The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced that it will hold a special Open-Door Forum conference call to educate the public about a new initiative tasked with developing an online resource where providers and suppliers can look up the documentation requirements necessary for Medicare to cover a service or item. While the initiative […]
News
DME MACs Release Revised “Dear Physician” Letter Regarding General Documentation Requirements
The four Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) have recently released a revised version of the “Dear Physician” letter that addresses the need for prescribing physicians to support the medical necessity of the DMEPOS services they prescribe through proper clinical documentation in the patient’s medical record. While the revisions to the Dear Physician […]
Advancements in Prosthetics and Orthotics: Selected Articles from the Second World Congress hosted by AOPA is Published
The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) in partnership with The Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation, JNER, a BioMed Central journal partner, is pleased to announce that the supplement, “Advancements in Prosthetics and Orthotics: Selected articles from the Second World Congress hosted by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA)” has been published today. The […]
AOPA Submits Comments on Draft Lower Limb Prosthesis Policy Released by Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, TX. MT, NM, and OK
On October 1, 2018, AOPA submitted comments on a draft policy governing coverage of lower limb prostheses, including microprocessor-controlled prostheses issued by Health Care Services Corporation (HCSC), which operates Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Texas, Montana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The draft policy, as written will significantly reduce access to advanced prosthetic technology for […]
AOPA Submits Comments Regarding Improving the Medicare Gap Filling Process
AOPA Submits Comments Regarding Improving the Medicare Gap Filling Process On September 10, 2018, AOPA submitted formal comments to CMS regarding suggestions on how to improve the “gap filling” process that is currently used to establish Medicare fee schedule amount for new HCPCS codes. The opportunity to provide comments was the result of the annual […]
Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Issues a Report on VA Payments for Prosthetics
As many AOPA Members may already be aware, earlier this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) issued a report regarding VA overpayments for prosthetic devices described by not otherwise classified (NOC) procedure codes. The full report may be accessed here. The key paragraph in the report addresses purported overpayment […]
O&P News Special Announcement
O&P News Special Announcement The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) continues its stride toward innovation by creating an online presentation and platform for O&P News. With an efficient website and click-ready flip-book, advertisers are more likely to garner viewership and gain exposure in the overall health-care arena. As always, AOPA strives to provide the […]
Spinal Bracing RFP Extended to September 20, 2018
Announcement – Spinal Bracing RFP Re-opening AOPA, under the auspices of its Orthotics 2020 program, circulated a request for proposals early in 2018 relating to 5 subject areas for original orthotic papers, with the original deadline for receipt of applications by April 30, 2018. Proposals have been received in all five of those categories. This […]
CMS Releases Proposed Rule on DMEPOS Competitive Bidding
On July 11, 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule that proposes several changes to the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program. In addition to the proposed changes to the competitive bidding program, the proposed rule also solicits comments regarding ways to improve […]
DME MACs Retire Draft LCD and Policy Article for Lower Limb Prostheses
Last week AOPA reported that the report of the Inter Agency Workgroup that was formed to provide a consensus statement to inform Medicare coverage of lower limb prostheses had been published. As part of the consensus statement, the Inter Agency Workgroup recommended, and CMS concurred, that the draft LCD and Policy Article for Lower Limb […]