MT Chat: Charging for "Canned Text"

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#5398 - 03/02/99 06:28 AM Charging for "Canned Text"
Anonymous Anonymous Unregistered	Morning! Does everyone charge for "canned text" (text you type once and then never again)? I have approximately 12 gross lines of recurrent text per SOAP that I charge for but I have a feeling this is going to become an issue. Their belief is, since I don't have to type it every time, why do they pay for it every time. I know I have to cover my cost to print it as well as my time but I was curious to see if anyone else has run into this problem. I charge them .08 per 65 character line. Thank you.
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#5399 - 03/02/99 11:09 AM Re: Charging for "Canned Text"
bearmanly bearmanly Member Registered: 02/17/99 Posts: 158 Loc: Port Huron, MI	I have been on both sides of this issue, one from the point of paying x amount per line, that being what is the final count once the report is transcribed and chart ready, regardless of how the text got there. Recently now working at home as an independent contractor, I charge per line, again no matter if the text is canned or not. Hope this helps. LLB
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#5400 - 03/02/99 01:13 PM Re: Charging for "Canned Text"
Kathy G Kathy G Member Registered: 12/31/69 Posts: 2211 Loc: Portland, Oregon	I charge the same for canned text as for regular typing too. No one has ever asked me about it or questioned me. I suppose if they did, I might charge them half, but unless someone asked for it I wouldn't give it to them. The one client I have who uses canned text the most does it to save himself time dictating -- I doubt that he even thinks about my end.
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#5401 - 03/02/99 01:32 PM Re: Charging for "Canned Text"
Anonymous Anonymous Unregistered	This goes along the same lines of places not wanting to pay for spaces in the document. Fine, you don't want spaces? I won't put any in! ::giggling:: It is my belief that they are paying for the finished product, not for the steps taken to create it. [This message has been edited by TeaJay (edited 03-02-99).]
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#5402 - 03/02/99 02:18 PM Re: Charging for "Canned Text"
Anonymous Anonymous Unregistered	I haven't faced this myself (yet), but to quote from "The Independent Medical Transcriptionist", the lady who wrote this book was having the same problem and she asked the doctor if he bought a laser which would cut down the time of his surgery, would he pass that discount along to the patient. Or would he charge the same fee based upon the fact that it still took his knowledge and expertise to fulfill his obligation to the patient regardless of how he did it? She said that it was never an issue from that point on. A rather ingenious scenario I thought.
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#5403 - 03/02/99 02:19 PM Re: Charging for "Canned Text"
Anonymous Anonymous Unregistered	I haven't faced this myself (yet), but to quote from "The Independent Medical Transcriptionist", the lady who wrote this book was having the same problem and she asked the doctor if he bought a laser which would cut down the time of his surgery, would he pass that discount along to the patient. Or would he charge the same fee based upon the fact that it still took his knowledge and expertise to fulfill his obligation to the patient regardless of how he did it? She said that it was never an issue from that point on. A rather ingenious scenario I thought.
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#5404 - 03/02/99 03:06 PM Re: Charging for "Canned Text"
Anonymous Anonymous Unregistered	Hi! Just to add my 2 cents - I just recently resigned from one of my accounts - an account I had for over 2 years - daily pick up and delivery, never a "sick" day etc., coverage supplied when I went away...you get the picture...Well the doc decided that since I use "technology" he figured I was using some canned phrases, whatever (he was not sure, just surmised this...) and he wanted a cut. He indicated this to me in the middle of the dictation one day! As an "Oh, by the way..." I finished the work and delivered it the next day as per usual, with my letter of resignation. Best move I ever made. He has a new transcriptionist now...she has missed a dozen or so pickups, due to illness, etc., and he called me back. NOT! We are charging or being paid for the final product - the road we travel is our business. The folks I work for presently respect me, as I do them.
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#5405 - 03/02/99 03:45 PM Re: Charging for "Canned Text"
Anonymous Anonymous Unregistered	Wow, you guys are great!! Thank you so much for all of the useful information. I feel more comfortable discussing my position, especially since I am not alone out there. Big Hug to one and all!
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#5406 - 03/02/99 05:06 PM Re: Charging for "Canned Text"
Arleen Arleen Member Registered: 12/31/69 Posts: 1803 Loc: Cape Cod, MA	I agree with everything said above. If you are asked, say "Yes, technology is wonderful, and that is the way I'm able to keep my prices so reasonable and provide such a fast turnaround time without charging it as stat!" I also feel the scenario spellchick quoted from "The Independent Medical Transcriptionist" is the only way to explain it sometimes. Not only do MDs who get new equipment NOT charge less, they charge more to pay for it. We pay for the software and computers, etc., that helps our production speed. It may cut down on our wear and tear, but prices take all these things into consideration.
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