Tag: Prosthetics
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...
VA reduces wait times for prosthetic limbs
June 4, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs says it has reduced wait times for prosthetic limbs by 10 days, after streamlining the purchasing process. The VA expects average wait times to fall more than 40% – from 94 days to 54 days – as facilities across the nation fully implement this new process. “Every day counts for veterans,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “By removing needless bureaucracy, VA is enabling clinicians and procurement teams to provide Veterans...
Ottobock re-ups partnership with Angel City Sports
May 7, 2026HME News Staff
AUSTIN, Texas, and LOS ANGELES – Ottobock is proud to continue its longstanding partnership with Angel City Sports at the 2026 Angel City Games this June. Now a cornerstone of the Angel City Games experience, Ottobock's Full Circle Movement event invites members of the limb loss and limb difference community of all ages and abilities to explore movement in an inclusive, supportive environment. Taking place on June 26, the event offers hands-on opportunities to trial prosthetic technology,...
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...
Reps reintroduce Wigs as Durable Medical Equipment Act
February 23, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Reps. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., alongside Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., have reintroduced the Wigs as Durable Medical Equipment Act, a bill that would require Medicare to cover wigs for individuals affected by alopecia and patients undergoing chemotherapy. Currently, many private insurance plans cover wigs for those undergoing treatments that cause hair loss or who are affected by alopecia areata, but Medicare...
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...