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Any advice on starting to do MT work on my own? sm - Virginia Chicken

Posted: Dec 03, 2009

Hi Everyone,

I have been working as an MT for over 10 years now, working for other companies. My husband has always been bugging me to try and get a few of my own accounts and I always tell him it is not that easy. I guess he gets tired of hearing me complaining about the pennies I make working for the large companies. I am finally so burned out working for them that I am actually thinking that maybe just working for a couple doctors would not be a bad idea.

My husband says I lack the confidence, but I am thinking how much stuff will I have to buy to do this and what kind of license and/or insurance would I need to get. I am thinking starting my own business could end up being too costly. I mean, I am sure it involves a lot more than just printing up some cards and giving them out. I am also not sure if it is different from state to state. I am in Virginia. Is there anybody out there that could advise me how they do it on their own?

Thanks a Bunch!!

being an IC - old mter

[ In Reply To ..]
Remember you have to pay out a third of your income to SS/Medicare taxes because now your employer pays a portion of it. Also if you have state income tax and B&O tax. I was an IC for about 9 years - you never get a vacation because you are afraid someone will steal your clients.

Also be sure you get contracts that say they MUST give you notice before terminating your service. I had two different docs go with speech recognition and they edited themself and told me on Friday they wouldn't need me on Monday.

I think no matter where you work today you have ups and downs and pros and cons.

Hope you find a happy medium.

Your business - gourdpainter

[ In Reply To ..]
I was an MTSO back in the 80s. I will tell you you have to be REALLY dedicated and it isn't all that great unless you're one of the big ones who can afford to hire people to do the dirt work. The buck will stop with you for everything and that was back in the days when you could get decent pay although I picked up and delivered. Things are way different these days. You will find competition fierce I think. I spent the day in the ER of the local hospital with my husband today(TIA) and had occasion to talk with the ER doc and the nurses about MT-ing. This is a regional hospital and one of the nurse's sisters works for them AT HOME and she's happy as a clam the nurse said. WHY CAN'T HOSPITALS SEE THAT THEY WOULD SAVE MONEY DOING THIS. Not surprising that their MTs are happy, they are flexible and have a "window" of time to complete X number of lines. They are employees and are paid hourly plus an incentive over some amount of lines, the nurse thought 700 or 800. Their ER has already gone to EMR as well as most of the physician's offices.

Good luck to you.

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