Oh, Justin!
mary smith
Description
Collection
Title:
Oh, Justin!
Creator:
mary smith
Date:
9/22/2003
Text:
Oh, that we could maintain our patient advocate mentality that a lot of us had when we first got into this business. Most of us are in this business because we want to help people. But, alas, reality had to set in.
I remember years ago, we were in a town where one of the ortho doctors continually prescribed Bebax shoes for infants. The cost to get those into our office was $113. The Blue Cross in our state allowed $20 and paid 80%, or $18, for each pair. We submitted info to BC asking that they increase their allowable amount so we could continue to provide the service but they opted to keep their fee the same. In the end, we were forced to discontinue providing the item. This example is only one of the many items we provide and do not make enough to cover our expenses.
There are so many factors that go into running a facility which need to be considered. The malpractice insurance, health insurance, workers comp insurance, utilities, office staff, computer equipment and supplies are just a few that we all have little or no control over. In some small offices, there is one practitioner generating income to cover all these expenses.
There are those patients who receive an item and then return 3 or 4 times for follow up care. Since we can only charge for the item itself, these appointments are at no charge. There are those patients who come in, spend an hour of practitioner time, discuss options and then choose either to forego the service or to try an over the counter item. Again, no charge.
In order for all of us to be there for those patients who can benefit from the service we provide we must all constantly remember the bottom line. Sad, but true.
Justin, you may want to remember that most of the O & P industry monitors this list. They will remember your name when the time comes when you are done with your residency and want to find a position. While your attitudes may feel good to you now your future employer may not be able to afford to have you on staff. I would suggest that when you are ready to begin your carreer, you start up your own facility, run it the way you see fit and then let us all know in a year or two how you're doing. You will either be very hungry or a whole lot smarter.
Take that guy's offer.
---------------------------------
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I remember years ago, we were in a town where one of the ortho doctors continually prescribed Bebax shoes for infants. The cost to get those into our office was $113. The Blue Cross in our state allowed $20 and paid 80%, or $18, for each pair. We submitted info to BC asking that they increase their allowable amount so we could continue to provide the service but they opted to keep their fee the same. In the end, we were forced to discontinue providing the item. This example is only one of the many items we provide and do not make enough to cover our expenses.
There are so many factors that go into running a facility which need to be considered. The malpractice insurance, health insurance, workers comp insurance, utilities, office staff, computer equipment and supplies are just a few that we all have little or no control over. In some small offices, there is one practitioner generating income to cover all these expenses.
There are those patients who receive an item and then return 3 or 4 times for follow up care. Since we can only charge for the item itself, these appointments are at no charge. There are those patients who come in, spend an hour of practitioner time, discuss options and then choose either to forego the service or to try an over the counter item. Again, no charge.
In order for all of us to be there for those patients who can benefit from the service we provide we must all constantly remember the bottom line. Sad, but true.
Justin, you may want to remember that most of the O & P industry monitors this list. They will remember your name when the time comes when you are done with your residency and want to find a position. While your attitudes may feel good to you now your future employer may not be able to afford to have you on staff. I would suggest that when you are ready to begin your carreer, you start up your own facility, run it the way you see fit and then let us all know in a year or two how you're doing. You will either be very hungry or a whole lot smarter.
Take that guy's offer.
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
Citation
mary smith, “Oh, Justin!,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 7, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/221768.
