prosthetic exam costs
Donnie Priest
Description
Collection
Title:
prosthetic exam costs
Creator:
Donnie Priest
Date:
3/13/2003
Text:
Dear List,
Knowing that this list goes out to a public forum, I feel it necessary to
provide a differing viewpoint into the costs of the prosthetic exams as well
as the ease and acceptance one can enter into the field of prosthetics. I am
also a prosthetic resident. Unfortunately, the message posted below implies
that the field is exclusionary based upon socio-economic factors, but I do
not believe this to be the case.
In understanding the prosthetic business in general, one needs to first
understand that the income of the practitioners is far lower than one would
imply solely on the number of practioners throughout the country and
combined with the cost of each individual prosthesis. However, hopefully
most practitioners are in the field for the extrinsic benefit of happiness
from the services and benefits provided and make a comfortable living for
themselves and their families. This is not just prosthetics, but for all of
the healthcare industry, especially since the influx of the HMO's and the
revamping of insurance practices, industires, and laws.
The second aspect is that in prosthetics and orthotics, a lot of material
is wasted and time consumed in producing items. The field is a skilled
artesianship in which much is thrown away (and cannot be recycled) in order
to produce the most optimal functioning device for the person (patient)
given the current technology and education of today. This aspect not only
covers the cost of the prosthetic or orthotic, but also relates to the cost
of practical exams and education.
With specific regard to the issue at hand and the attached e-mail below, I
would like to state that in my experience, I have had many people bend over
backwards, give valuable items and time away, and help me to enter the
field...without or with very minimal cost. I do not think that I am an
exception because my classmates had similiar treatment. Please realize that
while this is a very expensive and competitive field, it also has countless
aspects of generosity and others helping others.
With regard to the cost of the fees, most are paid by the employer or
reimbursed if the board-eligible practioner passes. Residency fees are
often paid by the residency site on behalf of the resident. Also, the
number of exams given per test has a direct bearing on the costs. In
industry the R&D costs are borne across the product lifespan and the cost
per individual item for this portion is dependent on the expected lifespan
and number sold per time period. With a exam, even computer based, the
lifespan is one and in prosthetics and orthotics the number of people taking
this test is extremely small. Thus, a higher cost per individual person
taking the test to pay for the making and production of this test. (With the
fees listed below, one needs to determine how many people take each test and
if the tests are individual or re-used)
This same concept applies to the cost of prosthtics and orthotics because
they are all hand made for an individual person...because only one is
produced, the costs of producing that individual one is higher.
In trying to understand the underlying concept as to why the previous
e-mail was written, I can only assume that this is due to an adjustment from
school to the working force and the slow realization that life is expensive.
I would like to hopefully use this to show that the educational cost of
prosthetic schools are very reasonable and cheap (the below resident
attended Washington's school where their tuition is supported by taxes and
the resident student pays $1522/quarter) and thus the real cost of life and
items in life are greatly underestimated.
Hopefully with time, the schools can implement curriculium in the future
to help the students better understand the business aspects before entering
the residency position.
With specific regard to the wording below, I should also note that fraud
is an intentional misstatement of a material existing fact relied upon by
another, to his injury. I do not think this was an appropriate word to use
in this context and do not believe the author can support this.
Sincerely,
Donnie Priest
Prosthetic Resident
>From: Justin Foster < <Email Address Redacted> >
>Reply-To: Justin Foster < <Email Address Redacted> >
>To: <Email Address Redacted>
>Subject: [OANDP-L] exam stuff...
>Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 15:44:12 -0800
>
>OK, since deep down I know NCOPE is not profiting from residency fees, and
>they are only admin. costs associated with processing applicants... I'll
>only address exam fees. This is interesting, I am not saying it is wrong,
>or
>bad, or fraud... it just catches the eye:
>
>National Dental Board Exam:
>
>$125 part I
>$160 part II
>
>National PT exam:
>
>$285 Exam fee
>$50 Processing fee
>$65 Test center fee
>
>WA State Bar Exam:
>
>$650 Existing Attorney
>$375 New Applicant
>
>Hairdresser/Barber:
>
>$50 Application fee
>$55 Exam fee
>
>Master Plumber:
>
>$50 Exam fee
>
>Prosthetist:
>
>$250 Application fee
>$250 Written exam
>$250 Written simulation
>$600 CPM
>
>Orthotist:
>
>$250 Application fee
>$250 Written
>$250 Written simulation
>$600 CPM
>
>I am aware of a general starting salary range for new certificants. I also
>realize there are significant costs associated with providing a test to a
>small number of people, and providing a test of the nature of the CPM. I
>specifically take issue with the double charging of the $250 application
>fee, when extending one's credential, as well as paying $250 for a written
>test graded by computer form. CPM's and written sim's (I am assuming they
>are hand graded) notwithstanding, there are $1000 in fees due to apply for
>and take two computer-form tests... in partial fulfillment of becoming a
>CPO. No other profession I've heard of pays near $1000 to take their
>ceritfying exams. Is it because our profession is so small? Are we buying
>exam proctors or computer grading sheets at a premium? I do not know the
>answer, but I do see the expressions on other citizens' faces when they
>hear
>how much our exams cost!
>
>Justin Foster
>Prosthetic Resident
>
>
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*
> <URL Redacted>
>
>
Knowing that this list goes out to a public forum, I feel it necessary to
provide a differing viewpoint into the costs of the prosthetic exams as well
as the ease and acceptance one can enter into the field of prosthetics. I am
also a prosthetic resident. Unfortunately, the message posted below implies
that the field is exclusionary based upon socio-economic factors, but I do
not believe this to be the case.
In understanding the prosthetic business in general, one needs to first
understand that the income of the practitioners is far lower than one would
imply solely on the number of practioners throughout the country and
combined with the cost of each individual prosthesis. However, hopefully
most practitioners are in the field for the extrinsic benefit of happiness
from the services and benefits provided and make a comfortable living for
themselves and their families. This is not just prosthetics, but for all of
the healthcare industry, especially since the influx of the HMO's and the
revamping of insurance practices, industires, and laws.
The second aspect is that in prosthetics and orthotics, a lot of material
is wasted and time consumed in producing items. The field is a skilled
artesianship in which much is thrown away (and cannot be recycled) in order
to produce the most optimal functioning device for the person (patient)
given the current technology and education of today. This aspect not only
covers the cost of the prosthetic or orthotic, but also relates to the cost
of practical exams and education.
With specific regard to the issue at hand and the attached e-mail below, I
would like to state that in my experience, I have had many people bend over
backwards, give valuable items and time away, and help me to enter the
field...without or with very minimal cost. I do not think that I am an
exception because my classmates had similiar treatment. Please realize that
while this is a very expensive and competitive field, it also has countless
aspects of generosity and others helping others.
With regard to the cost of the fees, most are paid by the employer or
reimbursed if the board-eligible practioner passes. Residency fees are
often paid by the residency site on behalf of the resident. Also, the
number of exams given per test has a direct bearing on the costs. In
industry the R&D costs are borne across the product lifespan and the cost
per individual item for this portion is dependent on the expected lifespan
and number sold per time period. With a exam, even computer based, the
lifespan is one and in prosthetics and orthotics the number of people taking
this test is extremely small. Thus, a higher cost per individual person
taking the test to pay for the making and production of this test. (With the
fees listed below, one needs to determine how many people take each test and
if the tests are individual or re-used)
This same concept applies to the cost of prosthtics and orthotics because
they are all hand made for an individual person...because only one is
produced, the costs of producing that individual one is higher.
In trying to understand the underlying concept as to why the previous
e-mail was written, I can only assume that this is due to an adjustment from
school to the working force and the slow realization that life is expensive.
I would like to hopefully use this to show that the educational cost of
prosthetic schools are very reasonable and cheap (the below resident
attended Washington's school where their tuition is supported by taxes and
the resident student pays $1522/quarter) and thus the real cost of life and
items in life are greatly underestimated.
Hopefully with time, the schools can implement curriculium in the future
to help the students better understand the business aspects before entering
the residency position.
With specific regard to the wording below, I should also note that fraud
is an intentional misstatement of a material existing fact relied upon by
another, to his injury. I do not think this was an appropriate word to use
in this context and do not believe the author can support this.
Sincerely,
Donnie Priest
Prosthetic Resident
>From: Justin Foster < <Email Address Redacted> >
>Reply-To: Justin Foster < <Email Address Redacted> >
>To: <Email Address Redacted>
>Subject: [OANDP-L] exam stuff...
>Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 15:44:12 -0800
>
>OK, since deep down I know NCOPE is not profiting from residency fees, and
>they are only admin. costs associated with processing applicants... I'll
>only address exam fees. This is interesting, I am not saying it is wrong,
>or
>bad, or fraud... it just catches the eye:
>
>National Dental Board Exam:
>
>$125 part I
>$160 part II
>
>National PT exam:
>
>$285 Exam fee
>$50 Processing fee
>$65 Test center fee
>
>WA State Bar Exam:
>
>$650 Existing Attorney
>$375 New Applicant
>
>Hairdresser/Barber:
>
>$50 Application fee
>$55 Exam fee
>
>Master Plumber:
>
>$50 Exam fee
>
>Prosthetist:
>
>$250 Application fee
>$250 Written exam
>$250 Written simulation
>$600 CPM
>
>Orthotist:
>
>$250 Application fee
>$250 Written
>$250 Written simulation
>$600 CPM
>
>I am aware of a general starting salary range for new certificants. I also
>realize there are significant costs associated with providing a test to a
>small number of people, and providing a test of the nature of the CPM. I
>specifically take issue with the double charging of the $250 application
>fee, when extending one's credential, as well as paying $250 for a written
>test graded by computer form. CPM's and written sim's (I am assuming they
>are hand graded) notwithstanding, there are $1000 in fees due to apply for
>and take two computer-form tests... in partial fulfillment of becoming a
>CPO. No other profession I've heard of pays near $1000 to take their
>ceritfying exams. Is it because our profession is so small? Are we buying
>exam proctors or computer grading sheets at a premium? I do not know the
>answer, but I do see the expressions on other citizens' faces when they
>hear
>how much our exams cost!
>
>Justin Foster
>Prosthetic Resident
>
>
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*
> <URL Redacted>
>
>
Citation
Donnie Priest, “prosthetic exam costs,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/220871.
