The October 16, 2017 Federal Register included a proposed rule published by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that intends to “reorganize and update the current regulations related to prosthetic and rehabilitative items, primarily to clarify eligibility for prosthetic and other rehabilitative items and services, and to define the types of items and services available […]
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Short-Term Health Insurance, End of Subsidies Paid to Health Insurers—What Does It Mean to You and Your Patients?
October 13, 2017 at 12:59 pm
On October 12, President Trump undertook a non-legislative overhaul of the country’s healthcare insurance program, and some significant administrative ‘repeal’ of the Affordable Care Act. Two major executive actions comprise this effort: (1) clearing the path for sale of “short-term” insurance plans that do not have full ACA essential health benefits and other rules, at […]
AOPA and APMA Send Letter to CMS Administrator Regarding A5513 Coding
October 3, 2017 at 1:42 pm
On Friday, September 29, 2017 AOPA and the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) sent a joint letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma expressing their concern about the recent DME MAC coding clarification for HCPCS code A5513. The coding clarification essentially states that in order to bill Medicare for a custom fabricated diabetic insert using HCPCS […]
CMS Withdraws BIPA 427 Proposed Rule
October 3, 2017 at 1:27 pm
On October 3, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that it has withdrawn the proposed rule that represented the first step in creating regulations that would implement the qualified provider provisions for prostheses and custom fabricated orthoses legislated in section 427 of the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA). The […]
AOPA Centennial Shirts are Here!
September 28, 2017 at 1:55 pm
Celebrate AOPA’s Centennial with us by ordering AOPA polo shirts for your office! The shirts are black with a white AOPA logo. Moisture wick, 100% polyester. Rib knit collar, hemmed sleeves and side vents. The polos are unisex but the sizes are men’s M-XXL. $25 plus shipping. Order in the bookstore.
Update on the Graham-Cassidy Healthcare Bill
September 26, 2017 at 11:32 am
We know that all AOPA members are very interested in all health care reform efforts, as they have the potential to impact both the patients we serve, and how AOPA members plan and conduct their business. AOPA members who attended this year’s May Policy Forum had the opportunity to meet Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and […]
Highlights from the 2017 O&P World Congress
September 18, 2017 at 11:57 am
AOPA’s Centennial Celebration and World Congress in Las Vegas set a new record with over 2,500 attendees! Exhibitors and attendees came from 41 countries, making it a truly global event. AOPA is donating $5 of each registration to Hurricane Harvey relief, and is still accepting donations. Checks can be mailed to AOPA, 330 John Carlyle […]
Groundbreaking studies at the AOPA World Congress
August 29, 2017 at 3:13 pm
At the 2017 AOPA World Congress, make sure to add these sessions to your personal schedule. HEAR RESULTS OF TWO GROUNDBREAKING STUDIES That Could Change Your Reimbursement World for the BETTER: RAND Corporation Economic Value of O&P Services 7:40 a.m., Friday, September 8 Oceanside D Soeren Mattke, PhD Payers, Investors, and Media Will Take Notice When […]
PDAC Announces a Coding Redetermination Project for Custom Diabetic Inserts (A5513)
August 11, 2017 at 10:57 am
On July 13, 2017, the DME MACs published a joint publication that addressed the proper use of HCPCS code A5513, which is used to described molded to patient model diabetic shoe inserts. The joint publication indicated that in order to meet the requirements of the HCPCS code descriptor, diabetic inserts billed using A5513 must be […]
Full U.S. House Approves Legislation, Including Text to Legitimatize the Orthotist’s/Prosthetist’s Notes as Part of the Medical Record in Medical Necessity Determination
July 25, 2017 at 3:18 pm
This afternoon, the full House of Representatives acted by consent on suspension to adopt H.R. 3178, a bill to cut red tape and make some non-controversial changes to the Medicare program. Included in this bill was a single provision on O&P– the long-awaited provision to recognize the orthotist-prosthetist’s notes as part of the medical record […]