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

Advice needed..... - missmarymac

Posted: Dec 05, 2013

I am an MT with nearly 30 year's experience. I currently IC for a medical management company. Current line rate is .10/line (which is good) but would like to ask for .12/line - even better. I have been working for them for over 3 years - the last 1-1/2 full-time. I am having a hard time finding the wording to address this subject. With everything else around me (rent, insurance, etc.) rising, I feel this is deserved but don't want to jeopardize or risk what I have. Any advice would be welcomed and appreciated. Thanks!

and you are asking - people who are making

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8 and 4? Can't tell you what to do, but I would not ask for a raise and thank the lucky stars you have such a gig...

I thought about that ..... - missmarymac

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after I posted this and read some of the comments. I am thankful, but I also work for it - no time off to speak of and make myself available every day, all day! I know what your saying. :/

I understand what you are asking - do you realize

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First I have to say if you feel you are worth it go for it. Ask. The worst is they say no.

With that said someone asked if you realized you are asking people who make 8 and 4 cents a line. I am one of those people. Most all my work now is 4 cents a line cos it's all going to VR. But guess what. I too am worth more. I work my tail off too. Your situation is not unique. Most of us here work and make ourselves available all the time. Have you read the posts. Can't speak for anyone else of course, but I work hard. I have not had time off since oh, I'd say *2004*! I make myself available every day. I work 7 days a week, during the days, nights if they need me 1 weekend day and on the other weekend day when they have work I do that for them too. If they call me I jump on the system, when they don't call me I still check the system to see if there is work to be done. I work every holiday there is so others with kids can spend time with them. Many of us here are like that.

I understand you believe you deserve it and I'm not saying you don't, what I am saying is your post makes it sound like you believe your situation is unique. My dad told me one time be thankful you have a job and I am, however, the VR system is incredibly bad. 20 percent of words the doctor dictates don't get printed, so we add them in. 40% on the words are way totally off and comes out not even anywhere near what was said so we have to change it. Then there is additional words the system likes to throw in when nothing is said. There is the formatting messed up that we have to change. And of course there are the doctors who will say "oh you know what, I forgot to add in this section where I talked about the heart, would you please go back and change it to say this...". Of course all that has to be deleted, but then I'm searching through 2 pages of dictation to find out they never talked about the heart, so how am I supposed to make a half of a sentence sound right, and where on earth am I supposed to insert it. Or we have the doctors that all we are getting is sounds. We have to pull up their old dictations and hope there is something that sounds familiar so we can make sense of it - all for the price of 4 cents. By the time we finish their report they get a good quality report that makes sense without changing anything they say. So while my dad says "be happy you have a job" I tell him yes I am lucky, but I would like to make more than 5.50 an hour one day, 6.24 the next, 3.18 the next 5.60 the next, etc. etc.

So while I have no doubts you are worth what you are asking and I do sincerely wish you all the best and hope you can get it, your post just really irritated me because to me it sounds like you think you are unique and that you are doing something up and beyond what any of us do. Also, pay rates should not be based on just because you make yourself "available". It also should be dependent upon the quality of the reports and are they done within the TAT requested.

Anyway...wish you the best of luck, just was a little irritated at the way you worded your post.

I understand what you're asking..... - outahere

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Very well said, and yes, her post was quite irritating. However, I don't think she understood that those of us who have made this our lifelong career for the last 30, 35 or 40 years (or more) would really like to be appreciated for the skill and dedication we have given to our profession. Most of us now don't make as much an hour as the people who serve us in the hospital cafeteria or mop the hallways, yet we allow ourselves to be used and abused because we love what we do (or did until companies like M*Model bastardized the healthcare system). We have been thrown under the bus and are treated like dogs because they know they can get away with it. Now fast food workers want $15/hour. Watch how fast I can sling burgers if they get even $8.

Go ahead and ask - - sm

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all they can say is no, and then you will have to deal with that. Or they might say, "if you don't like it you can leave," which was something I heard a lot at another job, when they refused to distribute the workload evenly.

I would google "how to ask for a raise," and just read a lot of suggestions. In the end it will be whatever words you are comfortable with, because only you know the person/people you will be asking.

Wow, I would be glad for 10 cents... - Depressed

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I have worked for 2 different companies in the past year and both pay 3 cents a line - no chance of raises EVER. :(

Personally I would not ask for such a large - sm - InkMT

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increase. I would at most ask for 0.11 cpl....two cents is quite a jump, say you do 20,000 lines normally you would go from $2000 to $2400, they may have a hard time swallowing that, especially if that is every two weeks, that is a $9600 raise (for a year's pay). I lost a job about 18 months ago that was 0.8 cpl....I make 0.05 now. So while we all understand you want more, feel you work extra hard (most of us do), your employer may decide if you push it too far to either (1) get someone cheaper, or (2) go to VR, once they realized there are much cheaper ways of getting the work done. There is a danger is saying, hey, I have been working for you for X years, do a great job, always in TAT and I would like a pay increase from .10 to .12 starting Jan. 1, 2014. Then see what happens. Hope it works out for you.

raises are earned, not because your rent goes up - ICManiac

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and more importantly, raises are for employees, not independent contractors. I imagine the company for which you contract also deals with increasing business expenses (rent, insurance, etc.).

A true IC negotiates a fair rate based on factors of operating her/his own business. Does your contract specify that your rate can be increased at a particular point in time? For example, the time to address a rate increase in my contracts is when they renew each year.

If you feel it would be the right thing to do to tell the management company you are raising your rate, you need to decide beforehand what you would do if they decide to refuse your increase. Maybe they want to go on as things are; maybe they will say they no longer need you.

In the last two years, I was offered the opportunity to continue a contract at less than the negotiated fee - or walk away from the business. I took the cut because it is still a good fit. The company's expenses were up and income was down, and they wanted to pass that along to me.

So, if you need to renegotiate your rates, I just would advise you to give careful consideration to all your options.

Agree with ICManiac - Anon

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I can't speak to the part about raises being for employees but not ICs but I can speak as an employee. I got a raise in October, then my rent went up in January, I'm probably now going to break even but it is what it is. I'd never think of going back and asking for more money, we learn to live within our means. As an employee, I've never been able to ask for a raise, that is what annual reviews are for. What are you providing above and beyond that justifies asking for that much more money? Unless you have great negotiating skills, my thought is to tread lightly. There are a lot of people out there who would gladly undercut you to get the work, it's a dog eat dog marketplace. They might decide you are costing them too much money and go with someone else. They have expenses too, so don't expect too much sympathy if you tell them your rent was increased.

Hey missmarymac - missnotsomerry

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You are really lucky you get .10/line. The reason you do is because the MTSO's keep the money we Mt's and MLS's should be making. They charge the hospitals .15/line, keep their share and give us a few pennies. So you are working directly with the company and it isn't unusual you are getting paid more than us in the work-at-home world. Maybe you can ask for .11/line instead of .12/line. But I know it's Christmas and it's nice to buy gifts. I can't afford to get anyone any gifts. But remember this, always live like you are only making 4 cpl or 7 cpl. The economy itself will collapse in a year or two because we are all living on a huge debt and were are losing ground and going downhill. Live like you have very little so you are prepared for it. Anything can happen. Put all cash under your mattress because they will start taxing the money you have in the bank when the ____ hits the fan. God Bless

I'd ask - JustMe

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I'd go ahead and ask. They might say no, they might not. You won't know unless you ask. Just write the letter and make sure you clearly write why you think you deserve it.

A lot of the responders here saying not to just sound bitter and jealous because they don't make that much. I guess that since they don't make 10 (or more) cents, no one should! That sounds so ridiculously petty, but imo that sums up a lot of people on here.

So, I say ask away and good luck!

I'm not jealous. I make more than 10 cpl - also IC

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I'm giving the OP the honest truth. I have had my own accounts for over 20 years. Things are bad, really bad. Rates are going down, not up. Now is not the time for the OP to be discontent with 10 cpl. Five years ago, yes. But not in today's market. If she wants to take your advice and ask anyway, that's up to her. I, like the OP, have my own accounts. I have found that over the last 5 years I have had to drop my rates, not raise them. I did raise my rates on one account a few years ago and I ended up losing it to someone who bid less. Would love to have that account back now, even for less money. Just trying to keep the OP from doing something she might live to regret.

Rates - Toni

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You are correct. I read these boards and although there are many unethical MTSO's out there who make more and pay their people less, there are those of us who pay their ICs a proportion of what they get. I too have had to drop my rates to keep from losing customers. Had a couple of really bad scares with some of my bigger accounts. Unfortunately, I've had to also drop my ICs rates proportionately. BUT in cases where after a year or so I raise my rate slightly again, my ICs also get to benefit. My ICs have stuck with me for a long time through thick and thin. This business is definitely not what it used to be and I just hope I can hold it together for another 2 years.

JustMe - Anon

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Supply and demand come into play here, as well as people being willing to pay what the market will bear. It has nothing to do with being bitter or jealous; I'm paid hourly and probably make more than quite a few people. Raises need to be earned or there needs to be justification for them, not just because a person with 20 years experience decides they need more money.

i agree with you some of these responders - mtr

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speak like very jealous people

Tell me who you work for, and I'll do it for 6.5 CPL - The Typing Dead

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Just a little introduction to the reality of hte marketplace.

To everyone above.... - missmarymac

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Thank you all for the honest feedback and advice. I'm not in contact with other transcriptionists and didn't realize how bad it actually is, but I needed that wake-up call. I can't even fathom asking for more right now, so I am going to stay put for now and be thankful and I am.

I think it is great that you have taken the feedback and sm - also IC

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actually listened to what we have had to say. Sometimes I don't listen when I should and actually if I had listened, I wouldn't have lost that one account I mentioned in another post. So I'm glad you are able to take the information we have provided and make a decision based on that. You really are lucky these days to be making 10 cpl. I would hang onto that as long as they will let you. Best of luck to you!

love your pseudonym - Toni

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Had to LOL at your "The Typing Dead" moniker. Feels that way more and more, doesn't it? Thanks for the chuckle!

You and all the rest of us - Ayn

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I think you'll find that most, if not all, MTs have the same issue -- no raise in years. I have 15+ years of experience (6 with current employer); my accuracy rate is 99.7%; my straight transcribing speed is 200 lph; I volunteer for OT, weekends, coverage for others who are out. I have not gotten a raise yet with my current job and have been told it is not an option now or ever. The rate of pay simply will NOT ever change. Period. Nonnegotiable. That is even stated in my employment contract. All of us are paid exactly the same rate from day 1 of hiring, and it will not be changed for anyone regardless of experience, skill, work ethics, etc.

My favorite response from employers is their opinion/belief that we are paid on production and, therefore, if we want a "raise" we just need to produce more and, therefore, getting a raise is always an option and we just have to choose to do it. HA!

My point to you would be (1) if you feel you deserve a raise because you've earned it through your skills, etc. then ask. All they can say is no. However, I would agree with poster(s) who've said you are asking for too big of a raise. I don't think you stand a chance anywhere of getting that big of a bump in pay.

Second point, which was also mentioned by a few other posters -- you need to differentiate between a "raise" based on you & the job you are doing and a "cost of living" increase. If you do decide to ask for a raise, you will have better luck receiving one if you present it as a raise based on you & your skills. Cost of living has gone up for everyone everywhere in every walk of life, including your boss. Going in and saying my expenses are rising & I need to be paid more to compensate is likely to be met with your boss saying, "yeah, me too." I hear from friends & family all the time -- no one is getting cost of living increases these days in this or any other career.

Lastly, which I think you probably already gathered from other posters here -- IC or not, you are already in a pretty sweet spot. The line rate you are being paid is already way above what most are making, IC or not. I would be cautious about asking for a raise and giving them cause to look at the market around them. They may realize they are actually overpaying you compared to the going market rate...

production pay is a different structure than hrly...period. If - your head is hrly set, will always have a prob

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just sayin' it'll always be 'off' for you even if you made 35 cpl.

I agree - Ayn

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Being paid on production is just another reason I am trying to leave MT/editing. I think the time is past where it is appropriate to pay MTs/editors on production alone. There are simply too many outside factors beyond our control that are affecting our ability to produce, and as editors especially there are a lot of things we do that are not production related and/or actually counterproductive. I think it is time MTs/editors were paid hourly, based on knowledge, skill, experience, etc. But, I also realize that's unlikely to ever happen. Yet another reason my resume is being sent out every day for jobs other than MT/editing!

I agree. Years ago I liked being on production, but things have changed. - also IC

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Back then, the line rate was higher. So even with having to stop to look up medications, instruments, doctor names, you could average a good rate of pay.

When I got into a doctor's office or hospital office, I'm surprised at the people who are being paid hourly who don't have to have their nose to the grindstone for every penny they make. I recently applied for an in house MT job and while I was there for an interview, the transcription manager and the front desk person and the transcription coordinator and several other people were chatting in a relaxed manner. When you go into a doctor's office, the people sitting at the front desk checking people in aren't sitting there actively working every minute. In between patients checking in, they don't have to account for every minute in order to be paid.

In short, with other jobs you don't have to have total concentration for every bit of time that you are paid.

It's just so unfair what has happened in the MT industry. No one should have to have their nose to the grindstone for 8 hours a day for every cent they get. We aren't machines putting out widgets. We shouldn't just get paid for what we produce. There is a lot of knowledge that goes behind what we produce that the average person doesn't possess. If I have to stop and pull up the H&P or consult when doing a discharge summary because the dictator is reading from another report and not speaking clearly, shouldn't I be paid for that? If I research medication dosages because the dictator said it incorrectly and I am correcting his mistake, shouldn't I get paid for that?

I think an hourly wage is appropriate. I do think there should be a minimum like count for that hourly rate because if not, there absolutely would be MTs who would do nothing. A local hospital used to have a minimum of 900-some lines a day. I think that's kind of low. I'd say maybe 1000 to 1200 lines a day, with incentive pay for anything over the minimum.

But I think it's too late. The best thing to do is get out of MT altogether.

how about make your own raise with SHORTHAND - mtr

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nm

As an IC you can increase your "Fee" - mwmt

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As an IC you are technically a small business owner. You are not an employee and should not think of your pay as "salary" but as your service fee. MT Services raise their "rates" all the time and do it for all kinds of reasons, which actually don't even need to give a reason other than something like "increase in expenses," which is what you are paying if you have internet service, any kind of download programs, platform fees, etc.

Think in terms of "negotiate" versus "ask" in this case. You really need to take a stand and just state your case for a "need for fee increase" without giving personal reasons. It's about your "business" and you can't give reasons that affect you personally. It's about what MT service charge, not because you need more money.

The going rate to clients for most MT services is way above 10 cents per line.

You could start by sending a nice kind of an "alert letter" indicating that "at the first of the year we are required to raise our rates blah blah." I wouldn't hesitate to give it a try. Any other business raises their rates without "permission" and everyone goes along with it. Just think of yourself as a professional service owner, not an employee, and you will be able to see this in a different light. Good luck to you.

Thank you.... - missmarymac

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for your professional advice. I greatly appreciate it.

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