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

offer - anon

Posted: Dec 07, 2010

hypertype: Straight VR - 0.6 cents/line, IC status with 10.00 licensing fee every 2 weeks. Mostly ER. Good offer? or bad offer?

Just wondering - what is licensing fee for? n/m - 1mt

[ In Reply To ..]
.

offer - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
That is exactly what I said and she acted like she did not want to tell me. She said it was because it was IC status and for working over the internet.

BAD offer - anon - Nick

[ In Reply To ..]
It sounds like a scam to me. I have worked as an IC for over 20 years and never have I had to pay any kind of licensing fee. Have you done a background check on this company?

I will do a background. n/m - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
n/m

I would not even bother with any kind of check - Move On

[ In Reply To ..]
It sounds like she is trying to take advantage and make a few bucks off uninformed MTs... of which you are not one!

Ick! I would also run a VIRUS SCAN on your PC - Con-artists are coming out of the woodwork.

[ In Reply To ..]
X+Y=?

Becoming customary - mymt

[ In Reply To ..]
This is one of the ways services are supposed to be treating their ICs AS ICs. Since technically an IC is supposed to provide their own materials to work, the company is "renting" the materials (the software program used to work in most often) to the IC.

It's 100% tax deductible. I don't think it makes the company bad or that it's a scam. I know of a few very reputable companies doing this now.

6 cpl for VR is a great rate, to the OP.

I wouldn't let that $10 licensing fee put you off. Just keep track of what you pay so you can deduct it from your taxes.

This is not even close to "the norm." I wouldn't - touch this scam job with a 10-foot pole.

[ In Reply To ..]
X+Y=?

lol and you bought that? it's a crock of crap. - Charge back for brain use. sheesh

[ In Reply To ..]
x

Never, NEVER pay for a job! ANY job! - THEY are supposed to pay YOU.

[ In Reply To ..]
What the ____ is a "licensing fee", anyway?

I've been in this field for 35 years, and have never heard of anything so ridiculous.

Call her bluff. Seriously. Have you ever paid an employer to work for them before? - so why now. Ugh - anymore greedy tactics?

[ In Reply To ..]
Geez Louise.

Hypertype - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I was just offered the same, but I turned it down. I am not going to pay someone to work for them. I have worked for other companies and have never paid them a "licensing fee". I also didn't like the no vacation time. I don't normally take a vacation, but if I need a day off I want to be able to take it off. I guess I'll just keep looking and hoping something else comes up.

ME TOO! n/m - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
n/m

I think I would contact the Labor Board or the - Better Business Bureau about that.

[ In Reply To ..]
X+Y=?

About WHAT? - reality check

[ In Reply To ..]
She said it's IC status. They are charging her as an IC to utilize THEIR software.

She's not an employee so the DOL is meaningless. BBB? Come on!

Focus charges.

Transform charges.

These are 2 off the top of my recent memory, but there are others.

I predict you will see this more and more as people pressure the MTSOs to truly delineate between employees and ICs. Employees get the program for free.

Do you think the license fees are free to the MTSO? Nope, they aren't.

I'm truly gobsmacked at the lack of business knowledge and industry knowledge so many of you posters here have.

The Internet is free. You already pay for your ISP - service/broadband, etc. So does the - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
MTSO. Pay them for the use of their SOFTWARE? Bull pucky! It's a business expense for them; they can write it off.

BTW, the Better Business Bureau is by and for business. - Not to protect us from them. BIG misunderstanding.

[ In Reply To ..]
x

they do check disbutes and report complaints. works with nonpayers. - bbb helps

[ In Reply To ..]
z

Renting from companies - oldmt

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, I have paid employers to work for them via paying rent for Laniers, Dictaphones and C-phones as well as paying for my own internet and long distance. Oh yes. So I wouldn't be at all surprised that some are now charging licensing fees to use their programs. It figures.

OMG - how do you spell "SCAM"? "RIPOFF"? - or "UNETHICAL"?

[ In Reply To ..]
Man, these "job offers" just get more bizarre every day. I hope you didn't give them your SS# or anything.....

h-y-p-e-r-t-y-p-e, final answer. - what will they come up with next?

[ In Reply To ..]
x

RED FLAG ALERT!!!!!!!! Would not talk with them any further. - No Message Needed

[ In Reply To ..]
X

what if there is little work - and you still have to pay a licensing fee?

[ In Reply To ..]
In an industry where many MTs have little work much of the time, why should you also have to pay a "licensing fee" that the company cannot adequately explain?

Sounds like "ka-ching!" going from you to them.

Take it. - mymt

[ In Reply To ..]
The VR rate is great.

The licensing fee is becoming more common for "real" ICs. You'll be able to deduct this fee from your taxes.

I'd take the gig in a heartbeat.

Seriously? You're kidding, right? No wait - let me - guess: You own Hypertype, right?

[ In Reply To ..]
UN. be. lieveable!

Nope, don't own anything - mymt

[ In Reply To ..]
I make it my business to know what's going on in the industry. From what I read here, not a lot of the posters do.

Consider the $10 a rental fee for utilizing their software. You're an IC. They COULD tell you to obtain your own license.

Geez, never heard such a bunch of alarmists whiny bags in all my life. We're not in 1990 anymore kids.

Most of us aren't suits, either. - Un. Be. Lievable.

[ In Reply To ..]

so, is that similar to charging a person to use your bathroom, water use and all... - just asking.

[ In Reply To ..]
.

I have an interview with them this Thursday sm - Ragged MT

[ In Reply To ..]
If they offer 6 cpl for VR, I would be a fool not to take it. The $10 fee at this point I am not sure what it is for. There is a trend starting that some ICs are being required to purchase an insurance policy to cover themselves against lawsuits just in case of a fatal error. For example, my son-in-law works in construction as an independent contractor and he has to have some insurance to cover himself in case of injury on the job. My first thought when I read about this was that the license fee might be somewhat similar to that.

When I am reminded about the rates they are paying for traditional transcription now, it would be very unwise for ME to pass this opportunity up. Most places pay 3 and 4 cpl for VR editing. Heck with that. I'll take the 6 in a heart beat and write off the license fee on my taxes.

To most MTs, $20/month is a lot of money. 6cpl - is lousy pay, even for VR. Why anyone

[ In Reply To ..]
thinks VR is "easy-work" that needs to be paid less for, is beyond me. Unscrambling VR gibberish often takes longer than transcribing the report ourselves.

And that's when there IS work. I was told I'd have much more work once I got onto VR in addition to straight transcription. WRONG. I'm sitting here with NJA as I type this.

To ask an employee that they're ALREADY paying too little as is is, to cough up $10 every 2 wks. for software that they had no voice in choosing, and which usually works AGAINST the MT, slowing them down even further, is just wrong.

Let them pay for it themselves, and write it off their OWN taxes.

When you read what IC's are going through these days, and how much they're cheated by MTSOs, I think it's better to take an employee position. At least you have SOME protection by U.S. labor laws. The little bit extra you make being IC just doesn't make up for the lack of insurance, bookkeeping, long-form taxes, etc.

But back to the "fee". The OP said the company wouldn't even give it to her straight exactly what this "fee" was even for. So we don't even know! My guess is it has nothing to do with software; instead I would just chalk it up to another way to squeeze even more blood our of all of their poor, unsuspecting Transcription Turnips.

Read before you spew - mtso

[ In Reply To ..]
"To ask an employee that they're ALREADY paying too little as is is, to cough up $10 every 2 wks. for software that they had no voice in choosing, and which usually works AGAINST the MT, slowing them down even further, is just wrong."

It's not an employee position. It's IC status. So for all of you saying "let them write it off", well, that same thinking is applied to the BUSINESS OWNER aka IC MT.

don't they have to be the creator of the software to rent a licence on it? - what software is this?

[ In Reply To ..]
x

I mean, I can download songs at a price, but I'm not allowed to - copy and sell them, rent them out.

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Ragged MT - Skeptical

[ In Reply To ..]
It sounds to me like you are trying to convince yourself. Here is how to protect yourself: Have this company write up your offer in a proposed contract or memorandum of understanding. Take it to a business attorney and have him or her review it and see what gets said. Go from there. Don't fall for this scam.

Licensing Fee - spicedawg

[ In Reply To ..]
$10.00 licensing fee is less than what I pay out every 2 weeks. I never buy any equipment of software, only Stedman's Spellcheck. Every year, I hand my accountant the receipt for the $600/year I'm charged and it's used as a business expense. If I need any help with any of the platforms, I have 800 numbers and ID numbers for tech help. I've been paying this fee for the past 5 years. If I need a new foot pedal, etc., I'm never charged. Good Luck. I actually took the test for this company this a.m. and they e-mailed me for an interview.

We got Spellcheck FREE, and we still don't pay any - bogus "fees". This company sounds very FISHY.

[ In Reply To ..]
.

NOT A SCAM - sereneone

[ In Reply To ..]
I do part-time work as an IC, have known the owner (and a personal friend) of the small MTSO for 15+ years and have worked as an employee or IC on and off over the years. Within the past year or so, the owner changed to a new platform. When I went back to work this last time as an IC, was told that the MTSO was thinking of charging a small licensing fee for the USE OF THE PLATFORM so that the MTSO would be in compliance with and meet IRS guidelines for an IC. They actually never ended up doing it but I didn't see anything wrong with it, it covered the MTSO's behind with the IRS. And, as an IC, it can be deducted as a business expense.

Where I work as an IC they just switched to - see message

[ In Reply To ..]
a new platform and the MTSO has to pay a percentage to the platform company based on the lines going through their system. The MTSO is paying this now, but I could see it come to the point that we, the MT, may be asked to pay a little something in the future.

Take the offer... - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
give it a working chance. If it isn't a good fit or something doesn't seem right, give your notice. You will never know until you try. Keep your other job, tho, if you have one, and if you don't, keep submitting for other jobs.

I had to pay a license fee years ago with a company for software to send the voice and copy files back and forth. It was a small amount just like this. Not all companies asking this are scams.

And due to everyone raising their arms about IC vs Emp status, many companies are now requiring the IC to carry liability insurance. One of my contracts just re-did everyone's contract and are mandating that and you think $20 a month for a fee is too much?! Be careful what you wish for people.

Similar Messages:

Jan 17, 2010

Haven't even completely finished school, tested for a part time IC position, and I got the job offer today! It can be done, ****! *** Stop with the snide remarks toward experienced MTs who do not share your point of view for this career. Moderator *** ...

Sep 19, 2012

Have an offer,not sure though. Would love to hear from others who work there and in the know. How is their QA done, weekly, monthly, every 3 months like where I work now or just how. Do you think the QA is there, fair, critical, just anything I could find out would be nice. ...

Mar 29, 2013

...Okay, I'm not here to start a fight about union vs non-union, but I was just offered a non-MT job at a hospital that has a union, and I am anti-union. When she told me that it was a union position, my jaw dropped. She must have seen the look on my face, because she told me that since this is Florida, we don't HAVE to join the union or pay dues or anything like that. My face brightened up right away. SO, if you are not pro-union be SURE to ask if the state you live ...

Nov 12, 2009

Kaiser insurance besides MedQuist? I want to leave MedQuist but I love my Kaiser insurance. Please help. TIA. ...

Feb 13, 2010

I am updating, like I said I would. I'm still working, and I LOVE the job! Granted, the pay isn't where I would like it to be yet, but it gets better every day, because my line count gets higher every day! Thanks to those of you who encouraged and supported me during the hiring process! ...

Feb 18, 2010

Well after being in this business for almost 20 years, I have decided it's time to hang up the keyboard, as a single person I can no longer support myself as a medical transcriptionist. This is not even a good part-time job anymore. I have worked for more companies than I cared to admit, suffered through intolerable divas as team leads, gestapo QA, constant nip picking on where a comma goes, or a verb, and had my cpl reduced from what started out at 13 cpl to 0.0350 cpl.&n ...

Mar 15, 2010

I have 2 job offers from 2 different companies, but both of these companies are fairly large and have multiple posts with complaints that there is just not enough work for everyone. Would it be possible to take both offers, on the chance that if one doesn't have work the other will? I might be kinda screwed if they both have a lot of work, but it might be worth it to see how both will work out without closing any doors. Has anyone done this before? Is it possible to run 2 companies differen ...

Mar 19, 2010

Wow. I was just offered a job by MQ. I politely asked if the 'rumors' were true about being docked for sending reports to QA. I was informed that if you are supposed to do 6,000 lines a week and 300 lines total come to QA, then yes you would be docked 3 cents per line. If you are part-time with 4,000 line a week and 200 lines total came to QA, then you would be docked. I politely said that I would have to decline. BUT, if you feel that even QA canno ...

Jun 09, 2010

I have a job offer from Transolutions, but I have a couple of questions. I use Instant Text and I need to know if their platform is compatible with it. This would definitely be a dealbreaker for me. The opinions of the company I read on this board were not very favorable -- slow speech rec program, too much speech rec, etc. But all the opinions were at least 2 years old. Is there any more current information out there? The pay scale is very enticing, but if the ...

Jun 24, 2010

I'm considering an offer from a national company of around 8.75 cents straight typing and around 5.5 for VR. This would be for a full-time position and I have over 10 years experience (but none with VR). I'm currently on unemployment earning around $1500 a month. My normal production of straight typing is around 150-200 lph. With this info., should it be a problem to earn more than what I'm currently making on unemployment? I'm afraid to make the change as once I ...

Oct 01, 2010

Just got a "job offer" e-mail. I can make $225/day working for e-bay auctions!!!! Why am I still doing MT????? NOT!!!! ...

Jun 14, 2011

MQ offered me a full-time position last week, after all the testing, but after reading this board, with all the firings and lawsuit, and outsourcing, I don't know if I want to work for them! Is there any reason not to work for them? I would appreciate any input. Thank you. ...

Apr 22, 2011

Anyone heard of Uniwork? Clue me in please????? ...

Jun 06, 2011

Hi all, I was just offered a postiion and was wondering how the company is? Any advice good or bad would be helpful. Thanks ...

Jul 27, 2011

I am an MT with 20+ years experience and switched careers a year ago when our hospital's Transcription Department was eliminated and all transcription was outsourced. I am currently working full-time as a secretary but am looking for part-time MT work to supplement my income as most of my wages are going towards my family's health insurance. I was hoping for 10-15 hours per week, but 20 hours are required and I'm not sure I can handle 12-hour days between both jobs. Does ...

Aug 09, 2011

I just had a job offer for Probity. I am considering it, but before I accepted I emailed them with a question about if there is steady work and still have had no response. I am on unemployment benefits, so if I take their job and then there is not steady work and if I have to quit, I cannot get my benefits back. So, it's a delicate decision. Is anyone working for them who can tell me anything about them....good or bad? Thank you. ...

Dec 07, 2011

MQ has scheduled an offer phone call for me today. I am kind of scared. I have many years into MT and thought I might as well since they will someday employ me through buyouts anyway. Is there any good reasons why I should accept the job. Or should I avoid the call and just keep sending out resumes. Please if there is anything good to say now is the time because I am 50/50 on taking the chance. Thanks. ...

Dec 15, 2011

Is .11/65 ct line good or bad? TAI ...

Jan 15, 2012

401ks--preferably with a match? Anyone know? Thanks. ...

Apr 11, 2012

I lost my job a few months ago. I started applying, testing, waiting to hear from companies. I did get hired this week part-time for VRE work and it pays peanuts. A second company was interested in me and I went through testing, filling out tons of paperwork, phone calls and waiting. They offered me a job as an MT and also VRE. The offer is so disappointing! I have a lot of experience but that does not seem to count for anything with them. The wages are ...

Oct 11, 2012

Was planning to go to work for SS. Posts here make me very nervous. Are they maybe just disgruntled employees? Help, honesty please. ...

Nov 27, 2012

Hi - Got a job offer from them and wanted to know if anyone here has had experience with this company and did/do you like them. Been with my current company for a long time now and am hesitant to leave, but VR has put a huge dent in my paycheck and SS says they don't do VR... Thanks in advance! ...

Jan 04, 2013

I have an offer from Keystrokes. They are paying 7 cpl. Any current or former workers? I currently work for Nuance/Transcend. Please respond soon; I need to make a decision before Monday. Thanks in advance. ...

Feb 04, 2013

I got a job offer at Probity. The pay has an incentive built in for anything over 5000 lines per pay period. Does anyone know what the pay period is? It doesn't say and am waiting for resonse from recruiting. Also, it is for a 6 hour shift. Is that normal. I was hoping for 8. Is eligibility for benefits based on line count or hours worked? Any advice would be helpful on this company. Thanks ...

Sep 18, 2013

Just got an unsolicited email from "At Once" transcription company. Said they had reviewed my resume and seem to be a good fit and to call for an interview. They listed their address, etc..... Signed by - person to call to set up interview. On line, there is no company called At Once listed when googled. I know I didn't send ANYONE a resume in quite a while. WT is this?!?! ...

Mar 13, 2014

I just wanted to wish all of you good luck if you get the offer and want to take the test for the coding class. We all have to decide what is best for ourselves. I really hope this is a postive offer. I understand totally how so many of us feel stuck where we are because our workload and pay have changed so much. As others have advised, I would definitely get all the answers. Unfortunately in the medical transcription world we feel we are fighting just to be ab ...

Apr 24, 2014

As an experienced MT, would you take a job that started at 7 cpl? I don't know if this is the norm now, but I have interviewed for 5 jobs this week, none of which have offered more than this. One of the jobs sounded great, but I am terrified to take it because of this 7 cpl offer. She said there was no wiggle room, so I can't ask if they'd consider going up a little. I have 10 years of experience and have been at the same job for 8 years. Other than considering going off on ...

May 15, 2014

Had along conversation (meeting) with the HR person or possibly owner regarding this company and what they had to offer. I was STUNNED. (By the way, none of her seeker posts have the ability to post a reply only to post through email - does she not want others posting their shock as to her offer? She has a new account that many MTs will be "off QA in a couple of weeks". Timeframes in this business are never absolute and can get extended infinitely. In the meantime all MTs still on Q ...

Jun 12, 2014

I have an offer from Accentus. I like the flexibility they offer, but I also have an offer from Breitner. Any feedback on these two? Thanks. ...

Sep 29, 2014

Sorry, not worth it to me.... ...