State By State

Joining Forces

Updates from California, Colorado, and Texas, and a call for volunteers

Become an AOPA State Rep. If you are interested in participating in the AOPA State Reps network, email awhite@AOPAnet.org.

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. 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.

California

The California Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (COPA) continues to pursue a grassroots legislative effort to improve reimbursement rates from California Medicaid. COPA has hosted O&P clinic tours for several key legislators and is pursuing budget proposals and legislation to advance improved reimbursement rates for O&P services. To learn more and get involved in California O&P advocacy, visit COPA’s website at www.californiaoandp.com.

Colorado

The Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing is seeking additional information to inform rate setting for pediatric custom cranial orthoses, procedure code S1040. AOPA sent a comment letter in response to this request in order to explain the nature of services related to cranial orthoses and articulate their value. For details, visit the Colorado page of the AOPA Co-OP.

Texas

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is seeking to fill two vacancies on its Orthotists and Prosthetists Advisory Board. The purpose of the board is to provide advice and recommendations to the department on technical matters. Members serve unpaid six-year terms upon appointment by the Commission of Licensing and Regulation. Applicants must be either an individual who uses an orthosis, or a licensed prosthetist who has practiced for five years preceding their date of appointment to the board. Interested parties can request an application via email at advisory.boards@tdlr.texas.gov.

Become a Liaison to the VISN Network

AOPA is seeking members to serve as liaisons to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) to share experiences and facilitate collaboration with the department. The AOPA VISN Network will meet quarterly as a group, and members are encouraged to check in with AOPA staff individually as challenges or issues arise within their respective VISNs. Participation in at least two quarterly meetings each year is required for continued service. If you are interested in serving as a member of the network, contact Sam Miller, AOPA’s state and federal advocacy manager, at smiller@aopanet.org.

Member Resource Alert

AOPA has invested in a resource that allows us to track legislative and regulatory activity related to O&P in every state. We will be updating the state pages on the AOPA Co-OP with alerts as they arise.

Submit Your State News

To submit an update for publication in the State by State department of O&P Almanac, email awhite@AOPAnet.org.