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

How long has it been since the MT industry started - Paying 4 cents per line?...see message

Posted: Apr 18, 2012

I am fairly new to this. I have always worked as an MT, but always paid hourly. Obviously 4 cents per line is not enough for anyone to survive on unless you are doing it for supplemental income. So my question is when did these companies start paying 4 cents per line and how long has this been going on? I am just curious how so many have survived so long on these wages. Thanks.

couple years at my company - povertyqueen

[ In Reply To ..]
Pretty sad.

I am curious too - LeavingMT

[ In Reply To ..]
For the last 7-8 years I worked for a small MTSO, but left because I was tired of being at beck and call 24/7 (she even called me WHILE in the hospital claiming yet another email was lost and yet again that my cell phone didn't work to type a report that was overdue--this was common amongst all of us and when I found this out I started to look).

At any rate, I am floored at how much the industry has changed while I have been with a smaller company. It seems like lower wages are becoming the norm, as it is in other industries, but I think because we are isolated and because we work from home--they are much lower than if we were out in the public. I could make maybe $40 less per MONTH working at Target but I'd get a discount on stuff too LOL.

Anyway as my title suggests I am leaving (within 2-3 weeks) but I am curious as to when and WTH happened.

4 cpl - fedup

[ In Reply To ..]
I can't believe this is where the industry has gone. The transcriptionist gets no respect in this business anymore. I can't even make 15 dollars an hour and I'm good. A month ago I was making 22+ while taking my time and then they started counting lines a different way. This is not good.

Demand at least 5-6 cents/line for VR editing - Lenie

[ In Reply To ..]
The only way to beat this is if EVERYONE demands 5-6 cents a line for VR editing.

This is not straight transcription - 4 cents a line for straight transcription is ridiculous.

IF EVERYONE DOES THIS, they will be forced to rethink VR before shoving it down our throats like they're attempting now.

Rates really do need to be raised industry wide to - 5-6 cents for editing.

[ In Reply To ..]
This is crazy.

surviving the 4 cents - surfatbeach

[ In Reply To ..]
we do not survive. I am really depressed right now. I have not much money to live on and my daughter's birthday is in 24 days. I do not know how to make it right with her. I feel like the poverty/loser queen, but I keep truckin' and hoping those lines come in, everyday is a new day.

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