VBC calculation - KRFan

I see periodic discussions on this board regarding VBC pay.  There have been "white papers" and similar studies issued by various bodies, including, I believe AHIMA, and here's what I've gotten as a way to calculate the meaning of VBC rates. 

I suggest when offered a VBC rate, you ask your prospective employer or manager how they have calculated the relationship between the "standard" 65-character with spaces line rate and the VBC rate.  They should be happy to supply you with the formula they used. 

Meanwhile here's one way.

First, you need to think in terms of per VBC pay.  That is, an amount of money for each visible black character.  So if you're told (like one poster yesterday) that you'll be getting 5 cents for 43 VBCs, divide 0.05 by 43 to get a per-VBC rate.  That gives you a rate of 0.001163 for each visible black character.  Multiply that amount by 52.2 to get the equivalent per-standard-line rate.  In this case, the 5 cents per 43 VBCs equals a standard line rate of 0.06 per line. 

If you are working for a company or hospital or clinic that is switching to a VBC way of paying, take your present line rate -- say 9 cents per standard line -- and divide that by 52.2 to get the appropriate equivalent cents-per-VBC rate.  So 0.09 divided by 52.2 equals 0.001724 cents per VBC. 

There's some uncertainty in calculating VBC equivalents, but these figures should be very close in most cases.  Again, ask your employer or prospective employer to explain to you in detail how they made their own calculations, and make your decisions accordingly.  Don't be afraid to ask!