Tag: American Orthotic & Prosthetic Assoc (AOPA)
AOPA names recipient of digital award
October 7, 2024HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association recently awarded the 2024 Professor Hans Georg Näder Digital O&P Care Award to Joshua Steer at its National Assembly. AOPA’s Digital O&P Care Workgroup chose Dr. Steer based on his research, Insights into Transtibial Prosthetic Socket Design from Expert UK Clinicians’ Digital Records. “Congratulations to Dr. Steer for being this year’s recipient,” said Eve Lee, executive director of AOPA. “We...
In brief: NCART appeals, REMSleep clears, AOPA awards
July 19, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – NCART has submitted a HCPCS coding application to formally appeal CMS’s decision to only increase the fee schedule for seat elevation systems by about $13 to $2,013.96. “While we appreciate CMS’s willingness to listen to our concerns and review the follow-up information we provided, they indicated it could not be considered, since it was not part of the public meeting process last year,” said Wayne Grau, executive director of NCART. “In addition, we...
AOPA announces award recipients
July 18, 2024HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) has announced the recipients of the 2024 Howard R. Thranhardt Award are Andreas Kannenberg, MD (GER), PhD, Shane Wurdeman, PhD, CP, FAAOP (D), Tyler Klenow, MSPO, MBA, CPO, FAAOP, and Russell Lundstrom, MS. The award, established in 1996 through a gift from J.E. Hanger in memory of Howard R. Thranhardt, CP, has become one of the most distinguished honors in the orthotics and prosthetics profession, annually recognizing...
O&P stakeholders push ‘goodwill’ bill
April 5, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – O&P stakeholders will use an upcoming policy forum to press lawmakers to support legislation that will enable patients to receive high-quality care by, among other things, prohibiting “drop shipping.”
The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act was re-introduced in the Senate in March, just ahead of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s 2024 Policy Forum, which takes place April 15-16 in Washington. It’s a companion...
O&P bill introduced in Senate
March 20, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., have introduced a bill that would, among other things prohibit “drop shipping” of custom orthoses and prostheses to Medicare beneficiaries.
The legislation, the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act, is a companion to a bill introduced in the House in June 2023 and now has 35 co-sponsors.
“The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association appreciates the support...
Proposal increases access to ‘technological leap forward’
February 16, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – O&P stakeholders hailed a new proposal by CMS to expand coverage of microprocessor-controlled knees for certain K2 patients, something they say is long overdue.
Under the proposed changes, the agency will no longer limit the technology to patients classified as K3 and above.
“When this technology first came about in the in the 90s, it was really marketed and touted as kind of like the next technological leap forward for patients,” said Joe McTernan,...
CMS proposes changes to coverages for lower limb prostheses
January 24, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS and the DME MACs have published proposed changes to the local coverage determination (LCD) for lower limb prostheses, in a “major leap forward in the care of K2 patients,” according to the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA).
Under the proposed changes, the agency will now allow limited coverage of microprocessor-controlled knees for select patients who are classified as K2, instead of limiting the technology to patients classified as...
AOPA names Swiggum to board
January 24, 2024HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) has appointed Matt Swiggum to the supplier director seat on its board of directors effective immediately. Swiggum is CEO of Proteor USA, which manufactures custom-made prosthetic medical devices. He brings a wealth of experience in prosthetics, having dedicated his career to advancing the well-being of individuals with limb loss and limb difference. Swiggum has served on the boards of the Orthotic and Prosthetic Activities...
In brief: ‘Critical juncture,’ Medline partnership, digital health committee
October 13, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare and VGM are partnering on a new virtual advocacy event to bolster awareness and support for Medicare legislation as Congress enters the final legislative weeks of the year.
The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5555 and S. 1294), would provide a 90/10 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for most home medical equipment products in competitive bidding areas for all of 2024 and extend the current 75/25 blended rate currently in effect in rural/non-CBA...
AOPA recognizes O&P graduates
October 11, 2023HME News Staff
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The University of Hartford’s first graduates of the Certificate in O&P Business Management were honored during a graduation ceremony Sept. 9 during the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s 2023 National Assembly in Indianapolis. “We were pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates during the 2023 National Assembly,” said Eve Lee, CAE, executive director of AOPA. “The Certificate in O&P Business Management is a unique...