Meet Kathy Dodson

Meet Kathy Dodson, AOPA’s senior director of government affairs. Whether you’ve seen her presenting at AOPA’s Coding & Billing or Documentation seminars, heard her discuss the ins and outs of DME MACs and Medicare policy at the AOPA National Assembly, or read one of her “Reimbursement Page” columns in the O&P Almanac, you’ve experienced how her day-to-day activities impact the overall well-being of O&P.
Dodson is responsible for all of AOPA’s government affairs activities, which include legislative and regulatory issues as well as coding, billing and reimbursement. She frequently meets with officials at the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to discuss policy issues affecting O&P and advocate positive policy changes. She also reviews Medicare’s new policies, such as the recent competitive bidding regulations, for their impact on O&P.

In addition, Dodson is the co-chair of the AOPA Coding and Reimbursement Committee, a group of volunteer O&P practitioners who review products, develop coding recommendations and work on
policy issues involving Medicare and other third party payers.

AOPA members benefit from Dodson’s experience on both sides of the claims process. She previously worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of the National Captial area, where she directed the fraud and abuse investigations and also oversaw provider service operations.

“That experience makes it easier to understand what insurers are trying to accomplish with their regulations,” says Dodson. Consequently, AOPA can help members respond more easily to insurers’ requirements.

Breaking coding and reimbursement information is provided by the AOPA Government Affairs department at www.AOPAnet.org or through AOPA’s electronic members-only newsletter, AOPA In Advance. If you’re not an AOPA member and want to receive AOPA In Advance, contact Kelly O’Neill at koneill@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0852.