Congress Considers Medicare Bill O&P Provisions

What's happening on Capitol Hill regarding the Medicare reform and prescription drug bill, which contains provisions impacting O&P?

According to an Internet posting from the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP), Congressional staff negotiating on the bill are considering the provisions related to a free schedule freeze and/or competitive bidding this week.

According to NAAOP, Congressional staff members are being urged to compromise on these issues without moving to a "member-level" discussion. "It now appears that the prevailing compromise is a combination of a five-year fee schedule freeze followed immediately by nationwide competitive bidding," the post added.

"Many view this development as not being unexpected, but certainly the worst of both options," NAAOP continued. "However, this compromise would give interest groups additional time to raise concerns and to alter or refine implementation of this proposal. NAAOP continues to press the case, as recently as today [October 8], with staff on the conference committee to adopt the House language on 'off-the-shelf' orthotics.

The House version confines competitive bidding to off-the-shelf orthoses that 'require minimal self-adjustment for appropriate use and [do] not require expertise in trimming, bending, molding, assembling, or customizing to fit the patient,'" NAAOP explained. "The Senate bill defines 'off-the-shelf orthotics' as 'non-custom fabricated orthotics.' The Senate language is far more expansive and likely applies to a much greater proportion of orthotic care, including orthoses that require extensive professional analysis to assess and provide an array of services required to fit and maintain the function of the orthotic device," NAAOP pointed out."

For more information, visit www.oandp.com/naaop .

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Congress Considers Medicare Bill O&P Provisions

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EDGE DIRECT

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