Tag: Prosthetics

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...

AUSTIN, Texas – Hanger, a national provider of O&P, has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Patient Square Capital, a dedicated health care investment firm, for approximately $1.25 billion.  Under the terms of the agreement, Hanger stockholders will receive $18.75 in cash per share, representing an approximate 29% premium to the 30-calendar day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) ending July 20, 2022. Upon completion of the transaction, Hanger will become a privately held company...

AUSTIN, Texas – Hanger, a national provider of O&P, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Patient Square Capital, a dedicated health care investment firm, for approximately $1.25 billion.  Under the terms of the agreement, Hanger stockholders will receive $18.75 in cash per share, representing an approximate 29% premium to the 30-calendar day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) ending July 20, 2022. Upon completion of the transaction, Hanger will become...

WATERLOO, Iowa – The Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) has opened the nomination period for the 2022 O&P Woman of the Year Award. The annual award, organized by the OPGA, is open to all women who work in the profession. Nominators are encouraged to provide examples of how the nominee has made significant contributions throughout her career to serve patients, community, business and the O&P profession. Ashlie White, director of health policy and strategic alliances for the...

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) has committed $30,000 to fund a study, “Racial Bias in Orthotics and Prosthetics,” the first of its kind in the O&P field.  The study is a recipient of a 2021 American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and Center for Orthotic and Prosthetic Learning and Outcomes/Evidence-Based Practice (COPL) Pilot Grant.  "This research is an essential first step to reduce health disparities and improve racial...

WASHINGTON – The O&P Alliance has issued a statement opposing direct-to-consumer delivery of custom orthotics and prosthetics.  The alliance, which includes the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association, American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, ABC, BOC and National Association for the Advancement of Orthotic and Prosthetic Patient Care, says such devices should be fitted by a licensed O&P professional as part of the overall plan of care. The direct-to-consumer model, they...

WATERLOO, Iowa – The Orthotic Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) and Össur announced Cristalei Polk as recipient of the Russell Walker CP, LP Emerging Leader Grant Program at the Academy Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium on March 3, 2022. Polk is a current prosthetic resident at ProCare Prosthetics in Buford, Ga. “I can’t say enough how proud we are to partner with Össur on this new initiative,” said Todd Eagen, president of OPGA. “The Rusty Walker...

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. – Össur has announced that its Empower By Össur program has earned renewed certified status for information security by HITRUST. HITRUST CSF Certified status means that Empower by Össur has met key regulations and industry defined requirements, and that it is appropriately managing risk. “Organizations and programs like Empower by Össur are under more pressure than ever to meet complex compliance and privacy requirements that include technical...

WASHINGTON – While CMS has not officially released it, the 2022 O&P Medicare fee schedule is expected to increase by 5.1%, according the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association.  That is larger than any annual Medicare increase in the last 30 years, says AOPA.  The annual increase to the Medicare O&P fee schedule is based on the annual change to the Consumer Pricing Index for all urban areas (CPI-U) from June to the same month the previous year, adjusted by an annual productivity...

Ashlie White isn’t an O&P clinician but, as the daughter of a prosthetist, she grew up in the profession. After beginning a career in documentary work and journalism, she went to work at her family’s O&P clinic, eventually landing at the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, where she serves as director of health policy and strategic alliances.  “I was always called back to the patient advocacy of the work,” she said. “The exposure to the change that...