 |
Letters
Insurance Cuts: Consumers Need Help Now
I am responding to the article in The O&P EDGE
written by Ralph W. Nobbe, CPO, which is entitled "Insurance Cuts, Costs: Who's
Responsible." (Editor's note: This commentary appeared in
"Perspective," April 2004.)
I have been wearing an Otto Bock C-Leg® prosthesis for
several months, and I also work at an O&P facility where I
authorize and appeal for prosthetic devices. In recent months, I
have had the painful duty to inform many of our patients that their
benefits for prosthetics have been drastically reduced.
If a patient who visits us is lucky enough to even HAVE
prosthetic coverage, I find that many companies limit specific
items (such as the C-Leg I am wearing). So we all know this is a
problem. Now, what do we DO about it? Don't say write legislators,
because I have. This needs to be on 60 Minutes or 20/20 or some
primetime special. I want the PUBLIC to see how safe I am carrying
my infant with a regular knee unit. Then I want them to see me
carry her with a C-Leg. I want some solutions--now. Whatever I can
do as an individual, I will do. I can only go in so many times and
tell the indigent patient in Room 6 that his insurance won't pay
for a WHOLE leg--only PART of the leg...say, a belt? And what am I
going to do five years from now? Ten years from now? What about
when Vocational Rehabilitation can no longer cover underinsured
patients? Who will pick up the slack? We need grassroots efforts
here--not a few brief articles that a few people may happen to read
over quickly. Please respond.
Sincerely,
Jennifer L. Robinson
Prosthetic Coordinator & Illustrator
Physiatrist Best Choice To Head Rehab Team
This is regarding the article, "Who Should Lead the Rehab Team?" by Judith
Philipps Otto in the April 2004 issue of The O&P
EDGE.
I am a physiatrist in private practice in Aberdeen, South
Dakota. I do not agree with Dr. Webster that the worst person to
run the rehab team would be a physician. The physician is the only
person that has a clear picture of total involvement of the patient
and is responsible [for the patient]. I believe probably the reason
Dr. Webster is indicating that opinion is that he is so far
specialized that he has completely lost touch with patient care. I
think for better patient care, a physiatrist should run the
team.
Sincerely,
John C. Vidoloff, MD 
Table Of Contents - July 2004
|
|
