My question for the listserv is:
If you routinely supply diabetic shoes (not as part of an orthosis or
prosthesis) are you purchasing a bond to continue supplying diabetic shoes
or are you going to discontinue supplying diabetic shoes so you don’t have
to get bonded?
After reviewing the surety bond information from CMS, it seems that O&P
facilities are exempt as long as they don’t strictly supply off the shelf
orthotics or diabetic shoes.
This link is an exemption chart, which list O&P as exempt but you need to
read the FAQ’s and look at the fine print to clarify.
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/files/exemptionschartfinal
..pdf/$FIle/exemptionschartfinal.pdf
This is the link to the FAQs found on NSC web page, question 40 on page 9
addresses diabetic shoes.
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/files/suretybondfaqs082520
09.pdf/$FIle/suretybondfaqs08252009.pdf
FYI: Even if you are not licensed, you do not have to obtain a bond, IF the
state you are in does not have licensure. Reference the FAQs page 9,
question 37.
I think most facilities used to supply diabetic shoes to appease the
podiatrist so that they would get their other referrals to, but today a lot
of podiatrist are supplying diabetic shoes themselves along with custom
molded ankle gauntlets, like the Arizona etc.
I don’t market diabetic shoes, but I supply them to my patients if needed,
usually a resident at a SNF (part B) or Home Care patient. So I don’t
believe it would be economical to get bonded for the low volume of shoes I
provide, especially since the podiatrist in my area are supplying them and
even Walgreen’s.
Craig R. DeCamp
Board Certified Orthotist & Prosthetist
2041 Klondike Road
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(765)418-9619 Cell
(765)463-4100 Office
(765)463-4112 Fax
(888)508-LIMB (5462)
