On November 1, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its annual final rule that established 2024 payment rates for the Medicare Home Health Prospective Payment System (PPS). As expected, the final rule carried forward several important, but unrelated provisions that are of significant interest to O&P providers and the Medicare beneficiaries […]
News
First Class of O&P Business Certificate Program Celebrated at National Assembly
The University of Hartford’s first graduates of the Certificate in O&P Business Management were honored during a graduation ceremony Sept. 9 during the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s (AOPA) 2023 National Assembly in Indianapolis. The graduates included Bridget Augustine, Amy Bauman, CPO, Curt Bertram, CPO, Jenny Chen, Linda Calabria, Yuri Escoto, Dana Glover, Fernando Ortiz, […]
AOPA Announces the 2023 Thranhardt Award Recipients
The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Howard R. Thranhardt Award are Andreas Kannenberg, MD (GER), PhD, Shane Wurdeman, PhD, CP, FAAOP (D), and Matt Wernke, PhD. The Award, established in 1996 by a gift from J.E. Hanger in memory of Howard R. Thranhardt, CP, has […]
CMS Issues Final Regulations for 2024 Medicare Advantage Plans
Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized regulations that establishes operating requirements for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans operating in 2024 . This is an annual process and AOPA provided comments last year as the rule was being drafted, but the 2024 final rule will require MA plans to operate much more similarly […]
CMS Issued Proposed Rule that Defines Powered Orthoses and Exoskeletons as “Braces”
On June 30, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its annual proposed rule that will establish 2024 payment rates for the Medicare Home Health Prospective Payment System (PPS). As often is the case, several important, but unrelated provisions were included in this proposed rule that will have significant impact on O&P providers […]
Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act Introduced in the House
Contact: Joy Burwell jburwell@AOPAnet.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act Introduced in the House Washington, DC (June 23, 2023) – Today, Representatives GT Thompson (R-PA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act (H.R. 4315) in the U.S. House of […]
Exciting New Development: Upper Extremity Correct Coding Guidance Has Been Retired
DME MACs and PDAC Announce Retirement of Correct Coding Guidance for Upper Extremity Prostheses On March 15, 2023, the DME MACs and PDAC announced the retirement of their previously published correct coding guidance for upper extremity prostheses. The correct coding guidance, originally published on March 31, 2022 resulted in significant concern from AOPA and its […]
AOPAversity Unavailable January 6-8
Due to our AOPAversity system provider being shut down, AOPAversity (all on-demand AOPA education courses) will be unavailable this weekend, January 6-8. During this time, you will not be able to access any courses, so please plan accordingly. You will be able to access AOPAversity again beginning Monday, January 9. We do apologize for the […]
Medicare DMEPOS Fee Schedule Will See its Largest Annual Increase in 2023
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially released the 2023 DMEPOS Medicare fee schedule and it has increased by 8.7%, this is larger than any annual Medicare increase in the last several decades.
AOPA Announces 2023 Board of Directors
Alexandria, VA (December 1, 2022) – Today, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is pleased to announce its 2023 Board of Directors. The Executive Committee will consist of Teri Kuffel, JD who assumes the role of President. Along with, Dave McGill who moves into the role of Immediate Past President and Mitchell Dobson, CPO, […]