NAAOP releases comments in support of CMS proposed rule

Comments have been submitted by the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP) in support of a proposed CMS rule that would specify the requirements and qualifications required for suppliers of custom-fabricated orthotic devices.

Although, NAAOP supports the proposed rule, David McGill, JD, president of the agency, stated that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) should make few changes before final approval.
McGill said in a letter on behalf of NAAOP members to Patrick Conway, acting administrator of CMS, “We’ve a number of suggested recommendations to meet the O&P requirements of Medicare beneficiaries and consider that CMS must amend few aspects of the rule to comport with present practice in the healthcare and rehabilitation continuum. But we appreciate the CMS for finally releasing this proposed rule and strongly emphasize the agency to consider the comments received and timely publish and execute a final regulation.”
The Section 427 of the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act (BIPA) of 2000 is being interpreted by the proposed rule, which states no payment shall be made by the Medicare program to any practitioner or supplier of custom orthotics or prosthetics who isn’t qualified to give a suitable level of care.
If got approval, the new rule would need any practitioner or supplier that gives custom orthotics or prosthetics be licensed if the state in which they practice has O&P licensure, or they must be trained and educated to give and handle custom O&P care, and be certified by either the American Board for Certification in Orthotics Prosthetics and Pedorthics, the Board of Certification/Accreditation or an accreditation agency approved by the HHS secretary.
BIPA Section 427 was proposed to secure sufferers from unqualified practitioners and suppliers of custom-fabricated orthoses and prostheses, and to secure the integrity of the Medicare program, in accordance to McGill.
McGill stated in his letter, “The proposed rule basically meets these aims. Instead of detailing a separate set of positions and recommendations, although, the NAAOP worked in concert with members of the Orthotic and Prosthetic Alliance (O&P Alliance), a coalition of the 5 major national O&P organizations, to establish a comprehensive statement on the proposed rule, along with specific suggestions for the consideration of CMS. We’re proud to align ourselves with this consensus statement of the O&P provider community and look forward to elaborating the substance of this proposed rule in more depth in the future.”