Plea for understanding
carey jinright
Description
Collection
Title:
Plea for understanding
Creator:
carey jinright
Date:
6/16/2022
Text:
Quick skimmers please just click the link below for reference.
I would really like to hear from those that are educated on this subject, not just those that agree that it is a problem!
The answer I receive the most in discussing this is, “we cannot challenge the physicians.” I am not trying to challenge anyone, I am seeking understanding of the industry in which I specialize.
Can someone that is better educated or smarter than myself help me to understand the current relationship of the stark law and physician referrals for Orthotics? As an industry I feel that this is one of the largest sink holes in our industry as a whole. I KNOW that this has been discussed for many years. I would like to just point out a few details that I do not understand:
* #9 Specifically lists Orthotics and Prosthetics as DHS. Terms of engagement #1-3 seem to very simply state that physicians should not profit from referrals of DHS.
* Used to it was stated that DME or Orthotics were limited to those items needed to get the patient from their clinic to home (paraphrased). This would not include chronic Orthotic needs or customs that we see being distributed today.
* Have you ever asked your physicians how much training that they received in O&P? Many of us believe that they are the experts. Through speaking with my local physicians I have learned that there is not any orthotic education provided through the family medicine or internal medicine programs. My Orthopedists that I work with have informed me that their Orthotic training comes through their fellowship portion of their education. Most of this training is based on the mentor’s understanding and use of Orthotics. My point is that WE ARE THE EXPERTS, yet we seem to give away this responsibility to others! If we are locked out of the clinics, we will survive through crumbs and very difficult cases that cannot be resolved through OTS solutions, and in some cases through the use of Orthotics at all!
<URL Redacted>
I Am Second,
Carey Jinright, LO, MSM
I would really like to hear from those that are educated on this subject, not just those that agree that it is a problem!
The answer I receive the most in discussing this is, “we cannot challenge the physicians.” I am not trying to challenge anyone, I am seeking understanding of the industry in which I specialize.
Can someone that is better educated or smarter than myself help me to understand the current relationship of the stark law and physician referrals for Orthotics? As an industry I feel that this is one of the largest sink holes in our industry as a whole. I KNOW that this has been discussed for many years. I would like to just point out a few details that I do not understand:
* #9 Specifically lists Orthotics and Prosthetics as DHS. Terms of engagement #1-3 seem to very simply state that physicians should not profit from referrals of DHS.
* Used to it was stated that DME or Orthotics were limited to those items needed to get the patient from their clinic to home (paraphrased). This would not include chronic Orthotic needs or customs that we see being distributed today.
* Have you ever asked your physicians how much training that they received in O&P? Many of us believe that they are the experts. Through speaking with my local physicians I have learned that there is not any orthotic education provided through the family medicine or internal medicine programs. My Orthopedists that I work with have informed me that their Orthotic training comes through their fellowship portion of their education. Most of this training is based on the mentor’s understanding and use of Orthotics. My point is that WE ARE THE EXPERTS, yet we seem to give away this responsibility to others! If we are locked out of the clinics, we will survive through crumbs and very difficult cases that cannot be resolved through OTS solutions, and in some cases through the use of Orthotics at all!
<URL Redacted>
I Am Second,
Carey Jinright, LO, MSM
Citation
carey jinright, “Plea for understanding,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/208514.
