Cost of Artificial Foot Goes Up as Number of Amputations Decreases

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST

Recent studies have shown that the price of an artificial leg has gone up by more than half while amputations due to diabetes have been on a steady decline the last several years. Between 2005 and 2010 the number of foot amputations decreased by about 1,900, but Medicare went from paying $59 million to $94 million a year for artificial feet. Something is not adding up.

The Associated Press had funded research into the area of prosthetics and discovered the 58% increase in insurance spent on this health care issue. Medicare is worried about the fact that it is paying significantly more money while serving fewer older or disabled Americans.

Representatives of the prosthetic technology community have asserted that persons with disabilities are benefitting from better technology and higher mobility after receiving their surgery and artificial foot. But at what cost? Medicare says they are simply trying to help people with basic day-to-day operations, not get back on the basketball court, and the technology in use has been more than adequate. The research and development that has gone into providing returning soldiers with marathon-capable limbs might be destroying the affordability for older patients.

The Associated Press also found gross overbilling and evidence of widespread fraud in the billing of prosthetics. From improper diagnoses to prescribing more expensive prosthetics, to outright fabrication of charges, Medicare is having to cover more than what is necessary in the field. With a more controlled billing system, and a better process of matching the patient to the best artificial limb for his situation, Medicare hopes to bring down the cost of health care to its patients again.

Questions regarding the prosthetics and artificial limbs available for diabetic patients can be directed to Foot & Ankle Associates, Inc. These Santa Fe podiatrists can work with patients to discover their best plan of action during trying times. You can also order their Foot and Ankle Health Book free online.

Living with the Diabetic Foot

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST

There are an incredible amount of health issues associated with diabetes, and the diabetic foot is one of the most common and detrimental problems that a person with diabetes must deal with. From pain to numbness, to infection, to amputation, it’s always something that will have to be dealt with carefully.

Diabetes initially affects the foot by limiting the amount of blood that can flow all the way down and back. This is a problem for two reasons:

Numbness: The nerves need blood to work, and without blood, you can lose feeling. This can make it awkward to walk and prevent you from feeling when you’ve damaged your foot by bumping it or cutting it.
Healing: Blood helps your body heal. When you cut or bruise your foot somehow, it will take longer to get your rebuilding process sorted out. This also leads to other problems, discussed below.

There are shoes and socks specifically designed to help a diabetic person’s blood flow regularly, which should help with the issues above.

A diabetic must also be more aware of the condition of his feet. Any bruise or break in the skin can lead to further complications. Open wounds such as blisters, cuts, nicks, burns, ingrown nails, and scratches can easily become infected. Minor damage can lead to major problems, which can lead to amputations so the infection does not bring down the entire body.

If you have questions regarding your life with diabetes, how to protect yourself from infections and amputations, contact the Foot & Ankle Specialists, Inc., an experienced Santa Fe podiatrist office of doctors who can work with you to find your answers and set up a plan for taking care of your health. Order the free Foot and Ankle Health Book online at their website, and start your health plan off on the right foot.

Attorney Blog

Cost of Artificial Foot Goes Up as Number of Amputations Decreases

Living with the Diabetic Foot