The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2019 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule which will be effective for Medicare claims with a date of service on or after January 1, 2019. The 2018 Medicare fee schedule for orthotic and prosthetic services will be increased by 2.3% over 2018 rates. The 2.3% increase […]
The Orthotic and Prosthetic Alliance has recently drafted and distributed an open letter to the O&P community regarding sexual misconduct, harassment, and discrimination in the workplace. AOPA is proud to stand and support this zero tolerance policy for sexual misconduct, harassment, and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, religion, age, national origin, […]
On November 28, 2018, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) regarding the provisions of the October 2017 proposed rule that addressed the Veterans right to choose their provider for provision of artificial limbs. The SNPRM was issued in response to the significant comments that the VA received […]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is soliciting comments on its proposed inclusion of off-the-shelf (OTS) spinal orthoses and OTS knee orthoses as product categories in the next round of Medicare competitive bidding. While the impact of inclusion of OTS spinal and knee orthoses will not be felt for at least two years, […]
The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is pleased to announce that Eve Humphreys, MBA, CAE has assumed the role of executive director effective November 19, 2018. “We are very pleased to welcome Eve Humphreys whose experience and expertise include strategic organizational development, building and maintaining positive organizational culture, domestic and international partnerships, and navigating […]
On November 13, 2018, the DME MACs published a revised Dear Physician letter that addresses the Medicare requirements for documentation within the referring physician’s medical records that support the medical necessity of orthotic and prosthetic services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. This letter replaces an early Dear Physician letter, issued in August, 2011 that was retired […]
On November 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is soliciting comments on its proposed inclusion of off-the-shelf spinal orthoses and off-the-shelf knee orthoses as product categories in the next round of Medicare competitive bidding. This announcement came on the same day that the final rule on changes to […]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes for 2019, and there were a few minor changes. Below is a complete breakdown of the code changes which will be effective for claims with a date of service on or after January 1, 2019. New […]
On November 1, 2018 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule that addressed changes to the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding program and potential changes to the gap filling methodology that is currently used to establish Medicare fee schedules for new HCPCS codes. The final rule followed a proposed rule that was […]
On November 1, 2018, the four Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) released an updated Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for lower limb prostheses. Since the changes to the LCD were minimal and do not restrict coverage, the notice and comment period required by the 21st Century Cures Act does not apply to this […]
