On January 9, the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP) released a statement regarding O&P issues to be addressed in 2012:
As challenging as 2011 was in terms of Congress’ work to address our nation’s long-term debt as well as fiscal problems with the Medicare program and implementation of the healthcare reform regulations, 2012 promises to be just as difficult.
- Medicare: NAAOP will continue to work closely this year with our fellow members of the O&P Alliance to protect the Medicare O&P fee schedule from being used to offset the cost of other Medicare spending. We will also continue our joint advocacy to link O&P practitioner and supplier qualifications with Medicare payment in order to limit fraud and abuse and improve quality care.
- Essential Health Benefits: NAAOP will continue to make the case for inclusion of orthotics and prosthetics in the essential health benefits (EHB) package that all private healthcare plans will have to offer in 2014, assuming the health reform law is not overturned.
- Separation of durable medical equipment (DME) and O&P: NAAOP will continue to press the case for a separate definition of O&P from DME in all private healthcare plans, leading to separate treatment of these two distinct benefits. We will also continue our long-standing efforts to have the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recognize the separation of O&P from DME in all Medicare regulations.
- Veterans Bill of Rights: As the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contemplates major changes in the way veterans receive O&P care, it has never been more important to enact the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights. Passed in the House of Representatives as H.R. 5428 in December 2010, this bill has been reintroduced as H.R. 805 in the 112th Congress.
NAAOP will continue to keep its membership informed of developments as they occur. For more information, visit www.naaop.org or e-mail info@naaop.org
