On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced several temporary regulatory waivers intended “to equip the American health care system with maximum flexibility to respond to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.”   Included in the announcement was a notice that CMS will pause the national DMEPOS prior authorization program […]

AOPA has received questions and concerns from members about CMS guidance regarding replacement of DMEPOS during COVID-19. To address these questions and concerns, AOPA has been in contact with the DME MACs to discuss actions that they will take to implement the provisions of these emergency-based waivers. During a recent presentation the DME MACs addressed […]

Today, in response to COVID-19, Congress finalized the CARES Act, a massive financial relief package designed to tide the U.S. economy and its strained healthcare sector over for the next few months. In terms of tax relief and benefits for O&P, the bill: Carves out $350 billion in aid for small businesses, much of which […]

We have an update to yesterday’s “Guidance on Operation of O&P Businesses During State or Local Restrictions Related to COVID-19” specific to our O&P manufacturer members. AOPA has reviewed the current state and local orders and, as a general rule, there are specific exemptions that classify companies that manufacture medical devices as “essential” and therefore […]

As state and local governments begin to implement restrictions to population interaction in response to COVID-19, AOPA members have requested guidance regarding the continued operation of orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) businesses.  AOPA has been monitoring developments on this issue closely and offers the following guidance based on the current available information. As of March 23, […]

On March 13, 2020, President Trump issued an emergency declaration under the Stafford Act and the National Emergencies Act to help address issues being caused by the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).  As part of this declaration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) put in place certain blanket waivers to help Medicare […]

Like all of you, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) leadership is closely following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As you have likely heard, we have made the tough decision to cancel several of our upcoming events in light of it. We know that these are difficult and uncertain times for you and your patients. […]

The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) leadership has been monitoring the COVID-19 developments and after careful consideration has decided to cancel the 2020 Policy Forum scheduled for May 5-6 in Washington DC. This was an extremely difficult decision given the importance of our advocacy agenda, but ultimately the health and safety of our members […]

Yesterday, March 11, AOPA participated in a Medicare Open Door Forum call that provided sub-regulatory guidance on the upcoming implementation of Medicare prior authorization for six lower limb prosthesis HCPCS codes.  The call was hosted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and was led by Amy Cinquegrani and Dr. Scott Lawrence of […]

On February 11, we notified you that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) had announced that six lower limb prosthetic codes will be added to the codes that require Medicare prior authorization as a condition of payment. The full notification can be found here. AOPA has continued to monitor communications from CMS and […]