Responses to Miami J Question

Responses to Miami J Question

Troy Fink, C.O.

Thanks to all who took the time to respond to my query.

The responses follow my original post.

Troy Fink, CO

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ORIGINAL QUESTION:
I have Doctor requesting that I stock Miami J collars;

What is your experience with these?
How do they compare to the Aspen?
What code do you use? It seems that L0172 or L0180 may be appropriate, any
comment?
If you provide the spare pad set do you bill for this? What code?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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RESPONSES:
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We stocked Miami J for a local doc who was at conference and thought they
would be much better than the Aspen. They probably are but as the doc isn't
the person wearing them the client should have a bit of say in the matter.
The fact is that when we dispense the Aspen very few clients complained of
discomfort, and therefore compliance is/was great. The Miami J was the
reverse. Our feeling was that if you dispense a product that does a good job
but doesn't get worn we haven't really done much. You can guess what product
we're still using today.
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Talk him into Aspen collars!!
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Better than Aspen!
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We carry the Miami J collars and have had an excellent experience with them.
We actually have had a doc that lets the pt choose an aspen or miami J and
in most cases the Miami J seems to be the preference. We do not offer an
additional pad, unless the pt is having surgery at the hospital in which we
do offer the pad b/c we are getting 100% of our UCR from the hospital. We
use the L0172 - and there are so many companies that stock them that you can
pay a price ranging from 52-60 which includes and extra pad set.
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Troy,
I have found the Miami J to be superior to the Aspen in all regards. I use
the same L-code. Use the 99 code for extra pads.
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We've had some doctors order them for their patients and then have to change
them into Aspen Collars. The Miami J collar tends to cause too much pressure
on the sternum. Ask your Aspen dealer for the independent study that was done
on the collars. It shows that the Miami doesn't hold as well, with flexion,
extension.
We use L-codes L-0172
Hope this helps.
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We use Miami J for one doc and started using Aspen for another.
I believe the Aspen to be more user friendly and comfortable. The Miami
J and Aspen probably stabilize equally well, but the Miami in my opinion
is harder to fit comfortably. However Miami J's have recently made a
change for more adjustability. The Lcode would be the same for each
because they are both adjustable and we use L0172.
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Miami J collars have been around for ages. They compare great to the Aspen
and are very similar even better. They are so similar the same billing code
applies.
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Hi troy -- The Miami J is alittle stiffer than the Aspen -- doesn't you r
Dr. like the Aspen ? Not that I care either way - Anyway = there is no
code for a replacement liner - so good luck getting paid for it.
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Our experience has been good. They are firmer than the Aspen which is often
a benefit, unless your patient is going to be in bed - due to other
probelms- for an extended period of time. If thet is the case the softer
Aspen is less likely to cause breakdown.

With regard to a code - I think the SADMERC looked at these and selected a
code, I'm not sure what one, but if you are billing MEdicare it should be
used, if you know it.

The replacement pads, if provided when you provide the device might be coded
L0999. They are an extra feature of the collar. You may recall this code as
the misc addition to spinal orthoses.

If you provide the pads later they should probably be coded L4210 with an
explanation, and then L4205, labor, if you have any involved.
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that's all for now!