This week the Senate will start debate on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which lays out the 2021 budget and expenditures of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and creates new programs within the DoD. Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and David Purdue (R-GA) have introduced an amendment to the bill which […]
On June 26, 2020, the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) and Pricing, Data Analysis, and Coding Contractor (PDAC) released a joint announcement for a new coding verification requirement for the six lower limb prostheses that were previously announced as subject to Medicare prior authorization. While implementation of Medicare prior authorization has been […]
Even though we won’t be face-to-face, the 2020 Virtual National Assembly will have it all… The best in business education and advanced clinical programming offered in general sessions, poster presentations, and engaging concurrent breakouts. A robust exhibit hall. Roundtable discussions with the most influential people in the profession. Fun events such as coffee breaks and […]
This week Congress finalized legislation to ensure that businesses that received a forgivable loan through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) can have more leeway on how to spend those funds. Under the newly-passed Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 small businesses would have to spend just 60 percent of the loan money on payroll […]
The death of George Floyd, the protests, and the disproportionate impact COVID-19 is having on racial and ethnic minorities and the poor and socially disadvantaged among us has once again brought to the forefront the long-standing issue of systematic racism in this country. The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) stands with our members in […]
We hope this note finds you and your loved ones safe and well. We are reaching out today with an announcement about the 2020 National Assembly. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) has decided that the in-person 2020 National Assembly that was scheduled to take place September 9-12 […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increasing reliance on telehealth and other virtual forms of patient interaction. However, under the current billing structure, orthotists and prosthetists are unable to submit claims for certain Medicare services despite being considered essential providers. Key members of Congress are currently circulating a letter to be sent to Secretary […]
AOPA staff recently participated in educational webinars presented by the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) and on DME MAC provider advisory councils during which they confirmed that physicians, including MDs and DOs that are certifying the medical need for diabetic shoes may utilize telehealth to fulfill face-to-face encounter requirements during the COVID-19 […]
As part of the CARES Act, Congress established a Provider Relief Fund, with $50 billion allocated to Medicare facilities and providers impacted by COVID-19 and based on eligible providers’ 2018 net patient revenue. Many AOPA member received funding when the initial $30 billion was distributed between April 10 and 17. Late last week, the Department […]
Yesterday, April 26, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is re-evaluating payments made to Medicare Part A providers through the recently expanded Accelerated Payment Program and suspending the Advance Payment Program for Medicare Part B providers effective immediately. The Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program (AAP) is a longstanding […]
