Quality You Can Count On
I. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
A. Definition
To optimally meet the goals of the patient and the health
care team. The interaction among physician, therapist and
orthotist/prosthetist will define the optimal function, fit and
design necessary for maximal patient mobility.
B. Credentials
Yankee Medical is certified by ABC, The American Board for Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics, and our staff consists of ABC + BOC certified practitioners.
C. Certification Requirements
Yankee Medical is an accredited facility certified by ABC.
Accredited facilities must employ certified
prosthetistis and orthotists who, in turn, must possess the
following:
- a baccalaureate degree
- a
postgraduate certificate of education in orthotics and/or
prosthetics one year of residency experience under a certified
practitioner
Candidates for ABC certification must
successfully complete the following:
- a half-day written examination
- a
3-day practical/oral examination
ABC practitioners must attend continuing
education courses to maintain certification. Their extensive
training continues our tradition of providing quality care and
services.
D. AAOP Members
Several of our practitioners are also members of the
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), which is
the national organization responsible for providing continuing
education credits for ABC practitioners. Our practitioners
lecture throughout New England, detailing the latest
technological advances in the Orthotics and Prosthetics
profession.
II. STANDARDS OF CARE
A. Based on a physician's prescription, diagnosis and
prognosis, each patient is evaluated and assessed by the
certified practitioner or a resident practitioner under the
direction of a certified practitioner.
B. For clarification of treatment goals
and patient needs, referrals are evaluated in consultation with
the physician and other members of the allied health care team.
C. Products are fit at the time of evaluation and if available, are provided to the patient that day. If they cannot items are ordered or custom made for the patient. Product orders are based on the
following criteria:
- Treatment Protocol
- Individual patient needs
- Fitting criteria, i.e.
measurements, tracings, impressions, castings
- Appointments are scheduled for
fitting and dispensing of orthoses/prostheses to patients for
proper fit, function and alignment.
- Patients are requested to call us
with any concerns related to their orthotic or prosthetic
devices and are then seen immediately for resolution of
current and/or potential problems.
- Patients who receive custom fabricated orthotic or prosthetic
devices are given a survey, which is then used internally to
monitor and improve our quality and service.
- Warranties - Yankee Medical, Inc.
utilizes only the finest materials available and the most
advanced techniques known in the fabrication of orthoses and
prostheses. We warrant the custom-made appliances to be free
from defects in material and construction under normal use and
wear. Our obligation under this warranty shall be limited
to the repair or exchange of any appliance demonstrated to be
defective within 6 months from date of delivery. Warranties do
not cover patient physiological changes. Specifically excluded
from this warranty are all foot orthoses and all non-custom
devices. On non-custom devices, we will honor the specific
manufacturer’s warranty.
This warranty is expressly in lieu of all other warranties
expressed or implied, including the warranties of
merchantability and fitness for uses and of all other
obligations or liabilities on our part. We do not assume for
us any other liability in connection with the sale of those said
appliances and devices.
- Service -
- Normal business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m., Monday - Friday.
- Walk-in referrals are welcome.
- Saturday hospital calls are monitored by
Yankee Medical. Other after-hours calls are returned on
the next working day.
- Hospital calls are evaluated within 24 hours
to insure prompt delivery of products needed to facilitate
patient discharge. All locations have handicapped
accessibility.
- Yankee Medical has six locations serving all
of Vermont, Western New Hampshire, North Eastern New York,
and Northern Massachusetts.
- House calls can be provided if the patient
has no means of transportation.
- Extended Service - Yankee Medical
supports non-profit organizations such as (among others)
Muscular Dystrophy, American Cancer Society, Children with
Special Health Needs, Vermont Achievement and Vermont Center
for Independent Living.
III. REFERRAL SOURCES
- Physicians - Referring
physicians in Vermont, Western New Hampshire, Northeastern New
York and Northern Massachusetts include DO's, DPM's and MD's.
Our practitioners provide in-services for health care
personnel. They also exhibit at local trade shows.
- Allied Health Care Personnel-
Other referring groups include physical and occupational
therapists, nurses, caregivers, discharge planners and social
workers.
- Hospitals- Priority status and
service given to help insure patients are discharged as soon
as possible. Yankee Medical services all hospitals in Vermont
and bordering areas.
- Managed Care Organizations
(MCO's) - Yankee Medical participates with HMOs and PPO
contractual agreements to provide Orthotic, Prosthetic and HME
services to their subscribers
- State/Federal Programs -Yankee
Medical provides Orthotic, Prosthetic and HME services to
patients who have insurance coverage with CHAMPUS, Medicaid,
Children with Special Health Needs, and Medicare.
- Tradition/Indemnity - Yankee
Medical accepts assignment for most Orthotic, Prosthetic and
HME services from a majority of commercial insurance
agencies.
Ancillary Providers/Payers - Yankee Medical also pursues
contractual agreements with Workman's Compensation/Auto
Accident Third Party Administrators (TPA's) and utilization
review companies.
IV. COST CONTAINMENT FEATURES
- Vertical Integration
- Manufacturing
- Central Fabrication
- Reimbursement
- Charge Data
- Risk Sharing
- General and Product Liability Insurance
- Provider Relations
- Orthotics, Prosthetics, Mastectomy and HME
Seminars, In services, and Mailings
V. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (MIS)
- Forms: The following billing forms can be
generated by our software based upon carrier
Requirements.
- HCFA -1500 (New)
- HCFA -1500 (Old)
- Itemized invoices which provide specific
detail needed to process not otherwise classified
(NOC) procedure codes.
- Electronic Claims- Yankee Medical has the
capability to do electronic billing with all
insurance companies as well as Medicare and
Medicaid.
|
