June 23, 2009

Your Voice Can Be Heard!

We ordered special socks for Abby's AFO's, received them and a few days later got a bill in the mail. I was outraged at the cost of these socks and e-mailed Channel 9 News to see if there was any way they could help expose this criminal act of over charging!!!! Here is my e-mail to them.....

To: newstips@9news.com
I just thought I would share my outrage with Orthotic Prosthetic Solution, L.L.C. located in Fort Collins, CO at 1015 Robertson Street, Phone 970.484.8388.
My daughter is disabled and requires multiple medical needs. I am thankful that we have insurance and Medicaid to help cushion the blow on the cost of hospital bills, equipment, medication, therapies and supplies.

One item that my daughter needs are AFO's (ankle-foot orthosis). Having these she needs socks that do not have seams in them due to pressure points. These were ordered from Children's Hospital through Orthotic Prosthetic Solution, L.L.C. We received 3 pairs of socks shortly there after and a few days later received a request to sign and return the delivery ticket so that Orthotic Prosthetic Solution, L.L.C. could start the billing process. I was SHOCKED to see on the 3rd page that the total due for these 3 pair of SOCKS was $310.74!!!!!!!

Thats a whopping, $103.58 PER PAIR and $51.79 PER SOCK! These are just TUBE socks and nothing more!!!! Had I known I would not have requested them!

Who in Gods name charges $51.79 dollars for A sock?????? THIS IS OUTRAGES AND CRIMINAL!!!!! NO WONDER WE HAVE SO MANY ISSUES WITH INSURANCE DENIALS AND CLAIMS! Having a disabled child is tuff enough without getting punched in the gut with outrageous prices like this.

ONE WOULD SAMIZE THAT IF A CHILD IS DISABLED THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF COSTS THAT COME WITH IT, BUT FOR COMPANIES LIKE Orthotic Prosthetic Solution, L.L.C TO STICK IT TO PARENTS AND INSURANCES COMPANIES JUST BECAUSE AN ITEM IS NEEDED IS PREPOSTEROUS!!!!!!

WE ARE MAKING A CAR PAYMENT FOR 3 PAIRS OF SOCKS!!!! Who in their right mind can financially do this in the times we are living. Even so who in their right mind would do this in a good economy!

THIS COMPANY SHOULD BE CALLED OUT ON THEIR PRICES AND HOW THEY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE DISABLED!!!!!!







Your help in getting this out would be fantastic! Please advise if this is possible.

Sincerely,

Tamara Cochran
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
but trust Him for His grace
behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face

I just got this response today!!!!

Hi Tamara,

Thank you so much for the email. I’m so sorry you have to go through all of this. I’d very much like to the suggest the story for coverage this week. Are you available during the day time? Thanks again.

Adam Chodak
9News Reporter
Northern Information Center
970.218.5530




I am yelling "WAHOOO!!!!!!" I hope this happens and this company is exposed!!!!!! I hope this encourages you to Stand Up and Let Your Voice Be Heard!!!!!

I will keep you posted on what happens next!!!! I am going to reference this post on my blog to Mr. Chodak, so if you have any thoughts on this topic, please leave a comment and hopefully "OUR" voices TOGETHER will make a difference!!!

Tam

9 comments:

  1. Tamara,
    Way to go! There are so many of these companies out there. It is unbelievable that companies who sell items such as these, knowing that families will need them and that most of the time there are no other options as there are no substitutes, continue to overcharge.

    We have seen on numerous occasions where this has occurred in our own lives. The costs of having a special needs child is hard enough as they have so many needs. And we as loving parents will do anything to help our children have the greatest amount of success even if it takes budgetting or realocating moneys. But this wouldn't be near the hardship if companies such as the one you are referring didn't take advantage of the situation.

    Way to stand up for Abby and for all the other families who are abused by these companies.

    I am excited to hear how things turn out!

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  2. Good for you for standing up to that company. I hope your story gets heard! Keep us posted :-)

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  3. Hi Tamara,

    I know how frustrating that they attact those who have to have something and are already in pain! So sorry, I would love to knit her some socks, can you send me how long her foot it, and how wide and then the width of her calf or how long you would need it. I would love to do this for your sweetie! love shi~ hugs...

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  5. I order from here for the kids at work. Just got the same socks, a dozen for $65, which includes shipping. If your physical therapist contacts them you may be able to get a discount that's how the price is lowered, but it looks like it may be the same "Smart Knit" place.

    http://www.keepingpace.com/

    The shoes also ROCK! They make it so easy to put AFOs on.

    This company also has great shoes for use with AFOs.

    www.hatchbacksfootwear.com

    I cant believe they charged that much! Outrageous!

    ---Ali McManamon

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  6. This role, as a special needs parent, is one that requires us to stand up and be heard way more than I ever thought possible! It's a difficult sometimes, but who else is going to do it?!

    The world has become more friendly to those with special needs, but only because of moms, like you, who stand up and fight in situations like this! It is so sad that companies charge SO MUCH more for items, just because they can!

    GOOD FOR YOU, for making this known! Hopefully the world will become more friendly to our little ones the more we make our voices heard!

    Keep that voice of yours loud and clear! HUGS!!!

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  7. Good for your! When is enough enough?
    Some think nothing of profiting off of the needs of others.
    I hope the company just isn't too ignorant to be insulted.

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  8. Hey Tam,

    As a muddle through billing statements every day, I am always amazed (and angered) at how much things cost for Nathan. I always say to myself "this is such a simple little thing. How can it cost that much to produce?

    Our newest cost is Peptamen Jr. The cost is $300 for 1.2 gallons. Hmm...shall I be calling our local news station? The crazy thing is that the 4th ingredient is sugar. It's crazy.

    I'm glad you took the time to write in. I'm glad you are standing up for this obsurditiy. You go girl!

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  9. Tamara, thank you for being our voice. It is not like we have extra time to be on the phone with the company who have taken advantage of us! We will continue checking in and hope they are able to help you. In turn will help each one of us!

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