Orthotics bill re-introduced 

WASHINGTON – Reps. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., Mike Thompson, D-Calif., Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., and Debbie Dingal, D-Mich., as well as Sens. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Mark Warner, D-Va., have reintroduced a bill that would prohibit drop shipping for orthoses that are not off the shelf. 

The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act has support from 47 organizations, including the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP), which will host a congressional fly-in the week of July 21. 

“After nearly three decades working as a therapist, rehab services manager, and licensed nursing home administrator, I’ve witnessed the challenges people face when they need orthotics or prosthetics,” Glenn Thompson said. “This bipartisan bill recognizes that access to medically necessary, high-quality, orthotic and prosthetic care is essential to a patient’s mobility and overall quality of life.” 

The bill defines drop ship as the direct shipment of an item to an individual who has not received training or education from a qualified practitioner on the fitting and adjustment, care and use of the item. 

The bill would also exempt practitioners from requiring a competitive bidding contract to provide off-the-shelf orthoses and remove “reasonable useful lifetime” restrictions for custom-fitted and custom-fabricated orthoses. 

“For years, AOPA and its more than 1,500 members—comprising both the facilities that care for individuals with limb loss and limb difference and the manufacturers of orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) devices—have advocated for policies that protect access to high-quality clinical care,” said Teri Kuffel, JD, executive director of AOPA. “This legislation does exactly that. It not only safeguards patients’ access to medically necessary O&P care but also addresses fraudulent practices that place unnecessary costs on the Medicare system. If passed, this bill has the potential to transform the lives of millions of Americans. We are deeply grateful for the Representatives’ continued leadership and their commitment to advancing the O&P profession and the patients it serves.” 

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