<img style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2005-07_03/view_1.jpg" hspace="4" vspace="4" /> Recent events regarding fraud and abuse highlight the long-standing need to separate DME providers from licensed (in states where applicable), certified prosthetists and orthotists and credentialed O&P facilities. More information about high-profile fraud cases in Florida can be found in our news item "<a href="edge/issues/articles/NEWS_2005-05-11_01.asp">Florida Fraud Costs Medicare</a>." While licensure and/or certification are not absolute guarantees against fraud and abuse or poor practice standards by an individual practitioner, they greatly increase the assurance of competent care for amputees and orthotic patients. They help prevent financial loss to government and private payers. These avenues also provide a mechanism for fraudulent or substandard providers to lose their license and/or certification. Now, though, in many areas, almost anyone can hang out their shingle, put an ad in the Yellow Pages, and start practicing. O&P may face an identity crisis in the eyes of patients, payers, and the public, but the future definitely looks bright if the field can get through the next few tough years. This is the conclusion of some experts in the field, as discussed in the feature article, "<a href="edge/issues/articles/2005-07_01.asp">O&P: Who Are We?</a>" <h4>PT Direct Access: A Bad Idea?</h4> Why do legislative affairs experts consider the Physical Therapist Direct Access legislation a bad idea for O&P? Walt Gorski, director of legislative and regulatory affairs for the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA), and Peter Thomas, general counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP) explain their views in our feature <a href="edge/issues/articles/2005-07_02.asp">PT Direct Access article</a>. <h4>Lobbying: Patients Help</h4> "Thanks to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, the cutbacks on certain diabetic foot procedure codes have gone too far to make routine care for the diabetic foot a reality for all patients who truly need it," points out NAAOP Vice President Mark Taylor, MLS, CPO. But when it comes to getting the ear of legislators, patients can help, Taylor observes in the <a href="edge/issues/articles/2005-07_04.asp">DC Direct article</a>. <h4>Murderball!</h4> And anyone who might think "disabled" equals "weak" will likely change his mind after seeing a murderball game. This fast, tough sport, also known as "quad rugby," is the subject of a film and also the sports article "<a href="edge/issues/articles/2005-07_05.asp">Murderball: Quad Rugby Wheels onto the Big Screen</a>." Well, those summer days may not be "hazy" or "lazy" as the song says, and they may be a bit "crazy," but we hope everyone is enjoying some fun in the sun.
<img style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2005-07_03/view_1.jpg" hspace="4" vspace="4" /> Recent events regarding fraud and abuse highlight the long-standing need to separate DME providers from licensed (in states where applicable), certified prosthetists and orthotists and credentialed O&P facilities. More information about high-profile fraud cases in Florida can be found in our news item "<a href="edge/issues/articles/NEWS_2005-05-11_01.asp">Florida Fraud Costs Medicare</a>." While licensure and/or certification are not absolute guarantees against fraud and abuse or poor practice standards by an individual practitioner, they greatly increase the assurance of competent care for amputees and orthotic patients. They help prevent financial loss to government and private payers. These avenues also provide a mechanism for fraudulent or substandard providers to lose their license and/or certification. Now, though, in many areas, almost anyone can hang out their shingle, put an ad in the Yellow Pages, and start practicing. O&P may face an identity crisis in the eyes of patients, payers, and the public, but the future definitely looks bright if the field can get through the next few tough years. This is the conclusion of some experts in the field, as discussed in the feature article, "<a href="edge/issues/articles/2005-07_01.asp">O&P: Who Are We?</a>" <h4>PT Direct Access: A Bad Idea?</h4> Why do legislative affairs experts consider the Physical Therapist Direct Access legislation a bad idea for O&P? Walt Gorski, director of legislative and regulatory affairs for the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA), and Peter Thomas, general counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP) explain their views in our feature <a href="edge/issues/articles/2005-07_02.asp">PT Direct Access article</a>. <h4>Lobbying: Patients Help</h4> "Thanks to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, the cutbacks on certain diabetic foot procedure codes have gone too far to make routine care for the diabetic foot a reality for all patients who truly need it," points out NAAOP Vice President Mark Taylor, MLS, CPO. But when it comes to getting the ear of legislators, patients can help, Taylor observes in the <a href="edge/issues/articles/2005-07_04.asp">DC Direct article</a>. <h4>Murderball!</h4> And anyone who might think "disabled" equals "weak" will likely change his mind after seeing a murderball game. This fast, tough sport, also known as "quad rugby," is the subject of a film and also the sports article "<a href="edge/issues/articles/2005-07_05.asp">Murderball: Quad Rugby Wheels onto the Big Screen</a>." Well, those summer days may not be "hazy" or "lazy" as the song says, and they may be a bit "crazy," but we hope everyone is enjoying some fun in the sun.