Re: bypassing orthotists
Baxter, Steve
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: bypassing orthotists
Creator:
Baxter, Steve
Date:
2/14/2006
Text:
Just a quick thought. Remember that the leadership of our field in many
instances where several hats, that of supplier, distributor,
manufacturer, and practitioner, the order of which not with standing. So
as they make these decisions as to how to approach policy, which hat are
they wearing, who are they representing, and how can there not be a
conflict of interest?????
S Baxter CO
-----Original Message-----
From: Orthotics and Prosthetics List [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>] On
Behalf Of Kim L. Ruhl CPO
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2006 6:38 PM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Re: [OANDP-L] bypassing orthotists
Robert,
The following applies strictly to Medicare patients seen by say a
Don-Joy or similar sales representative. As you know private healthcare
insurance transactions fall under a different set of state and federal
guidelines.
To the best of my knowledge, Medicare is not currently sanctioning
or prosecuting those individuals who regularly discount below Medicare
allowables (engage in kickback schemes). Sadly, this present
administrative folly appears to be the result of a reckless ongoing
economic philosophical posture held by both the Clinton and the
succeeding Bush administrations. Blatant disregard of kickback policy
enforcement has been adopted by Medicare in an apparent effort to
deregulate medicine and privatize Medicare. Theoretically deregulated
competition and Medicare privatization should ultimately bring about
lowered cost through unfettered competition and privatization's superior
management skills.
The pitfall and reality of such unregulated policy blunder is a
privately held, corporately managed, lowest bidder, exclusive contract,
capitated healthcare provider system. This onerous shift towards an
imbalance of unregulated corporate power will eventually spawn a no
choice, substandard healthcare crisis immune from prosecutorial
oversight. What can be done? Inform and educate your Congressional
and Senatorial representatives. You can document the harm that such
shallow and shortsighted unregulated policies have thus far produced and
will continue to produce if left unchecked.
On the bright side, for now Medicare is still actively prosecuting
some fraudulent activities. If these Don-Joy sales reps are servicing
Medicare patients, they may be in violation of a number of Medicare
facility guidelines. Documented violations could ultimately shut them
down, and subject them to fines and or jail time. If they are operating
out of the trunk of their car or some like fashion then they are in
clear violation of numerous Medicare provider guidelines. If you
suspect this particular violation or similar machinations are present,
then I would urge you to immediately report all parties involved,
including any participating physicians.
Remember what is at sake here, the health, safety and well-being of
the patient, as well as the integrity and reliability of an honest
system of checks and balances. These freedoms can only be enjoyed and
prevail when there is an ample variety of uncoerced provider
alternatives available to the patient.
The short and long of this debate:
Will we continue to support the patient's God given inalienable
rights and the exercise of freedom thereof, to personally determine who
best suits their individual healthcare needs.
Or
Will we allow the delicate balance of power to shift, resembling
some classless mediocre third world Communistic economy where all
citizens decisions and rights are conferred by a condescending and
indifferent state.
As Thomas Jefferson so aptly reminds us: The price of freedom is
eternal vigilance.
I have provided some official website guideline links as well an
OIG Hotline number for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Kim L. Ruhl CPO
<URL Redacted> and
<URL Redacted>
Office of Inspector General Hotline
To further assist you, the Office of the Inspector General maintains a
hotline, which offers a confidential means for reporting vital
information. The Hotline can be contacted:
By Phone: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477)
By Fax: 1-800-223-2164
(no more than 10 pages please)
By E-Mail: <Email Address Redacted>
By Mail: Office of the Inspector General
HHS TIPS Hotline
P.O. Box 23489
Washington, DC 20026
If you are attempting to report specific information proving Medicare
fraud, please provide as much identifying information as possible
regarding your concern. Such information should include subject's name,
address and phone number etc. Details regarding the allegation should
include the basics of who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Please note that it is current Hotline policy not to respond directly to
written communications.
instances where several hats, that of supplier, distributor,
manufacturer, and practitioner, the order of which not with standing. So
as they make these decisions as to how to approach policy, which hat are
they wearing, who are they representing, and how can there not be a
conflict of interest?????
S Baxter CO
-----Original Message-----
From: Orthotics and Prosthetics List [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>] On
Behalf Of Kim L. Ruhl CPO
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2006 6:38 PM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Re: [OANDP-L] bypassing orthotists
Robert,
The following applies strictly to Medicare patients seen by say a
Don-Joy or similar sales representative. As you know private healthcare
insurance transactions fall under a different set of state and federal
guidelines.
To the best of my knowledge, Medicare is not currently sanctioning
or prosecuting those individuals who regularly discount below Medicare
allowables (engage in kickback schemes). Sadly, this present
administrative folly appears to be the result of a reckless ongoing
economic philosophical posture held by both the Clinton and the
succeeding Bush administrations. Blatant disregard of kickback policy
enforcement has been adopted by Medicare in an apparent effort to
deregulate medicine and privatize Medicare. Theoretically deregulated
competition and Medicare privatization should ultimately bring about
lowered cost through unfettered competition and privatization's superior
management skills.
The pitfall and reality of such unregulated policy blunder is a
privately held, corporately managed, lowest bidder, exclusive contract,
capitated healthcare provider system. This onerous shift towards an
imbalance of unregulated corporate power will eventually spawn a no
choice, substandard healthcare crisis immune from prosecutorial
oversight. What can be done? Inform and educate your Congressional
and Senatorial representatives. You can document the harm that such
shallow and shortsighted unregulated policies have thus far produced and
will continue to produce if left unchecked.
On the bright side, for now Medicare is still actively prosecuting
some fraudulent activities. If these Don-Joy sales reps are servicing
Medicare patients, they may be in violation of a number of Medicare
facility guidelines. Documented violations could ultimately shut them
down, and subject them to fines and or jail time. If they are operating
out of the trunk of their car or some like fashion then they are in
clear violation of numerous Medicare provider guidelines. If you
suspect this particular violation or similar machinations are present,
then I would urge you to immediately report all parties involved,
including any participating physicians.
Remember what is at sake here, the health, safety and well-being of
the patient, as well as the integrity and reliability of an honest
system of checks and balances. These freedoms can only be enjoyed and
prevail when there is an ample variety of uncoerced provider
alternatives available to the patient.
The short and long of this debate:
Will we continue to support the patient's God given inalienable
rights and the exercise of freedom thereof, to personally determine who
best suits their individual healthcare needs.
Or
Will we allow the delicate balance of power to shift, resembling
some classless mediocre third world Communistic economy where all
citizens decisions and rights are conferred by a condescending and
indifferent state.
As Thomas Jefferson so aptly reminds us: The price of freedom is
eternal vigilance.
I have provided some official website guideline links as well an
OIG Hotline number for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Kim L. Ruhl CPO
<URL Redacted> and
<URL Redacted>
Office of Inspector General Hotline
To further assist you, the Office of the Inspector General maintains a
hotline, which offers a confidential means for reporting vital
information. The Hotline can be contacted:
By Phone: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477)
By Fax: 1-800-223-2164
(no more than 10 pages please)
By E-Mail: <Email Address Redacted>
By Mail: Office of the Inspector General
HHS TIPS Hotline
P.O. Box 23489
Washington, DC 20026
If you are attempting to report specific information proving Medicare
fraud, please provide as much identifying information as possible
regarding your concern. Such information should include subject's name,
address and phone number etc. Details regarding the allegation should
include the basics of who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Please note that it is current Hotline policy not to respond directly to
written communications.
Citation
Baxter, Steve, “Re: bypassing orthotists,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/226133.
