Prosthetic/Orthotic FAQ

You will review and complete your admission paperwork and address any insurance concerns you may have.

You will meet with a Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist to discuss the treatment plan, your medical history and set goals. An amputee peer visitor may also be present to answer questions regarding amputation.

Please remember to bring your prescription, insurance cards, list of medications, any contact names, phone numbers and a list of any questions you may have. If you have any special instructions or other documents including testing reports, please bring them with you as well.

For prosthetics and orthotics casting appointments, please bring a pair of shorts and any assistive devices if needed to stand and transfer.

Treatment sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes per visit.

Most devices are custom fabricated. Some devices and/or components may be shipped from a manufacturer. The time frame depends on each individual device and can be discussed with your prosthetist/orthotist at your initial consultation. The time frame also depends on the paperwork and/or prior authorization needed from physicians and insurance companies. You may discuss these factors with RI Limb’s billing specialist at your initial evaluation appointment.

You should contact the Member Services Department of your insurance carrier to determine your benefits and any co-insurance. Some plans do require prior authorization before the device can be provided. Your insurance will be verified and you will be informed of your financial responsibility before accepting delivery of your device.

If unforeseen issues require you to cancel an appointment, a make-up appointment should be scheduled as soon as possible. Please allow 24 hours notice for all cancelations. If you are late to an appointment, our clinicians will attempt to see you if the schedule allows. However, if a clinician is unavailable, you will be asked to reschedule.

A deductible is the set amount that a patient must pay prior to their health insurance benefits become activated. This deductible could be calendar year or policy year depending upon the individual policy. If you are not sure of your benefits we will contact the company for your current status.

A co-pay is the set amount that is paid to the provider each visit by the patient. It is a flat fee and does not change session to session.

Co-insurance is the amount a patient pays when their benefit is based on a percentage of coverage. For example, 80/20 benefit would be insurance pays 80% of the covered charge while the patient is responsible for 20% of the covered charge. This could vary from visit to visit depending on what treatments were done in a session.

Out-of-pocket maximum is the amount that a patient has to pay out of their own pocket including deductible, co pays, and coinsurances before the insurance company pays claims at 100%. For example, if a patient has a $3000.00 out-of-pocket maximum, once they have paid that in their specific policy year, the insurance company will then pay any claim after that at 100%. No co-pay or coinsurance applies. This would begin again at the beginning of each specific policy year.

Please feel free to direct any billing questions you may have to the RI Limb’s billing specialist.

All prostheses are custom fabricated at RI Limb. By discussing your goals and needs with our prosthetists, a prosthetic design with specific components will be configured to best suit your needs. You may choose to have a cover on your prosthesis to allow it to be shaped more like a natural leg. You may also decide not to have a cover and allow the mechanical parts of your prosthesis to show. The socket design may be flesh toned or you may incorporate a unique design and fabric of your choice into the prosthesis.

We offer both pre-amputation and post-amputation consultations. Upon request, we can provide you with a resource listing for adaptive equipment and home/automotive modifications. We also have a Physical Therapy department at RI Limb, providing patients with gait training, strengthening and a full range of modalities. Currently, we are developing a support group for Rhode Island Limb amputees.

You may discuss your treatment plan with your prosthetist at your initial consultation. In some cases, physical therapy may be indicated before the fitting process (prehab).

RI Limb advises all new amputees to work with our physical therapists to develop a rehabilitation plan including strengthening exercises and gait training. Our prosthetists will instruct you on how to use specific components on your prosthesis during your fitting appointments.

As with anything else, components on your prosthesis may break or become damaged and worn. Many components carry a limited warranty. It is important to contact RI Limb if any components come loose or break on your prosthesis. Also, regular preventative maintenance appointments are important to ensure that components are performing properly and are in good working order.

Call RI Limb at (401) 941-6230 for all adjustment needs. Please note that performing home modifications to your prosthetic or orthotic device automatically voids any and all warranties and will be documented in your patient records. RI Limb is not responsible for any damage caused to a prosthesis and/or patient due to modifications made to the device by a person other than an RI Limb employee.

Not all prostheses are waterproof. In fact, some components may become destroyed in water. A waterproof prosthesis can be fabricated for swimming or bathing. Discuss these needs and goals with our certified prosthetists at your appointment.