Tag: Orthotics
OPGA members gain access to more education
April 18, 2024HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa— OPGA members can now access 20 complimentary CE courses through VGM Education. “OPGA is very grateful to have worked with VGM Education to expand this educational offering to serve our members’ need for education while also enhancing the value of OPGA membership,” says Adam Miller, president of OPGA. “This offering is an exclusive benefit for OPGA members and adds significant value to membership.” Worth more than $1,000, these courses are intended...
O&P stakeholders push ‘goodwill’ bill
April 5, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – O&P stakeholders will use an upcoming policy forum to press lawmakers to support legislation that will enable patients to receive high-quality care by, among other things, prohibiting “drop shipping.”
The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act was re-introduced in the Senate in March, just ahead of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s 2024 Policy Forum, which takes place April 15-16 in Washington. It’s a companion...
OPGA, Össur name award recipients
March 12, 2024HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa - OPGA and Össur Americas have named Matthew Jones as the 2024 recipient of the Russell Walker CP, LP Emerging Leader Grant, and Kelley Berk as the 2024 recipient of the Todd Eagen Advocacy in Action Memorial Grant. “On behalf of Össur and OPGA, we are privileged to announce Matthew and Kelley as the recipients of these two grants that will provide professional development opportunities for the future leaders of O&P while memorializing the impact that Rusty Walker and...
Florida man pleads guilty of $3.6M scheme
March 5, 2024HME News Staff
TRENTON, N.J. – Steve Chicoye of Orlando, Fla., has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, according to U.S. Attorney’s District of New Jersey. According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, Chicoye and his conspirators solicited and received kickbacks and bribes in exchange for providing DME companies with completed doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary DME, such as orthotic braces. Chicoye and his conspirators utilized...
Proposal increases access to ‘technological leap forward’
February 16, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – O&P stakeholders hailed a new proposal by CMS to expand coverage of microprocessor-controlled knees for certain K2 patients, something they say is long overdue.
Under the proposed changes, the agency will no longer limit the technology to patients classified as K3 and above.
“When this technology first came about in the in the 90s, it was really marketed and touted as kind of like the next technological leap forward for patients,” said Joe McTernan,...
In brief: Senators push oxygen template, DME MACs publish supplies guidance
February 9, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., urge CMS to adopt a standardized template instead of a medical record review to ensure access to supplemental oxygen for patients.
In a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the senators state:
“We ask that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) remove barriers for patient access to supplemental oxygen by establishing clear requirements for determining the medical necessity...
DME MACs issue 3D guidance
February 7, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The DME MACs and the Pricing Data Analysis & Coding (PDAC) contractor have released long-awaited guidance on the use of 3D printing and digital scanning for custom fabricated orthoses. They state that 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, can be an acceptable alternative to traditional custom fabrication, if the method used meets the definition of custom fabricated in the DMEPOS Quality Standards, Appendix C. This reminder is consistent with the position of the American Orthotic...
OPGA, Össur open application period for grants
January 22, 2024HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – The Orthotic Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) and Össur have opened the application period for two grants available to U.S.-based O&P professionals. The two grants: The Russell Walker CP, LP Emerging Leader Grant, now in its third year, is designed to pay tribute to Russell (Rusty) Walker, a practitioner who was passionate about mentoring the next generation of O&P leaders; and the Todd Eagen Advocacy in Action Memorial Grant, now in its second year, is named after Todd...
Reimbursement: Follow instructions closely for orthotics
January 16, 2024Noel Neil
Q. Why are my orthotics claims denying?
A. Prefabricated orthoses fall under two categories: OR02 custom fitted or OR03 off-the-shelf. There is no physical difference between the two. The differentiating factor is the adjustment needed at the time of fitting. For OTS, minimal self-adjustment by the beneficiary, caretaker or supplier is required but does not require the services of a certified orthotist. Custom fitted requires the expertise of a certified orthotist or an individual...
PCC launches Sole Marketing
January 9, 2024HME News Staff
METUCHEN, N.J. – Podiatry Content Connection has launched Sole Marketing to provide podiatrists with communication, reminders and patient education to drive orthotic sales. "Many podiatrists lose orthotic sales to retail stores which offer the wrong solution for the patient,” said PCC National Director Randy Rosler. “Custom orthotics, designed and manufactured for the specific patient, deliver better results. Our Sole Marketing system connects the podiatrist with the patient...