Healthcare at Home: Telehealth for Orthotics and Prosthetics

Published in Member Communities on February 17, 2021

Originally featured in “VGM Playbook: Forecasting 2021” by VGM & Associates, president of OPGA, Todd Eagen, discusses how telehealth will most likely continue to be used in a majority of O&P practices post-pandemic. You can access the full playbook here. 

Orthotics and Prosthetics
Todd Eagen, President, OPGA

Due to the restrictions and recommendations brought on by the pandemic, O&P providers were required to improvise and adapt in many ways. One of these adaptations was the use of telehealth to help resolve patient care issues. Many providers began using HIPAA-compliant and secure systems to conduct consults, preliminary evaluations, and follow-ups. The hands-on nature of O&P care certainly does not allow for measuring, physically fitting, or adjusting devices, but there are many elements in the care process/ plan for a new prosthesis or orthosis that can be accomplished virtually.

Telehealth will most likely continue to be used in a majority of O&P practices post-pandemic. But remember, there are limitations to its use, and providers still do not get reimbursed for consults or troubleshooting unless there are adjustments made to a patient’s device. Telehealth will remain a very viable way to improve patients’ access to care, but providers need to ensure that the platform they are using is secure, HIPAA compliant, and that they are aware of and abide by all applicable state privacy and confidentiality regulations.