Bill and Others: Bill, those are all valid points. Unfortunately, there is a reputation and for good reason of non-ethical practices. There have been many public stories and accounts like you stated with a vendor coming into a SNF and just recommending power mobility devices for anyone that "might" fit the criteria. I still practice as a Director of Rehab and Regional Rehab Director in the SNF settings, so I know where you are coming from. I think as professional OTs that we can and would provide a much better service to a client receiving DME from us. I have worked with vendors that have "technicians" providing the DME that have a difficulty speaking English, nevermind properly educating a client on the use of the equipment. One of the Medicare requirments is to properly fit and educate the client on that piece of equipment. Most other vendors have the "technician" give a handout on the piece of the equipment in size 10 font to the client. Here is a typical example, a client orders a tub bench. Usually it is shipped via UPS to the front door and the client has to set it up. With my company, we either have the item shipped or deliver it ourselves. I thing it means a lot to bring the item maybe up a flight of stairs and provide proper set-up and use of the tub bench. As a OT, we are now in their setting. Based on their status, we can eduate the best way to transfer onto the bench. Do they do a sit<>stand and then swing their legs over, is it best to trasnfer into the tub and then use the tub bench just as a seat? Did they order a transfer bench that goes outside of the tub and now it doesn't allow space for them to get to the toilet with their rolling walker? There are a million situations, but this is how we can provide a better service. The other reason I started the company was to provide the equipment at lower than suggested retail prices. I also offer payment plans over 6 months. It is unfortunate that 3rd parties do not cover most of the "necessary" equipment. A lot of clients are on fixed incomes and spending $50 on food is more of a priority than spending it on a tub seat, so they go without. Next thing you know they fall showering because they have DM and their glucose levels were off, ending up with a fractured hip. They end up in a SNF, have no back-up insurance and are paying over $100 a day after day 20 on their Medicare benefits. I see myself as a provider of DME, not a salesman. I hope this gives more insight on my thought process. Sincerely, Gregory Stelmach, OTR/L Home Medical Consulting 53 Columbus Ave. Suite 402 North Providence, RI 02911 508-801-9776 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.homemedicalconsulting.com
Bill Maloney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 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] -- Unsubscribe? [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Help? [EMAIL PROTECTED]
