Real-world medical transcription pricing from BuyerZone buyers

We regularly survey BuyerZone users to ask how their purchases went. We've used their responses to provide a sampling of actual prices paid for medical transcription services.

• Digital audio medical transcription prices
• Telephone dictation medical transcription prices
• Cassette medical transcription prices

Most pricing is based on a 65 character line, including spaces, with a 24-hour turnaround. The price varies based on the volume of transcription, quality of recording, and added features such as equipment rentals, disc backups, and media pick up and delivery.

Some vendors charge on an hourly or per report basis. This pricing is typically reserved for health professionals who generate many short reports, but you may be able to negotiate this type of pricing if the vendor offers it.

While you're not required to sign a long-term contract or agree to monthly minimums, you can get better rates if you agree commit to working with a particular vendor.

You have several options for dictating your notes. The most common are calling them into a toll-free number or speaking into a handheld digital recorder. Most transcribers can work with either method, although digital recordings offer the best quality audio which gets you a better rate. Some physicians still use cassette tapes, although that number is shrinking due to poor quality and low cost of better technology.

Digital audio medical transcription prices

• "10 cents/line; 65 characters. No hardware."

  – Physician, Longwood, Florida

• "11 cents per line."

  – Endocrinologist, Avon, Connecticut

• "8.5 cents per 65 character line."

  – Health Care Specialist, Chico, California

• "12 cents per line; paper and disc back up provided."

  – Cardiologist, Dowagiac, Michigan

• "10 cents per line - 65 words per line – no equipment included."

  – Surgeon, Orange Park, Florida

• "11 cents per 65 character line."

  – Rehab Specialist, Cleveland, Ohio

• "10 cents a line. A line is 65 characters, includes spaces, but not carriage return. Font size and headers do not add to price. 1st 500 lines are free."

  – Physician, Winnie, Texas

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Telephone dictation medical transcription prices

• "11 cents per line of 65 characters."

  – Health Care CEO, Wilmington, North Carolina

• "14 cents per line."

  – Office Manager, Portland, Oregon

• "10 cents a line. No other charges."

  – Health Care CEO, Fairbanks, Alaska

• "$.11 per 65 character line for 24 hour turnaround through a local company."

  – Neurosurgeon, Dunedin, Florida

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Cassette medical transcription prices

• "13 cents/65 characters; $339 for tape recorder."

  – Doctor, Bremen, Indiana

• "This particular service did not require any set-up fees, period specific contracts, or other initial monetary expenses. The dictation per-line fee is 8 cents and to date the service has been timely."

  – Chiropractor, La Canada Flintridge, California

• "10 cents per line. All tapes are picked up and dictation is dropped off the following day."

  – Dentist, Homewood, Illinois

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Want more information on choosing an Medical Transcription Services? Read our Medical Transcription Services Buyer's Guide or instantly compare Medical Transcription providers today.

Information was provided by BuyerZone users. Quotes have been edited for clarity only.