E-bay items

E-bay items

Jacqueline Schmit

5/21/2007

I've been approached by a patient who received his prosthesis from another provider. Apparently items like C-legs (used) can be purchased at places like e-bay. Is there anything in our code of ethics that prevents certified practitioners from buying these and re-selling them to patients? And what about charging full price for a used item? This is the story I'm getting from this patient, and when he approached his insurance company they stated his policy didn't say items had to be new! Particularly in the case of a c-leg, how do we honor warrenty when the company shows it was already purchased years ago and the warrenty is no longer valid? My personal opinion is that it screws the new wearer. On second thought, what would prevent a consumer from walking into one of our offices with an item that he/she purchased online and he/she wanted us to put it on the prosthesis? I'm looking for feedback and am wondering if anyonbe has run into this situation? Jackie Schmit, CP