Chicago Conference Draws O&P Leaders to Discuss Future
In mid-November, over 50 O&P leaders met to discuss some of the industry’s most pressing concerns, with the objective of outlining a strategy to ensure the future health of the O&P profession.

The Chicago meeting drew participants from a broad range of experience and involvement with O&P, transcending the special interests of any one group or business. Individual participants paid for their own travel and lodging; all other meeting costs, including the outside facilitator, were covered by AOPA, the meeting sponsor.

“For me, the importance of the meeting was gaining recognition within that leadership group [in attendance] that we need to demonstrate an ability to work together through alliances or steering committees for alignment on key issues,” said AOPA Vice President Bradley N. Ruhl, a participant and co-organizer of the conference.

Those key issues were determined by a pre-conference Web-based survey of hundreds of O&P professionals. The top concerns of the profession included the importance of evidence-based research, research and development of new technology, and urging CMS to develop a mechanism that ensures only qualified providers receive payment for O&P claims submitted to Medicare.

“This is the first step. We had a wonderful meeting. Great groundwork has been laid, but the heavy lifting is ahead of us,” said NAAOP Executive Director George Breece. “A lot of credit belongs to AOPA for having the vision to make this event happen.”

Conference attendee Cathy Carter, executive director of ABC, said, “O&P has a diverse leadership that is passionate, energetic and enthusiastic about the future direction of the profession. We have a lot of work to do to ensure that the future includes a level of consensus on research, regulation and issues surrounding quality patient care.”

Sam Hamontree, CP, also an attendee, said, “Now it’s up to the leadership [of the O&P community] to see that we continue to move forward.”

BCP Votes to Integrate with ABC
The Board for Certification in Pedorthics (BCP) has voted to integrate with the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) after months of deliberating.

The integration was effective Dec. 31, 2006. As of Jan. 1, two new ABC board members will represent pedorthics: David C. Cardillo, C.Ped., and Dennis J. Janisse, C.Ped.

As stated in the integration agreement, all functions of BCP have been transferred to and are governed by ABC policy. ABC will officially change its name to the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics.

Packets were mailed last November to all certified pedorthists and included information on the integration and the official ballot. Only ballots postmarked by Dec. 1, 2006 were counted in the official vote, the results of which were announced in early December.

For more information, visit www.abcop.org.  

Plastic Muscle Could Transform Prosthetics
A new, plastic muscle composed of thousands of strands of microfibers could one day replace the traditional motors used in prosthetic limbs.

Scientist Rodrigo Alvarez used the human muscle as inspiration for the device, which responds to electrical charges from a battery by contracting smoothly and silently. Alvarez and his business partners claim that the prototype is as strong and as responsive as human muscle.

The possible advantages of this technology could one day lead to a prosthetic device that is completely silent, costs significantly less and has more lifelike motion than traditional prosthetic devices, according to the developers.

MuscleMorph, the company founded around this technology, recently won Fortune Small Business’ fourth-annual student business plan contest. Alvarez, along with University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School students Rahul Kothari and Howard Katzenberg, hold two provisional patents on the technology.

Similar new technologies do exist, such as the one from Artificial Muscle, a company based in Menlo Park, Calif. That company, however, is marketing its designs to the consumer electronics, automotive and industrial markets, not the prosthetics industry.

O&P Receives a Raise
Heeding the concerns of AOPA and other O&P advocacy groups, Congress elected not to extend the current freeze on the Medicare fee schedule for O&P. The freeze has been in place for the last three years and expired Jan. 1, 2007. An increase of 4.3 percent for 2007 is in effect for the Medicare O&P fee schedule as of the first of the year. The amount of the increase is based on the consumer price index (CPI).

AOPA leaders and others were concerned that Congress would decrease a planned 5 percent cut to the physician fee schedule and extend the O&P payment freeze to offset this measure.  Congress helped the physician fee schedule by voting to maintain 2006 rates rather than decrease them. Further, by adjourning without making any changes to the Medicare O&P fee schedule, Congress ensured that the CPI increase would apply.

For more information, visit www.cms.hhs.gov/DMEPOSFeeSched/LSDMEPOSFEE/list.asp

ACA Issues Statement on Peer Visitor Conduct Rules
Patient representatives hired by facilities to act as peer visitors to new amputees may not endorse any specific product, service or provider, according to a statement released by the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA).

“Our National Peer Network [NPN] certified peer visitor program is growing and being utilized more by providers.…However, the trend in some facilities is for the ‘patient representative’ to…visit new amputees on behalf of the provider,” says the statement. “This is not consistent with the goals and policies of the NPN.”

The ACA condemns the following actions as inappropriate:

•    Recommending a specific product or facility
•    Wearing clothing or a name badge with the name of a product or service provider
•    Distributing brochures or literature for a product or service provider
•    Giving information about the ACA in a folder or bag that contains a product or provider logo.

The coalition’s statement says that any peer visitors found to be in violation of these rules will have their certification revoked and will be removed from the ACA database.

For more information, visit www.amputee-coalition.org.

AOPA Celebrates 90th Birthday
The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is celebrating 90 years of working for the O&P community and has several special National Assembly events planned to celebrate.

AOPA is hosting a 90th birthday party on Sept. 19 at the Venetian Resort, Hotel and Casino as part of the 2007 AOPA National Assembly (Sept. 17–20). Registration for the 2007 Assembly opens May 1—a month earlier than in previous years.

During the Assembly, AOPA will raffle off a 2007 limited edition, Harley-Davidson® 50th Anniversary Sportster motorcycle, donated by Branier Orthopedic of Sunrise, Fla. The Harley is one of only 2,000 produced and has a retail value of $17,000. The winner also receives authentic “his and hers” Harley-Davidson leather jackets and a set of motorcycle helmets.

For more information, visit www.AOPAnet.org. 

2005, 2006 Article Indexes Now Online
O&P Almanac readers now have a quick, online reference guide for recently published articles. The 2005 and 2006 Almanac article indexes are now online.

In the 2006 index, articles are grouped by feature, department or column, as well as by topic. With these indexes, readers can easily find all articles on a particular subject—for example, all “Reimbursement Page” articles or all profiles of industry leaders.

To view the indexes, go to www.aopanet.org/op_almanac/archives.

Millions Raised for Physically Challenged Athletes
Last November, nearly $2.5 million was raised at various San Diego events to benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). CAF, a not-for-profit organization established in 1997, was designed to provide physical fitness and athletic opportunities to people with physical challenges. The organization will use the money to fund new equipment and programs.

At one event, the 13th Annual Sempra Energy San Diego Triathlon, Academy Award®-winner Robin Williams presented 20 wounded American soldiers with custom CAF cycling jerseys, courtesy of TriWest Healthcare Alliance. This event alone raised over $1 million.

Other events included the Frog’s Fitness Tour de Cove and the QUALCOMM Million Dollar Challenge. Over 100 physically challenged and 550 able-bodied athletes competed.

For more information, visit www.challengedathletes.com. 

Disabled Sports USA Holds 19th Annual Ski Program
Hundreds of disabled athletes learned to ski and race last December, with help from the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team, at the 19th Annual Hartford Ski Spectacular. Disabled Sports USA hosted the event in Breckenridge, Colo.

Participants used adaptive ski equipment in workshops designed to teach and improve skiing, snowboarding and racing. Wounded U.S. soldiers also attended and served as mentors to disabled youth.

For more information, visit www.dsusa.org. 

O&P Accreditation Agencies Announced by CMS
Eleven organizations, including ABC, BOC and BCP, have been recognized as accrediting organizations for suppliers of durable medical equipment, orthotics, prosthetics and supplies (DMEPOS) by CMS. These bodies are now responsible for ensuring that accredited facilities and suppliers meet Medicare quality standards as required in the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act.

“CMS has mandated accreditation for all providers, which is going to lead to profound changes in our profession. All facilities are going to have to meet objective performance standards, and those O&P patient care sites that cannot meet [ABC] accreditation standards could lose their ability to provide services to Medicare beneficiaries,” says ABC President Jeffrey Yakovich, CO.

Not all bodies are approved to accredit all categories of DMEPOS. For example, BOC is approved for all orthotics, prosthetics and pedorthics (among others) while ABC is approved for comprehensive orthotics, comprehensive prosthetics and prefabricated custom fitted orthotics (among others).

Other “deemed status” organizations include the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare Inc., Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, Community Health Accreditation Program, The Compliance Team Inc., Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation, the National Association of Boards for Pharmacy, the National Board of Accreditation for Orthotic Suppliers and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

A complete list of accrediting organizations and their respective categories of approval is available here.

Chief Operations Advisor at BOC, Jim Newberry, says, “After many years of collaboration, BOC is proud to partner with CMS in this effort. We will meet the new quality standards cooperatively and make it a safer health environment for the public seeking high quality DMEPOS items and services. We support the example this sets in the profession.”

The 11 accrediting agencies met with CMS on Dec. 18 to receive clarification on the new rules they must follow and the differences between approved categories, according to Cathy Carter, executive director of ABC. AOPA will continue to follow this story in the Almanac as well as in its bi-weekly, members-only e-newsletter, AOPA In Advance.

For more information, visit www.cms.hhs.gov/CompetitiveAcqforDMEPOS.

Osteoporosis Increase Drives Demand for Orthopedic Braces
The increase in the number of arthritis sufferers in America has fueled a dramatic boom in sales of orthopedic braces and supports, especially for the knee, that will continue for some time, according to a recent analysis by Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company.

The U.S. market for orthopedic braces and supports was worth approximately $1.49 billion in 2005 and is projected to grow to $1.83 billion by 2012. Ancillary market product sales, including spinal orthoses, contributed an additional $663 million to sales in 2005.

“There is increased demand from clinicians for braces and supports that are injury or surgery-
specific, especially ones for the knee, ankle and shoulder,” says Frost & Sullivan senior industry analyst Charlie Whelan.

Frost & Sullivan’s analysis also revealed a new marketing trend among makers of orthopedic braces and supports. According to the report, since brand loyalty is rare among consumers of braces and supports, “manufacturers, to prove the benefits of their products, are increasingly resorting to ‘evidence-based marketing,’ which is common among high-end medical technology industries.” This approach relies heavily on scientific and clinical research.

For a brochure from Frost & Sullivan that gives an overview of this analysis, send an e-mail to melina.trevino@frost.com with your name, company, title, e-mail address, city, state and country.

Transitions

People In The News
Steve Galluzzo, CO, has been named manager of American Prosthetics & Orthotics’ (APO) Des Moines and Clive, Iowa offices. A practitioner at APO since 2003, Galluzzo continues to see patients in addition to overseeing daily operations. 

Derrick Stowell is the new youth activities program coordinator at the Amputee Coalition of America, based in Knoxville, Tenn. Stowell is responsible for ACA’s four-day youth camp, ACA’s youth activities e-zine (e-mail newsletter) and other youth outreach initiatives.

Mark Muller, CPO, C.Ped., and Dean Rabbitt, BOCP, have both joined the orthotic and prosthetic education program at California State University—Dominquez Hills, in Aliso Viejo, Calif. Muller serves as program and curriculum development specialist. Rabbitt is an instructor and laboratory specialist.

David R. Sickles, CPO, C.Ped., is the new chief operating officer of the Center for Orthotic & Prosthetic Care at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Previously, Sickles served as vice president and director of clinical quality at Creative Orthotics and Prosthetics in Elmira, N.Y.

Bennett Rosenthal is a new director at Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc., based in Bethesda, Md. Rosenthal fills the vacancy left by William Floyd.

Monica Rhoads has joined Ohio Willow Wood of Mt. Sterling, Ohio as a customer care representative for the Northeast.

OrPro Prosthetics & Orthotics, based in Irvine, Calif., recently announced several new additions to its staff. Jeff Nault is the new manager of OrPro’s fabrication center in Moraine, Ohio. Rebecca Russell is a prosthetic resident at the Dayton, Ohio facility. Amanda Street, CP, is a staff prosthetist at the Waldorf, Md. facility and will complete a one-year orthotic residency. Julie Whittinghill is a practitioner assistant at the Richmond, Ind. facility.

Curtis Kowalczyk, CO, has joined Otto Bock HealthCare of Minneapolis as a clinical specialist. He joins the company’s professional and clinical services team and is responsible for the development and implementation of clinical training programs for custom orthotic products.

Danielle Smith has joined PEL Supply’s customer service team.

Businesses In The News
American Shoe, based in Bedford Hills, N.Y., has launched a new Web site, www.americancustomshoes.com, with company information, information on reimbursement issues, a glossary and more.

Glacier Prosthetic and Orthotic Care Center, based in Kalispell, Mont., has opened a new facility in Sandpoint, Idaho. Services at the facility include both pediatric and infant O&P care, as well as preventative diabetic foot and post-mastectomy care.

HealthSouth Corporation of Birmingham, Ala. has paid the U.S. government $4 million to settle civil allegations that it participated in and profited from a scheme to submit fraudulent Medicare claims for
prosthetic and orthotic devices.

The government had alleged that HealthSouth made arrangements with medical equipment suppliers which allowed those suppliers to illegally receive Medicare payments for prostheses and orthoses. The suppliers then furnished those devices to HealthSouth at no charge, for use in treatment of HealthSouth inpatient Medicare beneficiaries. The Justice Department contended that this scheme violated the False Claims Act.
 
Sroufe Healthcare Products, a supplier and manufacturer of orthopedic products based in Ligonier, Ind., has purchased Sher Company Inc. of Philadelphia, a wholesale supplier of prefabricated foot orthoses and foot comfort supplies. The new brand will be called Sher Brand Handcrafted Orthotics.

Popular Science recently presented two of its “Best of What’s New” awards to Ossur and the
Z Corporation for their Propio Foot™ and ZScanner™ 700 designs, respectively.

Ossur’s Propio Foot comes from the company’s line of bio-technology products. In 2005, the company won with its Power Knee™.

Z Corporation’s ZScanner 700 is a self-positioning, three-dimensional scanner that can digitize surfaces in real time. The user can move the target object during scanning while still displaying a real-time image of the surface on a monitor.

One hundred winners in 10 different categories were chosen based on the significance of the innovation, the quality of the design and the finished product, originality and the ambition and scope of the project.
“‘Best of What’s New’ is the ultimate Popular Science accolade,” says Mark Jannot, editor of Popular Science.

In Memoriam
Brian A. Svetz, CO, of Greensburg, Penn., died last December in an automobile accident. He was 33.

A third generation orthotist, Brian owned the 16-member O&P practice Svetz Orthotics and Prosthetics in Greensburg. His father, William Svetz, and grandfather, Leonard Svetz, preceded him in death.