Tag: Orthotics
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...
Former NFL player convicted of health care fraud
February 5, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – A federal jury in the Middle District of Florida has convicted Joel Rufus French, of Armory, Miss., the owner of a marketing company and a former NFL player, for his role in a yearslong scheme to bilk Medicare and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) out of nearly $200 million by selling patient information and sham doctor orders for orthotic braces that patients did not want or need. According to court...
BOC names Bill Powers 2025 Jim Newberry Award recipient for dedication
November 20, 2025HME News Staff
OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) is proud to announce Bill Powers, MBA, LFACHE, as the recipient of its 2025 Jim Newberry Award for Extraordinary Service.
Powers, a retired health care executive and former member of the BOC board of directors, is being recognized for his unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to advancing BOC’s mission.
“Bill exemplifies the values of service...
Florida man barred from Medicare faces new DME fraud charges
November 19, 2025HME News Staff
GREENVILLE, S.C. – A federal grand jury has returned a five-count indictment against Mark Weinberger, 62, of Lake Worth Beach, Fla., for health care fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. The indictment alleges that Weinberger, who was excluded from Medicare for a minimum of 15 years because of a prior conviction, was a beneficial owner and/or managing employee of a durable medical equipment (DME) company enrolled with Medicare...
Changing face of O&P: Education, research and new generation of clinicians
November 7, 2025Theresa Flaherty
The orthotics and prosthetics field has undergone what Fanny Schultea calls an “academic revolution,” driven by changes in the health care system, evolving resources and rapid technological advancement. Recently named 2025 O&P Woman of the Year by the Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA), Schultea is using the honor to amplify her vision for further advancing the field through education, research and support for the next generation...
Aetrex expands kid shoe fitting program with gaming program
September 17, 2025HME News Staff
TEANECK, N.J. – Aetrex has announced the expansion of its kid shoe fitting platform with the launch of Tootsie Augmented Reality (AR) and Aetrex Kids Orthotics. The new AR experience is an extension of the Tootsie Foot Scanning program, introduced last year, which uses a friendly monster character named Tootsie to guide children through the foot measurement process. Now, after completing a foot scan, kids can step into Tootsie’s virtual world with the Meta Quest 3 or 3S VR headset....
OPGA names Fanny Schultea 2025 O&P Woman of the Year
September 8, 2025HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – The Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) has announced that Fanny Schultea, MS, MSed, CPO, LP, FAAOP, executive director of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research, has been selected as the 2025 O&P Woman of the Year. The award was presented to Schultea during the AOPA National Assembly on Sept. 4. “Thank you to VGM Group, OPGA and Össur for this platform and the extraordinary opportunity to share with the O&P community...