Medical Transcription Philippines

13 Things you should know when applying for a medical transcription company to avoid regrets and dissapointment later on. Hope companies can benefit from this checklist too.

There are a lot of companies out there to choose from, and unfortunately, there are some who are looking for the opportunity to take advantage of an MT’s naivete; so as one MT to another, here’s a check list to assist you in making an informed decision:

1. Know exactly the formula for pay; whether gross lines, character lines (if character lines – know exactly how many); do they include headers, footers, spaces, forms, etc? Are you going to have access to this line count utility? Get it in writing.

Do not get involved with anyone who has some convoluted formula for counting lines (i.e., the distance to the sun times pi divided by the hypotenuse of a triangle), will not provide you with access to the line count utility, and will not put any of the above in writing.

2. Does the service provide appropriate support personnel? Will you be provided with toll-free number to editing staff?

3. How productive are the service’s methods? On-line programs vs “raw document”; forms vs “raw document”? Typing directly into an on-line mainframe software program is not usually a very productive method. The most efficient method is the “raw document” where the MT types basically in a block, one report under the other, no page breaks, then modems the “raw document” to the network server and the service takes it from there.

4. Beware of services that require you to do anything but transcribe. That includes rerecording, looking through reams of census sheets for patient demographics, scanning provider lists for doctor names, formatting documents, and looking up obscure terms and drugs. Making the MT responsible for these duties is very profitable for the service.

5. Does the service provide benefits such as social security match, tax withholding, paid health insurance, including dental and eye coverage, a retirement program with employer contribution, paid time off! Compare the benefits package carefully as this is a 22-26% RAISE when compared to companies providing less or no benefits.

6. Is the service willing to guarantee your work contractually, even if you are a statutory or common-law employee? Get it in writting!

7. How flexible is the service regarding hours and days worked? Does the service require the MT to work any evenings or weekends?

8. Does the service pay generous incentive bonuses?

9. How long has the service been in business?

10. Is the service owned and operated by MTs? Or, is the service owned by a conglomerate only interested in profits (this is the worst case scenario)? What is the likelihood the service will be around tomorrow or change ownership?

11. Does the company provide services by contract to its clients on a longterm basis (3-5 years)? How contractually guaranteed is the service’s work from their client(s)?

You may want to avoid services who provide a lot of prn/overflow services as this translates to higher profits for the service, but can mean sporadic workflow for the MT; and unfortunately, most of the time, this higher rate paid by the client to the service is not usually passed along to the MT.

12. Is the service financially solvent? Are you going to be paid on time, everytime? Look for a service offering an electronic payday.

13. Does the service provide toll-free numbers for support and corporate principals? Can you call the company owner any time?

Do not be fooled by services offering high-end line rates. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples. Most of all, get it in writing. Ask them to provide you with references from their MTs. Look for a service that provides their MT staff with a private message board and newsletter. Do your homework.

source:www.mtdaily.com