Are you kidding me? I know there was a thread on here a couple of weeks ago about the cost of orthotics, and they all ran from $200 - $400. I had the molds taken a couple of weeks ago. They have not come back yet, but I just got my bill from the doc and it was $800! It is listed twice as two separate items for $400 each. Are they charging me $400 for each foot? Am I out of line or is this complete robbery? Before I go bitch I want to make sure it’s them that are out of line and not me.
That is the going rate around here where I live (Near Toronto).
That’s outrageous. Can’t be right.
Mine cost $450/pair, also in the GTA. With my coverage, I get 2 pairs a year, and have done so for about the last 5 years - they’re always $400-$500/pair.
$800 sounds like 2 pairs…I hope.
I take it you are talking Canadian dollars? I’m in the US. Sorry - I’m a stupid American - roughly what does $800 Canadian equal here south of the border?
If you bought yours from a chiro, they range from $400-800 in the GTA and often both docs are using the same orthotic company. I charge $400 in rural Ontario where less people have extended health care insurance to cover the cost.
Sometimes it pays to shop around.
Unless these orthotics are made of aero space quality carbon, it sounds to me like you’ve been taken. That is unless you’re in an area where everything else is also very expensive. Should always ask beforehand what the bill is going to be. There is no standard fee for something like orthotics. The practitionor can set their own fee. The guy down the street may be more/less expensive.
Just a bump for the evening crowd. Any one in the States ever been changed anywhere near $800?
That is a pretty high fee. But remember, if your insurance is covering them and your doc is under contract, it doesn’t matter if the fee is $1,500. He/she is only going to get paid the insurance contract rate (say, $275 or so). But that is quite high, even for TL2100 graphite or carbon fiber devices.
Well they are “covered” by insurance. But I have a high deductible, which I haven’t paid at all yet. So basically this all out of pocket for me. I was expecting $400 tops. Should have asked, but I just didn’t figure it could be more than that. I guess I’m screwed. Not to mention the fact I almost certainly will never wear them.
IF your orthotics are indeed carbon fiber then the “retail” price for them is around $800. Your insurance carrier may take care of some of the cost, they will definitely pay the orthotic maker a discounted price. Your doctor should have informed you what material they were intending to make them out of. It really should have been part of their evaluation qualifications on the fitting.
Standard orthotics are around $400. My orthotic supplier actually was curious about how carbon fiber would fare durability wise. They’ve held up great for 3 years. Worth the price…just don’t lose them! Good luck.
Even if you had to pay the deductible, isn’t the price still the going rate of what the insurance would have paid for it?
No idea what they are made of or if they are carbon fiber - to be honest I didn’t think to ask or even know there were various materials. I did mention that I had some about 10 years ago that I ran in once and bagged because they were so hard and stiff. He said these would be very light and flexible. If they’re going to be flexible it doesn’t sound like it would be carbon fiber though.
Maybe - just like bikes, carbon orthotics can be made stiff or flexible. Also, your cost for your deductible is still only the insurance “allowable”. The main benefit of the carbon plates is lighter weight, yet still thin and very stiff if necessary. You can then add a topcover or padding and still have a relatively thin device to fit in shoes better.
I work in a Physical Therapy office. We make custom orthotics by casting molds of the client/patient, and sending them to a fabricator, SOLO Labs. They will make whatever we want- carbon, fibreglass, low profile, etc. according to our specific recommendations/special needs, whatever.
We charge 80-100$ per foot. $800 is completely rediculous. I hope they come inside some Rocket7 custom shoes!!!
Well actually what I got was not a bill, it was an EOB. The insurance approved $758 of the $800. So basically I am out $758. It is listed as two separate Orthotic devices, each at $400, and each covered at $379. If that is there way of trying to screw over the insurance by listing it twice and calling each foot a separate one, that sounds like fraud to me. I will definitely call my insurance (BC/BS) and ask them if that is legit. Seems like a scam to me.
Actually, it sounds like 2 pairs. Some insurance companies will cover 2 pairs (per year, per 3 years, per lifetime, etc.) Perhaps he/she just made 2 pairs from the start? I’ve never done this, but that is the only way Anthem would approve that much (at least in my neck 'o the woods - I never see reimbursemens that high). I never make 2 from the start because there often needs to be some adjustments made before the patient is happy/comfy, etc. 'Kinda dumb to have 2 pairs the same way if they both don’t work. This is also more often done for women since their shoes vary so widely (i.e. one for running shoes, one for dress shoes, etc.)
Just got mine on Saturday & was POed it was $440. Sounds like you’re being billed for 2 pairs or getting screwed. Can’t you just call the doc to ask?
Well he didn’t mention making two pairs, nor did I ask for two. I’m seeing him again Thursday (had an MRI today since there has been no improvement and cortisone shot had no effect). I’ll find out then what the deal is before I get too bent out of shape over it.
Just out of curiousity though, I’ll ask you about the rest of the EOB. I just changed insurance plans this year (had an HMO until this year so I always just paid a straight copay) so maybe I am out of touch, but the rest of it seemed high also. The bill just for the medical visit was $130 ($125 was covered). Then there was $126 for “Podiatric Surgery”, of which $94 was approved. I assume this was for the Cortisone shot. Then a separate entry for the X-rays. Are these in the ball park? I have a chronic GI disease and I know an office visit to my GI dude (just had one a few weeks ago) was only charged at $84.
Thanks.
Yeah, the “surgery” code was likely for the injection (and additional for the actual medicine itself, usually a few dollars to perhaps 10 or 15). Anything not “medicine” or office visit tends to fall under “surgery” - that confuses a lot of patients (and physicians alike). Even applying tape to someone is “surgery” in the insurance companies view (?) The OV seems a little high, but this was for an initial office visit I assume which is billed out much higher than an existing office visit (but only once) and covers the initial H&P, documentation, exam, etc.