Gainesville Prosthetics

11/26/2025

As we head into Thanksgiving, our team at Gainesville Prosthetics is taking a moment to reflect on what truly matters.

Every day, we have the privilege of working with individuals who inspire us with their determination, resilience, and trust. Serving our patients and being part of the Gainesville community is something we’re deeply grateful for, and it’s a responsibility we never take lightly.

Your stories, your progress, and the partnerships we build together are at the heart of why we do what we do. Whether it’s supporting you through a new fitting, helping you stay active and comfortable, or simply being a resource when you need guidance, we’re thankful to play a role in your journey.

Please note that our clinic will be closed on Thursday and Friday for the holiday so our team can rest and spend time with loved ones. We’ll be back the following week, ready to continue providing the care and support you count on.

From all of us at Gainesville Prosthetics, thank you for being part of our family. We hope you have a safe, warm, and meaningful Thanksgiving filled with good moments and good company. 🧡

PatientCare HolidayHours

11/20/2025

Getting a new prosthesis, socket, foot, or knee requires specific documentation for insurance approval. At Gainesville Prosthetics, we partner with your physician to help streamline the process and avoid delays, ensuring you receive the care and components you need as efficiently as possible.

Insurance requires a recent physical evaluation and compliant chart notes (letters alone are no longer accepted).

Your physician must document:
• Your continued use of the prosthesis
• Medical need for the new socket or component
• Any changes in limb volume, weight, skin condition, or gait
• Whether damage or repair cost justifies replacement
• Your motivation to ambulate
• Your current medical condition
• Your functional level (K0–K4)

For new prostheses, chart notes must also include your amputation history, functional limitations, current capabilities, prior functional level, and realistic ambulation potential.

To help physicians provide correct documentation, we’ve created a full checklist available here:

https://www.gainesvilleprosthetics.com/physicianchartrequirements

Please ask your physician to fax compliant chart notes directly to our office so we can begin your authorization process without delay. Our team is committed to supporting your mobility needs and guiding you through every step of your prosthetic journey.

11/19/2025

The holiday season brings joy, gatherings, travel, and meaningful moments, but it can also introduce unique challenges for those who use a prosthesis. At Gainesville Prosthetics, we want to help you stay comfortable, confident, and active through every celebration.

We created a new blog filled with practical guidance for the colder months, including winter skin care, clothing that works well with a prosthesis, managing temperature changes, staying active, preparing for travel, and maintaining your device during busy holiday weeks.

Whether you’re attending family events, traveling, or enjoying seasonal activities, these tips can help you move with comfort and confidence all season long.

Read the full blog here:
👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ScfVBaymmuOkUFEBiEUM1KBZqVuXTB0e6XygktwVNjk/edit?usp=sharing

11/18/2025

Open enrollment is the best time to review your insurance options and understand how different plans handle prosthetic authorizations. Whether you have an HMO, PPO, Original Medicare, or a Medicare Advantage plan, each one has its own process that can affect how quickly you receive your device.

HMOs often require your primary care physician to submit authorizations, which can lead to delays if they are unfamiliar with prosthetic documentation. PPOs allow your prosthetist to send paperwork directly, offering faster timelines and more flexibility. Medicare provides broad access to approved providers, while Medicare Advantage plans may include extra steps and stricter prior authorization rules.

Understanding these differences helps you avoid delays and ensures you get the care you need. Seniors can also receive free assistance from SHINE. Source: FloridaShine.org

Read the full blog for a complete breakdown of each plan and tips to help you navigate prosthetic authorizations more efficiently:

👉 https://www.gainesvilleprosthetics.com/post/understanding-prosthetic-authorizations-during-open-enrollment-what-you-need-to-know

11/11/2025

Today, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform, those who stood for freedom, protected our values, and continue to inspire strength in every community. 🇺🇸

Veterans Day is more than a date on the calendar. It is a reminder of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring human spirit. At Gainesville Prosthetics, we see that strength every day in the veterans who walk through our doors determined to keep moving forward, no matter what challenges they have faced.

Their stories remind us that service does not end when the uniform comes off. It transforms into perseverance, leadership, and courage in the face of new battles. We are honored to be part of their next chapter, helping restore not only mobility but also confidence and independence through advanced prosthetic care.

Behind every custom socket, precision alignment, and adaptive design lies something far greater than technology, a veteran’s will to keep living life fully. Their journey motivates us to keep innovating and to approach our work with the same dedication they once gave their country.

Today, we extend our gratitude to every veteran and their families. Your bravery allows all of us to enjoy the freedoms we have. We honor your service, remember your sacrifices, and celebrate your unwavering spirit.

From all of us at Gainesville Prosthetics, thank you for inspiring us to serve with compassion, excellence, and purpose.

🇺🇸 Happy Veterans Day.

11/11/2025

Join us in welcoming Thuy Pham to Gainesville Prosthetics!

Thuy is currently completing her second Orthotics & Prosthetics residency rotation with us.

Originally from Vietnam and raised in south Mississippi, she holds a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Mississippi State University and began her O&P journey at Baylor College of Medicine.

Thuy was drawn to the O&P field after witnessing how personalized technology, clinical expertise, and patient care intersect to restore independence and confidence. Her hands-on experiences in volunteering, shadowing clinicians, and patient-centered problem-solving strengthened her passion for combining engineering precision with compassionate care.

She is especially interested in upper limb prosthetics and cranial remolding helmets, reflecting her focus on both functional and developmental rehabilitation.

Outside of the clinic, Thuy enjoys baking, gaming, journaling, painting, photography, traveling, and exploring new places—and she’s known for her love of all things pink!

We’re excited to have Thuy bring her curiosity, creativity, and dedication to our team as she continues her journey toward becoming a certified O&P professional.

11/10/2025

🦾 A major step forward for quality orthotic and prosthetic care in the U.S.

The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act has been reintroduced by a bipartisan team of lawmakers, led by Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA), with support from 47 national organizations including AOPA and NAAOP.

This bill focuses on protecting patients and improving clinical standards by:

🔹 Prohibiting drop shipping of custom orthoses to patients who haven’t been properly fitted or trained by a qualified practitioner.
🔹 Exempting practitioners from needing competitive bidding contracts for off-the-shelf orthoses.
🔹 Removing outdated lifetime limits on custom-fitted and fabricated orthoses to ensure patients get what they need, when they need it.

Rep. Glenn Thompson shared that access to medically necessary, high-quality O&P care is vital to patient mobility and overall quality of life — a message echoed by Teri Kuffel, JD, Executive Director of AOPA:

“This legislation safeguards patients’ access to medically necessary O&P care and addresses fraudulent practices that add unnecessary costs to Medicare.”

At Gainesville Prosthetics, we support initiatives that prioritize ethical practice, expert fitting, and true patient care.

If passed, this act will strengthen clinical care standards, ensure ethical distribution, and expand equitable access to O&P services across the country — improving lives for millions of Americans who rely on these essential devices every day.

11/04/2025

Dogs contribute meaningfully to emotional wellbeing, and there is growing research supporting their role in mental health.

Companionship from dogs has been shown to help reduce stress, support emotional regulation, increase physical activity, and promote a sense of routine and connection. Their presence can also help lower cortisol levels and support the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and emotional comfort.

At Gainesville Prosthetics, we value that impact. That is why we share our space with Ziggy, Zeus, Willow, and Atari. Our previous four legged friends, Kio, Indie, Bubbles, Scarlett, Andy and Topaz, also played a meaningful part in creating a warm, welcoming environment over the years.

Whether offering quiet companionship, providing motivation during challenging moments, or simply being a source of calm, dogs help make daily moments feel more supported.

Research highlights that spending time with animals can improve mood, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and help foster a sense of connection.

These are important components of mental health and overall wellbeing. It is always better with a dog, and we are grateful to have them here at Gainesville Prosthetics.

11/03/2025

Mobility technology is advancing quickly, and the Zeen is one example of a device designed to help people stay upright, active, and confident.

Unlike traditional mobility aids, the Zeen is designed to assist you using your own legs, helping you sit, stand, walk, or coast through your day while staying upright, supported and safe

With a simple lever squeeze, the Zeen’s assistive-lift system can support up to approximately 75% of body weight, helping users move from sitting to standing with improved control and stability.

Many individuals who have tried the Zeen report feeling more engaged in everyday activities. They describe being able to prepare meals at counter height, navigate outdoor paths without holding handles the entire time, and interact with family and friends at eye level, experiences that support a more natural and confident daily routine.

Key details:
• Approximate user weight range: 100 to 250 lbs (45 to 113 kg)
• Adjustable stand-over height: about 22 to 36 inches (61 to 89 cm)
• Dimensions in seated mode: about 33.5 in L × 25.2 in W × 36.8 in H
• Standing height extends to about 51.3 in
• Folds to approximately 11 inches wide for storage or transport

Information sources:
• gozeen.com
• abilities.com
• mymobilitystore.com
• livingspinal.com

This post is for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with or sponsored by the manufacturer.

Meet Mark: an incredible Zeen user who transitioned from using a walking stick to using the Zeen mobility device.

From navigating his home more comfortably to attending public events and traveling across the country, the Zeen has helped Mark stay more active and engaged in his daily life. Whether he’s enjoying conversations at eye-level with friends or exploring his favorite hockey stadium, the Zeen has become Mark’s go-to mobility device.

The Zeen’s innovative design empowers Mark to…
🚶 Walk and coast upright while staying securely supported
🪑 Assistive lift technology supports up to 75% of his body weight during sit-to-stand transitions
🛑 Pause and rest at any time, with the option for caregiver assistance when desired
🛡️ Stay protected with built-in fall prevention features
😄 Enjoy conversations with loved ones at eye-level while standing or in barstool seating mode

If you’re looking for a mobility device that promotes independence while helping prevent falls, the Zeen might be a great fit for you.

📞 Call us at (833) 367‑9336 or email info@gozeen.com to speak with our specialist team and learn more about how the Zeen mobility device could transform your daily life!

11/01/2025

🎃👻 Happy Halloween from your Gainesville Prosthetics Family! 👻🎃

Whether you’re dressing up as a superhero, a spooky ghost, or just rocking your everyday amazing self ,we hope your day is filled with treats, laughter, and good company!

🦾✨ Remember, confidence is the best costume of all!

Stay safe, have fun, and don’t forget to show off those creative costumes

we’d love to see them! 🎭💜