Answers to Frequently Asked O & P Questions

• Will my insurance pay for these services?
• Will I need a physician's prescription?
• What makes Next Step O & P (NSOP) different?
• I'm due for an amputation in the near future. Is it too soon to contact you?
• How soon after surgery am I ready to be fit?
• How many amputees do you have on staff?
• What type of resources can NSOP make available to me?
• How long will it take for my prosthesis to be fabricated?
• Can I get a list of other clients with a situation similar to mine?
• Are NSOP practitioners board certified?
• Do I have a choice of prosthetic providers?

 Q: Will my insurance pay for these services?

A: Generally insurance carriers do pay for most O & P services. Our administrative staff is highly knowledgeable in the ever-changing health insurance industry, and strive to get you the benefits you deserve. All efforts are made to meet your financial needs comfortably. Insurances we accept

 Q: Will I need a physician's prescription?

A: Yes. An orthotic and/or prosthetic device is changing your body in one way or another. Therefore, a physician's approval/prescription will ensure proper treatment of your physical condition for a better way of life. An initial consultation does not require a prescription.

 Q: What makes Next Step O & P different from other facilities in the O & P industry?

A: There are many differences which seperate us from our competition. The first is that NSOP is practitioner owned and operated. The two principal partners, Peter Couture, CP, and Matthew Albuquerque, CPO., have both worked for small, private and large O & P companies. Next Step was formed in order to provide an alternate direction for prosthetic care centered on making people's lives as productive as we can possibly make them. Having amputees on staff that assist during the fitting process is another element which makes us different. The insight and inspiration they offer has been paramount to the success of many amputees that have come to our facilities.

Our advanced fitting techniques with quick turnaround time make your visit to NSOP very different from other facilities in our industry. Using a teamwork approach, the practitioners, technicians, and administrative staff all work together to provide our clients with the best prosthetic care possible.

 Q: I'm facing an amputation in the near future. Is it too soon to contact you?

A: Absolutely not! One of the most important things that you can have during this time is peace of mind. By coming in for a tour of the facility, introduction to our staff, and a view of different options for componentry and materials, you may reduce some anxieties or concerns you may have about the process after an amputation and during the fitting of your prosthesis. Our clients tell us that taking advantage of this opportunity made an positive difference in their pre-and post-operative mindset.

 Q: How soon after surgery am I ready to be fit?

A: The person who ultimately makes that decision is your doctor. Because we are practitioners certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, we require a prescription from a medical doctor in order to begin fabrication of a prosthesis. Evaluations and consultations are always done free of charge. Our staff will take every opportunity to consult with your physician regarding your amputation, any medical precautions, and issues that may affect your options or expected outcome.

 Q: How many amputees do you have on staff?

A: NSOP has five amputees on staff. We have four above-knee and two below-knee amputee who work with us.Their insight and first-hand knowledge of the myriad of prosthetic componentry provide a valuable resource to our company and to our clients during treatment.

 Q: What type of resources does NSOP have regarding affiliations and/or memberships that can be made available to me after the delivery of my prosthesis?

A: One strong component of our philosophy at NSOP is that we offer you information on the different organizations, groups and teams in a variety of sports and activities. We provide an atmosphere that encourages our clients to try different things, whether they did them before their amputation or not. One example is a gentleman who came to us after an above-knee amputation and took up golf as a hobby. That was five years ago when he was 60 years old! He now plays three to four times a week.

 Q: How long will it take for my prosthesis to be fabricated?

A: Because NSOP has a full-scale fabrication labs on-site, we are able to complete work very efficiently. For example, we have developed a system where amputees are fit with a check socket the same day they are cast. Depending on whether or not additional check sockets have to be made, the prosthesis can be fabricated for the next day. Additional time is required to "try out" the prosthesis and make necessary adjustments. We strive to make our services fit the needs of the individual.

 Q: Can I be given a list of clients who are my age and amputation level who are going to NSOP for their prostheses?

A: Absolutely! NSOP's Circle of Support has quite a large number of clients thatæallow us to use their names for people who want information about NSOP. These clients are not paid by us. They are clients who are willing to share their experiences, both pre-NSOP and during their time at NSOP, as a way of giving back and offering support, information and encouragement to other amputees. Upon request, you will be given a list of names of amputees who are relatively the same age and amputation level as you.

 Q: Are the practitioners and facilities at NSOP certified by the American Board of Certifications in Orthotics and Prosthetics?

A: Yes! All practitioners at NSOP are in good standing with ABC. They are also given the resources needed to attain and maintain continuing education requirements. We consistently attend national meetings and/or seminars that concentrate on potential advances in the field of prosthetics that could prove beneficial to our clients.

 Q: I've been told that I have to go to a certain prosthetic provider. Do I have a choice?

A: You do have a choice, although you may not realize it. Most amputees have little time to prepare for losing a limb and find themselves numb with grief and feelings of isolation. Prosthetics is a medical specialty few people are acquainted with, including many health care professionals. However, there are many differences among practitioners, and amputees and their families need to take the time to gather information and learn about the many options available.

We advise that you become an informed consumer. The Amputee Coalition of America recommends that patients contact several prosthetic facilities and consult with each before making a choice. Talking to other amputees as well can help to educate a new amputee as to what options are available. The National Limb Loss Information Center (1.888.AMP.KNOW) will send you resource materials to help you with this process.

In most cases, even if one prosthetist made you a preparatory artificial limb, you can select a different prosthetist to make your permanent prosthesis. Veterans who attend VA clinics can also choose from among a number of prosthetists at the clinic.

Next Step O & P offers no-obligation consultations to all amputees wishing to learn more about our facility. Feel free to give us a call...

 "Shaun looks forward to each time he visits Next Step. Their patience, adaptability and problem solving skills have been essential to helping this very active 4 year old have a comfortable prosthesis that works for his lifestyle. The Next Step staff keep Shaun's needs in mind resulting in a prosthesis that's functional and durable-able to withstand the regular punishment Shaun puts it through while playing soccer,swimming, chasing his friends on the playground and learning to ride his two-wheeler. But perhaps the most important thing to Shaun is that his "dragon leg looks really cool!"

Sara McLaughlin
Natick, MA
Mother of 4 year-old Shaun, Below-knee amputee

"I have been an amputee for 41 years. I lost my right leg in a boating accident when I was 17 years old. The technology of prosthetics have changed dramatically over the forty years. I have had many prostheses made over those years with various degrees of success. Two years ago, I had a prosthesis made for me by Next Step at their Newton facility. The prosthesis made by Gerry and Arthur is by far the best I have had in the forty years. I walk an average of 4 to 5 miles a day, and outside of normal maintenance from the first day using this prosthesis, I have not had a single problem. In particular, not a single skin or fit related problem, which I find almost impossible to believe. Having a quality prosthesis that fits has improved my overall health and quality of my life."

Stephen Spinetto
age 58
Below-knee amputee