Re: Spinal Brace (LSO)
Wil Haines
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: Spinal Brace (LSO)
Creator:
Wil Haines
Date:
5/16/2006
Text:
To the listserve viewers,
Here is my take on devices that can be sold over the internet, or anywhere
else, without the need for a licensed medical practitioner's involvement, as
is evidently the case with several of this manufacturer's products. Such a
device should reside on the shelves at WalMart, where it belongs, and there
should be no L Code associated with or permitted to be used with same. For
example, you can purchase back-saver devices at WalMart and Lowes without
a prescription and without the need for fitting, etc. You also pay for
these devices with your own money, not some insurance plan. In essence,
these are orthotic devices, but have properly been relegated to a
non-medical status and the results and outcomes are left up to the
individual who sees value and purchases the product. Any liability rests
with the manufacturer, as it should. However, when a medical practitioner
can be held liable when fitting and dispensing such a device or the device
may have specific medical contraindications for use, then the device should
be banned from public sale without the involvement of a properly qualified
and licensed medical practitioner. For example, I can remember when a
simple foam cervical collar carried a label stating that it was to be used
only under the direct supervision of a physician. This is an attempt to
limit liability from the manufacturer. However, if a retailer places such a
device on the shelf and sells it without regard to medical supervision, then
I believe the liability for using such a product would go to both the
manufacturer and the selling distributor. Has anyone ever had a patient
arrive at the office wearing a foam cervical collar and unbeknownst to them
they had an adontoid fracture? I have, more than once. Is this a particular
problem? Probably not, provided you don't fall down a few stairs or get
rear-ended at the traffic light on your way home. And even then, it would
likely be short-lived and relatively painless.
Would this approach to orthotic devices simplify a lot of Medicare's issues?
I think so. I also believe it would also save the Medicare program millions
of dollars each day and, in the long run, help qualified medical
professionals at the same time. If this might be true, then why don't a few
hundred independent O&P practitioners sit down with Medicare and explain a
few important matters to them, this one included? One independent voice is
essentially useless. Several hundred -- by the way which to my knowledge
has not yet been tried -- will likely work, especially if we are right. All
we need is a clerk of the works, who can organize information, schedules,
etc., and let the public know where Medicare and the individual legislatures
stand on O&P issues. We also need some practical problem solvers and
thinkers. I include legislation folks because Medicare will likely be
powerless to make needed important changes without legislative approval.
At the end of the day, I believe comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic
service fees are soon going to skyrocket and may end up being largely
unaffordable for all but the well-to-do. As it stands now, insurance
companies don't believe these services are necessary or else they are
overpriced. They don't have a clue about what is soon likely to happen from
their angry customers. But by the time they and their angry customers
figure it out, it will largely be too late. The damage will have been done
and there will be no way back.
Wil Haines, CPO/L
-----Original Message-----
From: Orthotics and Prosthetics List [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>] On
Behalf Of Sheredos, Carol (NIH/NICHD)
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 2:26 PM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: [OANDP-L] Spinal Brace (LSO)
Hello -
I had a former patient come in asking me about the System-Loc LSO
Spinal Orthosis. He is a 60-ish male with a long-standing history of
scoliosis due to a Paget's Disease look-alike. Has anyone out there
tried this LSO? Is it indicated for scoliosis? [By the way, the
manufacturer told him they could fit him directly, over the internet,
that he didn't need an orthotist to fit it.] Any information I can pass
along to him would be appreciated. Thanks!
Carol A. Sheredos, PT, MA
Baltimore, MD
Here is my take on devices that can be sold over the internet, or anywhere
else, without the need for a licensed medical practitioner's involvement, as
is evidently the case with several of this manufacturer's products. Such a
device should reside on the shelves at WalMart, where it belongs, and there
should be no L Code associated with or permitted to be used with same. For
example, you can purchase back-saver devices at WalMart and Lowes without
a prescription and without the need for fitting, etc. You also pay for
these devices with your own money, not some insurance plan. In essence,
these are orthotic devices, but have properly been relegated to a
non-medical status and the results and outcomes are left up to the
individual who sees value and purchases the product. Any liability rests
with the manufacturer, as it should. However, when a medical practitioner
can be held liable when fitting and dispensing such a device or the device
may have specific medical contraindications for use, then the device should
be banned from public sale without the involvement of a properly qualified
and licensed medical practitioner. For example, I can remember when a
simple foam cervical collar carried a label stating that it was to be used
only under the direct supervision of a physician. This is an attempt to
limit liability from the manufacturer. However, if a retailer places such a
device on the shelf and sells it without regard to medical supervision, then
I believe the liability for using such a product would go to both the
manufacturer and the selling distributor. Has anyone ever had a patient
arrive at the office wearing a foam cervical collar and unbeknownst to them
they had an adontoid fracture? I have, more than once. Is this a particular
problem? Probably not, provided you don't fall down a few stairs or get
rear-ended at the traffic light on your way home. And even then, it would
likely be short-lived and relatively painless.
Would this approach to orthotic devices simplify a lot of Medicare's issues?
I think so. I also believe it would also save the Medicare program millions
of dollars each day and, in the long run, help qualified medical
professionals at the same time. If this might be true, then why don't a few
hundred independent O&P practitioners sit down with Medicare and explain a
few important matters to them, this one included? One independent voice is
essentially useless. Several hundred -- by the way which to my knowledge
has not yet been tried -- will likely work, especially if we are right. All
we need is a clerk of the works, who can organize information, schedules,
etc., and let the public know where Medicare and the individual legislatures
stand on O&P issues. We also need some practical problem solvers and
thinkers. I include legislation folks because Medicare will likely be
powerless to make needed important changes without legislative approval.
At the end of the day, I believe comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic
service fees are soon going to skyrocket and may end up being largely
unaffordable for all but the well-to-do. As it stands now, insurance
companies don't believe these services are necessary or else they are
overpriced. They don't have a clue about what is soon likely to happen from
their angry customers. But by the time they and their angry customers
figure it out, it will largely be too late. The damage will have been done
and there will be no way back.
Wil Haines, CPO/L
-----Original Message-----
From: Orthotics and Prosthetics List [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>] On
Behalf Of Sheredos, Carol (NIH/NICHD)
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 2:26 PM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: [OANDP-L] Spinal Brace (LSO)
Hello -
I had a former patient come in asking me about the System-Loc LSO
Spinal Orthosis. He is a 60-ish male with a long-standing history of
scoliosis due to a Paget's Disease look-alike. Has anyone out there
tried this LSO? Is it indicated for scoliosis? [By the way, the
manufacturer told him they could fit him directly, over the internet,
that he didn't need an orthotist to fit it.] Any information I can pass
along to him would be appreciated. Thanks!
Carol A. Sheredos, PT, MA
Baltimore, MD
Citation
Wil Haines, “Re: Spinal Brace (LSO),” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/226555.
