Problems renewing NYC Radiation Equipment Permit ?


Well I got my notice that it was time to renew my offices radiation equipment permit from the City of New York. This chore comes around every two years. This year the city has changed it requirements. Last time they added a requirement that we needed to send proof  that our practice covers employees with disability and unemployment insurance. This took a little extra time because I had to contact my insurers for the form the city required.

This year I decided to deal with it a month ahead of my license's expiration date. Unfortunately NYC has taken away the option of mailing my application and now only offers two ways of renewal, Dentists have a choice of going in person with "supporting documents" or going online to complete the renewal application.

Online sounded good, so I started doing it this morning on my day off. It should have been easy but it didn't turn out that way.Three proofs were needed ( proof of the two insurance policies and also proof of having passed a recent radiation inspection) and these needed to be scanned into my computer and uploaded to the website. That sounded relatively easy!

After about an hour of fiddling I managed to scan the documents and also log on to my online account with the City website (It didn't accept my password at first). So far so good.... at least until I tried to upload my documents. I was using the most recent version of Chrome as my browser and evidently it wasn't compatible with their website software. I tried explorer and mozilla and it turned out they too were the wrong version. I read the fine print and did some research and it turned out that the website wasn't compatible with  any Windows 10 browsers (two hours so far and I hadn't been able to renew!)

Luckily I remembered that one of my networked computers was using Windows 7 and it might work. I tried using it and its explorer browser was indeed compatible.... but still I was not able to upload my documents. The website helpfully suggested that if there was a problem uploading documents I should try calling 311 and ask for a referral to a support specialist for using the department of health's website. This seemed like a strange suggestion, but I was game and called them and the  311 operator  transferred  my call to a line that kept ringing and ringing without anyone picking up!

I called back and got an another 311 operator who kindly suggested that this time I write down the number before they transferred me. This was a good idea since it took about 5 more calls to this number before someone finally picked up. Finally I got a technician and he explained that the site wouldn't work perfectly with any Windows 10 browser, but that it liked my Windows 7 explorer browser and with his guidance and about 5 more minutes, fiddling with my browser settings, I was able to upload my documents and complete my application. At least I hope so, because the website kept sending a message that it was having a problem handling my transaction, but it took my money and sent me an email receipt so I hope I good now. It only took about three hours. Maybe next time I have to renew I'll try going to their office in person since I actually may save time!

from Ask Dr. Spindel - http://ift.tt/2o237sA - http://ift.tt/1SpPbm6

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