prosthetic union
Paul T Webber
Description
Collection
Title:
prosthetic union
Creator:
Paul T Webber
Date:
10/15/1999
Text:
If Mr. Boyer wants an amputee union I feel we should start to protect our
own interests as well. As independent business people we have the right
to prosper as a result of our hard work. Every time we sell or provide a
new prosthesis it should come with a disclaimer that if there is any change
in the residual volume of the residual limb due to actions by the amputee,
such as loosing or gaining weight, muscle atrophy or other acts of nature
that the PROSTHETIST has no control over the patient or consumer will be
responsible for all costs to obtain the appropriate fit of the prosthesis.
We should start charging for office visits, time and material costs etc.
While it is not wise to proceed in this fashion it is about time that the
patient starts to appreciate what goes into the actual manufacture of the
device, the skill, technical knowledge and talent. The cost of doing
business etc. Maybe it is time that we get paid first before providing this
service. You would never think of leaving a grocery store and saying I'll
pay for this consumer item in 90 to 120 days, why think of leaving an
Orthotics and Prosthetic facility without paying for the consumer item
The cost of a prosthesis is not in the actual producing of the prosthesis it
is in the time, and skill and knowledge that is needed to provide a safe,
comfortable device that allows for an individual to proceed on with his ADL.
We are getting cornered with the large insurance companies that are gaining
a foothold in this industry. The merger or acquisition of NoCare by Hanger
is one example of how the business is changing. The patients have a
guaranteed right to be provided an appropriate device whether it is
orthotics or prosthetics, the Laws and canons of ethics already provide
protection for the consumer or more appropriately patient. The
Prosthetist or Orthotist is being the scapegoat for many problems that more
appropriately should be associated with the consumer buying the cheapest
insurance around Like an HMO then complaining that it doesn't cover the item
that he feels entitled to. The consumer better pay more attention to what
he is buying insurance wise and then be prepared to shoulder some of the
responsibility for his anger at not getting the most high-tech device
available. If Mr. Boyer wants to create an amputee union he would be best
served by making sure that the Orthotists' or Prosthetists needs and
concerns are protected as well. If Mr. Boyer feels that he wasn't treated
appropriately by his Orthotist or Prosthetist then tell them and/ or find
another that he feels treats him better. In most cities there are patients
that make the rounds of all the O&P shops trying to find an O&P professional
that will try something different or whatever as he has in essence worn out
his welcome at the other shops in town. That might be what we are seeing
here with this dissatisfaction Mr. Boyer is projecting. It might be that
his aspirations are not able to be met by his Prosthetist due to
restrictions in payment by an insurance company, we all try to provide the
most appropriate device we can with the restrictions that are placed on us.
The patients and the O&P industry needs to work together to find either
legislation or something to protect the interests of the patients and the
industry. We can't live without each other. Can't we all get along
Paul T. Webber CO, FAAOP ABDA
BOC Orthotist/ Prosthetist
Senior Disability Analyst & Diplomate
<Email Address Redacted>
own interests as well. As independent business people we have the right
to prosper as a result of our hard work. Every time we sell or provide a
new prosthesis it should come with a disclaimer that if there is any change
in the residual volume of the residual limb due to actions by the amputee,
such as loosing or gaining weight, muscle atrophy or other acts of nature
that the PROSTHETIST has no control over the patient or consumer will be
responsible for all costs to obtain the appropriate fit of the prosthesis.
We should start charging for office visits, time and material costs etc.
While it is not wise to proceed in this fashion it is about time that the
patient starts to appreciate what goes into the actual manufacture of the
device, the skill, technical knowledge and talent. The cost of doing
business etc. Maybe it is time that we get paid first before providing this
service. You would never think of leaving a grocery store and saying I'll
pay for this consumer item in 90 to 120 days, why think of leaving an
Orthotics and Prosthetic facility without paying for the consumer item
The cost of a prosthesis is not in the actual producing of the prosthesis it
is in the time, and skill and knowledge that is needed to provide a safe,
comfortable device that allows for an individual to proceed on with his ADL.
We are getting cornered with the large insurance companies that are gaining
a foothold in this industry. The merger or acquisition of NoCare by Hanger
is one example of how the business is changing. The patients have a
guaranteed right to be provided an appropriate device whether it is
orthotics or prosthetics, the Laws and canons of ethics already provide
protection for the consumer or more appropriately patient. The
Prosthetist or Orthotist is being the scapegoat for many problems that more
appropriately should be associated with the consumer buying the cheapest
insurance around Like an HMO then complaining that it doesn't cover the item
that he feels entitled to. The consumer better pay more attention to what
he is buying insurance wise and then be prepared to shoulder some of the
responsibility for his anger at not getting the most high-tech device
available. If Mr. Boyer wants to create an amputee union he would be best
served by making sure that the Orthotists' or Prosthetists needs and
concerns are protected as well. If Mr. Boyer feels that he wasn't treated
appropriately by his Orthotist or Prosthetist then tell them and/ or find
another that he feels treats him better. In most cities there are patients
that make the rounds of all the O&P shops trying to find an O&P professional
that will try something different or whatever as he has in essence worn out
his welcome at the other shops in town. That might be what we are seeing
here with this dissatisfaction Mr. Boyer is projecting. It might be that
his aspirations are not able to be met by his Prosthetist due to
restrictions in payment by an insurance company, we all try to provide the
most appropriate device we can with the restrictions that are placed on us.
The patients and the O&P industry needs to work together to find either
legislation or something to protect the interests of the patients and the
industry. We can't live without each other. Can't we all get along
Paul T. Webber CO, FAAOP ABDA
BOC Orthotist/ Prosthetist
Senior Disability Analyst & Diplomate
<Email Address Redacted>
Citation
Paul T Webber, “prosthetic union,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 16, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/212951.
