Scary scene in O and P

Scary scene in O and P

Anthony Gutierrez

1/24/2019

Dear Fellow Prosthetic and Orthotic Clinicans,

I am writing this post discuss a very serious situation that our industry
is currently facing.

Ossur is entering clinical practice and clinical care. This has been
confirmed by team members within the Ossur organization. They are entering
my local market as well as are entering national clinical markets. So for,
they have aquired controlling shares in two large multi-clinic /
multi-state practices (Alabama (4), Colorado (2), Idaho(2), Indiana(8),
Illinois(1), Ohio (indirect),
North Carolina(3), South Carolina(1), Tennesse(11), Texas(5), Wisconsin(1),
and Utah(1))---13 Total States and 39 total Offices / locations.

One of these groups is within my direct market and are continually
marketing with my direct referral sources. While key Ossur team members
continue to assure me that they are not entering my direct market, I
continue to see their group advertising at local hospitals and rehab
facilities for courses they are presenting.

I have been an avid supporter of the Ossur Team up unto this point. This
was because compared to other manufacturers/ suppliers, they have always
been at the front of the line to help the 'little guy' O and P Practices
grow via their clinical and reimbursement support.
They helped many practices survive the original wave of RAC audits, which I
am truly grateful for.

I feel directly impacted and let down by this news. I had always considered
Ossur my #1 partner in patient care and have significantly increased their
sales within my clinical practice along the way. This move by Ossur makes
me feel that they were simply using my growth to plot their next move,
entering the clinical market. All trust is gone.

This is terrifying news for smaller practices and practice groups. When the
manufacturers we rely on to provide our
patient's with the best clinical outcomes, are now our competitors, how
will we manage to grow our practices effectively? Many of us simply do not
have the resources to compete and many may be forced out of their markets.

We will continue to align with manufacturers that are dedicated bring
excellent patient solutions and outcomes. We just may not align with our
direct competition.

Thanks for reading.

Tony Gutierrez CP
Indiana /Illinois

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Anthony R. Gutierrez
<Email Address Redacted>