Bypassing the Orthotist
Gerardo Hernandez
Description
Collection
Title:
Bypassing the Orthotist
Creator:
Gerardo Hernandez
Text:
Dear Listserv Members:
For anyone interested in the bypassing of orthotists- here is my 2 cents
worth!!
This is a nasty little loophole in our (Florida) licensure law. Since
physicians are allowed under the law to fit patients with Orthoses/Prostheses
in-house and since anyone working with a physician or under the supervision of a
physician can fit them as well - we have been removed from the picture in the
medical offices. Physicians are working with brace suppliers to fit the
patients directly in-house. Also, Orthotechs have been given alot of power in
hospitals to provide this type of service and operate some of the stock and
bill programs locally in our hospitals. Conflict of interest on their part???
you be the judge.
Physicians and/or the suppliers are able to directly bill for services
provided to the patients because they are now contracting with insurance carriers
(probably even Medicare) for O&P services (i.e. Donjoy can now fit and bill
patients in our area because they have contracted with the insurance companies to
do so)!
It's a win-win situation according to them - the physician profits by
billing the product, the patient benefits from the immediate fitting, and the
supplier profits by ensuring their product has been utilized. Orthotists not
included.
What can we do??
1. Make sure we build strong relationships with our physicians and
physical therapists and that they trust the work we do
and the services we provide
2. Stop using products from providers we know are engaging in this type of
activity.
3. Post and actively single out suppliers doing these types of
arrangements so that the O&P facilities can respond. This is what this
listserv was put here for - to educate and disseminate important
information to everyone. There are alot of options out there for
product/component use.
Good luck and keep the faith - everything has a way of working out in the
end. All is not lost!!!
Hernan Luna, CPO, LPO
Allied Orthopedics, Inc.
Miami, FL
For anyone interested in the bypassing of orthotists- here is my 2 cents
worth!!
This is a nasty little loophole in our (Florida) licensure law. Since
physicians are allowed under the law to fit patients with Orthoses/Prostheses
in-house and since anyone working with a physician or under the supervision of a
physician can fit them as well - we have been removed from the picture in the
medical offices. Physicians are working with brace suppliers to fit the
patients directly in-house. Also, Orthotechs have been given alot of power in
hospitals to provide this type of service and operate some of the stock and
bill programs locally in our hospitals. Conflict of interest on their part???
you be the judge.
Physicians and/or the suppliers are able to directly bill for services
provided to the patients because they are now contracting with insurance carriers
(probably even Medicare) for O&P services (i.e. Donjoy can now fit and bill
patients in our area because they have contracted with the insurance companies to
do so)!
It's a win-win situation according to them - the physician profits by
billing the product, the patient benefits from the immediate fitting, and the
supplier profits by ensuring their product has been utilized. Orthotists not
included.
What can we do??
1. Make sure we build strong relationships with our physicians and
physical therapists and that they trust the work we do
and the services we provide
2. Stop using products from providers we know are engaging in this type of
activity.
3. Post and actively single out suppliers doing these types of
arrangements so that the O&P facilities can respond. This is what this
listserv was put here for - to educate and disseminate important
information to everyone. There are alot of options out there for
product/component use.
Good luck and keep the faith - everything has a way of working out in the
end. All is not lost!!!
Hernan Luna, CPO, LPO
Allied Orthopedics, Inc.
Miami, FL
Citation
Gerardo Hernandez, “Bypassing the Orthotist,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/226149.
