ln response to the last post,I must disagree with part of the following statement :
” I too feel that the individual practitioner is not for the consolidation effort, but the we
really have no say in the matter,IT IS A DONE DEAL UNLESS THE INDIVISUAL CAN GET MOTIVATED TO STOP THE ABUSE”.
The “national office” was presented an opportunity in supporting eradicating of fraud and abuse by” encouraging the federal government to develop and pass legislation requiring federal standards for practitioners providing custom O&P service”.This was presented seperately to all three organizations last fall via legislative draft by Congressman Wexler(Fla) and cited as the
William G. Barr Amputee Protection Act.Since it was AOPA that was self designated “to be the leading advocate for O&P business in the health policy arena” via their 1998-1999 Strategic Plan,the bill got no support.
Perhaps if AOPA, AAOP and ABC had envisioned supporting such legislation unilaterly with grandfathering considerations to the CAAHEP guidelines, as a means to seperate the professional from the main culpurts of O&P fraud and abuse, the DME dealers,lawmakers would not of reacted with the proposed reductions in O&P services of $500 million plus over the next 5 years.
One might ask who sells to DME dealers?
The Academy members and ABC organization should of stepped in and actively supported this amendment to the Social Security Act that would of required appropiate training for practioners of O&P. Indivisuals cannot be responsible alone for legislative reform.
You do and should have a say in the matter but perhaps the option of supporting such reform was not provided to you or other members of the profession, by the leadership!!?
Your votes will determine the outcome of the consolidation.I’m confident that the indivisual practitioner will do what is right for your profession and for the consumer!
Anthony T. Barr
The Barr Foundation
www.oandp.com/barr