News

After Feedback from AOPA, DME MACs No Longer Require Brand Name Product Selection for Medicare Prior Authorization

In December of 2020, the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) implemented Medicare prior authorization as a condition of claim payment for six lower limb prosthesis HCPCS codes (L5856, L5857, L5858, L5973, L5980, and L5987.)  In addition to requiring prior authorization, effective for claims with dates of service on or after January 1, […]

AOPA Partners with Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering

The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is pleased to announce our partnership with the Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering (RATE). Published by SAGE Publishing, RATE is a peer-reviewed, open access, interdisciplinary journal, focusing on the engineering aspects and practical applications of rehabilitation and assistive technologies. It is a highly respected publication that […]

Funding Opportunity: 2021 COPL RFP Now Open

The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA), in conjunction with the Center for Orthotic and Prosthetic Learning and Outcomes/Evidence-Based Practice (COPL) and its Board of Directors, is pleased to announce its 2021 Request for Pilot Grant Proposals. Proposals are being accepted in 10 areas of orthotic and prosthetic research including an open topic. For 2021-2022, the association […]

Guidance on Acquiring COVID Vaccines

As was noted in this communication from November 2020, AOPA successfully convinced the CDC to add orthotists and prosthetists to its list of frontline workers who should be first in line for the vaccine, however, the CDC guidelines only serve as suggestions for the states – each state develops their own guidelines. Some states’ guidelines […]

Final VA Rule on Prosthetics Published

The Prosthetic and Rehabilitative Items and Services Final Rule was published in the Federal Register and goes into effect on January 27, 2021. The proposed rule was published in October 2017. AOPA provided comments at that time. The rule establishes and clarifies eligibility for prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services available to Veterans.

COVID-19 Stimulus Package Update

Congress is in the process of completing a new COVID-19 stimulus package that includes a new round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, tax relief, and other measures, with votes set for today. Congress will ultimately pair the deal with additional legislation to fund the government for the next fiscal year. The roughly $900 billion […]

AOPA Announces 2021 Board of Directors

Alexandria, VA (December 1, 2020) – Today, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) announced its 2021 Board of Directors. The Executive Committee will consist of Traci Dralle, CFm who assumes the role of President. Along with, Jeff Lutz, CPO who moves into the role of Immediate Past President and Dave McGill who becomes President-Elect. […]

AOPA Asks that O&P Providers be Among First to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

Today, AOPA sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services urging them to include O&P providers among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, AOPA attended today’s meeting and submitted comments with the same request to the CDC’s Advisory Council on Immunization Practices, the group charged with making recommendations for […]

Medicare to Allow Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to Certify the Medical Need for Diabetic Shoes in Limited Circumstances

AOPA, in collaboration with other healthcare organizations, has actively supported the inclusion of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to serve as certifying practitioners under the Medicare diabetic shoe benefit.  The Social Security Act states that the certifying physician must be the MD or DO that is managing the patient’s systemic diabetic condition.  This […]

CMS Announces Single Payment Amounts for Medicare Competitive Bidding of OTS Knee and OTS Spinal Orthoses

On October 27, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Single Payment Amounts (SPAs) for select Off-the-Shelf (OTS) knee and OTS spinal orthosis codes included in the Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding program scheduled for implementation on January 1, 2021. AOPA has continually expressed a need for CMS to delay implementation of […]