Hello Colleagues and Guests,
We’ve added an update link to the oandpsolutions.org website under
links, then NGS, then Policy. NGS is for Region B, but I believe it
applies to most, if not all of the other regions as well. There is not
much listed for prosthetics, but there is a lot of information
otherwise. Take a look at the two documents for lower limb orthoses, in
particular the Dear Physician letter (last paragraph at least).
Some of these documents are dated, but they are still the latest ones
published by NGS.
I’m sure that some of this stuff will be redundant to many of you, but
it does not hurt to throw the regulations out there now and then.
We are working on other angles for change within Medicare and hope to be
able to report some progress in the not-too-distant future. We will also
be putting a “things to do task list” on the website soon so folks can
volunteer to write letters and help in other ways as well. We still
believe that if we keep writing (from around the country) and putting
pressure on those who are responsible for our current mess, we can
influence change much quicker than if we just sit back and do nothing.
We are still in the mode to try to get O&P separated from DME and we are
also in the mode to get the final prescriptions written by orthotists
and prosthetists, as they should be based upon Medicare’s regulations,
but still be subject to final approval by the prescribing physician. We
hope that we can convince Medicare to abolish the prepayment audits in
lieu of a predetermination authorization, at least on a temporary basis.
Will that happen? We don’t know and that makes it even more important
for others around the country to write and complain about what is going
on. Write to the SBA Ombudsman office, OIG, Senators, Representatives,
CMS, and others to let them know that you are not happy with what is
happening to the O&P profession. If we keep hammering away, eventually
we will wear them out, rather than the other way around.
The latest O&P Almanac (Sept.) also has a feature article that you might
like to read.
Thanks again for your help and we hope this helps some.
Wil Haines, CPO
MaxCare Bionics
Avon, IN
