Tag: Orthotics
Fraud watch: Braces, braces and more braces
May 29, 2025HME News Staff
Chula Vista, Calif., resident and business owner Fernando Valenzuela Ayub pleaded guilty in federal court May 27, admitting that he conspired with others to launder millions of dollars of health care fraud proceeds and paid unlawful kickbacks. According to his plea agreement, Valenzuela and co-conspirators owned and operated multiple DME companies, which sold orthotics – including back, wrist and knee braces – to Medicare beneficiaries. Valenzuela admitted that in operating the DME companies,...
Össur becomes exclusive bracing sponsor for OAAA
May 13, 2025HME News Staff
IRVINE, Calif. – Össur, a global leader in non-invasive orthopaedic bracing and supports technologies, is increasing its role in supporting health care professionals and patients suffering from osteoarthritis by partnering with the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) as a gold sponsor. Össur’s partnership with OAAA will include providing a comprehensive set of OACareTools to help health care professionals support their OA patients, including the latest clinical guidelines,...
OPGA, Össur announce grant recipients
April 30, 2025HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – OPGA and Össur Americas have announced the recipients of two O&P grants. Avery-Claire Littleton has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Russell Walker CP, LP Emerging Leader Grant, and Nicole Bakovich has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Todd Eagen Advocacy in Action Memorial Grant.
“We are excited to announce Avery-Claire and Nicole as the recipients of these two grants that will help them grow their careers and contribute to the...
VA launches mobile clinic for O&P
April 1, 2025HME News Staff
WILMINGTON, Del. - The Wilmington VA has launched a mobile unit to provide prosthetic and orthotic care in more rural areas through a grant it received from the Office of Rural Health. The MoPOC is equipped to bring prosthetic limb, custom brace and shoe and insert modifications to rural areas in Delaware and southern New Jersey, saving veterans time from having to go see an outside provider or driving to the Wilmington VA. “We more than doubled the care we can produce in south Jersey,”...
Doctor must pay $26M for fraudulent scripts for braces
March 10, 2025HME News Staff
DALLAS – Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has secured 10 years in federal prison and $26.6 million in restitution for Dr. David M. Young of Fredericksburg, Texas, who was sentenced for his role in a scheme to defraud government health care programs by prescribing DME and genetic tests without seeing treating patients. Young signed thousands of fraudulent prescriptions and medical records for unnecessary orthotic braces and cancer genetic testing for more than...
ABC debuts POP Month
March 4, 2025HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) on March 3 announced the start of POP Month, a celebration of 15,000 prosthetic, orthotic and pedorthic (POP) professionals who custom design and fit devices that help people improve their lives through better mobility. More than 30 national organizations will commemorate POP Month by recognizing the achievements of POP champions, students, educators and practitioners. "POP professionals have...
Breg taps Ingel as president
February 12, 2025HME News Staff
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Breg, Inc., a provider of orthopedic bracing and support solutions, has promoted Steve Ingel to president effective immediately. Since joining Breg in 2023, Ingel has played a crucial role in the company's growth and strategic direction. "At Breg, people and talent matter,” said Dave Mowry, chairman and CEO. “Steve's leadership, energy, and extensive experience make him the ideal partner to work alongside me as I remain CEO and we advance...
Wendy Miller on rewards of helping people, despite insurance
January 10, 2025Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
Looking back on her long career, Wendy Miller, who was recently named the recipient of the 2024 Jim Newberry Award for Extraordinary Service, says the biggest challenge O&P professionals face today is insurance companies that have too much power.
“It’s difficult to get paid for a lot of things and a lot of times suppliers (advance) their own funds and they do that because they are very patient-oriented, so they are going to do that to help their patients,” said Miller,...
2024 O&P Woman of the Year: Sheryl Sachs on breaking down barriers
December 18, 2024Tracy Orzel
BALTIMORE – From shaping legislation to mentoring future leaders, 2024 O&P Woman of the Year Sheryl Sachs is transforming the field of orthotics and prosthetics. As a certified prosthetist orthotist (CPO) at Maryland-based Dankmeyer, Sachs, MSPO, channels her expertise and fierce dedication into ensuring equal care and innovative solutions for patients. HME News recently spoke with Sachs about her mission to break down barriers, not only for her patients but also for other women.
HME...
AOPA’s Lee to step down
December 5, 2024HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Eve Lee will step down as executive director of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, effective Jan. 22, 2025, to start a new role as CEO of the Society of Interventional Radiology.
The Executive Committee of AOPA’s board of directors is working with Lee to develop a transition plan that will be communicated to members prior to the end of the year.
“Over the past six years Eve has been an integral part of our organization, leading...