In conjunction with our continuing efforts to advance the provisions of H.R. 2599/ S.1191, the Medicare Orthotics & Prosthetics Improvement Act, we are pleased to advise you that the provision which would assure that the prosthetist/orthotist patient notes are included as part of the official Medicare medical record for purposes of medical necessity determinations has been picked up in a larger bill, H.R. 3178, which has been approved and recommended by vote of the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, July 13, to the entire House for favorable action.
Clearly, if the expected approval by the entire House ensues, a similar action by the entire Senate would be required before the measure would go to the President for signature. There has been strong interest in the Senate Finance Committee in enacting S.1191 in its entirety, hopefully later this year. Thursday’s action by the Ways and Means Committee, linked below, is very encouraging, and we both appreciate the strong support AOPA members and their patients have voiced for H.R. 2599/ S.1191; AOPA will keep you informed of additional steps toward enactment.