What we can provide
Anderson Harold R.
Description
Collection
Title:
What we can provide
Creator:
Anderson Harold R.
Date:
1/26/1999
Text:
We(the orthotics and rehab department) are currently having a dispute with
an insurance provider that has it's own, on staff, PT department. The PT's
write a prescription for simple devices such as custom or OTC FO's or
corsets and send the patients to us to provide the device. We've been
asking them for prescriptions signed by a physician. They are telling us
that, 1. They are the insurance company and are willing to pay for the
device(s) without the physicians' signatures, therefore we should provide
them and 2. Most of what they are sending to us can be purchased over the
counter at a pharmacy, therefore a physician's signature is not needed.
It is my understanding that our code of ethics requires that we have a
physician signed prescription in order to provide any orthotic device
whether it can be purchased OTC at a pharmacy or not. Our last
communications from them lists the following products as examples of what
they want us to provide without a physician signature:
Daytimer splint (for carpal tunnel)
Spica thumb splint
Cockup splints
lumbosacral support
genutrain(sp?) and other patellar femoral supports
AOL for the ankle
It's interesting to note that FOs are not on the list, though they are what
initially started this discussion. I don't know if that means they are
dropping them from the dispute.
Am I incorrect in my understanding? What, if any, are the limits of what we
can do without a physician signature? I, personally, don't like to do
anything without the signature. It seems that I would be opening myself up
for liability problems by doing so.
Comments?
Harold Anderson, CO
an insurance provider that has it's own, on staff, PT department. The PT's
write a prescription for simple devices such as custom or OTC FO's or
corsets and send the patients to us to provide the device. We've been
asking them for prescriptions signed by a physician. They are telling us
that, 1. They are the insurance company and are willing to pay for the
device(s) without the physicians' signatures, therefore we should provide
them and 2. Most of what they are sending to us can be purchased over the
counter at a pharmacy, therefore a physician's signature is not needed.
It is my understanding that our code of ethics requires that we have a
physician signed prescription in order to provide any orthotic device
whether it can be purchased OTC at a pharmacy or not. Our last
communications from them lists the following products as examples of what
they want us to provide without a physician signature:
Daytimer splint (for carpal tunnel)
Spica thumb splint
Cockup splints
lumbosacral support
genutrain(sp?) and other patellar femoral supports
AOL for the ankle
It's interesting to note that FOs are not on the list, though they are what
initially started this discussion. I don't know if that means they are
dropping them from the dispute.
Am I incorrect in my understanding? What, if any, are the limits of what we
can do without a physician signature? I, personally, don't like to do
anything without the signature. It seems that I would be opening myself up
for liability problems by doing so.
Comments?
Harold Anderson, CO
Citation
Anderson Harold R., “What we can provide,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/211200.
