AOPA
in AdvanceBreaking News for O&P Professionals
January 9, 2008 ♦ Special Edition
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| O&P News |
BREAKING NEWS: Off-the-Shelf (OTS) Orthoses Excluded from Second Round of Medicare
Competitive Bidding.
During a press conference Tuesday, CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems
announced the details of the second round of competitive bidding, including the
next 70 locations and the product categories this round will cover. Since OTS
orthotics was listed in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 as a potential
service to be considered for competitive bidding, it could have been one of the
categories selected for this second phase, however due to the work of AOPA and the O&P Alliance, it was
not.
AOPA, in conjunction with the Alliance, has worked diligently with CMS to explain how inappropriate competitive bidding would be for O&P services. During such discussions, the differences between O&P and DME were constantly emphasized. In addition, we pointed out that the potential savings from such an endeavor would be very small due to the small size of the field and that these savings would likely be outweighed by the cost of administration of the program.
The categories of services that are included in the second phase of competitive billing are: oxygen supplies and equipment; standard power wheelchairs, scooters, and accessories; complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs and accessories; enteral nutrients, equipment and supplies; CPAP devices, respiratory assistive devices and supplies; hospital beds; negative pressure wound therapy pumps and supplies; and walkers and accessories.
The second phase of competitive bidding is scheduled to begin this year, with implementation in 2009, while the final round of bidding is expected to be held in 2009, for implementation in 2010. Since OTS orthotics are not included in the second phase, the earliest that we could be included appears to be during the final 2010 implementation.
Questions? Contact Kathy Dodson at kdodson@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0810.
AOPA, in conjunction with the Alliance, has worked diligently with CMS to explain how inappropriate competitive bidding would be for O&P services. During such discussions, the differences between O&P and DME were constantly emphasized. In addition, we pointed out that the potential savings from such an endeavor would be very small due to the small size of the field and that these savings would likely be outweighed by the cost of administration of the program.
The categories of services that are included in the second phase of competitive billing are: oxygen supplies and equipment; standard power wheelchairs, scooters, and accessories; complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs and accessories; enteral nutrients, equipment and supplies; CPAP devices, respiratory assistive devices and supplies; hospital beds; negative pressure wound therapy pumps and supplies; and walkers and accessories.
The second phase of competitive bidding is scheduled to begin this year, with implementation in 2009, while the final round of bidding is expected to be held in 2009, for implementation in 2010. Since OTS orthotics are not included in the second phase, the earliest that we could be included appears to be during the final 2010 implementation.
Questions? Contact Kathy Dodson at kdodson@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0810.
A rigorous parity bill has passed both the New Jersey State Senate and General
Assembly. The Senate approved the legislation on Thursday, Jan.4 and the General
Assembly did the same on Monday evening, Jan. 7. This bill mandates coverage
for both prosthetic and orthotic care at the same rate as the federal Medicare
reimbursement schedule and it applies to private health insurers and New Jersey’s State Health Benefits
Program (SHBP).
AOPA and the O&P Alliance
have placed a priority on having more legislative efforts for parity encompass
both orthotics and prosthetics. While we are in the process of reviewing, in-depth,
the precise text of this legislation (search here for S502, which originated during
the 2006-2007 Session), we want to congratulate and commend, the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA),
its Executive Director, Paddy Rossbach, and its National Advocacy Director,
Morgan Sheets, for the yeoman’s work done in building support for this
legislation and bringing it across the finish line as a combined orthotic and
prosthetic parity bill.
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And
just in case you missed it earlier this week in our earlier edition of AOPA in Advance, make this a New Year’s
resolution:
Start the New Year at AOPA’s 2008 O&P Policy Forum
With
all this news about the nexus between politics and the O&P profession, it’s
now more important than ever to attend the 2008 O&P Policy Forum in Washington D.C., March 9–11.
The Policy Forum is a three-day gathering for O&P professionals who want to speak directly with their Congressional delegations. Decisions by our Congressmen and Senators significantly affect the O&P profession, so it’s always important to communicate with them when given these face-to-face opportunities. While AOPA has a staff of experts dedicated to lobbying members of Congress, you are the Congressional members’ voting constituents, and it is you whose support they need.
AOPA staff and invited speakers will prepare you with all the information and materials necessary to be a strong advocate for our profession, allowing you to present the O&P story to your legislators. You will educate lawmakers on the key issues facing O&P, so that our community can continue to serve our patients and maintain viable businesses. See how simple it is to make contact with the decision makers on Capitol Hill—one person really does make a difference!
AOPA has invited former Senator Bob Dole to speak on his role as Co-Chairman of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors.
The cost for attending the O&P Policy Forum is $150 per registrant. This price includes receptions on Sunday and Monday evenings and your breakfast and lunch on both Monday, March 10 and Tuesday, March 11.
AOPA has secured housing for attendees at the renowned Hyatt Regency Bethesda at a rate of $225 per night (single occupancy). You may call the general Hyatt Hotels reservation number at (800) 233-1234 to make your reservation, or you may call the Hyatt Regency Bethesda directly at (301) 657-1234. To receive this rate, make your reservation before Feb. 8, 2008 and mention the AOPA Policy Forum.
You can register for the Policy Forum online, or call AOPA at (571) 431-0834.
The Policy Forum is a three-day gathering for O&P professionals who want to speak directly with their Congressional delegations. Decisions by our Congressmen and Senators significantly affect the O&P profession, so it’s always important to communicate with them when given these face-to-face opportunities. While AOPA has a staff of experts dedicated to lobbying members of Congress, you are the Congressional members’ voting constituents, and it is you whose support they need.
AOPA staff and invited speakers will prepare you with all the information and materials necessary to be a strong advocate for our profession, allowing you to present the O&P story to your legislators. You will educate lawmakers on the key issues facing O&P, so that our community can continue to serve our patients and maintain viable businesses. See how simple it is to make contact with the decision makers on Capitol Hill—one person really does make a difference!
AOPA has invited former Senator Bob Dole to speak on his role as Co-Chairman of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors.
The cost for attending the O&P Policy Forum is $150 per registrant. This price includes receptions on Sunday and Monday evenings and your breakfast and lunch on both Monday, March 10 and Tuesday, March 11.
AOPA has secured housing for attendees at the renowned Hyatt Regency Bethesda at a rate of $225 per night (single occupancy). You may call the general Hyatt Hotels reservation number at (800) 233-1234 to make your reservation, or you may call the Hyatt Regency Bethesda directly at (301) 657-1234. To receive this rate, make your reservation before Feb. 8, 2008 and mention the AOPA Policy Forum.
You can register for the Policy Forum online, or call AOPA at (571) 431-0834.
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| AMERICAN ORTHOTIC & PROSTHETIC ASSOCIATION (AOPA) |
American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA)
330 John Carlyle St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (571) 431-0876, Fax: (571) 431-0899
www.AOPAnet.org