Responses to "Retail outlet for TLSO interfaces?"

Responses to "Retail outlet for TLSO interfaces?"

Kevin Felton

2/12/2002

Dear OandP-Listserv members:

Thank you for your responses to my inquiry about where someone could buy TLSO interface shirts on a retail basis without a prescription. Most of the responses I received stated that a prescription should not be required and that the sender would gladly sell the shirts. However, this morning I received a note that tells me that this issue is not as simple as it first appeared:

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Because the question posted includes the prospect of US retail availability of an O&P product, I would submit the following response to stimulate awareness of a risk to our profession related to this type of activity.

As a manufacturer of both protective body socks and prosthetic socks, it has previously come to our attention that retail, or non-prescribed, provision of products that are within the HCPCS coding system (L-codes) is looked upon very unfavorably by the DMERC Medical Directors, and therefore probably Medicare in general.

A case in point relates to a prosthetic facility who was selling prosthetic socks over a web site. Having observed this activity, one of the Medical Directors suggested to members of the AOPA coding committee that products sold in such a manner should not be included in the L-code system. (Incidentally, that web site has since quit operation.)

Because, for various reasons, some O&P providers might be inclined to make reimbursed products available without prescription, without seeing the patient, and/or through non-traditional channels, it seems important to create awareness of this threat to a component of our traditional areas of practice and revenue, and further, to aggressively discourage such activities with those who might be inclined to pursue them.

Please post this response to your question.

Sincerely,

Mark Smith, CP
Knit-Rite, Inc.
<Email Address Redacted>


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I also received the names of two European manufacturers of these interfaces:

in Spain, a company out of Valencia called Orliman would be a good source for such an item. If they don't have it, they'll know where to get it. Have her ask for Resu or Ignacio. Orliman is an orthopedic soft goods manufacturer -- items from knee sleeves to cock-up wrist splints to spinal supports.

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I wanted to give you the name and number of a company in Germany that
produces these interfaces in Germany. I am pretty sure that they either have
a distributor in Spain or can send it to your contact directly from Germany.
Here it is:

Goemed Orthopaedie Service
Mr. Dennis Walter, Export Manager
01149-5521-99900
Fax 01149-5521-999045

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Thank you all for your help.

Sincerely,


Kevin Felton, CO, LO
Education Coordinator, Orthotics Department
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
2222 Welborn Street
Dallas, TX 75219-3883
voice: 214-559-7440
fax: 214-559-7473
website: www.tsrhc.org
email: <Email Address Redacted>