Unite the Clans!

O&P has always reminded me of the movie Braveheart. There are small, medium, and large clans that all want to survive and prosper. These clans sometimes quarrel with each other and are often intimidated by the bigger clans. It takes William Wallace to remind them that they are all fighting the same battle and can only win if they unite. The O&P field is made up of small, medium, and large companies that all are facing the same battle and have to unite to ensure the survival of their businesses and the future of the profession. Who and what are we fighting? Shrinking reimbursement from private insurance Third-party billing companies taking a large chunk of your profits (13-15 percent) and stealing your contracts Managed care companies making it increasingly difficult to get authorization in a timely manner The infamous Medicare RAC audits and managed care companies jumping on the bandwagon Losing out on non-O&P competitive bids The pressure to sell your independent practice because you can’t keep up with your competitors I realize that these problems are nothing new, and our many associations are doing their best to protect our business. We often blame them for not doing enough and just taking our money. There were times when I thought the same, but I don’t think we should make this judgement without fully understanding what their goals are and how they are going about reaching them. My only gripe is that our associations put a little too much emphasis on the pages of policies and procedures and not enough on our quality of work. You may have decided that joining an association is not for you, but you still want to fight for O&P. You ask yourself what an independent practitioner can do to make a difference, thinking you’re too small to be heard. I would have to disagree with you. You can start by picking up the phone and calling the O&P facility on the other side of town. I realize this might be your competition, but I guarantee they are having the same struggles you are and wouldn’t mind talking business. The conversation goes so well your competition also reaches out to others in the field, which turns into a Zoom call with ten professionals ready to unite and make a change. If you are phone shy, then send an email or post on the OANDP-L listserv. The listserv has put me in touch with so many like-minded professionals who are facing the same issues you are, and they have some great ideas about how we can change things. The insurance fairness committee in New York is a great example of how large and small businesses can work together to accomplish a common goal. The committee is made up of two independent practitioners and two practitioners from a national provider working with state senators and assemblymen to raise the 35-year-old fee schedule. I am proud to say that I am part of several groups that are fighting the third-party billers and managed care organizations. You don’t need to wait for a chapter or national meeting to share ideas. I challenge you to pick up that phone or send an email! Your voices need to be heard because silence is not an option. Mike Caputo, COA, is the manager of JK Prosthetics and Orthotics, Mount Vernon, New York.

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Related posts:

Including Pediatric Patients in Clinical Encounters

Helping Babies With Plagiocephaly Through Cranial Helmet Treatment

Helping Babies With Plagiocephaly Through Cranial Helmet Treatment

O&P JOBS

Certified Prosthetist / Prosthetist-Orthotist (CP/CPO) Gates Prosthetics + Mobility Clinic — Mountain Home, AR

Clinic Manager – Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) – Rogers, AR

CPO

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