Re: US Politics: Consolidation Questions
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: US Politics: Consolidation Questions
Text:
April 1, 1999
Dear Mr. Renard:
In an Email message dated March 29, 1999, posted at 4:15 pm, you posed a
number of questions to the Consolidation Steering Committee and Mr. Hoxie
concerning the Consolidation project currently underway. Our response follows
each question asked:
1) Since the draft by-laws of the new organization will not require ABC
credentialed members, will membership be open to BOC members as well as DME
dealers/suppliers, manufacturers, and other non-patient care business
interests?
The Bylaws require ABC certification for persons eligible for Active
Individual Membership. They also require ABC accreditation for companies
eligible for Active Company Membership. A number of other membership
categories are provided for in which other credentialed credentialed
individuals and companies may also belong to the Association. Thus, it is
possible that a BOC practitioner can belong, however, such persons will not be
entitled to a vote in the affairs of the Association. In addition, suppliers
may belong through the Active Supplier Membership category. As now, in
their membership in the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA),
Active Supplier members will be entitled to a vote. Other types of
organizations may join affiliate member categories only so long as they meet
that category's membership requirements.
Regardless of membership category to which they belong, all members will be
required to abide by ABC professional and facility standards, the ABC Canons
of Ethical Conduct and the ABC Scope of Practice guidelines.
2) Will membership fee schedules continue to vary depending on the type of
membership category? For example: will chain facilities require the same
membership fees as individual practitioners?
The dues structure will vary depending on membership category. As yet, the
Steering Committee has only approved the dues structure. The financial pro-
forma will determine the actual dues and fees for these categories. However,
we do anticipate establishing dues and fees that distinguish between ABC
members and non-ABC members. In addition, there will likely be a varying fee
structure for supplier membership that will be based upon volume of business.
With respect to O&P facilities (Active and Affiliate members) there will be a
fee and dues differentiation. Such fees will be consistent for both
individual facilities as well as for large national organizations with many
facilities.
3) Will education meetings and seminars for chain facility members continue to
be held behind closed doors or will those members be required to attend the
same meetings as the individual practitioners? [why are educational seminars
closed? ed]
ABC continuing education rules (both presently and in the context of the new
association) will be the same. Sponsors of continuing education programs that
do not permit open attendance receive a lesser number of continuing education
credits than those programs that are open to any attendee. The ABC does not
require that employees of chain facility members attend open programs in
addition to their employer-sponsored closed programs. Regarding the virtue of
closed sessions, the ABC understands that employers will administer
continuing education programs for only their employees. We believe such
programs do contribute to the overall level of knowledge and competency of the
individual. Employer decisions to conduct closed sessions remain their
privilege to decide. The ABC, on the other hand, places more emphasis on
open sessions (by awarding more credits).
4) Although the new membership may not be all voting members, will not the
mere numbers of industry members, including the main culprits of O&P fraud and
abuse, DME dealers and suppliers, have an effect? Will that new membership
organization have a negative impact re: legislative issues that are not
necessarily in the best interests of the consumer and individual practitioner?
I don't believe a consolidated organization of members necessarily encourages
dissention regarding issues and national initiatives. Indeed, the presently
separate membership groups have long worked cooperatively with one another in
trying to support common positions. A consolidated organization will help us
better develop those positions and initiatives. Also, the mission of the new
association not only addresses the promotion and representation of the
profession but to promote quality O&P care for the consumer.
5) Will a new consolidated organization accomplish anything by providing
strategic direction of developing policy liaisons with consumer and provider
groups relevant to the future of O&P concerns?
The new association will certainly continue to maintain and foster the
relationships we have developed with consumer groups. We also encourage our
members to develop similar relationships with local consumer groups.
Indeed, part of the ABC's marketing strategy is to secure support from
consumer groups for recognition of the credential. We also have worked
cooperatively with the Amputee Coalition of America on a number of matters.
6) Will not a new organization, with so many industry and big business
members, send the wrong signal when attempting to educate private and
government reimbursers as to what constitutes a high level of O&P health care
and the proper reimbursement requirements to provide such high level service?
No. The new association's membership, although including a number of industry
and big business members, will likely enjoy a membership of 2000 - 3000
individual and active company (O&P facilities) members. In any event, it's
been our experience in both the AOPA and the American Academy of Orthotists
and Prosthetists (Academy) that the issues are generally common to all and the
concerns we have affect all. Importantly, we believe that a consolidated
organization will elevate our voice on national matters that ultimately affect
the consumer.
I hope this provides a clearer perspective on our reasons for consolidation.
With respect to specific organizational characteristics, including membership
and voting issues, please review the draft bylaws which can be accessed on our
Web site: WWW.OPOFFICE.ORG.
Sincerely,
David J. Jendrzejczyk, CP, FAAOP
Chairman
O&P National Office
Dear Mr. Renard:
In an Email message dated March 29, 1999, posted at 4:15 pm, you posed a
number of questions to the Consolidation Steering Committee and Mr. Hoxie
concerning the Consolidation project currently underway. Our response follows
each question asked:
1) Since the draft by-laws of the new organization will not require ABC
credentialed members, will membership be open to BOC members as well as DME
dealers/suppliers, manufacturers, and other non-patient care business
interests?
The Bylaws require ABC certification for persons eligible for Active
Individual Membership. They also require ABC accreditation for companies
eligible for Active Company Membership. A number of other membership
categories are provided for in which other credentialed credentialed
individuals and companies may also belong to the Association. Thus, it is
possible that a BOC practitioner can belong, however, such persons will not be
entitled to a vote in the affairs of the Association. In addition, suppliers
may belong through the Active Supplier Membership category. As now, in
their membership in the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA),
Active Supplier members will be entitled to a vote. Other types of
organizations may join affiliate member categories only so long as they meet
that category's membership requirements.
Regardless of membership category to which they belong, all members will be
required to abide by ABC professional and facility standards, the ABC Canons
of Ethical Conduct and the ABC Scope of Practice guidelines.
2) Will membership fee schedules continue to vary depending on the type of
membership category? For example: will chain facilities require the same
membership fees as individual practitioners?
The dues structure will vary depending on membership category. As yet, the
Steering Committee has only approved the dues structure. The financial pro-
forma will determine the actual dues and fees for these categories. However,
we do anticipate establishing dues and fees that distinguish between ABC
members and non-ABC members. In addition, there will likely be a varying fee
structure for supplier membership that will be based upon volume of business.
With respect to O&P facilities (Active and Affiliate members) there will be a
fee and dues differentiation. Such fees will be consistent for both
individual facilities as well as for large national organizations with many
facilities.
3) Will education meetings and seminars for chain facility members continue to
be held behind closed doors or will those members be required to attend the
same meetings as the individual practitioners? [why are educational seminars
closed? ed]
ABC continuing education rules (both presently and in the context of the new
association) will be the same. Sponsors of continuing education programs that
do not permit open attendance receive a lesser number of continuing education
credits than those programs that are open to any attendee. The ABC does not
require that employees of chain facility members attend open programs in
addition to their employer-sponsored closed programs. Regarding the virtue of
closed sessions, the ABC understands that employers will administer
continuing education programs for only their employees. We believe such
programs do contribute to the overall level of knowledge and competency of the
individual. Employer decisions to conduct closed sessions remain their
privilege to decide. The ABC, on the other hand, places more emphasis on
open sessions (by awarding more credits).
4) Although the new membership may not be all voting members, will not the
mere numbers of industry members, including the main culprits of O&P fraud and
abuse, DME dealers and suppliers, have an effect? Will that new membership
organization have a negative impact re: legislative issues that are not
necessarily in the best interests of the consumer and individual practitioner?
I don't believe a consolidated organization of members necessarily encourages
dissention regarding issues and national initiatives. Indeed, the presently
separate membership groups have long worked cooperatively with one another in
trying to support common positions. A consolidated organization will help us
better develop those positions and initiatives. Also, the mission of the new
association not only addresses the promotion and representation of the
profession but to promote quality O&P care for the consumer.
5) Will a new consolidated organization accomplish anything by providing
strategic direction of developing policy liaisons with consumer and provider
groups relevant to the future of O&P concerns?
The new association will certainly continue to maintain and foster the
relationships we have developed with consumer groups. We also encourage our
members to develop similar relationships with local consumer groups.
Indeed, part of the ABC's marketing strategy is to secure support from
consumer groups for recognition of the credential. We also have worked
cooperatively with the Amputee Coalition of America on a number of matters.
6) Will not a new organization, with so many industry and big business
members, send the wrong signal when attempting to educate private and
government reimbursers as to what constitutes a high level of O&P health care
and the proper reimbursement requirements to provide such high level service?
No. The new association's membership, although including a number of industry
and big business members, will likely enjoy a membership of 2000 - 3000
individual and active company (O&P facilities) members. In any event, it's
been our experience in both the AOPA and the American Academy of Orthotists
and Prosthetists (Academy) that the issues are generally common to all and the
concerns we have affect all. Importantly, we believe that a consolidated
organization will elevate our voice on national matters that ultimately affect
the consumer.
I hope this provides a clearer perspective on our reasons for consolidation.
With respect to specific organizational characteristics, including membership
and voting issues, please review the draft bylaws which can be accessed on our
Web site: WWW.OPOFFICE.ORG.
Sincerely,
David J. Jendrzejczyk, CP, FAAOP
Chairman
O&P National Office
Citation
“Re: US Politics: Consolidation Questions,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/211574.
