Tag: Orthotics
Oklahoma chiropractor sentenced in health care fraud scheme
October 13, 2026HME News Staff
TULSA, Okla. – Dr. Mark Loftis, an Oklahoma business owner and chiropractor, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in a years-long scheme that attempted to bilk Medicare, TRICARE and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) out of over $30 million for orthotics braces, continuous glucose monitors, and other durable medical equipment (DME) that beneficiaries did not want or need. According to court documents and evidence presented at...
Hanger Numotion to scale growth, impact
September 25, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
AUSTIN, Texas, and BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – A combined Hanger and Numotion will be better positioned to invest in new technologies, expand into new markets and, ultimately, serve more people with mobility-related disabilities, says Mike Swinford.
The two companies announced Sept. 10 that they would merge to form Hanger Numotion, with Swinford serving as CEO.
“The more we scale, the more we can grow to, ultimately, serve more individuals,” he said. “We have...
Is CRT gaining traction, as providers rethink growth?
July 31, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – As reimbursement pressures mount on traditional home medical equipment (HME) categories, providers are increasingly looking to complex rehab technology (CRT) and related specialties as a path to diversification – and growth, say leaders at U.S. Rehab.
Ted Metcalf, director of U.S. Rehab, a division of VGM & Associates, says more providers are being pulled into CRT not by strategy alone, but by demand from referral sources.
“We have members coming to us –...
O&P stakeholders push legislative priorities, honor professionals
July 27, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., joined more than 30 stakeholders, advocates and leaders from around the orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) profession at the offices of Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC in Washington, D.C., as part of the second annual in-person legislative fly-in hosted by the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP) and sponsored by the Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA). Duckworth is an introducing sponsor of...
Ottobock creates image dataset of people with limb loss
July 27, 2026HME News Staff
AUSTIN, Texas – Ottobock has announced the public release of the #DearAI Community Library, two open-source datasets of images depicting people with limb loss in everyday life created, selected, and annotated by the community itself, powered by Microsoft. The library is now freely available at https://huggingface.co/ottobock and represents a significant step forward in addressing one of AI's most persistent blind spots: the near-total absence of people with disabilities, and people with...
Ottobock set to sponsor 2028 Paralympic Games
June 23, 2026HME News Staff
AUSTIN, Texas – Ottobock on June 26 will be formally named an official sponsor of the LA28 Paralympic Games, building on a partnership that dates back to Seoul 1988. The announcement will take place during Ottobock’s Full Circle Movement event in Los Angeles, held in partnership with Angel City Sports. The event brings together individuals with limb loss and limb difference to trial running prostheses, receive expert coaching and connect with the adaptive sports community, offering a...
Three men sentenced for submitting $6.9M fraudulent claims for braces
May 26, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Three Florida men have been sentenced to prison for their participation in a scheme to defraud Medicare and launder more than $2.2 million in illicit health care fraud proceeds, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Marco Scamarone, 34, of Tamarac, Florida, was sentenced to 70 months in prison.
Jose Mendez, 34, of Coral Springs, Florida, was sentenced to 78 months in prison.
Renee Vazquez, 33, of Tamarac, Florida, was sentenced to 60 months in prison.
According...
Birmingham VA launches mobile unit for O&P services
April 20, 2026HME News Staff
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham VA Health Care System has launched the Mobile Orthotics & Prosthetics (MoPOC) program to make it easier for veterans living in rural areas to get specialty care. A new mobile unit staffed by a certified orthotist prosthetist will visit community outpatient clinics in Jasper, Guntersville and Childersburg to provide on-site evaluations, adjustments and fittings. “Veterans living in many of our rural communities have had limited access to orthotic and prosthetic...
In brief: Supplies access, WellSky partnership, NHIA awards, Dynarex expansion
April 17, 2026HME News Staff
BIDDEFORD, Maine – The United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA) has launched a nationwide survey for end users of ostomy and urological supplies and has invited providers to share the survey with their customers.
UOAA requests providers use the following language when promoting the survey:
“We have teamed up with UOAA and need your help. Your experience helps protect patient safety and access to the supplies you depend on. United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA)...
OPGA opens application process for prosthetics grants
February 18, 2026HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa — OPGA has announced that the application period is officially open for two grants available to U.S.–based orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) professionals: the Russell Walker CP, LP Emerging Leader Grant and the Todd Eagen Advocacy in Action Memorial Grant. Sponsored by Össur and presented by OPGA, both grants provide funding for meaningful, non-clinical experiences that strengthen leadership skills, deepen advocacy engagement, and enhance connection...