Re: US-POLITICS: Competitive Bidding in O&P

Re: US-POLITICS: Competitive Bidding in O&P

Tony Barr

2/3/2000

Mr. Billock,
If Competitive Bidding is implemented as a means to reduce the cost of
Orthotic services than should not all suppliers of such services should be
required to have the same qualifications in order to provide such services?

Would you agree that allowing providers whom have no or obtain lesser
qualifications to particiate in the bidding services, does a injustice to
the patient and the taxpayer who always picks up the tap for fraud ,abuse
and false billing?

If it is the intent for HCFA to allow competeive bidding for services to
reduce costs, than should not all providers should be on a level playing
field in their qualifications and accountability?
Reducing costs should not be traded for quality of health care services
provided.

If it is the Academy's Mission Statement to promote patient advocascy and
the highest standards in patient care
through education,literature and research, there should be no question as
to what constitutes the highest levels of competency and ethics in the
practise of orthotics and prosthetics. Has this not been predetermined thru
CAAHEP?

Certainly the practitioners and their professional and society associations,
NAAOP, AAOP,IAOP and credentialing organizations, ABC and BOC cannot endorse
any national legislation that would allow for lesser qualifications for a
supplier or facility to provide the services of a trained professional.

A consumer's perspective.

Tony Barr


----- Original Message -----
From: < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: < <Email Address Redacted> >
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 6:32 PM
Subject: US-POLITICS: Competitive Bidding in O&P


> US O&P Practitioners & Consumers:
>
> The Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA) is addressing the concept of
> Competitive Bidding as a means of further reducing the cost of Orthotic
> Health Care Services. Also, if tradition holds true, this would
eventually
> impact the delivery of Prosthetic Services, as well.
>
> As you know, a significant portion of providing comprehensive O&P care
> involves professional clinical services. For this reason, it is felt that
> competitive bidding is not appropriate, as it could have significant and
far
> reaching implications that would lead to a reduction in the quality of
care
> to those in need of these services.
>
> This is only one aspect of the issue, however, your thoughts and input on
> this subject would be most appreciated as this is being addressed with
HCFA.
>
> Should you wish to view specific information regarding this issue it can
be
> found at the following NAAOP URL or HYPERLINK:
>
> URL <URL Redacted>
>
> HYPERLINK <A
HREF= <URL Redacted>>ALERT!
> HCFA to Include Orthotic in Demonstration Project</A>
>
>
> Additional Legislative my also be reached from the NAAOP Homepage at the
> following URL or HYPERLINK
>
> URL <URL Redacted>
>
> HYPERLINK
> <A HREF= http://www.oandp.com/organiza/naaop/index.htm >National
Association
> for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP)</A>
>
> Thank You for whatever thoughts you may wish to share!
>
> Please remember to preface any replies to OANDP-L with US-POLITICS:
>
> 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>
>
>