Week 3: The Business Side & Upcoming Weeks

After my first few weeks on site, I have learned much about the insurance side as well as the business side of the prosthetic/orthotic industry. I will be outlining both sides in this blog post.

Firstly the insurance side of both orthotics and prosthetics. The biggest problems for McCleve occur from the insurance side of this industry. As a small privately owned business, a large portion on the payment comes from the insurance like any medical facility. Every prosthetic and orthotic device provided to patients must go through a process to be confirmed by the insurance company. Often times the corporation does not want to pay out and will attempt to find loopholes and/or push for a very clearly written reasoning of why the device is necessary. Lacking a limb is not considered enough of a reason for an insurance company to pay for a prosthetic leg. One must show dedication and drive to walk again and clearly state why they need their lost limb. Because some patients are more active and require a different type of prosthetic device to allow for such high activity levels, insurance companies must be convinced that the individual will continue at such a level and will try to prevent paying the higher cost of the better prosthetic.

The biggest proportion of business comes not from walk-in appointments but from doctor referrals. To show doctors the newest devices and update them on different prosthetic and orthotic technology, companies will often have in-service presentations. Providing lunch and an informative presentation both improves ties with the people who will be sending them business and educates them of different devices that can be prescribed. While having a fully booked day, the clinicians must also be prepared to fit in patients who come in needing bracing.

I am also excited to announce that in the upcoming weeks I will be working with the clinicians to implement a new type of 3D imaging device that will be able to capture 3D images of the stumps of patients to provide a more precise cast (3D printed) to make the socket off of. Like any other industry, technology is currently advancing and changing the way things are done in the field. Implementation of such technology successfully will cut down the time it takes to create a cast as well as increasing the precision of the cast. I hope to show an example of this software and how it works in the near future.

Thank you for reading this week’s edition! I will see you next week!