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 […]
