The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the new HCPCS codes for 2017, and there were only a few minor changes. The biggest change was the deletion of the temporary K codes (K0901 & K0902), which became effective on October 1, 2014, to describe off the shelf (OTS) versions of custom fitted […]
As we reported in July, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), placed all the activities of four existing Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC) contractors on hiatus as a result of the upcoming award of new RAC contracts.This hiatus was to allow for a smooth transition to the new RAC contractors, including the single, national […]
The O&P Almanac continues its award-winning performance netting TWO Graphic Design Awards of Excellence for the O&P Almanac from Graphic Design USA’s 53rd Annual Design Competition. The two entries submitted were the December 2015 and June 2016 issues. The December 2015 design will be featured in the Graphic Design USA Award issue. 2016 AMERICAN GRAPHIC […]
Noridian, the Jurisdiction D Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC), recently released their quarterly results of its review for claims involving the HCPCS codes L1832, L1843, L0648, L0650 and L4361. Between April 2016 and July 2016 Noridian reviewed 161 claims involving the L1832 and 152 claims were denied; resulting in a 99% error/denial […]
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the “government agency tasked with producing evidence to improve the quality of healthcare while working with partners to ensure that the evidence is understood and used” recently announced that it will be initiating a systematic review for lower limb prostheses. The systematic review will be performed through […]
In 2014, the American Hospital Association filed suit in the federal District Court seeking relief because HHS and the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) have for many years egregiously exceeded the statutory provision which assures a provider who must return money to Medicare as a result of an audit a final ALJ decision […]
White House Fashion Show celebrates inclusive design, assistive technology, and prostheses. #DesignForAll See a video of the fashion show, provided by the White House, as well as a recording of the closing remarks by Alison Cernich, Director of NICHD National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research, below. Alison Cernich discusses an ambitious research plan mapped by […]
AOPA has cruised through another successful National Assembly – the 99th! – with more than 2200 attendees from O&P and related disciplines joining us in Boston, September 8-11. The drum and fife band welcomed the crowd to Boston and helped us open the 100,000 sq. ft. Exhibit Hall of over 160 exhibitors. The Assembly featured […]
AOPA has submitted comments on the publication entitled Technical Considerations for Additive Manufactured Devices: Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff which was published in the Federal Register on May 10, 2016. AOPA submitted comments pertaining to additive manufacturing in the design and fabrication of external prosthetic components and orthotic devices, specifically through the use […]
Earlier this year, Medicare implemented a new policy on Comprehensive Care of Joint Replacement. While positioned as a pilot test, all hospitals were forced to be involved. Under this new program, hospitals are given financial incentives to reduce the total cost for hip and knee replacements. If hospitals succeed in driving down the total costs, […]
