Upstate Orthopedics LLP

To Whom It May Concern:Please be advised I am in receipt of your letter dated June 19, concerning theabove whereas the ,patient complains about the fees she was charged for the services provided.The patient contacted our office on 10/24/requesting an appointment with anorthopedic specialist
(we're an orthopedic surgical practice) for an injury she sustainedtwo weeks priorAn appointment was given to the patient for later that afternoon , atwhich time the patient was evaluated and x-rays were takenThe x-rays revealed afracture at the base of the distal phalanx and a mallet finger had developedA malletfinger occurs when the outermost (end) joint of the finger is injured; the tendon on theback of the finger is separated from the joint it connectsThis is not an uncommon injurywith the type of fracture she sustain two weeks priorA splint was applied to the patientsfinger to keep it in the extended position and prevent the joint from bendingThis wouldensure the tendon is given the best chance of healing and avoiding any sort of finger lag.If mallet fingers do not heal properly, they most often require surgery in order to repair thetendonSometimes it takes 6-weeks for it to repairThe patient was advised to returnto the office in weeks for repeat x-ray and follcareShe was billed for the x-rays,office visit and global treatment of the mallet finger in accordance with the standards setforth in the AMA Professional Edition Current Procedural Terminology manualThefees she incurred are set by the practice and billed for all patients who require the sameCPT codeTreatment of a mallet finger is described as closed treatment of the distalextensor tendon insertion, with or without Percutaneous pinning (egMallet finger)Thisis recognized by insurance carriers as a major procedure and therefore carriers a dayglobal periodThe patient returned on 12/12/and received the recommended x-raysand follcareThe x-rays revealed that she interval healing and all options werediscussedIt was recommended that she receive physical therapy, for which shedeclinedShe was given further instructions with regards to wearing the splint and whento begin action range of motion exercisesThe follvisit was included in thetreatment of the mallet finger (days global period) and she was billed separately forthe x-rays (not included in global periods)The patient did not require any further followupcare.As orthopedic surgeons, it is our standard practice to provide the best orthopedic carepossibleWe certainly understand the patients financial concerns, but our office billedcorrectly and followed all medical guidelines established by the AMAWe also recognizethat there are more patients with higher out of pocket expenses and even though thecarrier do not allow us to discount out of pocket expenses (due to plan benefitspurchased by the patient), we work diligently to assist our patients with their financialobligationsThis patient was offered a $reduction to the bill, which we felt wasappropriateWe will gladly work with patient if they chose to establish a partial paymentplan.Thank you .Sincerely,Susan P***Billowing Office Manager forJon BL***, MDRyan B***, PAUpstate Orthopedics LLP