Forest, I agree with you whole-heartedly. I’ve always been suspect of any post that are un-signed. I can envision one of their marketing people writing that.
I’ve only seen one signed post written in support of the Ossur deal and I’ll respect that practitioner’s stand he was a CPO and a facility owner much like ourselves. I can agree to disagree.
As far as the gorilla Hanger, if Otto Bock wants to cut a deal with a huge buying network such as SPS, that’s their business decision. If I were Hanger, I’d demand a deal or else I’d just simply buy a manufacturer as they have done in the past. Otto Bock is not marketing against us wee bitty Indies as Ossur is doing. Last check I was still listed as a C-Leg practitioner on Otto Bock’s website under the state of Arkansas-Hanger wasn’t, just their practitioners not their facilities only. That’s because I was given the opportunity to take their course. Ossur says that your qualified only by your purchases. That’s like ABC looking at our invoices to determine our CEU’s instead of allowing us to take courses. I would have my fellow in plastizote and another in foam-art boxes if that were the case. Cascade is indeed marketing and selling to PT’s. At least they have been trained by Cascade. Albeit they have a hard time adjusting any problems associated with the fit. Even though the!
re is a
major riff in the O&P community over this issue, it seems that the law allows this and AOPA is dealing with this issue. It’s more of a Capital hill issue. Ossur has tried to justify their decision by utilizing both examples-poor marketing strategy. I may be in competition with Hanger, but I can beat them through patient care and great service.
SIGNED:
M. Britt Spears CPO
Spears Prosthetics and Orthotics
Forest R Sexton CPO
Ossur is not setting up to help you fight hanger. If that were their goal
they could just support all non Hanger facilities. It is already a given that if
somebody wants an Ossur item they must seek it at a non-Hanger facility.
Ossur is trying to help make sure that a client who wants their product selects
one of their network providers instead of researching who they may believe to be
the best Prosthetist. This Ossur network is by definition only helping you
market against other non-Hanger privately owned companies.
This is what has most of us up in arms. Us small practices are fighting
against a 500 pound gorilla (Hanger). Then a company that should be helping us
(Ossur) comes up with this plan that only serves to divide us further. So please
don’t try and sell me with this “I am fighting Hanger,” talk. It doesn’t stand
up under scrutiny. I will sign my name. Forest R Sexton CPO
