12/18/2008

Historic Agreement Protects Patients and Improves Quality of Custom Orthotic and Prosthetic Care

Five of the major national organizations representing the clinical, business, and quality improvement aspects of the orthotic and prosthetic ("O&P") profession announced an historic agreement today to promote a consensus set of minimum education and training requirements for providers and suppliers of custom orthotics and prosthetics (i.e., orthopedic braces and artificial limbs). The announcement comes as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") is drafting long-overdue proposed regulations to prohibit payment to any provider or supplier that is not qualified through specific education and training to demonstrate competency to treat patients requiring custom orthoses and prostheses. Currently, the Medicare program does not require any specific education and training for providers and many suppliers who provide O&P patient care.

"This is a great day for Medicare patients with amputations or other physical disabilities requiring O&P care," stated Tom Guth, C.P., President of the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics ("NAAOP"). "This agreement marks the first time the major O&P organizations have come together to state a consensus position on minimum standards that any provider or supplier must have to demonstrate competency."

"This consensus position stems from legislation enacted in 2000, the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act ("BIPA"), that sought to protect Medicare patients from unqualified practitioners and suppliers while limiting the potential for fraud and abuse," said James P. Rogers, C.P.O., FAAOP, President of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists ("AAOP"). "We are hopeful that CMS will seriously consider this consensus position from the O&P profession as they determine which providers and suppliers have specific education and training sufficient to warrant payment by Medicare for custom orthotics and prosthetics."

The agreement establishes specific education requirements by mandating a bachelor’s degree, as well as specific formalized instruction, from accredited O&P schools as the only standard in the United States for providers and suppliers of custom O&P patient care. Reference to accredited schools means a comprehensive set of O&P specific courses will be required before a candidate is qualified to sit for an exam in orthotics or prosthetics administered by one of two O&P credentialing organizations. A training requirement stipulates that candidates must engage in supervised patient care for at least one year in each discipline (e.g., orthotics or prosthetics). Finally, a grandfathering provision will phase in the consensus requirements.

"With O&P technology becoming more complex and the wide array of knowledge and skills needed to provide quality care, these consensus education and training requirements establish a benchmark for quality into the future," stated Robert S. Lin, C.P.O., FAAOP, President of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics ("ABC"). Added Preston N. Madler, BOCO, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Board for Certification/Accreditation, International ("BOC"), "And the grandfathering provision will ensure that eligible candidates who wish to take our O&P competency exams are not penalized as these requirements come into effect."

The five organizations believe that this agreement will help CMS implement appropriate education and training standards for O&P patient care through the regulations they plan to propose in the near future. "We see these education and training requirements as the long-term standard that should be adopted by all public programs and private payers of custom orthotic and prosthetic care, including state licensure initiatives," stated Brian L. Gustin, President of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association ("AOPA"). "We expect that CMS will adhere to the congressional intent of the statute they are regulating and do the right thing for Medicare patients requiring O&P care."

The five organizations that are parties to this agreement are the following:

• American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists – ("AAOP"). The Academy is the national organization representing the professionals who provide patient care in the field of Orthotics and Prosthetics. Contact: Peter D. Rosenstein, Executive Director, tel. (202) 380-3663.


• American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics – ("ABC"). ABC is a national certifying and accrediting body for the orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic professions. Contact: Catherine A. Carter, Executive Director, tel. (703) 836-7114.


• American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association – ("AOPA"). AOPA is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to helping orthotic and prosthetic businesses and professionals navigate the multitude of issues surrounding the delivery of quality patient care. Contact: Thomas F. Fise, Executive Director, tel. (571) 431-0802.


• Board for Certification/Accreditation, International. – ("BOC"). The BOC certifies orthotists, prosthetists and pedorthists, and accredits facilities of durable medical equipment, prosthetic and orthotic suppliers. Contact: Greg Safko, President, tel. (410) 581-6222.


• National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics – ("NAAOP"). NAAOP is a non-profit trade association dedicated to educating the public and promoting public policy that is in the interest of the O&P patient. Contact: George W. Breece, Executive Director, tel. (800) 622-6740.

Additional Information

Respond to NAAOP