Hayden Boling

Dr. Mitchell

UWRT 1104

22 September, 2017

Blough, David K., et al. "Prosthetic Cost Projections for Servicemembers with Major Limb Loss from Vietnam and
OIF/OEF." Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, vol. 47, no. 4, July 2010, pp. 387-402.
EBSCOhost,
librarylink.uncc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=54641437&
site=ehost-live&scope=site.

The average cost for a high functioning lower limb prosthesis, ranging from the ability to
walk easily to the ability to run on uneven surfaces, comes in at $45,563.17. Excluding the high
functioning models previously spoken of, lower limb prosthesis can range from $10,967-$35,196.
This is only including the prosthesis itself, but installation isnt the only price tag that gets put onto
prosthesis. Over a 5-year period lower limb prosthesis cost anywhere between $111,808-$424,167
with an average of $228,665. Over a 5-year period upper limb prosthesis can cost anywhere
between $12,014-$369,426 with an average cost of $117,440.

Timeliness -

This article was written in 2010 about the cost of prosthetics for veterans of wars that were even
earlier. Making this article not the timeliest but certainly a good starting point for my conclusions.

Authority -

This article was written in a medical journal by five separate people, all with either a PhD or a
medical doctorate. Giving them a high amount of credibility as well as showing that the article was
peer reviewed.

Audience -

This source is an article in a medical journal, meaning that it was written with the goal to educate
others in the healthcare field.

Relevance -

This article is completely relevant, highly relating to the topic of this paper.

Perspective -

A combination of the perspectives of several well trained professionals reporting on raw

information, not leaving room for opinions.

Mohney, Gillian. "Health Care Costs for Boston Marathon Amputees Add Up Over
Time."Abcnews.go.com. N.p., 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 Sept. 2017.

The average lifespan of a prosthetic limb is three to five years. So often you would have
costs total up over time. The limb that amputees receive initially often needs to be replaced after a
year to compensate for their changing physique. If you had to buy that prosthetic without
insurance that would be financial catastrophe on top of a medical catastrophe, said Kolstad. Jon
Kolstad, is an assistant professor specializing in healthcare economics at the Wharton School of
Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. Insurance companies usually cover up to eighty
percent of the cost of the prosthetic but that leftover twenty percent can be anywhere between
$1000-$10,000. This isnt including the cost of the hospital time or the years of physical therapy
that it takes to recover from amputations.

Timeliness -
This article is from a recent tragedy and while technology changes vastly over time I feel this
information will still be valid.
Authority -
This reporter has written articles about many events that center around health. While they may not
be the most informed from the on the topic themselves they gather their sources from those who
are.
Audience -
General public, many people are interested in the boston marathon so news sites will draw a lot of
traffic. Doesnt make this information any less valuable it may just be simplified.
Relevance -
Perfectly relevant. One-hundred percent what my topic is going on about.
Perspective -
I do not think that bias is involved in this reporter's article they do not seem to have a vested
interest in this topic they were simply doing their job.