On November 1, 2018 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule that addressed changes to the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding program and potential changes to the gap filling methodology that is currently used to establish Medicare fee schedules for new HCPCS codes. The final rule followed a proposed rule that was […]
News
DME MACs Announce a Minor Revision to the LCD for Lower Limb Prostheses
On November 1, 2018, the four Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) released an updated Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for lower limb prostheses. Since the changes to the LCD were minimal and do not restrict coverage, the notice and comment period required by the 21st Century Cures Act does not apply to this […]
AOPA 2019 National Assembly Call for Papers
The AOPA National Assembly Clinical Sessions Workgroup has issued a call for papers for the 102nd Annual AOPA National Assembly to be held September 25-28, 2019 in San Diego, California. The submission deadline is March 25, 2019. Share your expertise and advance your career by being part of the country’s longest serving and largest meeting […]
Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC) Formal Telephone Discussion Demonstration Has Been Expanded to Jurisdictions A & B
On January 01, 2016, CMS launched the QIC Telephone Discussion Demonstration project to determine if engagement between suppliers and the QIC could improve the understanding of the cause of appeal denials, and lead to increased proper claim submissions. The project was originally only limited to certain DME claims, however in October 2016, the projected was expanded […]
CMS to Host Special Open-Door Forum to Introduce New Documentation Look Up Tool
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced that it will hold a special Open-Door Forum conference call to educate the public about a new initiative tasked with developing an online resource where providers and suppliers can look up the documentation requirements necessary for Medicare to cover a service or item. While the initiative […]
DME MACs Release Revised “Dear Physician” Letter Regarding General Documentation Requirements
The four Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) have recently released a revised version of the “Dear Physician” letter that addresses the need for prescribing physicians to support the medical necessity of the DMEPOS services they prescribe through proper clinical documentation in the patient’s medical record. While the revisions to the Dear Physician […]
Advancements in Prosthetics and Orthotics: Selected Articles from the Second World Congress hosted by AOPA is Published
The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) in partnership with The Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation, JNER, a BioMed Central journal partner, is pleased to announce that the supplement, “Advancements in Prosthetics and Orthotics: Selected articles from the Second World Congress hosted by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA)” has been published today. The […]
AOPA Submits Comments on Draft Lower Limb Prosthesis Policy Released by Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, TX. MT, NM, and OK
On October 1, 2018, AOPA submitted comments on a draft policy governing coverage of lower limb prostheses, including microprocessor-controlled prostheses issued by Health Care Services Corporation (HCSC), which operates Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Texas, Montana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The draft policy, as written will significantly reduce access to advanced prosthetic technology for […]
AOPA 101st National Assembly Highlights
AOPA’s 101st National Assembly proved to be another success for AOPA and the O&P community. Exhibitors and attendees came from over twenty countries, making it an insightful global event. The exhibit hall opened with an original performance from MUSQUEAM – “People of the River Grass.” The Musqueam people are the oldest known residents of Vancouver […]
AOPA Submits Comments Regarding Improving the Medicare Gap Filling Process
AOPA Submits Comments Regarding Improving the Medicare Gap Filling Process On September 10, 2018, AOPA submitted formal comments to CMS regarding suggestions on how to improve the “gap filling” process that is currently used to establish Medicare fee schedule amount for new HCPCS codes. The opportunity to provide comments was the result of the annual […]