Response to AOPA post

Response to AOPA post

Anthony T. Barr

11/20/2002

I have some questions to propose to subscribers.
Recently the below message was posted to the O&P Listserve by AOPA but indicated no individual to reply to.
Can anyone whom has the knowledge of these issues better inform the subscribers of the following:

Patients/consumers requiring custom prostheses and orthoses would certainly not benefit from this proposal since it does not take into considerations of qualifications of the provider nor the freedom of their choice of providers.

What about other non custom products and services?
Competitive bidding for silicon/gel liners,stump sock and other supplies may help affordability and consumers?
Is this initiative product driven or service driven?

>
> * Join AOPA in the Fight Against Competitive Bidding

Question 1)

What products and/or services are AOPA opposing be included in the competitive bidding initiative? TB

Question 2)

Would the proposal include non comprehensive O&P products/services like off the shelf orthotics, wheel chairs and hospital beds? Any DME supplies ?TB

> *Is Your State Eliminating Medicaid Coverage for O&P?
> AOPA urges all state O&P associations and chapters to explore whether
> their states are considering the elimination of Medicaid coverage
> for O&P services.

Question #3
Many states are looking for reasons to balance their budgets and are considering eliminating Medicaid O&P coverage for adults.However, they are primarily focused on states that have no mimimum educational standards for O&P providers and states that have regulation, or licensure law. ABC and BOC certifcations are optional in most states to recieve medicaid/medicare reimbursement.

Florida, expanded Medicaid O&P coverage 5 years ago as the result of Florida passing O&P regulation law,the first state in the country in 1997.

Would it not be in the best interests of Medicaid beneficiuaries, if the industry members (AOPA) and the profession , to follow the professionals and consumers of Florida,Texas,Washington.Illinois ,Ohio and Aabama and unilaterly support and fund state regulation efforts of O&P providers for all states, to better assure the delivery and the threat of elimination of these of healthcare services?

This trend maybe more motivated because of lack of accountability and lack of standards of qualification than oriented to balancing the budget ??

I would like to see the state politician that can get reelected when he votes to take disability coverage and highly specialized rehabilitation services away from his constituents simply to balance their budget ! But add in the factors of the lack of mandatory qualifications to provider, it could happen. Medicare could soon follow.

Tony Barr