Re: What we can provide

Re: What we can provide

Anderson Harold R.

2/2/1999

Here are the responses that I've received so far regarding the request
below.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Anderson Harold R.
> Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 1999 2:56 PM
> To: 'O&P-L'
> Subject: What we can provide
>
> 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
>