Elevate Your Podiatry Practice: Maximizing Patient Care with Durable Medical Equipment

Elevate Your Podiatry Practice: Maximizing Patient Care with Durable Medical Equipment

In this era of healthcare, practitioners find the need to pursue other methods to supplement revenue to continue in private practice successfully. One method that can enhance patient care and outcomes while boosting potential revenue for your podiatric practice is offering various Durable Medical Equipment (DME) in the office. SureFit offers a full range of advanced DME to elevate the standard of care you provide. 

Here are ways you can use DME effectively in your podiatry practice:

1. Orthotic Devices

• Custom Orthotics: Custom foot orthotics can be prescribed to address issues such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or high arches. These can help redistribute pressure and provide better support. As a custom device, they can be utilized to treat a current condition but also be modified to adapt to a patient’s unique biomechanics to avoid potential recurrence of the same issue or even the development of a new issue.
• Arch Supports: Over-the-counter or custom arch supports can help manage conditions like overpronation or supination. When cost-effectiveness is an issue for patients due to lack of adequate insurance coverage for more custom devices, arch supports provide a great alternative.

2. Bracing and Supports

• Ankle Braces: Ankle braces can help stabilize the joint and reduce re-injury risk for patients with ankle instability, sprains, or post-injury rehabilitation. They can also treat other conditions, such as tendonitis, while enabling the patient to function in daily activities.
• Walking Boots: Used for fractures, severe sprains, or postoperative recovery, walking boots provide protection and help with healing. Many podiatric surgeons use ankle or tall walking boots and those with or without pneumatic function to assist with partial weight-bearing during the post-operative course, especially for patients who have issues with other assistive devices or are incapable of strictly non-weight-bearing.

3. Compression Therapy

• Compression Socks/Stockings: Compression socks or stockings help improve circulation and reduce discomfort for patients with venous insufficiency, diabetes, or chronic swelling.
• Lymphedema Compression Devices: Patients with Lymphedema can benefit from compressive devices that are now being offered in-office. New guidelines have recently been released regarding this issue and CMS offers reimbursement in this arena. 

4. Diabetic Foot Care

• Specialty Footwear: For diabetic patients, proper footwear can prevent complications like ulcers and infections. Custom-made diabetic shoes or therapeutic footwear can be crucial.
• Pressure Relief Cushions: To help manage and prevent pressure sores in high-risk diabetic patients, various pads and cushions can be used to modify insoles to offload pressure points and address biomechanical issues.

5. Wound Care Products

• Advanced Dressings: Products such as hydrocolloids, alginates, and antimicrobial dressings can help manage chronic or diabetic wounds and promote healing.
• Wound Care Kits: These pre-packaged kits include various items needed for effective wound management at home, helping ensure patients are obtaining proper wound care supplies to assist with infection control.

6. Rehabilitation Equipment

• Physical Therapy Tools: Items like resistance bands, balance boards, and foot exercisers can be used at home for rehabilitation exercises and strengthening programs. Kits can even be curated for the treatment of specific conditions, such as plantar fasciitis. This provides a convenient option for patients and encourages compliance in home treatment.

7. Patient Education and Training

• Instructional Materials: Providing patients with educational materials about how to use their DME properly, such as videos or pamphlets, can enhance compliance and outcomes. If DME is not used correctly, it can cause new problems or fail to provide the needed support and pain relief. It’s important for patients to be informed on the right way to use their DME to prevent issues and maximize its benefits.

Implementation Tips:

• Assessment and Prescription: Carefully assess each patient’s needs and select the appropriate DME. A thorough examination and diagnosis will guide you in choosing the best equipment.
• Insurance and Billing: Ensure you understand the insurance coverage for DME. Proper coding and documentation will facilitate reimbursement and minimize patient out-of-pocket costs.
• Patient Follow-Up: Regularly follow up with patients to assess the effectiveness of the DME and adjust if needed.

Looking to incorporate new DME in office, consolidate your suppliers, or save money on bracing —SureFit is your one stop shop.

 

About the Author: 

Dr. Elizabeth Daughtry is on the Executive Board of the North Carolina Foot and Ankle Society as President. She also served on the Executive Board for the American Association for Women Podiatrists as Treasurer, Secretary, and 2nd Vice President, and served as the AAWP Conference Chair for 2014, 2018, and 2023 Scientific Conference.