In answer to Ron Kidd, CPO’s question whether a measured ischial-containment
socket is properly billed with a code whose description includes “molded from
patient model,” my answer is yes, it can be. This is because the prosthetist
is supposed to use the closest available code when no code exactly describes
the procedure. What other code is as close?
The problem Mr. Kidd describes, however, is a very real one. It is now so easy
to make a socket from measurements — as compared to how difficult it is to
correctly cast for an ischial-containment socket — that lazy prosthetists can
cut corners. The specific case Mr. Kidd alluded to was one where the
prosthetist measured the patient, then “delivered the prosthesis a couple of
days later,” according to the patient. This means no check socket procedure
was used, obviously, which I see as the problem here rather than the method of
constructing the original positive mold. Check sockets are absolutely
mandatory with ischial-containment fittings, in my opinion.
David Hendricks, CPO
Silver Cross Medical, Inc.
Zephyrhills, Florida
