Tag: o&P

WASHINGTON – Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., has reintroduced the Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act to improve access to care and combat fraud and abuse.  The legislation would create separate statutory requirements for the provision of orthoses and prostheses, distinguishing O&P practitioners from other DME suppliers. It would also restore the term “minimal self-adjustment” to more clearly define off-the-shelf orthoses; and prohibit...

KANSAS CITY – Knit-Rite and Therafirm have been acquired by Thuasne, a European medical device manufacturer with 2,200 employees and 233 million euros in revenues in 2019. Knit-Rite and Therafirm, which represent Thuasne’s fourth largest acquisition in the United States in 10 years, solidify the company’s presence in the O&P and compression markets, and open up a new market, devices for orthopedic prothesis (post-amputation prosthetic socks and prosthetic...

YARMOUTH, Maine – The majority of competitive bidding contracts for off-the-shelf back braces in Round 2021 went to less than two-dozen companies, including a few that haven't traditionally provided them direct to consumer.  Companies with contracts include Hangar, a national provider of O&P; Medline, a distributor; and Breg, a manufacturer, which all won contracts nationally. Other contracts went to regional providers,...

WASHINGTON - O&P stakeholders are eyeing a pair of possible legislative vehicles as they seek to pass a bill that would improve patient care and reduce fraud. The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association has been working with lawmakers to fit their bill into either drug pricing legislation or the Cures 2.0 initiative, says Justin Beland, director of government relations.“We're confident that one of those two vehicles will give our bill a ride,” he said.H.R. 5262, the Medicare Orthotics...

MIAMI - HomeCare Connect has been chosen by Broadspire as its preferred partner for prosthetics and custom orthotics. The partnership will provide specialized care management services for injured workers who have undergone amputations. “We appreciate the specialized care and cost containment this partnership brings to our clients and the injured workers we advocate for,” said Erica Fichter, senior vice president of medical management for Broadspire, an independent provider of claims management...

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) is accepting nominations for the Jim Newberry Award for Extraordinary Service. The award is named after longtime practitioner, BOC board member and leader James Newberry, Jr., BOCP, BOCO, BOCPD, who passed away in 2016. It recognizes “outstanding individuals who perform extraordinary service to BOC, and who live out the superior example modeled by Newberry during his more than four decades in O&P.” Winners may include,...

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) is accepting nominations for the Jim Newberry Award for Extraordinary Service. The award, named for longtime BOC member and practitioner Jim Newberry, recognizes outstanding individuals who perform extraordinary service to BOC and its community of stakeholders. “We look forward to seeing this year's nominations as we continue to honor Jim's amazing legacy,” said Wayne Rosen, BOCP, BOCO, FAAOP, chairman of BOC's board of...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The American Orthotics & Prosthetics Association has received word that CMS has issued instructions to the DME MACs to immediately implement provisions that require the notes of orthotists and prosthetists to be recognized as part of the medical record. In early May, the MACs retired the “Dear Physician” letter for artificial limbs. The letter, originally published in 2011, dramatically changed the standards for approving a prosthetic claim, leading to higher denial...

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Boas Surgical, a provider of prosthetics and orthotics, has acquired Wyoming Valley Prosthetics and Orthotics in Swoyersville, according to The Morning Call. Boas Surgical will continue to operate the Swoyersville location under the Boas Surgical name, adding six employees from Wyoming Valley Prosthetics and Orthotics to its roster, for a total of 38 employees, according to the newspaper. Boas Surgical, headquartered here, has a total of eight locations in Pennsylvania. It also has...

WATERLOO, Iowa - The Orthotic Prosthetic Group of America has honored 41 O&P providers with its annual Freedom Award for “exceptional standards of care” for military personnel. “The award provides visible recognition to the honorees that they can proudly display in their patient care facilities,” said Todd Eagen, president of OPGA, a member service organization of independently owned O&P facilities. “It helps highlight their continued dedication to the distinguished...