Sue Smithson & Linkia
Daniel Gottry
Description
Collection
Title:
Sue Smithson & Linkia
Creator:
Daniel Gottry
Date:
9/12/2006
Text:
Following my own series of emails on the impact of Linkia/Hanger on the provision of care for amputees ... and on the industry as a whole, it was interesting to see Sue Smithson's letter and the myriad of responses. I can only imagine the emails she received from the industry. She had written to me previously and expressed some of the thoughts and questions outlined in the letter she posted.
From the perspective of a user of services rather than a provider of services, I wanted to post my own response to some of the info she presented, and her questions.
Q: What is the difference between what OPGA and POINT are attempting to create and what Linkia has created?
A: I'm not overly familiar with OPGA and POINT but, from a consumer's point of view, I think there may be a place for an association of providers that would be able to contract universally with the insurance companies. I believe however, that this would require:
1. A set of standards for inclusion (accreditation, certification, etc.)
2. A cost structure that does not load admin costs but rather provides reasonable compensation to provider.
3. Equal access to inclusion of the network for all providers meeting the set standards.
As I understand the situation, the Linkia network does none of these things. My request for this information (sent to CIGNA and to Linkia) had not yet merited a response .
Q: As an insurance contractor, why would I want to sign hundreds of contracts with hundreds of individual providers when I can sign one with a network manager?
A: You wouldn't ... unless you were interested in the quality of care your insured patients receive. It would appear that the recipients of O/P care are being treated in a way that is very different from just about any other patients. Why is this? Are the insurance companies requiring this of the OB/GYN providers? The Oncology providers? Etc.
Obviously, Linkia/Hanger has offered something to the insurance companies that they value. I believe insurance companies could certainly establish a set of standards and pricing, and require compliance with those standards in order to contract.
Wait ... don't they already do this?
For this and more information, visit www.gottrys.com/leggo/
----------------
Daniel Gottry
<Email Address Redacted>
480-491-1020
From the perspective of a user of services rather than a provider of services, I wanted to post my own response to some of the info she presented, and her questions.
Q: What is the difference between what OPGA and POINT are attempting to create and what Linkia has created?
A: I'm not overly familiar with OPGA and POINT but, from a consumer's point of view, I think there may be a place for an association of providers that would be able to contract universally with the insurance companies. I believe however, that this would require:
1. A set of standards for inclusion (accreditation, certification, etc.)
2. A cost structure that does not load admin costs but rather provides reasonable compensation to provider.
3. Equal access to inclusion of the network for all providers meeting the set standards.
As I understand the situation, the Linkia network does none of these things. My request for this information (sent to CIGNA and to Linkia) had not yet merited a response .
Q: As an insurance contractor, why would I want to sign hundreds of contracts with hundreds of individual providers when I can sign one with a network manager?
A: You wouldn't ... unless you were interested in the quality of care your insured patients receive. It would appear that the recipients of O/P care are being treated in a way that is very different from just about any other patients. Why is this? Are the insurance companies requiring this of the OB/GYN providers? The Oncology providers? Etc.
Obviously, Linkia/Hanger has offered something to the insurance companies that they value. I believe insurance companies could certainly establish a set of standards and pricing, and require compliance with those standards in order to contract.
Wait ... don't they already do this?
For this and more information, visit www.gottrys.com/leggo/
----------------
Daniel Gottry
<Email Address Redacted>
480-491-1020
Citation
Daniel Gottry, “Sue Smithson & Linkia,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 24, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/227337.
