Fw: new direction

Fw: new direction

ecat

3/24/1999

Thanks Tony, for your reply.
The billing of all prosthetic devices is handled through a Government
administered program (perhaps archaically - Department of Veteran's
Affairs). Before a prosthesis is paid for, it must meet the requirements of
the prescription made out for it by the Prescribing Surgeon - a doctor
appointed as such by the Department, whose prescription is often and
desirably a result of a consultative process of members of the Amputee
Clinic Team, which may consist of a Physiotherapist, the Prosthetist, the
amputee (and an Occupational Therapist...particularly in the case of UE
Amps). The Surgeon signs an 'Acquittal' which basically says that the limb
meets the prescribed parameters (quality of fit, finish, function and
patient satisfaction) and the bill can then be paid.
Obviously, this is a very basic summary of the process.
There is no license required to practice, but a prosthetist is not
recognised as such until he is eligible, by qualification, to belong to the
Australian Orthotist Prosthetist Association (AOPA). He/she does not have to
be a member to practise, but his/her eligibility to become a member is the
accepted standard in general terms.
Lots of practitioners (Orthotists and Prosthetists) have been eligible under
one or two 'Grandfather' clauses which allowed for otherwise academically
unqualified - but competent- to be recognised.
I hope that this is of interest to list members. I welcome further comments
from other Australians to correct or add to this description.
Richard Ziegeler

<Email Address Redacted>
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Barr < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: ecat < <Email Address Redacted> >
Date: Tuesday, 23 March 1999 5:45
Subject: Re: new direction


>Hi Richartd thanks for the info on O&P coverage in Australia-sorry about
the reference to the UK!
>Would you forward this info to the O&P listserve in an effort to show
subscribers coverages of other countries.Is the O&P profession regulated and
require a license to practise? Who oversees the quality of work and
billing?Tony
>
>----------
>Tony, I hail from Australia (I might sound like a limey but I'm just a
>colonial!)
>In Australia, we have a Federal Government funded 'Free Limb Scheme',
>wherein EVERYBODY who is not compensable through Transport Accident
>insurance or Worker's Compensation receives all of their prosthetic care
for
>nothing (if they receive a pension, otherwise they pay up to
$(A)200...about
>$(US)130 ).
>For orthotics, they are on their own if they don't have private health
>insurance unless they attend a public hospital for orthotic assistance,
>where they may have to pay a very nominal fee...say ,$(A)20.
>Thanks for your considered and thoughtful response. I thoroughly enjoy this
>list and find it very valuable to my practice of professional P&O.
>Richard (btw, me knickers are quite well adjusted now mate)
>
> <Email Address Redacted>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Tony Barr < <Email Address Redacted> >
>To: ecat < <Email Address Redacted> >
>Date: Friday, 19 March 1999 8:39
>Subject: new direction
>
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