Yesterday, July, 17, 2025, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Steve Daines (R-MT) in the U.S. Senate and Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Mike Thompson (D-CA) in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act (S. 2329) and (H.R. 4475). This bipartisan legislation represents a significant step forward in improving access, quality, and oversight in orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) care for Medicare beneficiaries.
“The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) applauds the introduction of this critical legislation and sincerely thanks Senators Warner and Daines and Representatives GT Thompson, Bilirakis, Dingell, and Mike Thompson for their leadership,” said Teri Kuffel, JD, Executive Director of AOPA. “We look forward to working with Congress to advance this patient-centered bill and ensure individuals living with limb loss, limb difference, and musculoskeletal conditions receive the safe, high-quality care they deserve.”
The Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act includes three essential provisions designed to improve clinical outcomes and reduce unnecessary Medicare spending:
- Prohibits drop shipping of custom orthoses and prostheses directly to beneficiaries, ensuring patients receive appropriate in-person care from certified professionals.
- Exempts O&P providers from the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program, simplifying care delivery by allowing patients to receive comprehensive services from a single provider.
- Allows timely access to replacement custom orthoses when a patient’s clinical condition changes—removing outdated barriers that delay medically necessary care.
An independent analysis by Braid Forbes Health Research estimates that this legislation will result in $60 million in net savings over ten years, including $73 million in fraud and abuse prevention and $13 million in savings from care efficiencies.
“This bill isn’t just about improving care—it’s about protecting patients and the integrity of the Medicare program,” said Rick Riley, AOPA President. “Medicare beneficiaries deserve access to personalized, clinically appropriate orthotic and prosthetic services—without risk of fraud, delay, or disruption. This legislation brings us closer to that goal, and we urge Congress to act swiftly.”
Contact: Joy Klapp at jklapp@AOPAnet.org