OPLAN FAQs
Can I really make a difference?
As an O&P professional, you are in a unique position to deliver a powerful message to Capitol Hill about your first-hand experiences. Members of Congress want to hear from their constituents. Your messages from "back home" - whether delivered in person, by letter or phone - carry significant weight with them. You are the voice of experience. AOPA needs your help to achieve legislative and regulatory objectives and better position O&P for the challenges of the future.
I've never done anything like this before. What will I be asked to do?
Your primary responsibility will be to develop and maintain a relationship with a member of Congress. You will educate and inform the member of Congress and his/her staff about issues of importance to the O&P field and the role O&P plays in the health and well-being of patients. Your activities will include:
- contacting the Member's office
- responding to "action alerts" about important legislative and regulatory issues affecting O&P
- attending town meetings sponsored by your legislator
- inviting your legislator to visit your facility
Sounds good. But will I get any help?
AOPA is ready to provide you with all the information, training and encouragement you need to be comfortable and effective in your new role. And we've found that most OPLAN members quickly learn to enjoy their new challenges and experiences!
You will be trained on how to effectively present and discuss some of O&P's most critical legislative issues, including:
- maintaining Medicare payment rates
- limiting competitive bidding to off-the-shelf orthotics
- increasing access to quality O&P services
- excluding orthotics from Medicare skilled nursing facilities prospective payment system
- eliminating Medicare's useful lifetime restrictions on orthotic devices
There is no financial commitment to join OPLAN - just a willingness to protect the O&P field!
Who should join?
Anyone who knows the O&P story and is willing to share it with a member of Congress. This includes O&P suppliers, practitioners, facility owners/managers, office managers, and marketing staff who are affiliated with AOPA members. Members of the Academy and ABC credentialed individuals are also welcome to join. A member of OPLAN must:
- live in member's congressional district/state
- be willing to motivate other O&P professionals in the district to write or phone their legislators