Tag: American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association

ARLINGTON, Va. – The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association has launched the So Kids Can Move initiative, a state-by-state policy-based initiative to raise awareness and expand access to recreational prostheses as medical necessary health care for children. AOPA has launched the initiative in partnership with the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics and Forrest Stump, a Pacific Northwest nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to promoting equitable access...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association seeks nominations for its Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors outstanding leaders who have made significant contributions to the advancement of patient care in the orthotics and prosthetics profession over their lifetimes, the association says. “They represent the brightest and most influential minds in the field,” it says. “Receiving the award is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by AOPA.”...

BOSTON - A growing gap between technology advancements and what Medicare and other payers will cover creates safety issues for amputees, says a new study.The Rand Corporation, in a study released in October, says microprocessor-controlled knees (MPKs) prevent falls better than older artificial lower limbs. Twenty-six percent of patients with MPK limbs fall per year, compared to 82% of patients with non-MPK limbs.“As a clinician, I have experienced with my patients that they are at a greater...

WASHINGTON - CMS published a sweeping proposed rule in the Federal Register on Jan. 12 outlining the qualifications needed for practitioners and suppliers to furnish and fabricate prosthetics and custom-fabricated orthotics, and the accreditation requirements needed to bill for them.The proposed rule also outlines the timeframe by which qualified practitioners and suppliers must meet applicable licensure, certification and accreditation requirements. Additionally, it outlines the requirements...

WASHINGTON - It's no surprise to O&P stakeholders that private payers are picking up on a widely criticized proposed rule by Medicare to deny coverage for prosthetic devices that were previously covered.“We predicted that the rule would, ultimately, be exploited by private health insurers,” said Michael Oros, president-elect of the American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association during a press call last week.The four DME MACs in July released draft local coverage determinations for lower...

WASHINGTON - CMS has shelved its plans to change the coverage requirements for lower limb prostheses in favor of forming a workgroup to revisit the issue, but O&P stakeholders say they won't be involved.The workgroup will be comprised of clinicians, researchers, policy specialists and patient advocates from different federal agencies, according to a CMS announcement last week.“One of our disappointments is that this is a working group of federal employees of federal agencies,” said Tom...

WASHINGTON - The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association will recognize three individuals for their contributions to the O&P community next month. Rick Riley, CEO of Townsend Design; Teri Kuffel, vice president at Arise Orthotics; and Charles Kuffel, president and clinical director at Arise Orthotics will receive the Ralph R. “Ronney” Snell Legislative Advocacy Award at the 2015 AOPA National Assembly in October. The award is presented to individuals who advance legislative and regulatory...

LINTHICUM, Md. - O&P stakeholders commented at a public hearing, staged a protest and participated in a high-stakes meeting with CMS, all in one day, in their bid to reverse proposed coverage changes for lower limb prostheses.“These changes are mean spirited,” said Charles Dankmeyer, president of the American Orthotics & Prosthetics Association, during a press call rallying stakeholders for the week's various events. “It is obviously designed to wear people down so they just plain...

BALTIMORE - Hundreds of amputees and prosthetic stakeholders converged on CMS Wednesday to protest drastic proposed changes to the local coverage determinations for lower limb prostheses.About 300 people attended a public comment hearing, hosted this morning by the four DME MACS, with another 400 calling in.“What we (as health care providers) want...is the ability to prescribe the right device for the right patient and do that at the right time and make sure that they do reach the full potential...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics has launched a petition asking the White House to rescind proposed coverage changes for prostheses.The petition states: “We petition the Obama Administration to rescind the Medicare proposal restricting access to prosthetic limbs and returning amputees to 1970s standards of care.”In July, the four DME MACS released the draft LCDs. Among the proposed changes: requiring a face-to-face visit; and...