Borocas
Morris Gallo
Description
Collection
Title:
Borocas
Creator:
Morris Gallo
Date:
9/17/2000
Text:
The server won't allow long messages, so I have divided my response into
three separate posting. Sorry for any inconvenience.
The following comments are mine, not those of the Board of Orthotists
and Prosthetists'.
Mr. Barocas has made many broad and erroneous statements which are
his interpretations and feelings, not those of the Board nor the Laws of
Florida. Mr. Barocas should refrain from giving advice on law, he is
not qualified.
I have tried to address each of his comments with fact, as I see it.
If you are interested, you may follow the links provided to the
Florida Board's web page to see the actual laws and rules governing O&P
in Florida.
<URL Redacted>
The O&P Board is under the Department of Health and goverened by the
department of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA). Complaints are handled
by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Forms may be
downloaded or requested by phone at:
<URL Redacted>
Before licensure anyone could provide O&P services and more importantly,
patients receiving improper service had nowhere to complain. Their only
recourse was to file a civil complaint, a lawsuit, which would be
expensive to pursue and because of a lack of standards difficult to
win. This has finally changed due to licensure. The citizens of
Florida now have protection and recourse in regards to O&P services.
Charles Barocas,C.O. wrote:
> I don't understand how the O&P Law in Florida cab be weakened any more
> than
> it is. Has anyone read the exemption page of the statutes? As long
> as
> you call yourself a different title (should be a real title with a
> national
> organization) other than an orthotist, orthotic fitter or fitter asst,
> you
> can do any orthosis you please.
F.S. 468.80(7) defines the practice of orthotics while F.S. 468.80(4)
defines what is an orthosis under Florida law. F.S. 468.808 requires
that a 'PERSON' (emphasis added) must be licensed to practice
orthotics, ... and further defines the role of support personnel. The
above mean that to practice orthotics, no matter what you call yourself,
you must be licensed under F.S. 468. There are exemption for
MD/DO/DC/DPM and those persons licensed under other statutes who's
license law already allows them to do procedures defined as orthotics.
The use of titles is addressed by F.S. 468.813, where it states you must
be licensed to represent yourself as a licensed orthotist or use any
insignia, abbreviations, or titles that would lead someone to believe
you are an orthotist. This does not mean if you don't call yourself an
orthotist you can practice unlicensed, you would still be violating F.S.
468.808.
three separate posting. Sorry for any inconvenience.
The following comments are mine, not those of the Board of Orthotists
and Prosthetists'.
Mr. Barocas has made many broad and erroneous statements which are
his interpretations and feelings, not those of the Board nor the Laws of
Florida. Mr. Barocas should refrain from giving advice on law, he is
not qualified.
I have tried to address each of his comments with fact, as I see it.
If you are interested, you may follow the links provided to the
Florida Board's web page to see the actual laws and rules governing O&P
in Florida.
<URL Redacted>
The O&P Board is under the Department of Health and goverened by the
department of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA). Complaints are handled
by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Forms may be
downloaded or requested by phone at:
<URL Redacted>
Before licensure anyone could provide O&P services and more importantly,
patients receiving improper service had nowhere to complain. Their only
recourse was to file a civil complaint, a lawsuit, which would be
expensive to pursue and because of a lack of standards difficult to
win. This has finally changed due to licensure. The citizens of
Florida now have protection and recourse in regards to O&P services.
Charles Barocas,C.O. wrote:
> I don't understand how the O&P Law in Florida cab be weakened any more
> than
> it is. Has anyone read the exemption page of the statutes? As long
> as
> you call yourself a different title (should be a real title with a
> national
> organization) other than an orthotist, orthotic fitter or fitter asst,
> you
> can do any orthosis you please.
F.S. 468.80(7) defines the practice of orthotics while F.S. 468.80(4)
defines what is an orthosis under Florida law. F.S. 468.808 requires
that a 'PERSON' (emphasis added) must be licensed to practice
orthotics, ... and further defines the role of support personnel. The
above mean that to practice orthotics, no matter what you call yourself,
you must be licensed under F.S. 468. There are exemption for
MD/DO/DC/DPM and those persons licensed under other statutes who's
license law already allows them to do procedures defined as orthotics.
The use of titles is addressed by F.S. 468.813, where it states you must
be licensed to represent yourself as a licensed orthotist or use any
insignia, abbreviations, or titles that would lead someone to believe
you are an orthotist. This does not mean if you don't call yourself an
orthotist you can practice unlicensed, you would still be violating F.S.
468.808.
Citation
Morris Gallo, “Borocas,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/214867.
