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A O P A I n A d v a n c e (AIA) D i g e s t
Promoting the Business of O&P
Volume 7 Number 7
www.aopanet.org
01-April-2003
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F r o m C a p i t o l H i l l
*PTs Try to Expand Scope of Practice
*AOPA Meets With MedPAC on Competitive Bidding
R e i m b u r s e m e n t U p d a t e s
*CMS Delays New TLSO Fees
*AOPA Offers Medicare Help
*AOPA Seeks Change in 5-Year Replacement Rule
*2003 CodingPro: Better than Ever
*Coding and Billing Resources
H I P A A C o m p l i a n c e
*Health Care Providers Can’t Afford to Ignore HIPAA Complaints
*HIPAA Resources
O & P I n s i d e r s’ T r a c k
*Jared Butler
*Matt Frye
*Nicholas LeCursi
*Randall Valverde
*SPS
*Orthotic Mobility Systems
*Sunny Hills Orthopedic Services Inc.
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Online version:
http://www.aopanet.org/AIA.shtml
Printer-friendly version:
http://www.aopanet.org/membersonly/AIA-archive/20030401.pdf
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F r o m C a p i t o l H i l l
*PTs Try to Expand Scope of Practice
AOPA will submit testimony to a California state Senate panel in
opposition to efforts that would allow physical therapists (PTs) to
prescribe, fit and fabricate orthotic and prosthetic devices. The
California hearing is scheduled for April 7.
For more information visit http://www.aopanet.org/AIA.shtml.
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*AOPA Meets With MedPAC on Competitive Bidding
AOPA staff recently made a detailed presentation to the Medicare Payment
Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to educate MedPAC staff on the impact that
competitive bidding would have on access to and the quality of O&P
services. MedPAC plans to make a policy recommendation on Medicare
competitive bidding in its June report to the Congress.
http://www.aopanet.org/AIA.shtml
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R e i m b u r s e m e n t U p d a t e s
*CMS Delays New TLSO Fees
The new TLSO Medicare fees that some of the Durable Medical Equipment
Regional Carriers (DMERCs) recently announced were to go into effect
today, April 1, have now been delayed.
For more information visit http://www.aopanet.org/AIA.shtml.
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*AOPA Offers Medicare Help
If you or your staff needs help understanding the complexities of
Medicare, you should plan to attend AOPA’s newest seminar, O&P Billing
Basics: A Medicare Primer. The first seminar will be held on May 30 in
Arlington, Va. at the Crystal City Marriott. The complete program
includes a one-day class and a handbook specific to O&P services, all at
the price of $245 for AOPA members.
The seminar will cover fraud, abuse and documentation, as well as the
pros and cons of Medicare participation. Attendees will also learn how
to complete the claim form, interpret a remittance notice, appeal
claims, bill patients, use modifiers, work with the staff of insurance
companies and understand Medicare regulations and policies that affect
O&P.
The room rate for the Crystal City Marriott is only $89 and the hotel is
a free shuttle ride away from Washington Reagan National Airport.
For more information or to register contact Holly Montondon at
[email protected].
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*AOPA Seeks Change in 5-Year Replacement Rule
AOPA recently met with the Medicare administrator Thomas A. Scully and
senior CMS staff to seek a change in the Medicare useful life rules for
orthotic services.
For more information visit http://www.aopanet.org/AIA.shtml.
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*2003 CodingPro: Better than Ever
AOPA has just released the 2003 version of the CodingPro, the software
package filled with Medicare HCPCS coding information that is a
must-have product for every profitable patient care facility.
In addition to enhanced illustrations with higher resolution, the 2003
CodingPro has helpful new features that offer guidance on:
* Adding medical necessity information for any HCPCS code which can be
used when printing out reports for medical records;
* Editing and saving multiple medical necessity rationales for each
code; and
* Saving the reports as a Microsoft(r) Word file.
This year’s CodingPro retains the same standard features as in past
versions, such as reimbursement fees, interpretations of coding language
and illustrative depictions of sample devices covered by HCPCS codes.
To purchase the 2003 CodingPro call the AOPA Bookstore at (301)
362-6910.
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*Coding and Billing Resources
The next AOPA Coding & Billing Seminar is in Chicago, on April 30-May 1,
followed by the HIPAA Compliance Seminar on May 2. During the Coding &
Billing Seminar, AOPA experts will share the latest information on
coding changes, Medicare regulations and more.
AOPA has secured a special room rate at the Hyatt Rosemont Hotel for the
Coding & Billing Seminars in Chicago on April 30 – May 1. This
discounted rate will expire on April 8. For more information on seminars
and to register visit www.aopanet.org.
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H I P A A C o m p l i a n c e
*Health Care Providers Can’t Afford to Ignore HIPAA Complaints
If a patient or employee wants to file a HIPAA complaint about your
conduct or services with the Secretary of Health and Human Services
(HHS), HIPAA requires you to provide information on how and where the
individual can address his or her complaint.
For more information on how to file complaints visit
http://www.aopanet.org/AIA.shtml.
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*HIPAA Resources
The next AOPA HIPAA Seminar is in Chicago on May 2, following the Coding
& Billing Seminar. The HIPAA Compliance Seminar will answer questions
you’ve encountered during implementation of the privacy rules and
preview the recently released security rules.
AOPA has secured a special room rate at the Hyatt Rosemont Hotel for the
HIPAA Seminars in Chicago on May 2. This discounted rate will expire on
April 8. For more information on seminars and to register visit
www.aopanet.org.
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The AOPA HIPAA Compliance Guide contains the security changes and
provides sample forms and office policies and procedures you can adapt
to your facility. To purchase, call the AOPA Bookstore at (301)
362-6910. Questions? Contact AOPA HIPAA Specialist Virginia Torsch at
[email protected].
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Get the Fast Facts on HIPAA!
http://www.aopanet.org/reimburse/hipaa.shtml
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O & P I n s i d e r s’ T r a c k
The Only Up-to-the-Minute O&P Newswire
*Jared Butler
*Matt Frye
*Nicholas LeCursi
*Randall Valverde
*SPS
*Orthotic Mobility Systems
*Sunny Hills Orthopedic Services Inc
http://www.aopanet.org/AIA.shtml
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…………………A R C H I V E S…………………….
For a history of AOPA In Advance, visit
http://www.aopanet.org/membersonly/AIA-archive/index.shtml.
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American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association T 571.431.0876
330 John Carlyle St, Ste 200 F 571.431.0899
Alexandria, VA 22314 www.aopanet.org
For more information, email us: [email protected]
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