Responses to Repeat Foot Orthotics & Lifts

Posted By: Elizabeth Park on October 18, 2012

Here is a repost of my previous question and my (annotated)answer to one of the respondents' that pretty much sums up where folks are at. If any of you want to read all responses (sans names & personal info of course) I will respond directly rather than burden those who don't really care. Just email me.


Hi there,



I'd love to know whether or not you are requiring patients get a new Rx each time they want a new pair of custom foot orthotics &/or lifts, and they are self pay.



This is with the assumption that you have an original doctor's order on file and nothing with the patient's anatomy has changed.



Thanks!



~ Elizabeth



Elizabeth A.M. Park, CFO

Sound Limbs Orthotics & Prosthetics

39 South Lisbon Road

Lewiston, ME 04240

207-754-4230



My response to one email:

Thank you for your very thorough response. Folks have been all over the map with this one. Practices in the most regulated locations (states with licensure) seem to be the most rigid in their stance. (Many of the respondents do not believe that a new script is needed.) Please understand that I was not "proposing" anything by my query. I was merely trying to gauge what others are doing in this sort of scenario. My personal opinion is that it can create hardship for the patient to have to visit their doctor when often all they want is to get a new pair of foot orthotics to replace a worn out pair. Some docs will gladly write a script (without a visit) just to help out the patient. Some - but not all. Many patients will forgo the required visit because it's a hassle or they can't afford the additional cost of a doctor's visit on top of the cost of the foot orthotics. The other day a patient brusquely asked if we were in a Police State when (he was told) that he would need to get a new Rx for his replacement foot orthotics that his insurance wasn't going to pay for anyway.



It's an interesting conundrum.



~ Elizabeth


~ Elizabeth

Elizabeth A.M. Park, CFO
Sound Limbs Orthotics & Prosthetics
39 South Lisbon Road
Lewiston, ME 04240
207-754-4230
The message above was posted to OANDP-L, the e-mail discussion list for orthotics and prosthetics.