Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report entitled “Medicare Remains Vulnerable to Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Related to Off-the-Shelf Orthotic Braces, Which May Result in Improper Payments and Impact the Health of Enrollees”. (link to OIG announcement) This report continues to highlight fraud and abuse vulnerabilities […]
News
CMS Expands its Prior Authorization Program and Adds New O&P Codes Subject to Face-to-Face Encounters and Written Orders Prior to Delivery
On May 13, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the following six O&P HCPCS codes will require Medicare Prior Authorization nationwide for claims with a date of service on or after August 12, 2024:
Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act Introduced in the Senate
Contact: Joy Burwell jburwell@AOPAnet.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act Introduced in the Senate Washington, DC (March 19, 2024) – Today, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced the bi-partisan Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act in the Senate. The legislation was introduced in the House in June […]
DME MACs/PDAC Releases Positive 3D Printing Guidance
On February 1, 2024 the Durable Medicare Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) and the Pricing Data Analysis & Coding (PDAC) contractor released long awaited guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the use of 3D printing and digital scanning for custom fabricated orthoses. They state that 3D printing, or additive […]
Matt Swiggum Appointed to AOPA Board
We are pleased to announce that Matt Swiggum has been appointed to the Supplier Director seat on the AOPA Board of Directors, effective immediately. His term will extend through November 30, 2024, when he will be eligible for inclusion on the election ballot.
Major Announcement from CMS and DME MACs: Proposed LCD Changes for the Lower Limb Prostheses Policy
Today, January 18, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) released information for proposed changes to the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for lower limb prostheses. The proposed changes represent a major leap forward in the care of K2 patients. Under the proposed changes […]
AOPA Announces 2024 Board of Directors
Alexandria, VA (December 11, 2023) – Today, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is pleased to announce its 2024 Board of Directors. The Executive Committee will consist of Mitchell Dobson, CPO, FAAOP who assumes the role of President. Along with, Teri Kuffel, JD who moves into the role of Immediate Past President and Rick […]
CMS Publishes Final Rule that Defines Powered Orthoses and Exoskeletons as “Braces”
On November 1, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its annual final rule that established 2024 payment rates for the Medicare Home Health Prospective Payment System (PPS). As expected, the final rule carried forward several important, but unrelated provisions that are of significant interest to O&P providers and the Medicare beneficiaries […]
First Class of O&P Business Certificate Program Celebrated at National Assembly
The University of Hartford’s first graduates of the Certificate in O&P Business Management were honored during a graduation ceremony Sept. 9 during the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s (AOPA) 2023 National Assembly in Indianapolis. The graduates included Bridget Augustine, Amy Bauman, CPO, Curt Bertram, CPO, Jenny Chen, Linda Calabria, Yuri Escoto, Dana Glover, Fernando Ortiz, […]
AOPA Announces the 2023 Thranhardt Award Recipients
The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Howard R. Thranhardt Award are Andreas Kannenberg, MD (GER), PhD, Shane Wurdeman, PhD, CP, FAAOP (D), and Matt Wernke, PhD. The Award, established in 1996 by a gift from J.E. Hanger in memory of Howard R. Thranhardt, CP, has […]