Your End-Of-Year Prosthetic Checklist
As the holidays approach, schedules can get busy; it's easy to overlook your prosthetic needs. However, having your prosthesis checked by your prosthetist can prevent issues in the new year. To help you stay on track with your care, we've created an end-of-year prosthetic checklist.
Check your Health Insurance Benefits: Dial the toll-free number on the back of your insurance card and ask whether your deductible has been met and what your out-of-pocket maximum is.
- Deductible: How much you have to spend for covered health services before your insurance company pays anything (except free preventive services)
- Copayments and coinsurance: Payments you make each time you get a medical service after reaching your deductible
- Out-of-pocket maximum: The most you have to spend for covered services in a year. After you reach this amount, the insurance company pays 100% for covered services.
HSA/FSA Spending Accounts: Check the balances of any flexible spending accounts while you still have time to take advantage of year-end amputeestore.com promotions.
If you've invested in a flexible savings account with your employer, check with the plan administrator to see exactly how much is left in your account, as well as the last day you can use the money without penalty.
Schedule your Prosthetic Preventative Maintenance Appointment: Call your prosthetist's office to schedule an appointment before they go on vacation or their schedule becomes completely booked.
Inspection and Maintenance Checklist: To ensure continued reliable service from your prosthetic limb, it's always a good idea to have your prosthetist clean and service each component according to the manufacturer's maintenance checklist. Most components require your prosthetist to inspect them for unusual wear.
Simply wearing your prosthesis exposes it to an environment that can corrode, clog, and disrupt vital components with dirt and debris. Show your prosthesis some love and ensure your prosthetist properly cares for and inspects all high-stress components, i.e., feet, vacuum pumps, knees, and so on.
How is your prosthetic socket fit? There is still time to complete major prosthetic work this year. Your residual limb constantly changes while your prosthetic device can only accommodate a finite amount of change through prosthetic socks or adjustable sockets and components.
If your residual limb has changed significantly and repeated attempts to adjust your prosthetic socket have proven unsuccessful, consider a socket replacement. This is especially true if you've had services provided during the year and have met your deductible and out-of-pocket maximums.
Have a game plan for prosthetic emergencies while on vacation. A problem with your prosthesis can feel like a disaster when on a holiday. It's important to anticipate issues and have a game plan before any problems arise. Ensure you have your prosthetist's phone number and email if you're traveling locally.
However, if you're traveling to another country, you'll want to consider purchasing travel medical insurance. Research IMG for your Travel Medical Insurance needs before your next trip. For international trips, having a list of prosthetists within a reasonable distance of your hotel is also lovely.
Following this brief end-of-year prosthetic checklist is an easy way to ensure you maximize your savings and address your ongoing prosthetic needs. Wishing you a very happy, healthy, stress-free end of year!
