________________________________
For your consideration for the list serve
NAAOP Capitol Hill Alert
View this email in your browser
[Image removed by sender.]
Please view our video webcast and update:
[Image removed by sender.]
ACTION ALERT: Contact your Congressional Representatives Today to Support the Medicare O&P Improvement Act
The House and Senate are seriously considering inclusion of key provisions of the Medicare O&P Improvement Act (S. 1191 and H.R. 2599) in the Medicare “extenders” legislation expected to be considered in the coming weeks. The Medicare O&P Improvement Act is bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Grassley (R-IA) and Warner (D-VA) and Congressmen Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA). It is designed to improve the quality of patient care and treatment outcomes while limiting waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare orthotic and prosthetic benefit. There are a number of critical provisions in the act that should be included in the Medicare “extenders” legislation and passed immediately.
Recognition of Clinical Notes: The House already has passed one of the provisions in the bill (Section 5) as part of the Medicare Part B Improvement Act (H.R. 3178, Section 103). This provision would clarify that the clinical notes of the prosthetist or orthotist are considered part of the patient’s medical record, and will help establish the medical necessity of prostheses and orthoses provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
Linking O&P Provider Qualifications with Medicare Billing Privileges: Section 8 of the Medicare O&P Improvement Act directs CMS to issue regulations on a section of the federal law that was enacted in 2000 but never implemented (BIPA Section 427). Congress should enact this provision to require CMS to implement this federal law governing the qualifications necessary to provide custom-fabricated orthotics and prosthetics to Medicare beneficiaries.
Clarifying the Scope of Off-the-Shelf Orthotics: Congress exempted custom O&P care from DME competitive bidding in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 but permitted competitive bidding for “off-the-shelf” orthotics, defined in the statute as orthoses requiring “minimal self-adjustment.” CMS subsequently issued regulations that dramatically expanded the scope of off-the-shelf orthotics, contrary to congressional intent. Section 7 of the Medicare O&P Improvement Act would restore the original definition, protecting patients who require orthotic treatment by ensuring they receive the clinical services needed for orthoses to fit and function properly.
HOW TO HELP: Go to www.naaop.org
1. Use the template letter and amend it as you deem appropriate. Send three messages, one to your Congressman, and one to each of your Senators.
2. Make three phone calls: Call your Congressman (202-225-3121) and follow the prompts to reach your representative. Then call the Senate (202-224-3121) and ask to speak with each of your two Senators.
3. MESSAGE: Please actively support inclusion of the Medicare O&P Improvement Act in the Medicare “Extenders” Legislation currently pending in Congress.
[Image removed by sender.]
David McGill
President
[Image removed by sender.]
1501 M Street, NW
7th Floor
Washington, DC 20005-1700
e-mail: [email protected]
(800) 622-6740
(202) 624-0064 Phone
(202) 785-1756 Fax
www.naaop.org
[Image removed by sender. NAAOP on Twitter]
[Image removed by sender. NAAOP on Facebook]
[Image removed by sender. NAAOP on LinkedIn]
[Image removed by sender. NAAOP on YouTube]
[Image removed by sender. NAAOP Website]
For questions about this mailing, e-mail: [email protected]
Copyright (c) 2018 National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics, All rights reserved.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences
[Image removed by sender. Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp]
