News

COVID-19 Update: CMS Expands Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

As part of its ongoing efforts to provide relief during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded the Medicare Accelerated and Advanced Payment Program to temporarily increase cash flow for impacted providers.  The program, which has been in existence for many years, is “intended to provide […]

COVID-19 Update: CMS Suspends Most Audit Activities-Updated

This is an update to the April 2, 2020 announcement, where AOPA informed you that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have suspended most Medicare fee-for-service medical review activity for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). AOPA has confirmed that CMS, effective immediately, will also not be sending out any […]

COVID-19 Update: CMS Suspends Most Audit Activities

In response to the declaration of a public health emergency (PHE) due to COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has suspended most Medicare fee-for-service medical review activity (audits) for the duration of the PHE. The suspension of audits includes pre-payment reviews by the DME MACs under the Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) […]

COVID-19 Update: CMS Pauses Medicare DMEPOS Prior Authorization Program and Provides Other Regulatory Relief in Response to COVID-19

On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced several temporary regulatory waivers intended “to equip the American health care system with maximum flexibility to respond to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.”   Included in the announcement was a notice that CMS will pause the national DMEPOS prior authorization program […]

COVID-19 Update: Clarification on Emergency-Based Waivers Guidance

AOPA has received questions and concerns from members about CMS guidance regarding replacement of DMEPOS during COVID-19. To address these questions and concerns, AOPA has been in contact with the DME MACs to discuss actions that they will take to implement the provisions of these emergency-based waivers. During a recent presentation the DME MACs addressed […]

COVID-19 Update: Congress Passes CARES Act to Help Provide Financial Relief

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 […]

COVID-19 Update: Guidance for Manufacturers on Operation During State or Local Restrictions Related to COVID-19

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 […]

COVID-19 Update: Guidance on Operation of O&P Businesses During State or Local Restrictions Related to COVID-19

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, […]

COVID-19 Update: Impact of CMS Waivers on AOPA Members

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 […]

AOPA Message on COVID-19

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. […]