Today, in response to COVID-19, Congress finalized the CARES Act, a massive financial relief package designed to tide the U.S. economy and its strained healthcare sector over for the next few months. In terms of tax relief and benefits for O&P, the bill: Carves out $350 billion in aid for small businesses, much of which […]
We have an update to yesterday’s “Guidance on Operation of O&P Businesses During State or Local Restrictions Related to COVID-19” specific to our O&P manufacturer members. AOPA has reviewed the current state and local orders and, as a general rule, there are specific exemptions that classify companies that manufacture medical devices as “essential” and therefore […]
As state and local governments begin to implement restrictions to population interaction in response to COVID-19, AOPA members have requested guidance regarding the continued operation of orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) businesses. AOPA has been monitoring developments on this issue closely and offers the following guidance based on the current available information. As of March 23, […]
On March 13, 2020, President Trump issued an emergency declaration under the Stafford Act and the National Emergencies Act to help address issues being caused by the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As part of this declaration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) put in place certain blanket waivers to help Medicare […]
Like all of you, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) leadership is closely following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As you have likely heard, we have made the tough decision to cancel several of our upcoming events in light of it. We know that these are difficult and uncertain times for you and your patients. […]
Yesterday, March 11, AOPA participated in a Medicare Open Door Forum call that provided sub-regulatory guidance on the upcoming implementation of Medicare prior authorization for six lower limb prosthesis HCPCS codes. The call was hosted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and was led by Amy Cinquegrani and Dr. Scott Lawrence of […]
On February 11, we notified you that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) had announced that six lower limb prosthetic codes will be added to the codes that require Medicare prior authorization as a condition of payment. The full notification can be found here. AOPA has continued to monitor communications from CMS and […]
On Friday, February 7, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that six lower limb prosthetic codes will be added to the codes that require Medicare prior authorization as a condition of payment. The official announcement was published today, February 11 in the Federal Register. AOPA has actively communicated concerns about Medicare […]
On January 29, 2020, AOPA staff participated in a CMS listening session that was designed to receive provider feedback on the operational performance of Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs). The session was introduced by CMS Administrator Seema Verma and was moderated by Larry Young, the Director of the CMS Medicare Contractor Management Group. The 60-minute session […]
Yesterday, at the request of Virginia Orthotic & Prosthetic Association, AOPA staff joined the Amputee Coalition to testify in front of the Labor and Commerce subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates in support of HB 503. This bill (first introduced in 2019) would mandate health insurance coverage for mechanical, bionic prosthetics that have a […]
