NegReg Committee Fails To Reach Consensus

The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee failed to reach consensus at its final meeting, Monday, July 14, regarding who can be considered a "qualified orthotics and prosthetics provider" for Medicare patients.

The NegReg Committee was formed to assist Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson in implementing the Benefits Improvement Act (BIPA), which, among other provisions, aims to protect Medicare patients from receiving orthotic and prosthetic care from unqualified providers. A series of nine meetings included representatives from about 20 organizations with a stake in O&P. Since the NegReg Committee failed to reach consensus (agreement from all the participants-not simply a majority-was required), it is now up to Thompson to decide and implement "qualified provider" regulations. Orthotists and prosthetists certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics (ABC) and the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) are specifically named in the law; however, other "qualified providers" as determined by Secretary Thompson may be included, a development which may have a large impact on the present and future of the O&P profession.

In other developments, Medicare reform bills passed by the US Senate and House of Representatives, which contain provisions impacting O&P, are currently being reconciled in a conference committee (See Bills Pass : Impact O&P ). The conferees got off to a slow start Tuesday, July 15, citing the "historic" nature of their negotiations, according to the Los Angeles Times . Conferees said that they are unlikely to produce a compromise bill before September, said writer Vicki Kemper.

Updates will be posted as they become available.

NegReg Committee Fails To Reach Consensus

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NegReg Committee Fails To Reach Consensus

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Around and About Receives 100-Percent ABC Accreditation

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