then and there.  I have asked her to send me a whole gob of work each evening so I've got work that will last me the next day.  She refuses to do it that way so I end up sitting here all day long waiting on her to e-mail me saying, "I've sent you a few files."  And so far that's all it's been, a FEW files.  Nothing I can't finish in under 30-45 minutes.  This is just ridiculous but the line rate is so good that I am hesitant to try to find something else.  Anybody else have this problem? 
assigned work
Yes, I know exactly what you mean. I have the same problem. But I have an acute care backup account to work on. I prefer the other account though because I am used to it. It sounds like we work for the same company. LOL. When I get the clinic it is sent like you said as it comes in and sometimes if another MT is available she will send it to them. I work on a clinic general surgery account. And I wished they would let me do the accounts work exclusively. But no it is given to one MT one time and another the next time. But I have the backup account so I can't complain but that is how they do the clinic work.
Assigned accounts....sm
There's a lot to be said for "assigned jobs" if it's done on a fair basis and if the person doing the assigning doesn't have their own agenda, i.e, where the "Lead MT" does the assigning of jobs as well as having to get her own lines in.  Who do you think is going to get the best dictations??  Do you think she/he will assign the good, easy dictations to the MTs on a fair basis and keep the lousy, crappy, ESL dictations for herself ?  Come on!  For the most part, management doesn't give a hoot as long as work gets done and is kept within TAT. 
How can you tell if you're being assigned certain jobs or not? sm

It seems to be as if I've been getting mostly the yucky dictators for a while now, with some good ones being thrown in here and there. I know a while back with this company (been here 1-1/2 years), I noticed a good change with getting assigned same clinics (clinic acct., obviously). It was even brought up at a phone conference, and the VP acknowledged they'd changed tactics and were assigning accts. as opposed to just letting us all in the pool. Said it was a good change for the company, and we MTs agreed as well.


But, for the last couple of months or so, I've noticed a downward trend in my dictators, and the job numbers aren't in order, just here and there, even different clinics popping in and out. I emailed the Account Liason and asked her if there was something going on here, and she said she didn't know, she'd have to check with the MT supervisor. She then came back & said no, there's been no change or assignments (which I reminded her the VP herself had said there was), and that I was just getting the luck of the draw.


However, something I'd read on this board got me to thinking. If these people in the position to control these jobs, such as the AL and who all else, are also typing and getting paid by the line, naturally they could pull in all the good jobs themselves. If they do get paid by production, I don't think they should be able to control the ques at all.


I just don't know whether to pursue this line of questioning or not, since I'd already tried once, and I'm not 100% sure of myself, just suspicious. Like, the other accts. jobs that are thrown in between while working on one clinic is usually a bad one.


Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.


 


Also, should I ask for a line-rate increase? I've been here 1-1/2 years and am making the same as I started, .08/line.


Well we are individually assigned work...sm
The manager assigns the work out to each individual MT so I am wondering how much work the other MTs are getting on the account.
It was simply the work from your assigned accounts.
More of our work is transcription based rather than ASR. However, we are in a training initiative so all employees will be prepared for handling ASR.

Are you using a Cphone? Don't the files keep feeding into your que or are you assigned? You'll
s
I do have assigned accounts and even those I can't get back within 24-48 hours at end of week. s
I think I need to have on-call coverage to help, but I don't have much time to train...I sometimes just think it takes less time to do it myself than to train someone new, but I'm just tired of working all the time. If I could find people who have so much experience that they can just be able to work and get it right by having a sample report and a template...hard to believe, but not everyone can do that....Also need a c-phone to access work on my system.
I assigned single letters to very common labs SM
For instance, i is for calcium (i just because I wasn't already used it for abbreviations with low-range numbers). Calcium 10.3 would be i103. Creatinine 0.7 is e07, e used for the same reason. I like it.

10-20 red cells is 1020rc and 10 to 20 red cells is 1020rc', but I'm not crazy about it. The "tttrc" I used to use was just as basic but better; I just wanted a system that would be memorable and allow me to enter lots of values without conflicting with other abbreviations. Maybe someone will offer a good system so I can change without bothering to think about it. :)
This is becoming the normal, unfortunately. To get assigned docs & accts. makes for good line
s
I assume you are assigned number much like a license number that can be verified through the AAMT.

Beyond that, I have no idea.


Be VERY careful.
That kind of cruelty to animals is an indication of a very deep problem. You are a much better person than I would have been under the circumstances. I don't care what kind of sob story he tried to spin, I'd have sued him for everything he had for the false police report AND pressed charges for animal cruelty. At the very least, you might want to ask him to retract his accusations IN WRITING and send copies to the police department and the animal control folks, just in case the girl tries on some other type of false accusation to get attention. Your good heart is admirable and I am humbled by your charitable reaction, but at the same time, you must protect yourself, your family, and your innocent dog. JMHO.
Soy can also help, but you have to be careful...
as soy also can inhibit the thyroid  function.  One serving a day is all that is recommended to help with menopausal symptoms. 
Thank you! Be careful though,
horsewhipped for your "liberal agenda".
OSI be careful?
Why?
be careful
I wouldn't use a vacuum, some of the parts are tiny and you could end up sucking them up. The canned air is better, it won't damage anything.
Me, too, but be careful (sm)

I read something about a prostate being dictated as a _______ cc prostate, which needed to remain as is. Anybody know?


Seriously, he does need to be careful what he
nm
Be careful with that!
When you get paid by the line, you get paid by the number of lines times your cpl. Usually a line is 65 characters including spaces. When you get paid by the character, that can often (although not always) mean getting paid by actual character strokes--AND THAT CAN GET YOU BURNED. If you use an expander, as any intelligent MT would do, you won't be paid for the letters your Expander adds to the document--only for the actual keystrokes. For example, if you type "djd;" and that expanded to "degenerative disk disease," you would only be paid for four characters as opposed to the 25 characters you SHOULD be paid for. Some companies do it this way, some don't. Make sure you check it out COMPLETELY!
I'd be careful sm
$1.20 for plain films would be OK. $1.20 for MRIs, Angios, etc would be a rip off. Make sure you have a good mix of reports.
Be careful about doing this...
I've tried this and couldn't access anything with the control set to the highest (no nudity, violence, etc), but when control set to medium or mild, could access EVERYTHING...including nudity, violence, etc.  So for me, it didn't work that well...it is like all or nothing...good luck though
be very careful
From my own personal experience what they really probably want is to buy your clients and keep your name and reputation.  I worked for a small local company - they wooed the woman with promises of big money.  she had to sign a non compete contract so she could never get the accounts back - and most of them were very dissatisfied with the indian work and dropped the service - when they dropped the service - the indians said that negated the money they had promised her.  She didn't get most of it.  They are obnoxious - promise the moon.  They wanted me to stay on as QA - work was ghastly.  They expect you to work the hours that they do - very long 12-14 hour days.  Aren't very understanding about emergencies or vacations - they don't get them. 
be careful...
I don't use a code. If you live in a state that collects sales tax on services, you may end up owing money for that even though you are an IC. Every state is different and I got nailed before I moved for a bunch of $$. I fought it and won, but my attorney advised me to leave it blank on the tax return from now on or at least until it was specific enough.
Be careful
I worked for them for a short while. Lisa is rude and mean. There are some very nice editors though. It would be a nice place to get some experience but if you have other options, take them. The pay isn't great, no benefits. They also charge 5.00 for mispelled names, even if the report is only worth 1.25. Slow platform
careful
Verizon just won a lawsuit against them for stealing software or something....they lost and have to pay Verizon 58 million. Even if they do stay in business, that has got to reflect on their pricing in the long run.
Please be careful
Yes, the only way to make it in this business is to pound faster, pound longer and/or pound for more than one.  You are already having physical problems.  If you go the pound faster/pound longer route, they are only going to get worse to the point that you may not be able to pound at all.  Can you afford that?  Can you afford the medical bills?  You know the doc is going to tell you to back off the work.  Studies on carpal tunnel syndrome indicate that stress is often a factor - thus why some people can do this job for a long time without apparent problems and others can't.  You need to find a comfortable work zone and stay in it.  Scribbles is right.  How well you do isn't work ethic alone.  It also depends on how good, or at the very least, how stable your accounts are.  It's also about working smart.  Use your Expander to best advantage.  Use the platform and its keyboard shortcuts to best advantage.  Good luck, but be careful!
be careful of this
About 8 months ago, I got screwed up with a dell computer because the salesperson steered me wrong. I told him exactly I needed XP on it and he said that vista can work find with companies using xp, and this salesperon was in the US.  The computer he sold me was not compatable with companies using XP, and tech support told me they will help you take vista off and load xp on it but they are not obligated to give you tech support after XP is loaded.  At least that is what I was told.  After pulling teeth I finally got my account credited. 
be careful
If it's the place in Kentucky, I worked for them for a few months last year (and by the way have STILL not received tax info for the year - they have to send me SOMETHING, even though I was classified as independent contractor). Things went well for a while but every time you start making money with one account, they switch you out to another so it's constant relearning and it's a while till you can make any money. They switched me out 5 times in 3 months!!! Also, the owner is a little "odd" and another higher up told me she had some "problems". Be careful!
Be very careful about doing this
I do not think you pay for a business line (you may, but did not say) in which case if you tell them you are using the line for business, it may wind up causing you very big bucks. They could switch you from a regular line to a business line and I think that is ?? between 300 and 400 a month. I would not pursue this unless you are getting a business line in the first place and want to complain about it. BYW, I stopped service with them a couple of months ago because of the extreme charges to me (on regular landline, over 40 something a month, too much). I love my new internet with Charter, speech much faster.
I think I'd be careful
about piggybacking on someone's WiFi, especially from a business.  I think (don't have exact info) there have been cases of people being arrested for that.  I think it's kind of a gray area, but I believe there are fines and possibly prison sentence if you're caught.  But many say so it's there own fault if they're going to have it wide open for anyone wandering by, but I can see a business trying to get nasty if they find out someone is using their broadband or getting in and not paying at places.
Be careful

I coded, billed and posted before I was an MT.  I'd like to make 2 points here.


1).  Yes, you'll be guessing.  And you won't know if your guess was right (payable) or not unless you are actually posting what got billed and see what got rejected.  IMHO, coding is a guessing game that insurers don't want you to win, hence the constant changes in the rules.  If you can get your facility to send you to day seminars such as "Coding for Optimal Reimbursement", it may help.  Make sure your coding manuals are the VERY latest version, at the least.


2).  You can and will be held liable in cases regarding Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement.  According to the feds, "ignorance is no excuse" for making mistakes in coding, yet they refuse guidance to anyone trying to do it, annually giving out constantly changing vague rules that force you to guess.  They do random audits and they are quick to scream fraud at honest mistakes.  The feds are hostile to doctors and are basically setting them up to fail so they can scream fraud and demand ALL their money back someday.  They will not only blame the doctor and the facility, but the coder herself, and there can be heavy fines/jail time for offenders.  Has your facility addressed in any way what they would "do" in the case of an audit to help YOU, such as provide you with access to the facility lawers?  Or will they gladly push the blame onto their uneducated coders and let them take a fall?


So be very, very careful.  Be certain the reason for the exam matches the code. If someone asks you to change a code, make sure there is documentation to prove that code.  Example - "rule out DVT" may be the reason for the exam.  DO NOT use code for "DVT" unless the patient actually has DVT.  Otherwise use a screening code (they start with V, I think, its been a few years since I did this).  If that's not payable, too bad for the facility.  If you go ahead and put DVT and the patient does not have it - that can be construed as "fraud" by the feds.


Good luck, and CYA.


Be careful

I was told I had to use an adapter when I switched companies and had to switch foot pedals.  I had nothing but problems with it.  I would press on the foot pedal and nothing would happen.  I would have to slam my foot down 3-4 times to get it to go.  I happen to have a laptop with a docking station that has 2 ports so I got rid of the adapter.


Your monitor should be plugged into a video port not a serial port.  If you don't have a serial port, you can possibly purchase one.  If you have a desktop and you have an open slot then you can buy one and install it.  If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, see if there's a geek squad or something near you.


Be careful
I personally use a laptop but mine was one a company was getting rid of because of buying new equipment.  Whenever I go somewhere, I know the system that I will be using has the security I need.  I don't know about libraries or places that use WiFi but you should be using a network with a firewall to be compliant with HIPAA practices.  Laptops have become the way to go if you are ever going to use it elsewhere or if you want to get Wireless in your house you can work in multiple places.  Just be aware of your security levels.
BE CAREFUL

I just watched a video online from AmeriPlan and I shut if off when the host said, "What else of this value would only cost 95 dollars?"..be careful--you should not have to pay for a job.


Careful what you wish for. New

x


You have to be careful.
Sorry to "butt in," but since I happen to be here at the moment may I add my cautionary advice?

Yes, many free AV programs are safe, but there ARE those out there that purport to be antivirus software (or antispyware, or other freeware offerings) which are actually malicious.

So, when contemplating using a free AV program, make sure it's one of those recognized as safe and effective (AVG, Avira, Avast!, and a few others) and don't download and install one without checking it out with experienced users first ... and always download either from the actual site offering the program (AVG's, Avira's, etc.) or a well-known and trusted third-party site (like CNET's Download.com and a few other biggies), rather than an unknown 3rd-party site that may have slipped a trojan in on ya. :-)
Be careful!
You can order a Dell directly with XP already installed, which is the best route to go, as I much prefer XP over Vista ANYDAY!!

BUT, if Vista is already on your computer and you install XP, it will downgrade your OS and your warranty will no longer be in effect. Even the downgrade XP disc they send with computers with Vista already installed will void your warranty but you won't know this unless you talk with a tech or a Dell customer service rep. This is the case with most all downgrades to XP though.

I would get Dell to directly install XP..... you certainly don't want to void your warranty.


Please be careful
...when doing Pilates anything. It's very easy to get hurt with these exercises. And since you're using a machine with no instructions be extra cautious. I'm perhaps being too motherly but since it takes many chiropractor trips and massage therapy to Undo what one wrong move Can do, I think a little caution is in order.

Please let us know how your new machine is working out for ya. I've been looking into some equipment myself that's not bulky or big that I can use, like the Total Gym.
You don't need to remove the key, remove the shortcut assigned to the key
in the customize keyboard dialog box.
Can't be too careful anymore.
Very wise call.
p.s.: careful not to heat too much

Be strong, but be careful. sm

He sounds like the type that knows better than to come to your house and violate a protection order, but you never, ever know and it's still early yet. Keep your doors locked.


My ex was "pre-protection order"  (i.e. many years back) and he got through the basement window and was sitting at my kitchen table in the pitch dark. I can still hear him sneer, "Did you have fun with your boyfriend?"


I was grocery shopping and my mother was watching the kids. I got lucky because he really didn't want to kill me, just control me.


He finally gave up on me when I found and eventually  married  a great guy that doesn't expect me to fold towels in high heels and "poofy hair".


Sad part of that story is that he also disowned his own kids. But, after 15 years, the kids have realized that it was neither my fault or theirs. Their "father" lives with me. Their "donor dad" is living 5 miles away, a recluse, and drinking himself to death.


I send him a case of vodka on his birthday every year. Just kidding! 


Be careful if you get an Amazon.
When they reach sexual maturity at about 3-4 years of age, they can become quite aggressive and attack their owners, often inflicting severe wounds. If you have children, an Amazon is not a good choice. Be mindful that any parrot you get will almost definitely outlive you. Also, please consider adopting from a rescue. There are many wonderful parrots out there in need of homes and it is a growing problem, as people don't realize what they're getting into. Having a parrot is like having a 2-year-old child forever, with all of the problems that come with it.
Be careful. If you were a heavy
PRD user, you will be disappointed with Autocorrect. Also, Autocorrect is not a stable program and may crash if you go over 12000 terms in it.
but you have to be careful. There are alot of sm
them out there and some will charge you a percentage. If you go to the counseling service that is run by the United Way or something, that is reputable. In my town it is just called Consumer Credit Counseling, but it is a United Way Agency. They don't charge you anything except maybe a 5 or 10 dollar a month fee for "postage and handling" and I don't think you are required to do that.

I have heard folks say it will ruin their credit, but it has been my experience that after you get that far, your credit is pretty much damaged anyway. I had a good experience with them.
be careful about the handling of that




When Is a Debt Canceled  (IRS.GOV)



A debt is canceled on the date an identifiable event occurs. An identifiable event is:





  1. A discharge in bankruptcy under Title 11 of the U.S. Code for business or investment debt (see Exceptions on this page).



  2. A cancellation or extinguishment making the debt unenforceable in a receivership, foreclosure, or similar federal or state court proceeding.



  3. A cancellation or extinguishment when the statute of limitations for collecting the debt expires, or when the statutory period for filing a claim or beginning a deficiency judgment proceeding expires. Expiration of the statute of limitations is an identifiable event only when a debtor's affirmative statute of limitations defense is upheld in a final judgment or decision of a court and the appeal period has expired.



  4. A cancellation or extinguishment when the creditor elects foreclosure remedies that by law end or bar the creditor's right to collect the debt. This event applies to a mortgage lender or holder who is barred by local law from pursuing debt collection after a “power of sale” in the mortgage or deed of trust is exercised.



  5. A cancellation or extinguishment due to a probate or similar proceeding.



  6. A discharge of indebtedness under an agreement between the creditor and the debtor to cancel the debt at less than full consideration.



  7. A discharge of indebtedness because of a decision or a defined policy of the creditor to discontinue collection activity and cancel the debt. A creditor's defined policy can be in writing or an established business practice of the creditor. A creditor's practice to stop collection activity and abandon a debt when a particular nonpayment period expires is a defined policy.



  8. The expiration of nonpayment testing period. This event occurs when the creditor has not received a payment on the debt during the testing period. The testing period is a 36-month period ending on December 31 plus any time when the creditor was precluded from collection activity by a stay in bankruptcy or similar bar under state or local law. The creditor can rebut the occurrence of this identifiable event if:





    1. The creditor (or a third-party collection agency) has engaged in significant bona fide collection activity during the 12-month period ending on December 31 or



    2. Facts and circumstances that exist on January 31 following the end of the 36-month period indicate that the debt was not canceled.



    Significant bona fide collection activity does not include nominal or ministerial collection action, such as an automated mailing. Facts and circumstances indicating that a debt was not canceled include the existence of a lien relating to the debt (up to the value of the security) or the sale or packaging for sale of the debt by the creditor.







Exceptions



You are not required to report on Form 1099-C the following:





  1. Certain bankruptcies. You are not required to report a debt canceled in bankruptcy unless you know from information included in your books and records that the debt was incurred for business or investment purposes. If you are required to report a business or investment debt canceled in bankruptcy, report it for the later of:





    1. The year in which the amount of canceled debt first can be determined or



    2. The year in which the debt is canceled in bankruptcy.



    A debt is incurred for business if it is incurred in connection with the conduct of any trade or business other than the trade or business of performing services as an employee. A debt is incurred for investment if it is incurred to purchase property held for investment (as defined in section 163(d)(5)).



  2. Interest. You are not required to report interest. However, if you choose to report interest as part of the canceled debt in box 2, you must show the interest separately in box 3.



  3. Nonprincipal amounts. Nonprincipal amounts include penalties, fines, fees, and administrative costs. For a lending transaction, you are not required to report any amount other than stated principal. A lending transaction occurs when a lender loans money to, or makes advances on behalf of, a borrower (including revolving credit and lines of credit). For a nonlending transaction, nonprincipal amounts are included in the debt. However, until further guidance is issued, no penalties will be imposed for failure to report these amounts in nonlending transactions


You have to be careful on the internet, but...
I have a myspace account, and I have the greatest circle of friends that I met through that site. You have to pick your friends/significant others closely...either on here or out in the real world. You just have to be smart about it.
Just be careful, I saw a report where it can cause
life-threatening dehydration. The "hoodia" ingredient in particular. Best bet is balanced diet and exercise. Good luck!