STATE BY STATE
Teaming Up O&P professionals push advocacy efforts in Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Texas, and Washington
Kentucky
Each month, State by State features news from O&P professionals about the most important state and local issues affecting their businesses and the patients they serve. This section includes information about medical policy updates, fee schedule adjustments, state association announcements, and more.
Become an AOPA State Rep
AOPA is currently recruiting members interested in participating in the AOPA State Reps network for the following states: Alaska, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Please email awhite@ aopanet.org if you are interested in becoming an AOPA State Rep.
Indiana
Indiana O&P companies have announced the formation of the Indiana Association of Orthotics and Prosthetics (IAOP). IAOP’s goals are to advocate for orthotics and prosthetics and promote the O&P industry in the state for the betterment of citizens of Indiana. 52
FEBRUARY 2021 | O&P ALMANAC
O&P advocates continue to work with Kentucky Medicaid to reevaluate the pricing model for cranial remolding orthoses. Currently, S1040 is manually priced. The “cost-plus” methodology used by Medicaid in the state does not adequately account for the time required from an orthotist to provide the appropriate and necessary care associated with orthotic intervention.
New York
A bill has been introduced in the New York State Assembly that, if passed, would require health insurance policies and contracts to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema; and would require such coverage to include benefits for equipment, supplies, devices, complex decongestive therapy, and outpatient self-management training and education for the treatment of lymphedema. Compression garments and “orthotic shoes and devices” are among the items this bill would require to be covered for patients diagnosed with lymphedema. Also in New York, O&P advocates continue to push for a Medicaid fee schedule increase. In addition to ongoing fundraising efforts, the New York State Chapter of AAOP has launched an advocacy campaign with a sign-on letter that speaks to the importance of access to O&P devices for vulnerable patient populations in the state. For more
information on how to write to New York State Assembly members, visit the New York section on the AOPA Co-OP.
Texas
On November 23, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation passed an emergency rule related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this rule, all Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licensees with a renewable license that expired between Aug. 1 and Nov. 30, 2020, are considered to hold an emergency license valid for up to 120 days after their license expiration date.
Washington
A final rule was published on December 16 by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner regarding Washington state essential health benefits. Language in the final rule includes specific references to prosthetics and orthotics as rehabilitative and habilitative services that must be covered by insurance carriers. These reports are accurate at press time, but constantly evolve. For up-to-date information about what is happening in your state, visit the Co-OP at www.AOPAnet.org/resources/co-op. Submit Your State News To submit an update for publication in the State by State department of O&P Almanac, email awhite@AOPAnet.org.
