AOPA HEADLINES
AOPA WORKING FOR YOU
Making a Difference
Together
Practitioner and patient unite for the good of the industry—and you can, too
Y
concern. In total, 35 members of Congress signed ou know you’ve got a hot-button issue on to the letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius. when a senator’s office takes the initiative Why did Tyo’s visit inspire Gillibrand’s to advocate for your cause. That’s exactly office to take the initiative in contacting AOPA? what happened after John Tyo, BOCP, CP, visited Because Tyo did one very important thing: the office of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New He followed AOPA’s suggestion and brought York) during the March 12-13, 2013, AOPA a patient to the Policy Forum. As Tyo later Policy Forum. Gillibrand’s office followed up recounted, the patient not only made AOPA’s Tyo’s visit by contacting AOPA to let staff know case in a dramatically persuasive manner, he that Tyo had shared with them the letter to also put a real, human face on O&P and our Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary issues. Together, Tyo and his patient Kathleen Sebelius, signed by Reps. were able to convincingly focus Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) and attention on how RAC audits and Brett Guthrie (R-Kentucky), which prepayment reviews are not accomaddresses AOPA’s concerns with the plishing the objective of reducing Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) fraud and abuse problems or errors program and its interference with on claims. They are, however, patient care. throwing roadblocks in the path Guthrie and Duckworth subseof delivering patient care, leading quently issued a “Dear Colleague to many delayed device deliveries Letter” to all members of the House or non-payment for services and of Representatives urging them to devices already delivered. “sign on” and add more voices of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
32
O&P Almanac MAY 2013