AOPA
in AdvanceBreaking News for O&P Professionals
August 21, 2007 ♦ Volume 11 Number 17
Printer-Friendly Version
| O&P News |
“Found
Money” In New AOPA Tax Credit Audit Program
Many AOPA members might be eligible to claim a little-known tax credit if their business is located in a congressionally designated “empowerment zone.” Up to $3,000 per qualified zone employee can be claimed each year. New claimants can go back three years. Employers not located in an “empowerment zone” can claim this credit for any employee who resides in an empowerment zone.
Under an arrangement with AOPA, members can receive a tax credit audit from Associated Consultants Inc. There is no risk to AOPA members because fees are based on a percentage of the recovery. The first audit completed under this new member service program on one of AOPA’s larger members identified more than $50,000 in eligible tax credits for 2006.
For more details on whether your company may qualify for these tax credits, contact Don DeBolt at ddebolt@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0814.
Many AOPA members might be eligible to claim a little-known tax credit if their business is located in a congressionally designated “empowerment zone.” Up to $3,000 per qualified zone employee can be claimed each year. New claimants can go back three years. Employers not located in an “empowerment zone” can claim this credit for any employee who resides in an empowerment zone.
Under an arrangement with AOPA, members can receive a tax credit audit from Associated Consultants Inc. There is no risk to AOPA members because fees are based on a percentage of the recovery. The first audit completed under this new member service program on one of AOPA’s larger members identified more than $50,000 in eligible tax credits for 2006.
For more details on whether your company may qualify for these tax credits, contact Don DeBolt at ddebolt@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0814.
New NPI
Registry Launch Date Announced
CMS announced that the new launch date for the NPI Registry is Sept. 4. The link to the Registry will be located at CMS’ Web site. The NPI Registry enables users to search a database for NPIs and/or the name of the provider. The database is similar to what is currently available for UPINs and other legacy numbers. This will enable users to click on the record(s) they wants to see and fill out billing forms accurately.
Questions? Contact Daniel Gurley at dgurley@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0812.
CMS announced that the new launch date for the NPI Registry is Sept. 4. The link to the Registry will be located at CMS’ Web site. The NPI Registry enables users to search a database for NPIs and/or the name of the provider. The database is similar to what is currently available for UPINs and other legacy numbers. This will enable users to click on the record(s) they wants to see and fill out billing forms accurately.
Questions? Contact Daniel Gurley at dgurley@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0812.
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Clarification: ABN Still In Draft Form
AOPA would like to clarify: the new ABN is still in draft form. Information regarding the availability of the new Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), discussed in the August O&P Almanac “Reimbursement Page” article did not properly convey the fact that the final version is not yet available on the CMS Web site. Minor changes are being made to this current draft. There is no indication of when this form will be approved, or when it will go into effect, but CMS plans to allow a reasonable time period for providers to transition to using the new form.
Once this final version is approved, AOPA will alert members with additional information on where the form can be obtained.
Questions? Please contactSean Peterson
at speterson@AOPAnet.org
or (571) 431-0859.
AOPA would like to clarify: the new ABN is still in draft form. Information regarding the availability of the new Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), discussed in the August O&P Almanac “Reimbursement Page” article did not properly convey the fact that the final version is not yet available on the CMS Web site. Minor changes are being made to this current draft. There is no indication of when this form will be approved, or when it will go into effect, but CMS plans to allow a reasonable time period for providers to transition to using the new form.
Once this final version is approved, AOPA will alert members with additional information on where the form can be obtained.
Questions? Please contact
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New Record for O&P
Operational Survey
AOPA’s 2007 Operating Performance & Compensation Report drew participation from 204 reporting companies representing 1193 full-time facilities and 190 part-time facilities – a new record. The 2004 survey results included 164 reporting companies representing 893 full-time facilities and 171 part-time facilities.
The study gathered operating data ranging from revenue, expenses, profits, and balance sheet information to details on how employees are compensated. All information is maintained in the highest level of confidence by independent consultant, Industry Insights, under a confidentiality agreement with AOPA. No member of the O&P industry or AOPA staff sees any of the data submitted by individual companies.
Mike Hammontree, serving as chair of AOPA’s 2007 Operating Survey Task Force, led the group’s assignment to update definitions, refine questions, and plot the marketing program that increased participation by nearly 25%. This year’s member price for the two volume set is $325 (compare to $475 for non-members). Volume I is the Operating Performance Report and Volume II is the Compensation Report.
All participating companies receive a free copy of the report, but AOPA members are also provided with a confidential, customized evaluation comparing their performance with other companies of similar size and location.
Greg Bauer, CPO, Westcoast Brace and Limb; Mark Emery, Ossur North America; Mike Schlesinger, Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc.; Bob Leimkuehler, CPO, Leimkuehler Inc.; and John Renz, CEO, Creative Orthotics & Prosthetics Inc. also served on the OPC Task Force.
Questions? Contact Meredith Mengel at mmengel@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0832.
AOPA’s 2007 Operating Performance & Compensation Report drew participation from 204 reporting companies representing 1193 full-time facilities and 190 part-time facilities – a new record. The 2004 survey results included 164 reporting companies representing 893 full-time facilities and 171 part-time facilities.
The study gathered operating data ranging from revenue, expenses, profits, and balance sheet information to details on how employees are compensated. All information is maintained in the highest level of confidence by independent consultant, Industry Insights, under a confidentiality agreement with AOPA. No member of the O&P industry or AOPA staff sees any of the data submitted by individual companies.
Mike Hammontree, serving as chair of AOPA’s 2007 Operating Survey Task Force, led the group’s assignment to update definitions, refine questions, and plot the marketing program that increased participation by nearly 25%. This year’s member price for the two volume set is $325 (compare to $475 for non-members). Volume I is the Operating Performance Report and Volume II is the Compensation Report.
All participating companies receive a free copy of the report, but AOPA members are also provided with a confidential, customized evaluation comparing their performance with other companies of similar size and location.
Greg Bauer, CPO, Westcoast Brace and Limb; Mark Emery, Ossur North America; Mike Schlesinger, Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc.; Bob Leimkuehler, CPO, Leimkuehler Inc.; and John Renz, CEO, Creative Orthotics & Prosthetics Inc. also served on the OPC Task Force.
Questions? Contact Meredith Mengel at mmengel@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0832.
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Executive
Committee Identifies 2008 AOPA Budget Priorities
The Executive Committee met at AOPA’s headquarters in Alexandria, Va. on August 13 and 14 for preliminary review of the 2008 AOPA Budget. The Committee focused on expanding AOPA’s government relations and public relations, as well as other new member services and programs in the coming year. In attendance were AOPA President, Ted Snell, CP; AOPA President-Elect, Brad Ruhl; Brian Gustin, CP; Walt Racette, CPO; and Mark Emery.
The Executive Committee met at AOPA’s headquarters in Alexandria, Va. on August 13 and 14 for preliminary review of the 2008 AOPA Budget. The Committee focused on expanding AOPA’s government relations and public relations, as well as other new member services and programs in the coming year. In attendance were AOPA President, Ted Snell, CP; AOPA President-Elect, Brad Ruhl; Brian Gustin, CP; Walt Racette, CPO; and Mark Emery.
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It’s
still not too late to get your products in front of Assembly attendees!
The
Oct. O&P Almanac is the official AOPA
National Assembly Issue, and the only magazine
that’s hand-delivered to attendees’ rooms and
distributed at registration.
Call
Amy about special remnant space that is still available in the AOPA
Assembly issue.
Display
ads needed by Aug. 22.
Contact Amy Clontz at aclontz@AOPAnet.org or (888) 557-7277, option 2 for details. |
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Coding
Corner: Ultralight Material
The codes for ultralight material (L5940, L5950) are system codes. This means that you may only bill one unit of either L5940 (transtibial) or L5950 (transfemoral) to describe the overall ultralight characteristics of a prosthesis. It is never appropriate to bill for more than one unit of ultralight material for a single prosthesis.
The codes for ultralight material (L5940, L5950) are system codes. This means that you may only bill one unit of either L5940 (transtibial) or L5950 (transfemoral) to describe the overall ultralight characteristics of a prosthesis. It is never appropriate to bill for more than one unit of ultralight material for a single prosthesis.
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Fast
Fact
In 2005, the year of the most recent Medicare data available, the 10 highest-paid prosthetic codes accounted for 45 percent of the total dollar amount paid by Medicare. These codes were, by descending paid amount, L5301, L5673, L8030, L5700, L5321, L5649, L8000, L5981, L5856 and L5940. The top 25 codes accounted for 72 percent of total prosthetic payments.
In 2005, the year of the most recent Medicare data available, the 10 highest-paid prosthetic codes accounted for 45 percent of the total dollar amount paid by Medicare. These codes were, by descending paid amount, L5301, L5673, L8030, L5700, L5321, L5649, L8000, L5981, L5856 and L5940. The top 25 codes accounted for 72 percent of total prosthetic payments.
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| O&P Resources from AOPA |
Suppliers:
Act Quickly to Get Your Products on LCodeSearch.com
Behind the scenes at LCodeSearch.com, O&P suppliers are entering hundreds of products. Participating companies include Arizona AFO, Bio Cybernetics International, College Park Industries Inc., Freeman Manufacturing Co., Ohio Willow Wood and Texas Assistive Devices LLC.
Behind the scenes at LCodeSearch.com, O&P suppliers are entering hundreds of products. Participating companies include Arizona AFO, Bio Cybernetics International, College Park Industries Inc., Freeman Manufacturing Co., Ohio Willow Wood and Texas Assistive Devices LLC.
These suppliers know that LCodeSearch.com
will be relied upon by O&P patient care facilities to match L
codes
to products. Will your products appear in their search results, or will
they see only your competitors?
AOPA supplier members can enter
an unlimited
number of products, free of charge! Your free listing includes your
product name, company name, L code(s) and category. For a single,
nominal, annual fee, you can upgrade all your listings with a product
description, clickable Web address and up to two pictures.
But waiting until the last minute can cost you.
AOPA experts will need to
review and approve your
coding recommendations before they can be published. Get your products
in early to help ensure that your products can be viewed by customers
when LCodeSearch.com
is launched at the 2007 AOPA National
Assembly in Las Vegas.
To begin entering your product data now, simply visit LCodeSearch.com
and click on "Manufacturers: Enter Your Products Here!" Then, log in
with your AOPA member user name and
password. You can download instructions (PDF format) on how to enter
data here.
Need help? Contact Joe McTernan at (571) 431-0876, ext. 211.
Questions? Contact Meredith
Mengel at mmengel@AOPAnet.org
or (571) 431-0832.
|
Need Help? Find It
Here.
Reach
more prospective employees with the only interactive,
O&P-specific online employment network: the O&P
Job Board.
AOPA members pay only $75 to post a job. Contact Corrinn Mullins at
cmullins@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0860.
|
| AOPA National Assembly News |
Award-Winning
15-Year-Old Inventor to Address AOPA National Assembly
Grayson Rosenberger, who won the 2007 Bubble Wrap Young Inventors contest for his innovative use of the packaging material on prosthetic devices to make them look more realistic. He will give an account of his work during the AOPA National Assembly. Grayson and his family are involved in efforts to provide artificial limbs to amputees in West Africa through their organization, Standing with Hope.
Grayson Rosenberger, who won the 2007 Bubble Wrap Young Inventors contest for his innovative use of the packaging material on prosthetic devices to make them look more realistic. He will give an account of his work during the AOPA National Assembly. Grayson and his family are involved in efforts to provide artificial limbs to amputees in West Africa through their organization, Standing with Hope.
Inspired by his mother, Gracie, a double amputee, the
youth’s experimentation with Bubble Wrap, a heat gun,
flesh-colored hose and artificial limbs resulted in an inexpensive
cosmetic covering to help make the prosthesis more realistic.
Gracie Rosenberger will appear on Wednesday, Sept. 19 with
her son and sing the national anthem to kick off the AOPA
Member Breakfast and Annual Business Meeting. She is an accomplished
vocalist from Nashville, whose long list of performance credits include
the groundbreaking ceremony of the new amputee-training center at
Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Questions? Contact Steven Rybicki at srybicki@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0835.
Questions? Contact Steven Rybicki at srybicki@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0835.
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AOPA
Delivers Press Kits to Crucial Media Figures
AOPA is raising the visibility of the O&P field in the media. In preparation for the Assembly, AOPA prepared and mailed press kits to over 75 media outlets. AOPA sent these kits to health, technology, science and news correspondents from both television and print organizations all over the United States. AOPA placed a special emphasis on making sure media in Southern California and Las Vegas metropolitan areas were contacted. The 2007 National Assembly promises to have the most thorough press coverage in AOPA’s history.
Questions? Contact Steven Rybicki at srybicki@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0835.
AOPA is raising the visibility of the O&P field in the media. In preparation for the Assembly, AOPA prepared and mailed press kits to over 75 media outlets. AOPA sent these kits to health, technology, science and news correspondents from both television and print organizations all over the United States. AOPA placed a special emphasis on making sure media in Southern California and Las Vegas metropolitan areas were contacted. The 2007 National Assembly promises to have the most thorough press coverage in AOPA’s history.
Questions? Contact Steven Rybicki at srybicki@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0835.
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| O&P
Insider's Track
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| The Only Up-to-the Minute O&P Newsline |
People In the News
Donald O. Fedder, DrPH, FAPhA, BOCO was recognized as President Emeritus by the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC). Mr. Fedder is the former President & CEO of the BOC and his designation as President Emeritus honors his strong legacy and years of service to the field.
Donald O. Fedder, DrPH, FAPhA, BOCO was recognized as President Emeritus by the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC). Mr. Fedder is the former President & CEO of the BOC and his designation as President Emeritus honors his strong legacy and years of service to the field.
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Businesses In the News
Ohio Willow Wood expands its relationship with Cascade Orthopedic Supply to include central fabrication services.
Bridgepoint Medical acquired two additional orthotic and prosthetic healthcare facilities inTennessee
Ohio Willow Wood expands its relationship with Cascade Orthopedic Supply to include central fabrication services.
Bridgepoint Medical acquired two additional orthotic and prosthetic healthcare facilities in
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Send Us Your News!
New employee? New office? Tell us! Share your news with the over 15,000 readers of the O&P Almanac and AOPA In Advance newsletter. ContactSteven Rybicki
at srybicki@AOPAnet.org.
New employee? New office? Tell us! Share your news with the over 15,000 readers of the O&P Almanac and AOPA In Advance newsletter. Contact
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