New programs designed to support the growing number of US clinics
CHICAGO, IL, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ - Touch Bionics, developer of the world's first commercially available bionic hand, today revealed details of two new support programs at the 2008 National Assembly of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA). Set to commence on November 3, 2008, the company's RACE Team and Partner Program are designed to provide additional support to the growing number of prosthetics clinics that are now offering the i-LIMB Hand to their patients.
RACE Team
Touch Bionics' Reimbursement Assistance & Clinical Evaluation (RACE) Team is designed to assist O&P facilities with their reimbursement efforts on the i-LIMB Hand and LIVINGSKIN passive prosthesis. Over the first 12 months of sales of the i-LIMB Hand, Touch Bionics has assembled a wealth of information and understanding on obtaining reimbursement approvals, and the creation of the RACE Team demonstrates the company's willingness to share this knowledge with its clinical customers and partners.
The RACE Team will provide services to practitioners, including a complete packet of up-to-date reimbursement information regarding the i-LIMB Hand and LIVINGSKIN, as well as a new monthly rental program for the hand. The RACE Team will also provide detailed presentation materials, a customized patient evaluation process over the telephone, and billing support with deferred payments on Touch Bionics' products.
"Reimbursement is a big concern for patients and clinics alike and, with the RACE Team, we are addressing this collective challenge head on," said Mark Ford, U.S. sales and marketing director, Touch Bionics. "The RACE Team comprises a combination of experienced full-time staff and contracted consultants to provide the best possible level of reimbursement-related support."
Touch Bionics' RACE Team includes personnel with extensive clinical, reimbursement, billing and contracting experience. The team includes several experienced prosthetists, a national contracting expert, a prosthetic billing professional, and a former workers comp insurance specialist.
Part of the RACE package includes a full production DVD with user, clinician and management team testimonials that will help partners demonstrate to case managers the increased functionality and psychological advantages of the i-LIMB Hand.
Partner Program
For accredited i-LIMB Hand practitioners, Touch Bionics' Partner Program is designed to allow the company to integrate more closely with its customers for commercial, clinical and product development. It includes a lead generation and development program, and a structured program for closer collaboration with clinics of all sizes to support patients with the latest in upper limb technology.
"The Partner Program is a key step in our global growth strategy, and ensures that we are putting our clinical customers first," said Phil Newman, marketing director, Touch Bionics. "We know the importance that clinics place on the kind of support that they receive, especially for a high value product like the i-LIMB Hand, and we are committed to ensuring that they get that the early stage sales support and lead generation that they need."
Features of the Partner Program include new recall and in-service clinics where Touch Bionics provides a complete service for practitioners to set up, promote and stage patient-focused events at their facility. Partners will also receive active support from Touch Bionics' clinical advocates, themselves upper limb amputees, in interfacing with new patients and users. Additional features include access to relevant information via Touch Bionics' new Partner Extranet, marketing tools and packaged support, and exclusive access to Touch Bionics' RACE Team.
The same DVD material from the RACE program is available to participants in the Partner Program, which will help partners to generate interest among existing upper limb patients, new patient contacts from within their region, and referral sources such as local doctors, surgeons and occupational therapists.
The AOPA National Assembly takes place at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Interested parties can visit the company at booth 1413. To learn more about the event, please visit http://www.aopanet.org/op_events/national_assembly/.
High resolution product shots available for media use can be found at: http://www.touchbionics.com/professionals.php?pageid=71§ion=10
About Touch Bionics
Touch Bionics is a leading developer of advanced upper-limb prosthetics. In 2007, Touch Bionics brought to market the i-LIMB Hand, a first-to-market prosthetic device with five individually powered digits. The company continues to develop leading-edge technologies for the treatment of patients with upper-limb deficiencies. For more information, visit www.touchbionics.com.
The names of actual companies or products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Touch Bionics media contact: Leo Valiquette, inmedia Public
Relations Inc., (613) 234 7227, lvaliquette@inmedia.com
