AOPA and The Academy Joint Statement

September 21, 2005

The leadership of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association met in Orlando in March 2005 to discuss the differences of opinion regarding the American Physical Therapy Association's Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapy Act , and issued the following joint statement:

The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association and The American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists are united in our belief that certified orthotists and prosthetists are the only professionals qualified to provide comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic care. Both organizations will oppose any legislation that is in conflict with this.

The leadership of our organizations have met and discussed the American Physical Therapy Association's direct access initiative. AOPA and the Academy have real differences regarding the long-term effect of this legislation on O&P, yet we are committed to reaching a common understanding and resolution.

We understand and agree on the importance of communication and coordination between our organizations on issues that affect the O&P profession, and we are working on plans to facilitate and enhance our ability to work together.

The Academy and AOPA have followed through on our commitment to the profession to resolve the differences of opinion regarding the long-term effect on O&P by The Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapy Act . To this end, both the Academy and AOPA have worked with the APTA to find a reasonable solution to the problems this legislation poses for O&P. Despite direct dialogue with the APTA leadership aimed at finding a compromise, it is apparent that the APTA continues to support this legislation, which could result in physical therapists providing the full scope of orthotic and prosthetic services to Medicare patients without the need for a physician's prescription.

Therefore, the Academy and AOPA resolve that:

We are united in our belief that certified orthotists and prosthetists are the only professionals qualified to provide comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic care. The Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapy Act is in conflict with this belief and both the Academy and AOPA are opposed to this legislation. We have pledged to better communicate and, whenever possible, work together on issues that affect the profession. This issue has actually strengthened our intent to work together over a broad range of topics and to this end we have board members from both organizations on the Professional Issues Council of the Academy and the Government Relations Committee of AOPA. We will continue to communicate with the APTA in an effort to foster a relationship that benefits the members of our professions and the patients we serve. We will keep you apprised of changes as they develop; please contact the Academy or AOPA directly if you have questions regarding this issue.

Sincerely,

Paul E. Prusakowski, CPO, LPO, FAAOP President The Academy

Michael E. Hamontree President AOPA

AOPA and The Academy Joint Statement

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Online O&P Lexicon/Dictionary Adds Spanish

Engineered Success Through Staff Additions

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Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO), Certified Prosthetist (CP), Certified Orthotist (CO), Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist Assistant (CPOA), or Certified Orthotist Assistant (COA)

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