US-POLITICS: ALERT! - HCFA Competitive Bidding Project for Orthotic Services
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Title:
US-POLITICS: ALERT! - HCFA Competitive Bidding Project for Orthotic Services
Text:
Dear OANDP-L Members:
As a result of several responses I have received regarding key points of
discussion on this issue and who is it best to write to, I would offer the
following for consideration as O&P practitioners and consumers develop their
responses:
(Additionally, you will find an attached NAAOP Call To Acton Alert which is
in a single page WORD for Windows DOC file format that can be downloaded for
posting and/or distribution as you see fit.)
If you have not already sent your letter, based on recent developments, I
would suggest you send it to HCFA officials instead of Palmetto GBA (P/GBA)
in Columbia, SC.
For the purposes of clarification, as I understand it, P/GBA is the private
health care organization that bid on this HCFA Competitive Bidding Project
and was awarded the contract as the Competitive Bidding Administrators for
the Project. Leslie Epperly is the key Administrator with P/GBA overseeing
the Project in SC.
P/GBA is charged with the responsibility of developing, coordinating and
administrating this project. Unfortunately, their knowledge and
understanding of the difference between the delivery of professional orthotic
care or service providers and delivery of durable medical equipment (DME) is
most likely the least.
P/GBA's immediate contact with HCFA is Mark Wynn, Ph.D., in Baltimore and it
is my understanding he answers to Thomas Hoyer, Director of the HCFA-Chronic
Care Purchasing Group, also in Baltimore, and then to HCFA Administrator,
Nancy-Ann DeParle at HCFA in Washington, DC. Ms. DeParle is keenly aware of
this project and is regarded as the highest ranking HCFA official who
possibly has the knowledge and authority to effect the decision we seek --
the exclusion of professional orthotic care and services from this project.
Therefor, based on the above, I would send your letter to:
The Honorable Nancy-Ann DeParle,
Administrator
Health Care Finance Administration
314 G Hubert Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue
Washington, DC 20201
With copies to the following individuals:
Thomas Hoyer, Director
HCFA-Chronic Care Purchasing Group
7500 Security Boulevard
C5-02-23
Baltimore, MD 21244
Mark Wynn, Ph.D.,
Health Care Financing Administration
C 41627
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
Ms. Leslie Epperly
Palmetto Government Benefits
Administrators
P.O. Box 100164
Lastly, I would also include copies to your local US Congressman and US
Senator, and/or, more importantly, make a personal plea to them, seeking
their support and intervention on this issue.
Personally, I see the key bullet points for disscussion & comment on this
issue as follows: (Please Note: They are not listed in any order of
significance)
- Increased O&P Fraud & Abuse
- Drastic Reduction in the Quality of O&P Care
- Removal of the Attending Physicians and/or Patients Choice of Provider
- Interrupts of Existing Long-term O&P Provider/Patient Relationships
- HCFA 's Lack of understand of professional O&P Care Providers vs DME
Suppliers
- HCFA's Lack of Qualified O&P Providers Standards for the HCPCS L-Code
System
- HCFA's Lack of Recoganized Standards for O&P of Care
- HCFA's Lack of Action to OIG Recommendations on O&P Fraud and Abuse
All of the above are key points for discussion in your response to HCFA
Officials and/or Legislators which, in my opionion and that of many others,
would lead to an overall improvment in the quality of O&P care and a
significant reduction in the cost of O&P Care to the Medicare System.
I am sure there are more than the above and if anyone has any to add to this
list, I am sure it would be helpful to all concerned!
Lastly, remember you can log on the NAAOP Website at www.oandp.com/naaop or
click on the following hyperlink <A
HREF= <URL Redacted>>NAAOP - Homepage</A> to
access more information, as well as find information on contacting your US
Congressman or Senator.
I hope this is of further help to those who are responding and NAAOP would
appreciate a copy of your response!
Sincerely,
John N. Billock, CPO, Co-Chairman
NAAOP Legislative Committee
Voice: 330-856-2553 Fax: 330-856-4619 E-mail: <Email Address Redacted>
National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics
1875 Eye Street, N.W., 12th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006-5409
NAAOP Voice: (202) 624-0064 Toll Free: (800) 622-6740 Fax: (202)
737-2517
NAAOP Web Site: www.oandp.com/naaop E-mail: <Email Address Redacted>
As a result of several responses I have received regarding key points of
discussion on this issue and who is it best to write to, I would offer the
following for consideration as O&P practitioners and consumers develop their
responses:
(Additionally, you will find an attached NAAOP Call To Acton Alert which is
in a single page WORD for Windows DOC file format that can be downloaded for
posting and/or distribution as you see fit.)
If you have not already sent your letter, based on recent developments, I
would suggest you send it to HCFA officials instead of Palmetto GBA (P/GBA)
in Columbia, SC.
For the purposes of clarification, as I understand it, P/GBA is the private
health care organization that bid on this HCFA Competitive Bidding Project
and was awarded the contract as the Competitive Bidding Administrators for
the Project. Leslie Epperly is the key Administrator with P/GBA overseeing
the Project in SC.
P/GBA is charged with the responsibility of developing, coordinating and
administrating this project. Unfortunately, their knowledge and
understanding of the difference between the delivery of professional orthotic
care or service providers and delivery of durable medical equipment (DME) is
most likely the least.
P/GBA's immediate contact with HCFA is Mark Wynn, Ph.D., in Baltimore and it
is my understanding he answers to Thomas Hoyer, Director of the HCFA-Chronic
Care Purchasing Group, also in Baltimore, and then to HCFA Administrator,
Nancy-Ann DeParle at HCFA in Washington, DC. Ms. DeParle is keenly aware of
this project and is regarded as the highest ranking HCFA official who
possibly has the knowledge and authority to effect the decision we seek --
the exclusion of professional orthotic care and services from this project.
Therefor, based on the above, I would send your letter to:
The Honorable Nancy-Ann DeParle,
Administrator
Health Care Finance Administration
314 G Hubert Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue
Washington, DC 20201
With copies to the following individuals:
Thomas Hoyer, Director
HCFA-Chronic Care Purchasing Group
7500 Security Boulevard
C5-02-23
Baltimore, MD 21244
Mark Wynn, Ph.D.,
Health Care Financing Administration
C 41627
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
Ms. Leslie Epperly
Palmetto Government Benefits
Administrators
P.O. Box 100164
Lastly, I would also include copies to your local US Congressman and US
Senator, and/or, more importantly, make a personal plea to them, seeking
their support and intervention on this issue.
Personally, I see the key bullet points for disscussion & comment on this
issue as follows: (Please Note: They are not listed in any order of
significance)
- Increased O&P Fraud & Abuse
- Drastic Reduction in the Quality of O&P Care
- Removal of the Attending Physicians and/or Patients Choice of Provider
- Interrupts of Existing Long-term O&P Provider/Patient Relationships
- HCFA 's Lack of understand of professional O&P Care Providers vs DME
Suppliers
- HCFA's Lack of Qualified O&P Providers Standards for the HCPCS L-Code
System
- HCFA's Lack of Recoganized Standards for O&P of Care
- HCFA's Lack of Action to OIG Recommendations on O&P Fraud and Abuse
All of the above are key points for discussion in your response to HCFA
Officials and/or Legislators which, in my opionion and that of many others,
would lead to an overall improvment in the quality of O&P care and a
significant reduction in the cost of O&P Care to the Medicare System.
I am sure there are more than the above and if anyone has any to add to this
list, I am sure it would be helpful to all concerned!
Lastly, remember you can log on the NAAOP Website at www.oandp.com/naaop or
click on the following hyperlink <A
HREF= <URL Redacted>>NAAOP - Homepage</A> to
access more information, as well as find information on contacting your US
Congressman or Senator.
I hope this is of further help to those who are responding and NAAOP would
appreciate a copy of your response!
Sincerely,
John N. Billock, CPO, Co-Chairman
NAAOP Legislative Committee
Voice: 330-856-2553 Fax: 330-856-4619 E-mail: <Email Address Redacted>
National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics
1875 Eye Street, N.W., 12th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006-5409
NAAOP Voice: (202) 624-0064 Toll Free: (800) 622-6740 Fax: (202)
737-2517
NAAOP Web Site: www.oandp.com/naaop E-mail: <Email Address Redacted>
Citation
“US-POLITICS: ALERT! - HCFA Competitive Bidding Project for Orthotic Services,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 25, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/213754.
