News

DME MACs/PDAC Releases Positive 3D Printing Guidance

On February 1, 2024 the Durable Medicare Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) and the Pricing Data Analysis & Coding (PDAC) contractor released long awaited guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the use of 3D printing and digital scanning for custom fabricated orthoses. They state that 3D printing, or additive […]

Matt Swiggum Appointed to AOPA Board

We are pleased to announce that Matt Swiggum has been appointed to the Supplier Director seat on the AOPA Board of Directors, effective immediately. His term will extend through November 30, 2024, when he will be eligible for inclusion on the election ballot.

Major Announcement from CMS and DME MACs: Proposed LCD Changes for the Lower Limb Prostheses Policy

Today, January 18, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) released information for proposed changes to the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for lower limb prostheses.  The proposed changes represent a major leap forward in the care of K2 patients. Under the proposed changes […]

AOPA Announces 2024 Board of Directors

Alexandria, VA (December 11, 2023) – Today, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is pleased to announce its 2024 Board of Directors. The Executive Committee will consist of Mitchell Dobson, CPO, FAAOP who assumes the role of President. Along with, Teri Kuffel, JD who moves into the role of Immediate Past President and Rick […]

CMS Publishes Final Rule that Defines Powered Orthoses and Exoskeletons as “Braces”

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 […]

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 […]