Responses: Federal Processing Assistance Association

Responses: Federal Processing Assistance Association

Michael Johnson

6/6/2007

Dear List Members,

Thank you to all who replied to my inquiry regarding being contacted by
Federal Processing Assistance Association (FPAA). In the interest of
fairness I had forwarded anonymously (from those who gave their permission
to send to the company) the replies to allow FPAA to respond with some
verifiable results for their services, or to refute any negative input. To
date, they say they have received the replies, but have not reviewed them.

Replies as follows:


We paid the fee over 6 months ago and have had no indication that there will
be any assistance with government contracts. They sure sounded convincing.
Proceed with caution. Give them my info if you wish, I would like to hear
the response.

* *

I, too, was contacted by this organization and was interested. After several
conversations with one of their 'managers', I decided they weren't going to
get any of my hard earned money.



   This gentleman could not give even a general idea of how much
new business he would generate. As a man interested in new business and
added work ( I assume most owners are) I proposed paying a percentage of
gross receipts from their contacts as reimbursement, that way they would get
paid in direct proportion to the new work they generate, a win-win
situation. The guy acted as though I was speaking a foreign language.



   The only sure thing in this deal is the amount of money the FPAA is going
to receive.

One last thing...they would NOT give me a list of other health care
providers that they had contracted with.



   This was a few years ago, maybe some of their tactics have
changed...bottom line...every red flag that could go up sprung into action.
I think this is a scam, just my opinion, I hope they don't sue me.



Don't fall for the hype. Check the numbers posted by the military, very few
amputees are coming out of the mid-east, proportionate to the number of
personnel. I was stationed at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center from 1971 thru
most of 1973, working as a prosthetist/Certified Prosthetist during my tour
of duty. If you had a V.A. contract, you could work for D.O.D., but it seems
the active duty personnel are all being treated in-house, only discharged
vets are treated thru the VA and the private contractor.
Hope this helped,



I was contacted by this same organization and spoke with a representative
for about 15 minutes earlier this week. In all of the years I have been in
O&P I have never heard of such an organization, let alone from a random cold
call on the phone.



I am skeptical of this organization despite it being tailored to orthotics
and prosthetics. I Googled the company and could not find any info about
them. The information that they faxed me did not have a mailing address
anywhere on it. The gentleman on the phone stated that they were based out
of Tampa, Florida. The gentleman that I spoke with could not tell me how
this organization can do any better for me than the arrangements that I
already have with VA contracts, Tri Care or Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield
that covers government employees.



The other aspect that made me skeptical was the fact that I needed or had
the opportunity to buy a credit card machine from the organization. I get
several calls each week from people trying to sell me credit card machines.




At this point I am contacting other O&P business owners in my state to find
out if this is legit. Please email me if you have gained any further
information about this organization.



Thanks for posting the issue,



Hey Michael--If you are in a clinical setting, can't see where it would
help. But, in my case, we sell supplies to the Oand P industry---PVA
Bags--Carbon--Fiberglass---etc..It has helped us..Just don't work it
enough..Let me know if I can help..



I received an application to join another
group. The name of the group is the Federal Processing Association
Assistance. This group says they contract with the Armed forces and refer
patients to me. I wonder if this is a scam. The cost to join this group is
$1450.00



I am familiar with these federal referral companies and, literally,
hundreds exist. This company in particular is listed under business
consultants in Florida <URL Redacted>


However, the proprietors are a husband and wife team that have dutifully
kept their for-profit corporation in good standing every year, and appear to
have a new address.

Most of the companies do charge annual fees, but the barriers to entry are
pretty nil. You and I could get into the biz with a little study.
Remember, federal biz/contracts are offered openly....it's just the
tediousness of investigating each one.

If not, I too would be suspicious of a virtual blank on a Google search.
It seems unlikely that the company would never advertise or otherwise be
above the radar.

A google search yields 0 results, which leads me to believe that the company
is brand new or has yet to be formed. I don't know how dealing with the DOD
would be different than the VA.

I would guess that you would not need a go between to do DOD work or get
paid.



Hey Michael---You asked a great question..I had to go back and see...This
group first came after or should I say called my clinical setting- and was
trying to sell me on the clinical side of work..(VA --and any Gov. contract
work)...EX:--Walter Reed is contract work.....Well I thought long and hard
--cause the numbers they talk about are large-----But,I like my small
clinical setting..Just me and my wife..



But---I have a Oand P distribution business--That was currently doing VA
work---So that's the route we went with...My group is Federal Processing
Assistance--They were real pushy in the early stages,faxing and phone
calls...But I hooked up with 1 guy,and stayed with him...Yes it does cost
some up front money...But you can bid on all kinda work.....



Fed. Pros. Assist. #877-835-7132

ask for James Goodin



Let me know how it goes



they just want your money

try calling them they never answer your calls

i think they are in florida
i wasted about 700 dollars

i took a chance with it but it is a big hoax



Thanks again for all who responded.


--
Michael S. Johnson, CPO
OrthoPro of Twin Falls, Inc.
762 North College Road
Suite A
Twin Falls, ID 83301
208-733-0505
734-0766 fax

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