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An open source prosthetic hand costing $1000

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Re: An open source prosthetic hand costing $1000

#11
post #6
post #4

If there's anything that need to be open source from day one, it's prosthesis. It's more about the ability of prosthetic users being able to own the parts that has been implanted into their body than being able to modify it per se. This way, prosthetic users cannot be barred from law or practicality to seek competent prosthetic specialists and professional that's not from the same company that makes the prosthesis. F…

> If there's anything that need to be open source from day one, it's prosthesis. My mom had her leg amputated 8 years ago, and seeing her go through the process of getting a prosthesis I couldn't agree more. Due to wear and tear, she has to get a new prosthesis approximately every 2 years. We're in the US, and with insurance it ends up costing $10,000. I'm unbelievably excited to see new and innovative approaches to…

> with insurance it ends up costing $10,000.

You pay $10,000 out of pocket? How much is the total cost, and how much is covered by insurance?

Also, wow.

Re: An open source prosthetic hand costing $1000

#13
post #11
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If there's anything that need to be open source from day one, it's prosthesis. My mom had her leg amputated 8 years ago, and seeing her go through the process of getting a prosthesis I couldn't agree more. Due to wear and tear, she has to get a new prosthesis approximately every 2 years. We're in the US, and with insurance it ends up costing $10,000. I'm unbelievably excited to see new and innovative approaches to…

> with insurance it ends up costing $10,000. You pay $10,000 out of pocket? How much is the total cost, and how much is covered by insurance? Also, wow.

If this article is anything to go by, you shouldn't be surprised: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/health/exploring-salines-s...

Re: An open source prosthetic hand costing $1000

#15
post #11
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If there's anything that need to be open source from day one, it's prosthesis. My mom had her leg amputated 8 years ago, and seeing her go through the process of getting a prosthesis I couldn't agree more. Due to wear and tear, she has to get a new prosthesis approximately every 2 years. We're in the US, and with insurance it ends up costing $10,000. I'm unbelievably excited to see new and innovative approaches to…

> with insurance it ends up costing $10,000. You pay $10,000 out of pocket? How much is the total cost, and how much is covered by insurance? Also, wow.

Yeah, $10,000 out of pocket. I'm not sure my parents have done the math on total cost / how much is covered by insurance. Insurance companies do a great job of obfuscating billing.
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