From the Editor &#8211; Licensure: Setting O&#038;P Apart

Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence. Author Unknown Licensure helps authenticate a profession and in many industries is a hallmark of recognized expertise. For instance, what the engineering profession says about licensure also can be applied to orthotics and prosthetics: "The profession regulates itself by setting high standards for professional engineers, and by law, many jurisdictions require engineers to be licensed in order to practice. These requirements and high standards help protect the public's safety and welfare"--National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Licensure not only protects the welfare of the public, it helps protect the livelihood of the bearer. Licensure in O&P got off to a late start relative to other healthcare professions and it's been traveling a rocky road. Although there are only about 8,000 credentialed O&P providers, there are more than 140,000 providers with the right to bill L-Codes, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). That's a lot of potential competition. " Licensure: Setting O&P Professionals Apart from General Providers ," this month's feature article by Judith Philipps Otto, explores several aspects of the complex issue. In fact, there are so many aspects to licensure that the reader is urged to read more in our online exclusives (see links in following content, or related links in the cover story). What are some possible problems inherent in O&P licensure? What about states with small populations and few O&P practitioners to support a licensing board? How can the experience of others in obtaining licensure help initiatives in states which don't yet have it? The facets of the issue are many and varied. To help, the Academy has established a task force on licensure. You can read about the initiative in " Academy Task Force to Create State Licensure Guide " Getting Insurance Paid after Disasters The unprecedented storm season of 2005 caused many problems for businesses, as well as loss and grief for many individuals. It often takes time for business claims to work their way through the insurance system, but this month's Legal EDGE takes a look at how O&P business owners can help get their claims paid. On the Upbeat Side On the more upbeat side, you will enjoy the story of Kelly Luckett . A Symes amputee since age two, Kelly was determined to be a marathon runner, saying emphatically, "If I can't run fast, I'll run far!" And she has. And, why does a chicken cross the road? Why, to visit a prosthetist, of course. You'll enjoy this creative and funny story, " Prosthetist Keeps Poultry in Motion ". Industry Review Our news section has received a January facelift directed by our new managing editor, Tina Eichner. We are aiming to provide more timely, interesting, and pertinent "news you can use" organized by subject and addressing topics relevant to your business. Look for further enhancements to this section in the coming months, and please e-mail Tina with your content ideas, suggestions, and comments: tina@opedge.com . This is just one way that for 2006 and beyond, the The O&P EDGE is your primary industry source.

From the Editor – Licensure: Setting O&P Apart

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From the Editor – Licensure: Setting O&P Apart

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Anthropometrics Goes Beyond Immediate Prosthetic Benefits

104 Disabled Athletes Display Prowess at Exciting San Diego Triathlon

Bienniel Pacific Rim Meeting Set for Hawaii

O&P JOBS

Certified Prosthetist/ Clinic Manager

Certified Orthotic Fitter / Certified Assistant or Pedorthist

Texas available- CPO, CP, CPA,

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