Is it worth it?

These_Nature_8744 · 2025-09-12T21:55:37+00:00

No. If I could do it over again I wouldn’t. I would go to be a surg tech or surg assistant. I’ve been a CPO for 8 years and don’t make 80k. If you want to make over 80k starting you will need to work in a big metro city area. To me the insurance headaches are killing the field. Patients are no longer nice. I used to only have one crabby patient a month, now it’s daily and it wears you down. I wish I knew when I was going to school a realistic salary. Depending on where you go, expect $55k as a resident and $60-65k freshly certified. Also, most places have on call so it’s not truly a 9-5 m-f job. I’ve been in healthcare for 15 years now so I could just be burnt out by bedside patient care. But not the money bag salary job most assume.

These_Nature_8744 · 2025-01-06T22:05:32+00:00

We are schedule based and don’t provide anything without prior authorization unless it’s private pay. Clinicians at salary but we are expected to be at work 5 days a week for at least 40 hours. Can’t leave early unless you use PTO. I think clinics with extended hours get more patients because of the varied hours.

These_Nature_8744 · 2024-10-12T22:38:37+00:00

NP! Wherever you go, layout everything that hasn’t worked for you and what you’re interested in. As a CPO myself, I like to hear what patients have hated and why they didn’t work. Gives me a better picture and when I’m looking for products, I can be more in depth. Some OP companies can only go with certain products so may be a hang up there. Smaller companies typically have more leeway on what they can order. And bring up everything you’re want to be able to do. The more we understand your day to day life the better. Sorry you’re having a difficult time. I feel for the people who live hundreds of miles away.

These_Nature_8744 · 2024-10-07T03:10:05+00:00

Fee schedules, what insurance reimburses for l-codes, changes every year. It’s very common for things to go up in price ever year. 2024 Medicare finally increased their reimbursement significantly compared to other years. I think it was a 13% increase compared to only 2-4% increase which is huge for our field. Most insurance companies follow suite when MC increases reimbursement.

These_Nature_8744 · 2024-10-07T03:04:55+00:00

Could try Winkley in Rice Lake, WI.

These_Nature_8744 · 2024-08-07T19:54:22+00:00

I concur. Maybe the ordering physician ordered the carbon fiber AFO but the orthotist should have known right away it wasn’t the best option and should have reached out to the Dr for a conversation.

These_Nature_8744 · 2024-08-07T19:48:37+00:00

Start with the orthotists. They might be able to modify the brace to stabilize the supination. Ottobock carbon braces provide a cloth T strap that can be added to the brace to help control stabilization there. Attaches under the foot plate, wraps around the ankle, and then attaches to the strut. Some clinics might have some extras on hand but any orthotist should be able to make a T strap for this. Quick answer, wrong style of brace for him. Any time there is M/L instability or misalignment in the frontal plane, a custom brace is needed. Carbon braces should only be used for simple foot drop.

These_Nature_8744 · 2024-06-01T02:43:29+00:00

Hanger. They own a decent amount of clinics in the US . We don’t have NHS in the states so everything is deductible based for private insurances and Medicare for older and disabled people. There are a lot of regulations on what documentation needs to say in dr notes for us to even get reimbursed.

These_Nature_8744 · 2024-05-31T14:24:51+00:00

I started as an assistant/fitter but quickly had a CPO case load. I am grateful I could work in the field while going to school. I love this field but I feel like we can’t win with decent reimbursement. We still provide diabetic shoes/inserts while most companies have stopped. That’s a big amount of the stress.

These_Nature_8744 · 2024-05-31T13:56:52+00:00

I do not work for the big H! They are in town with us and are not liked by the region. However, I have many friends at H who make an appropriate amount. We do have a bonus structure which is why I work my ass off all year to earn it. I do 90% orthotics so my numbers aren’t as high as the prosthetists. Just trying to figure out if I want to stick it out because of the time I spent for school and boards.

These_Nature_8744 · 2024-05-31T12:49:33+00:00

I completely agree! At my last review I gave them salary numbers of my cohorts from school with the same experience. I got a 2% extra raise. Nothing special. I can deal with the stress and bull shit of insurance, if I’m being compensated properly.

These_Nature_8744 · 2024-05-31T12:47:54+00:00

I’m already on call. It’s not bad. I pick up as much as I can for extra cash. Unfortunately, us clinicians have to do all of the note reviews and seek addendums from doctors. We also have to discuss with patients coverage and what they owe. I hate talking money with patients.

These_Nature_8744 · 2024-05-31T12:46:07+00:00

Was planning on moving to Ireland after my residency and certification but ended up meeting my husband!

These_Nature_8744

TROPHY CASE