Tag: American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association

WASHINGTON – Stakeholders commend CMS for improvements to the recently implemented prior authorization program for five orthosis codes, but they continue to press the agency to address concerns related to direct-to-consumer shipping of certain devices.   While a nearly year-old PA program for lower limb prosthetics has been successful, stakeholders feared that the two-day turnaround for approval for orthotics would delay care, says Joe McTernan, director of coding and reimbursement...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Far from an exercise in aesthetics, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s (AOPA) recent rebrand was a culmination of nine months worth of data collection, member surveys, and in-depth interviews with key leaders and constituents within the profession.   "We’ve seen a lot of evolution in the orthotics and prosthetics field in the last decade or so and AOPA hasn't done enough work to keep up with that,” said Executive Director Eve Lee. “We...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association has re-imagined its brand, vision, mission and strategic priorities to better align with its work and goals.  Vision  AOPA has established a vision that truly embodies what its members do every day, it says: “A world where orthotic and prosthetic care transforms lives.”  Mission  AOPA’s new mission is, “A trusted partner advocating for and serving the orthotic and prosthetic...

WATERLOO, Iowa - The Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America, a division of VGM & Associates, has named Ashlie White, director of health policy and strategic alliances for the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, as its O&P Woman of the Year. Prior to joining AOPA, White served as director of operations for Beacon Prosthetics and Orthotics. She also served eight years as the director of government affairs for the North Carolina Orthotics and Prosthetics Trade Association, NCOPTA, and four...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association has stated that O&P facilities will continue to be exempt from state and municipal orders restricting or closing non-essential business until further notice. AOPA has reviewed the orders and found language that deems healthcare facilities as essential. This exemption applies to both patients and employees. AOPA will alert its members if additional restrictions are implemented that affect the operation of O&P businesses.

WASHINGTON - The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association is “interested” to see how the new prior authorizations for certain L codes work out, says Joe McTernan.CMS in February announced it was adding six lower limb prosthetic codes to the prior authorization list for DMEPOS. “We are hoping to track the affirmation rates, both positive and negative, to see what the impact is on beneficiaries and how we can respond to that,” said McTernan, director of coding and reimbursement...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association is “strongly opposed” to lead-generation marketing for orthoses, a business practice that it says is responsible for an increase in fraud and abuse, the association said in a statement today.Lead-generation marketing uses television, website and social media channels to encourage people to contact a call center that then provides “leads” to physician referral sources and medical equipment providers. People receive...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Tom Fise will step down from his role as executive director of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association when his contract expires at the end of 2018. “On behalf of AOPA, I would like to thank Tom for his dedication and commitment to the orthotic and prosthetic industry,” said Jim Weber, president of AOPA, in a press release. “His legislative and regulatory experience has been most valuable to AOPA as he has worked to champion our association's needs to Congress,...

WASHINGTON - The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association has agreed to buy O&P News Magazine from SLACK Inc., it announced today. “(It's) the perfect fit of O&P News with AOPA's objective to expand communications with the O&P community to ensure that the latest in research and technology developments and information is served up in as many forums as possible,” said Michael Oros, AOPA president. “O&P News has the potential to play an important role in that endeavor.” AOPA...

WASHINGTON - CMS has announced it is withdrawing a proposed rule that would have required any practitioner or supplier who provides custom orthotics to be licensed in states where it is required.The rule, released in January, was strongly opposed by physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists. The rule has actually been a law since 2000, but it has never been fully implemented.CMS said it was withdrawing the rule due to “the cost and time burdens that the proposed rule would...