Gregory and others, Regarding the issue of OTs as independent DME vendors:
Personally, I cannot see this as any different than a non-clinician DME vendor (such as the ones I routinely use) going into a patient's home and marketing their wares, leaving flyers on car windows or residence front doors, direct mailings to senior citizens, etc. I remember the stink a few years back with vendors going into SNFs, ALFs, LTC facilities, etc. without referrals, and recommending powered mobility to anyone and everyone since medicare was so liberal at reimbursing for those at the time. Believe me, I am not trying to be a wise guy about this, nor do I hope that this message be found disrespectful to anyone, least of all you or any of our DME vendors out there. I do agree that us OTs would certainly have a more scientifuc approach to assessment, delivery and follow-up of the equipment than a non-clinical person such as a "saleperson" or vendor. But I can't imagine any case (in terms of ethics) where I would both objectively recommend a piece of equipment that I deemed necessary through the process of a formalized OT assessment, and provide that equipment, making a profit from the sale. I suppose I could, as a vendor, market myself to my colleagues then provide equipment to their patients. Does anyone see a conflict there? This scenario still seems a bit "wrong" but certainly sits better than me being the clinician and vendor for the same patient. Gregory, thanks for this proposition and I look forward to hearing what others think about it. Bill Maloney, OTR > To All the Great OTs Out There: > > I am an OT located in Massachusetts that owns a > company providing medical and durable medical > equipment. I have partnernships with various > companies in various settings, including skilled > nursing facilities, homecare, out-patient clinics > and staffing companies. We provide DME through > Medicare and "out-of-pocket." We provide your > typical DME like wheelchairs, walkers and tub > benches, but also provide wheelchair cushions, > overlay mattresses, UE/LE orthotics and diabetic > shoes. This way we are a one-stop medical > equipment provider. > > I have recently started a divsion of my company > where therapist can provide this DME and medical > equipment as independent contractors. I started > this company in 2002 becuase I knew I could provide > better education/consulting on products and at > lesser than suggested retail price. What better > marketing approach, a better customer service at a > lesser price. > > As a independent contractor, you would provide the > equipment while receiving a comission. The > commission is 25% of the subtotal/reimbursable > amount. You set your own hours and markets you would > like to target. I have some therapist that do this > as their full-time job and some as a per-diem job. > > With that piece of general information, I am > looking for feedback. I am looking for positives, > negatives and any other thoughts. > I am also looking for any therapists that might > interested in learning about becoming a independent > contractor or how Home Medical Consulting can better > serve your organization or clients. > > Once again, thank you for taking your time. I > look forward to hearing from you and HAPPY OT > MONTH!!!! > > Sincerely, > > Gregory Stelmach, OTR/L > Home Medical Consulting > 53 Columbus Ave. Suite 402 > North Providence, RI 02911 > (508)801-9776 > www.homemedicalconsulting.com > -- Unsubscribe? [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Help? [EMAIL PROTECTED]
