A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

IC HIPAA issue - whatwsthat

Posted: Aug 29, 2013

Feel the need to address certain posts

"..and there are no such places as you describe any longer. I have been working for an MTSO that treats their ICs as employees without all the "benefits," but also looking for something else along the way. I have not found ONE...not ONE service that takes true ICs any longer."

This is called painting with a very broad brush. How can you claim that as accurate? Saying 'no such places' means you have literally checked into, inquired and experienced EVERY company out there which I would assume would be thousands. I currently work for a company as an IC and it is straight transcription and hire only IC MTs. I am paid much over the standard that's currently offered by a majority of MTSOs.

"...none of us chose for these companies to cheapen our pay and go into voice recognition. We were forced into it, so yes in that way we are a victim of greed. We can choose to either continue to put up with this crap or get out, so yes that is our choice."

Again, painting a broad brush to speak for everyone when it's just YOU that is having this opinion. 'Forced into it' ?? How is that possible? I tried for 5 years at 3 different companies before I found the one I'm in now, 3 years this month! Yes, it can be done. Of course you choose, it's not black or white='I'll either have a crappy job or get out' smacks of a defeatist. It takes effort and determination, and not caving in to meet a short-term solution. Think long-term when picking out a company; like a spouse or a car or a house.

My company is based out of Ohio, I work in California. We are NOT required to obtain liability insurance to maintain employment. I may check with our insurance company who handles our car and rental policies, perhaps I can get professional insurance and use it for a tax write-off as a business deduction.

This is NOT a dying line of work, it has gone through a metamorphosis for sure, but still a viable way to make a living. Negativity breeds complacency.

It is DEFINITELY a dying line of work - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
If there was previously MANY MTs who had great jobs, but now there only a handful who have great jobs, then YES, this is a dying line of work. I don't believe anyone would argue that there are a few companies left. Even the fact that you even said it basically took you FIVE YEARS to find a "good company" I mean FIVE YEARS??? And you STILL chose to pretend that this industry is just fine?

Aside from how MTs think they are being treated and all of the complaints there, another sign to ME that this is a dying field of work is that I haven't been to ONE SINGLE DOCTOR in the past year that hasn't been accompanied by a laptop, dutifully putting in my information. We never saw things such as that years ago, when we were all smiling and rolling in our MT income.

reality check - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
As much as the OP wants to believe that she or he is in a thriving industry, the truth is that our previously lucrative career is rapidly turning into a thing of the past. There is such a thing as being hopeful and optimistic, but we need to throw in a hefty spoonful of reality at the same time. I am staying with my company part time, until they fold or sell out to M-Modal or Nuance, whichever comes first. I can afford to because I have a full time job unrelated to medical transcription. At my full time job I have a wonderful benefits package. The days of being able to support oneself and even a family on a medical transcriptionist's salary are long gone.

MTs need to read and understand...the word 'thriving' not used in my post - whatwsthat

[ In Reply To ..]
I used 'viable'=adjective--capable of living--practicable; workable.

Of course not making a barrel of $$ but enough to support my household to a large degree and save on hundreds of dollars on gas, etc. It's not a perfect career but I love being an MT now for 40 years. Working in a hospital or a clinic wasn't all that great either. It's not that in the last 5 years I chose to switch companies but circumstances (sell-outs, not-so-good treatment) forced me to look elsewhere. Everyone has a different point at which where and when that is. I just disagree that being an MT these days is dying, and nothing said will convince me otherwise. When I stop getting a paycheck that reflects my production and effort, I'll be the first to admit "you're right!"

Nothing shady with my company, they are nothing but honest and forthright. HIPAA compliance is not that complicated.

Time to do some homework... - anon2

[ In Reply To ..]
While it is great you are optimistic, it is time to do your homework on your "company." I'm quite certain I know who you refer to and you'de be well served to look at the legal status of things within the company. There are issues/trouble brewing that you are clearly not aware of in the IC world...not being rude to you just a heads up!

Proof is in the pudding, so to speak... - 4reality

[ In Reply To ..]
I didn't want to believe it either, but the fact is MANY colleges and tech schools have dropped the program. Even the school I went to, no longer offers it, and it was a well-respected MT school.

The guidance counselor at the local community college told me that they are "all aware of what's happening to the medical transcription industry." We're being hit, and hit hard, by both technology and off shoring.

I also am aware of many clinics, including where my PCP works, which is a huge clinic, adopting point and click. They don't use MTs or need editing at all. The loss of many clinics has to have an effect on the volume of available work.

Then, I noticed, quite painfully, that my once stable workflow has now become increasingly sketchy, causing me to have to seek additional employment. I've been trying to find another MT position for months, and despite doing extremely well on exams, I am told they have no fit for me or are not hiring, etc.

Then, I noticed very large layoffs and/or outsourcing to Nuance occurring all over, including a recent newspaper article about many MTs at a major teaching hospital being forced to work for Nuance or become unemployed.

And, don't forget that most of us have either lost pay or it flatlined 10+ years ago: no raises, slim to no benefits, etc.

To deny all this is happening, is to deny reality. Sure, there are pockets left, but mostly we are finding editing, which pays really lousy.

So, I'm seeking an outside job, and I have an interview tomorrow! I must admit that I am extremely excited!

Could you honestly recommend this "career" to someone you care about? Have them acquire student loans at one of those for-profit schools?

I would not do that to someone. My advice to anybody thinking this would be a nice career, etc., please don't do it. Go into something better, more stable, where you aren't "flexing" your shift to the middle of the night hoping to scrape up enough lines to keep the electricity on.

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