August 2011 O&P Almanac

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The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association

AUGUST 2011

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WWW.AOPANET.ORG

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE ORTHOTICS & PROSTHETICS INDUSTRY

BACK TO THE

FUTURE Rapid emergence of sophisticated technology is changing the O&P landscape

COMPETITIVE BIDDING and OTS Orthotics Special: 2011 AOPA National Assembly PREVIEW & EXPO GUIDE

The New C-Leg® New Patient Benefits: • Improved swing phase control—easier initiation for more natural movement • Optimized stumble recovery—increased resistance in case of a stumble • New max. body weight: 300 lbs • Additional activity mode—3rd mode • Improved splash protection—attached silicone caps on the charging ports

Confidence in the next step.

Thousands of fittings, dozens of studies. Over the years, we‘ve take advantage of all that experience to make a great product even better, combining incredible security with improvements that bring the C-Leg microprocessor-controlled knee one step closer to natural walking. Now available, the third generation of the prosthesis that‘s known as the Standard of Care for above-knee amputees: The new C-Leg—for confidence in the next step.

To learn more about the new C-Leg, visit www.clegstories.com or call your sales representative at 800.328.4058.

a/k compressogrip shrinker post-op retention sock

seamless hip sock

infant cranial protection

SmartKnit diabetic socks

hip orthosis interface cast socks

vacuum tubing power pull

post-op socks

accucast stockinette

fracture brace sock

A+ prosthetic sock power belt

x-wool

core-spun by therafirm support socks

lower extremity dressing retention and compression garment

AFO liner sock

neuropathic boot sock

active AFO sock super sock

cosmetic stockings

gel sock

knee interface sleeve

nyserts vacuum hosiery

liner-liner

spacer / stretch spacer

compressogrip shrinker

therafirm gradient compression hosiery

symes & chopart big toe sock

arm sleeve

taped compressogrip

ULFS

standard sheaths

silver sheath

compensator socks

proximal soft sock

sterling

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O&P Almanac AUGUST 2011, VOLUME 60, NO. 8

COLUMNS

COVER STORY

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By Chris Silva A more educated patient population is driving smarter, user-focused O&P technologies. Discover what’s here and what’s next as the industry moves toward “marrying the machine with the person.”

DEPARTMENTS

4

AOPA Contact Page How to reach staff

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At a Glance Statistics and O&P data

FEATURES

Viva Las Vegas––2011 AOPA National Assembly Preview This year’s National Assembly offers dynamic education sessions and networking activities, plus the opportunity to work toward the new AOPA Business Management Certificate. Take a look at what awaits you in Las Vegas.

Reimbursement Page Competitive bidding and what it may mean for off-the-shelf orthotics

20 Back to the Future

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CONTENTS

E TH CE A PLTO BE!

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In the News Research, updates, and company announcements

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AOPA Headlines News about AOPA initiatives, meetings, member benefits, and more

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AOPA Membership Applications

56 Jobs

Opportunities for O&P professionals

60 Calendar

42 2011 Exhibit Directory &

Product Guide Get an advance look at the companies and products showcased at this year’s Annual Meeting.

❯❯

Upcoming meetings and events

63

Ad Index

64

AOPA Answers

Expert answers to your FAQs

O&P Almanac (ISSN: 1061-4621) is published monthly by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association, 330 John Carlyle St., Ste. 200, Alexandria, VA 22314; 571/431-0876; fax 571/4310899; email: almanac@AOPAnet.org. Yearly subscription rates: $59 domestic; $99 foreign. All foreign subscriptions must be prepaid in U.S. currency, and payment should come from a U.S. affiliate bank. A $35 processing fee must be added for non-affiliate bank checks. O&P Almanac does not issue refunds. Periodical postage paid at Alexandria, VA, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: O&P Almanac, 330 John Carlyle St., Ste. 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. For advertising information, contact Dean Mather, M.J. Mrvica Associates Inc. at 856/768-9360, email: dmather@mrvica.com.

AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

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OP Almanac

AOPA CONTACT INFORMATION

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AMERICAN ORTHOTIC & PROSTHETIC ASSOCIATION (AOPA) 330 John Carlyle St., Ste. 200, Alexandria, VA 22314 AOPA Main Number: 571/431-0876 AOPA Fax: 571/431-0899 www.AOPAnet.org

EXECUTIVE OFFICES

MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS

Thomas F. Fise, JD, executive director, 571/431-0802, tfise@AOPAnet.org

Tina Moran, CMP, senior director of membership operations and meetings, 571/431-0808, tmoran@AOPAnet.org

Don DeBolt, chief operating officer, 571/431-0814, ddebolt@AOPAnet.org O&P ALMANAC Thomas F. Fise, JD, publisher, 571/431-0802, tfise@AOPAnet.org Josephine Rossi, editor, 703/914-9200 x26, jrossi@strattonpublishing.com Catherine Marinoff, art director, 786/293-1577, catherine@marinoffdesign.com

Tom Wessel, director of business development, 651/724-8753, twessel@AOPAnet.org Kelly O’Neill, manager of membership and meetings, 571/431-0852, koneill@AOPAnet.org Steven Rybicki, communications manager, 571/431-0835, srybicki@AOPAnet.org Michael Chapman, coordinator, membership operations and meetings, 571/431-0843, mchapman@AOPAnet.org

Dean Mather, advertising sales representative, 856/768-9360, dmather@mrvica.com

Stephen Custer, coordinator, membership operations and meetings, 571/431-0876, scuster@AOPAnet.org

Steven Rybicki, production manager, 571/431-0835, srybicki@AOPAnet.org

AOPA Bookstore: 571/431-0865

Stephen Custer, staff writer, 571/431-0876, scuster@AOPAnet.org Teresa Tobat, editorial/production assistant, 703/914-9200 x33, ttobat@strattonpublishing.com

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Catherine Graf, JD, director of regulatory affairs, 571/431-0807, cgraf@AOPAnet.org Devon Bernard, manager of reimbursement services, 571/431-0854, dbernard@AOPAnet.org Joe McTernan, director of coding and reimbursement services, education and programming, 571/431-0811, jmcternan@AOPAnet.org Reimbursement/Coding: 571/431-0833, www.LCodeSearch.com a

PUBLISHER Thomas F. Fise, JD EDITORIAL MANAGEMENT Stratton Publishing & Marketing Inc. ADVERTISING SALES M.J. Mrvica Associates Inc. DESIGN & PRODUCTION Marinoff Design LLC PRINTING United Litho Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS President Thomas V. DiBello, CO, FAAOP, Dynamic O&P, a subsidiary of Hanger Orthotic and Prosthetics Inc., LLC, Houston, TX President-Elect Bert Harman, Otto Bock Health Care, Minneapolis, MN Vice President Tom Kirk, PhD, Hanger Orthopedic Group, Austin, TX Treasurer James Weber, MBA, Prosthetic & Orthotic Care, Inc., St. Louis, MO Immediate Past President James A. Kaiser, CP, Scheck & Siress, Chicago, IL Executive Director/Secretary Thomas F. Fise, JD, AOPA, Alexandria, VA

DIRECTORS Kel M. Bergmann, CPO, SCOPe Orthotics and Prosthetics Inc., San Diego, CA Rick Fleetwood, MPA, Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory, Little Rock, AR Michael Hamontree, OrPro Inc, Irvine, CA Russell J. Hornfisher, Becker Orthopedic Appliance Co., Troy, MI Alfred E. Kritter, Jr., CPO, FAAOP, Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc., Savannah, GA Eileen Levis, Orthologix, LLC, Philadelphia, PA Anita Liberman-Lampear, MA, University of Michigan Orthotics and Prosthetics Center, Ann Arbor, MI

AMERICAN ORTHOTIC & PROSTHETIC ASSOCIATION SERVING THE O&P FIELD FOR MORE THAN 90 YEARS

Renew the Easy Way With AOPA ONLINE PAY Login to pay your dues and update your membership directory information at:

www.aopanetonline.org/profile 4

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

Mahesh Mansukhani, MBA Össur Americas, Aliso Viejo, CA

EASY! UPDATE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY INFORMATION ONLINE

Frank Vero, CPO, Mid-Florida Prosthetics & Orthotics, Ocala, FL Copyright 2011 American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. All rights reserved. This publication may not be copied in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher. The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the official views of AOPA, nor does the association necessarily endorse products shown in the Almanac. The Almanac is not responsible for returning any unsolicited materials. All letters, press releases, announcements, and articles submitted to the Almanac may be edited for space and content. The magazine is meant to provide accurate, authoritative information about the subject matter covered. It is provided and disseminated with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal or other professional services. If legal advice and/or expert assistance is required, a competent professional should be consulted.

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At a Glance

Overview of O&P Technologies Landscape TMR Patients’ Arm Motion Comparable to Able-Body Individuals…

Motion Time for TMR Patients vs. Non-Amputees

1.29 1.08

.22 .16 .38

Hand grasps

.17

Problem score

n TMR Patients n Non-Amputees *Measured in seconds

Source: “Targeted Muscle Reinnervation for Real-time Myoelectric Control of Multifunction Artificial Arms,” Journal of the American Medical Association, February 2009

2,000

The total number of Touch Bionics’ i-LIMB Hand and i-LIMB Pulse models that have been created.

3

The approximate number of years European researchers worked to develop the SmartHand prosthesis.

1990 The year the first osseointegrated transfemoral prostheses treatment was performed in Sweden.

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Bodily pain

1.26

AVERAGE MOTION SELECTION TIMES* Elbow and wrist movements

56

Physical functioning 1.54

Hand grasps

Post-Operative Q-TFA* Scores Mobility

AVERAGE MOTION COMPLETION TIMES* Elbow and wrist movements

Osseointegration Patients Experience Gradual Improvement

74

57 57 71

39

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n Pre-Op n Two Years Post-Op

*Q-TFA, or Questions for Transfermoral Amputation is a self-reported questionnaire that measures the patient’s satisfaction with the device and amputation. A higher score indicates a better experience, except for the problem score in which a lower score indicates fewer problems.

Source: “One hundred patients treated with osseointegrated transfemoral amputation prostheses—Rehabilitation perspective,” Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, November 2009

50

The total number of patients worldwide who have received Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) surgery.

40,000

The approximate number of C-Legs Otto Bock has manufactured.

$4,000-$6,000 The cost of a Bespoke Innovations’ “Fairings,” a customized, 3D prosthetic leg cover.

Sources: Bespoke Innovations, “One hundred patients treated with osseointegrated transfemoral amputation prostheses— Rehabilitation perspective,” Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, November 2009; Otto Bock; Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago; SmartHand researcher Fredrik Sebelius; Touch Bionics.

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

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In the News Photo: M. Bruce Wiggin, NC State University

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North Carolina State University researchers studied lower-limb joint power during movement, and their findings may help improve prosthetic design.

Lower-Limb Joint Research May Benefit Prosthetic Development By studying whether the hips, knees, or ankles generate the most power when walking or running, North Carolina State University researchers may help engineers design prostheses and other assistive devices to distribute mechanical power more effectively.

“Assistive devices such as an exoskeleton or prosthesis may have motors near both the hip and ankle. If a person will be walking and then running, you’d need to redistribute energy from the hip to the ankle when the person makes that transition,” says Dominic Farris, one of the study’s co-authors and a biomedical engineer at NC State.

The study results, published in Interface, a Royal Society scientific journal, found that the hips generate more power when people walk, but ankles generate more power when humans run. The knees provide approximately one-fifth or less of walking or running power.

To conduct the study, the researchers asked 10 people to walk and run at various speeds on a specially designed treadmill while cameras captured their gaits by tracking reflective markers attached to various parts of their lower limbs. While they were moving, the treadmill also captured data from their applied force.

When people walk at a rate of 2 meters per second— walking so fast that it feels more comfortable to run—hips generate 44 percent of the power, and ankles contribute 39 percent. When they start running at the 2-meter-per-second rate, however, the ankles provide 47 percent of the power compared with 32 percent from the hips. Ankles continue to provide the most power of the three lower-limb joints as running speeds increase, although the hips begin providing increasingly more power at faster speeds.

Access to Advanced, Affordable Prosthetics In the Works The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has licensed large motor control software to HDT Robotics, a provider of robotic manipulation systems and military robotics solutions, in the hope of bringing roboticprosthetic technology to the general public.

The agreement grants HDT rights to incorporate the large motor control software into robotic limbs it intends to sell on the commercial market. The software was originally developed for the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA) Revolutionizing Prosthetics 2009 program, a Johns Hopkins-led effort that developed the Modular Prosthetic Limb—an upper-extremity prosthesis that aims to restore full motor and sensory capabilities to amputees.

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

This agreement exemplifies what is expected to be a trend in commercializing the enormous suite of cutting-edge technology from the DARPA program, says Heather Curran, a technology and marketing manager in Applied Physics Laboratory’s Office of Technology Transfer. “In addition to searching for the best commercialization path for the prosthetic arm—ensuring that it reaches both military and other amputees—transfers such as this can be leveraged across many fields and applications.”

The software in the Modular Prosthetic Limb controls the motors in the arm that allow prosthetic users to perform everyday tasks such as opening doors and picking up objects.

HDT’s first commercial robotic arms will contain 11 large motor controllers.

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In the News

Muscle Repair Gene Could Improve MD Treatment Researchers at the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases have identified a gene—Ezh2—that may improve the condition of patients with degenerative muscular diseases, according to a study published in the journal Genes & Development.

Ezh2 expression is known to decline with age, and the new research suggests that therapies to activate Ezh2 and promote satellite cell growth might play a role in repairing muscular damage.

Although activating the gene will not cure any disease, it may provide sufferers with some relief, says Vittorio Sartorelli, MD, lead author of the study. “If we can extend the period in which the satellite cells proliferate and compensate for the underlying defect, we might increase the lifespan of people with muscular dystrophy. We could certainly increase their quality of life.”

Satellite cells are integral to the development of skeletal muscle from embryo stage through infancy. After infancy, they

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Nick Ackerman, CP, director of prosthetics at American Prosthetics and Orthotics, was featured on The Today Show in honor of the NCAA recognizing his wrestling championship as one of the 25 defining sports moments in the NCAA’s history.

Ackerman, who became a double-leg amputee when he was a baby, won the NCAA’s Division III Wrestling Championship in 2001—defeating a defending, able-bodied champion.

Annie Garofalo of Medfield, Massachusetts, is the recipient of the $1,000 Christina Skoski, MD, Scholarship, which is funded by the Amputee Coalition.

The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics honored Board of Certification President and CEO Claudia Zacharias for her contributions to the O&P industry.

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

decrease in number and become inactive until they are spurred to rapidly grow by injury or muscular degeneration.

Based on their previous studies of satellite cells, the NIH researchers suspected that a genetic “switch” might turn off satellite cell growth. They began to study Ezh2, which is known to keep the activity of other genes in check. When the researchers genetically inactivated Ezh2 in the satellite cells of laboratory mice, the mice’s satellite cells didn’t grow and the mice lost the ability to repair their damaged muscles. a

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In the News TRANSITIONS

BUSINESSES IN THE NEWS

The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics Inc. contributed to the Amputee Coalition's Bridge to Ability Fund in memory of Todd F. Anderson, CP, FAAOP. The Amputee Coalition thanked WillowWood for becoming a Lodestone sponsor of its Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp for 2011. The Lodestone sponsorship represents a financial commitment of $14,100 to the camp for its programs and activities. The youth camp is a

five-day traditional summer camp experience for children ages 10-17 who have lost an arm or leg or were born with limb differences.

The Amputee Coalition also has been selected to receive a $1,500 grant from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation.

The California Orthotic & Prosthetic Association will host a roundtable discussion at the AOPA National Assembly on September 19 at 5:30 p.m., to discuss Medicaid state funding/coverage, parity, payer reimbursement, contracting,

DYCOR Renewing Independent Lifestyles HD‐FDS Foot

Dycor’s new Heavy Duty FDS energy‐returning prosthetic foot (HD‐FDS, L5981) is designed specifically for unassisted ADL (K3).

Keel deflection specifications are determined by computing Body Mass Index (BMI). Multiply the weight of your client in pounds by the foot size in centimeters. The HD‐FDS foot is recommended when the resulting value is between 7,500 and 10,000. Complete weight (including EVA foot shell and titanium pyramid) is between 6‐16 ozs., depending on weight and foot size.

The FDS foot is a non‐ stocked, customized product. Please allow 3 working days for processing. For additional information, contact Dycor’s technical service department.

Dycor – 800.794.6099 www.dycormfg.com

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

state licensure, accreditation, and more in the western region of the United States. All are welcome, but those from California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona are especially encouraged to participate.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation’s annual Heroes, Hearts and Hope gala took place on June 8.

Comprehensive Prosthetics and Orthotics (CPO) hosted its “Amputee Awareness Days” on May 2 and 3 at its various facilities and featured amputee sky diver and CPO patient Retired Sgt. Dana Bowman (former U.S. Army Special Forces) and the Army’s elite parachute team “The Golden Knights.”

The Orthotic & Prosthetic Assistance Fund (OPAF) announced that Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates was the sponsoring host of three First Clinics at the Amputee Coalition conference in Kansas City, which took place in early June.

OPAF and the First Clinics received grant funding from USTA New England for a Camp No Limits session in Rome, Maine. This is the fourth year that First Volley has been part of the Camp No Limits program in Maine.

OPAF also announced that McKeever's First Ride program, hosted by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, was a success.

SPS has begun operations at its fifth distribution center in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

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Reimbursement Page

By Kathy Dodson

Competitive Bidding Looms on the Horizon If you thought off-the-shelf orthotics were safe from competitive bidding, think again

C

ompetitive bidding seemed like a dead issue, but it’s rearing its ugly head again. Earlier this year, the CMS held a meeting of the Program Oversight and Advisory Committee (PAOC) that advises the CMS staff on implementing competitive bidding. CMS pointed out that off-the-shelf (OTS) orthotics could well be included in the list of bid items during the next round of bidding.

By law, OTS orthotics must at some point be competitively bid, unless the law is changed or the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that there is not enough potential cost savings in those items to warrant including them in the program.

AOPA is actively lobbying CMS to argue that the volume of OTS orthoses provided to Medicare patients is not enough to offset the administrative costs to CMS of including them in the program. Because there’s no guarantee that they’ll be excluded, let’s go over some basics of competitive bidding, then discuss what might happen next.

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

What is Competitive Bidding?

The purpose of competitive bidding (CB) is to reduce Medicare costs. O&P has not been subject to CB except for a demonstration project a number of years ago, so a brief review of the program might be helpful.

CB currently applies only to certain DME items, such as oxygen, wheelchairs, hospital beds, and walkers.

Medicare beneficiaries in certain parts of the country, called competitive bidding areas (CBAs), must obtain items from suppliers that have won a bid to provide them. If the patient goes to any other supplier, Medicare will not pay the claim, and the supplier is not allowed to charge the patient.

That means if you are a supplier in one of those locations, and you did not bid on the right to provide the device—or if you did bid but did not win—you are prohibited from supplying the items to Medicare patients. You can still provide them to non-Medicare patients, however.

Who Wins the Bid? According to CMS, bids are judged on price and the company’s ability to provide appropriate devices to an adequate number of Medicare beneficiaries. The number of bid winners is limited by CMS, although there is no set number of winners allowed for all items. The number of suppliers that win bids varies by location and type of service. For example, more winners will be selected in a large CBA than in a smaller area.

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Reimbursement Page

If you are in a CBA and either did not bid or lost the bid but decide later that you want to participate in the program, you cannot. It doesn’t matter whether you agree to accept the CB payment amount as payment in full. Once CMS closes the bidding and awards the contracts, no one else may participate until the contract expires and a new round of bidding commences.

CMS uses a rather complex formula to determine which bids are winners; it does not automatically choose the lowest bid. During the bidding process, facilities must provide a great deal of information about the company and its finances to help CMS ensure that the company is legitimate and can provide the items it’s bidding on. In addition, any facility wishing to participate in the bid must be accredited and its practitioners licensed (if they are in an O&P licensure state) and bonded as appropriate.

final determination on whether to sign the contract and accept the payment limit or turn it down.

The program, created by the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, was designed to have three rounds of bidding. The first round is finished, contracts have been awarded, and payment of claims began on Jan. 1, 2011. CMS is now getting ready to begin Round 2 and has already announced the locations that will be affected.

Round 1 included Cincinnati/ Middletown; Cleveland/Elyria/ Mentor; Charlotte/Gastonia/ Concord; Dallas/Fort Worth/ Arlington; Kansas City; Miami/ Fort Lauderdale/Pompano Beach; Orlando; Pittsburgh; and Riverside/ San Bernardino/Ontario. Round 2 will greatly expand this list. You can find the new locations at www.cms.gov/ DMEPOSCompetitiveBid/01a_MSAs_ and_CBAs.asp#TopOfPage.

How is It Implemented?

What Services Will Be Affected?

The process CMS uses to implement CB is long and involved. The first step is to determine what areas of the country will be subject to the program and what services will be included.

Once those decisions are made, CMS announces them and asks that any supplier interested in participating register in the program.

After registration is closed, CMS opens a 60-day bidding window, during which registered facilities decide what items to bid on and what payment they will accept. If a facility decides to bid, it must bid on every item in a category. For example, if your facility decides to offer a bid in the OTS orthotics category, you must bid on every item of OTS orthotics covered by the CB program—you cannot bid on some OTS items and not others.

Once the bids have been received, CMS determines how many suppliers it needs for an area and what the winning bid amount is. All bidders at or below that number are offered a contract. Suppliers must then make a

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

At press time, CMS had not yet announced what services will come under the program in addition to those already in Round 1. (For a list of Round 1 items, see www.cms.gov/ DMEPOSCompetitiveBid/01b_Product_ Categories_and_Items.asp#TopOfPage.)

There’s a good chance, however, that OTS orthoses will be included.

By law, CB can only apply to OTS orthoses; however, what CMS considers OTS orthoses has yet to be determined. In the Medicare Quality Standards, CMS defined OTS orthotics as those “that require minimal selfadjustment for appropriate use and do not require expertise in trimming, bending, molding, assembling, or customizing to fit the beneficiary.”

AOPA believes that definition limits CB items to those that need no supplier input and can be purchased in a retail environment, such as a drug store.

Even in light of its own definition, however, CMS seems to have a broader understanding of OTS and might

therefore inappropriately include devices in the CB program that would have a negative impact on patient access and a facility’s ability to provide care to Medicare patients. Because the selection of codes does not have to be published as a proposed rule, CMS will simply announce what items are included in Round 2, without any official appeal mechanism.

AOPA will be communicating closely with CMS to encourage the inclusion of appropriate devices only, should CB for OTS orthoses come about. If inappropriate codes are selected, you can be sure AOPA will be on CMS’ doorstep to protest.

What’s the Timeline?

As noted above, Round 1 claims began being paid as of Jan. 1, 2011. For Round 2, the tentative schedule is • Summer 2011: Product categories are announced • Fall 2011: Bidder registration begins • Winter 2011: Registration ends and a 60-day bidding window opens • Spring 2012: Bidding is completed and bid evaluations are carried out • Fall 2012: Prices are announced and contracting begins • Spring 2013: Bid winners are announced • Summer 2013: Implementation.

No schedule has yet been set for Round 3.

This information is current as of press time. To hear the most up-to-theminute information on competitive bidding and how it does, or does not, affect O&P, join us at the 2011 AOPA National Assembly in Las Vegas for our Competitive Bidding Update on September 21. a Kathy Dodson, formerly senior director of government affairs, is a consultant for AOPA. For questions about this column, contact Joe McTernan at jmcternan@AOPAnet.org.

I want to provide my patients with the best care possible.

I want to have the reputation in my community of maintaining the highest standards.

I want my practice to be a success.

That’s why I care. That’s why I chose ABC for my facility accreditation.

ABC—The gold standard. I don’t want anything less, why should you?

Photo: Hangar Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.

From osseointegration to artificial eyes, exciting innovations emerge in the ‘golden age for biomedical discovery’

20

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

BY

CHRIS SILVA

A

more educated patient population is driving smarter and smaller technologies. These patients expect faster and more updated information on outcomes and new innovations, such as targeted muscle intervention and pulse-activated upper and lower prosthetic devices.

“Certainly it’s a more educated consumer, and that can have both pluses and minuses,” says Michael Oros, CPO, president of Chicago-based Scheck and Siress. “The latest and greatest technologies may not be suitable for everyone.”

Nonetheless, the O&P community is teeming with new advancements, such as osseointegration, which involves connecting an implant directly to the bone and is already in use in Sweden. While the process has not been approved for use yet by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, researchers assert that it represents a new era in O&P research.

“The single-greatest breakthrough will probably relate to the device itself.

Osseointegration, where the device is actually affixed to the bone is going to communicate with the patient more like the actual limb that the patient has lost,” says Tom Kirk, PhD, president and CEO of Hanger Orthopedic Group and AOPA vice president.

Kirk envisions one day developing unbreakable legs where an adamantium bone is fused directly to the limb. Those prostheses might be undetectable—or at least unnoticed by the naked eye. Virtual reality will be more of use as the science sharpens, he says, and technicians are even working on prostheses to aid animals. In fact, Hanger recently developed a new tail for an injured dolphin that uses gel sleeve technology designed to cling to the animal without damaging its delicate skin.

AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

21

“We’re moving toward marrying the machine with the person.”

Developing the ‘iProsthetic’ Much like other technological innovations of the past few years, developments in O&P are more intuitive and highly user focused.

“The industry is moving toward the use of devices that are less cumbersome and smarter. It’s like the iProsthetic is arriving,” quips Jeff Brandt, CPO, who is COO of Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc. in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Ability recently launched a new venture called Kinetic Revolutions to develop an adjustable pylon that enables practitioners to make precise height and rotation adjustments without removing the socket or foot.

“We’ve always been a part of the health-care field that has sat back and waited,” Brandt says. “We have got to become more proactive.” Brandt sees products having “higher functionality that fits within the anatomical envelope.”

At Hanger, the V-Hold product “has been brought to a whole new level this year,” according to Kevin Carroll, CP, FAAOP, the company’s vice president of lower extremity prosthetics. The V-Hold is a micropressor vacuumlocking system that makes real-time adjustments to accommodate changes in the residual limb throughout the day.

22

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

Photo: Hangar Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.

—KEVIN CARROLL, CP, FAAOP

The system uses Bluetooth technology to allow the practitioner to see the dynamics that are taking place inside the socket and make necessary adjustments to change the level of vacuum.

“It’s more user-friendly now for the patient and the practitioner,” says Carroll. “It gives them a lot more control over the prosthesis.”

This rapid emergence of more sophisticated technology can be challenging for labs and manufacturers.

“The industry is working on very futuristic concepts, some of which are already here,” says Carroll. “In recent years, some of these concepts have become more viable. In the clinic of the future, for example, we may have surgical teams on site at our facilities.

We’re moving toward marrying the machine with the person.”

Hanger executives also believe the patient experience will reach a point where admissions are done via retinal scanners as they come in, thereby ensuring a faster and more efficient experience—or even same-day service in circumstances that normally require several days. The company envisions new techniques involving body scanning that incorporates the neurological system, tissue density, skeletal structure, and other facets that will be mapped out against a simulator

to help determine the ideal orthotic or prosthetic device for a patient.

Wireless capabilities will be more widely used, and science should even reach a point where limbs can be re-grown, and flesh and bone can be meshed with componentry.

“Think about all the things you can do with a smartphone right now,” Carroll says. “This new era will allow people to walk more naturally.”

Enabling Natural Motion Last June, Otto Bock HealthCare launched the Genium Bionic Prosthetic System, which uses software to turn environmental inputs into natural motion. “Genium moves us into a completely different arena, offering the closest thing to natural human motion currently available,” says Brad Ruhl, president and CEO of Otto Bock US HealthCare.

Just a month later, the company debuted a new version of its C-Leg micropressor-controlled knee that optimizes stumbling recovery and improves swing phase control, resulting in more natural changes to speed.

Other companies are making use of software capabilities to enhance upper-limb prosthesis motion. The i-LIMB hand model, launched in

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“This neural control is the aspect that truly pushes the envelope past anything else near the market—and is truly astounding. in a golden age for biomedical discovery.”

—MARGARET HAMBURG

Small Facilities Keeping Pace

Kevin Carroll, CP, FAAOP

Jeff Brandt, CPO

24

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

Researchers and industry experts believe that smaller facilities, which sometimes are slow to adopt new technologies, will need to adhere to advances if they hope to remain viable in the market.

“We are in an era where you have to be informed and have access to the latest information,” says Kevin Carroll, CP, FAAOP, vice president of lower extremity prosthetics at Hanger Orthopedic Group. “Because of the access patients have today to information, they could just take their business over to the next larger town if you’re not updated.”

Jeff Brandt, CPO, who is COO of Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc. in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, says one of his goals is to ensure the company is an early adopter of new technologies and to partner with manufacturers to get the right technologies.

“We gained some benefits through trialand-error when we were a smaller company,” Brandt says of Ability, which has 10 offices in the Pennsylvania area.

Smaller facilities “have to have an atmosphere that encourages trying new things,” Brandt says.

“An atmosphere where if they do fail, they’re not concerned about losing jobs.”

2007 by Touch Bionics, incorporates a host of features, including pulsing grip strength and computer-enhanced movement patterns. Recent advancements in Bluetooth software have enabled technicians to link the prosthesis at an increased rate with personal computers.

“We generated feedback from users, clinicians, and therapists, and upgraded the product last year and this year,” says Danny Sullivan, communications manager at Touch Bionics.

With the software, users are able to download up to 14 different mobility applications to the hand, such as an “index point” feature, which could prove useful at the ATM.

Brain-Controlled Limbs In remarks made during the annual meeting of the Food and Drug Law Institute earlier this year, Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said, “Amazingly, it looks like two truly revolutionary prosthetic arms are being developed.”

One is being designed and tested

by Manchester, New Hampshire-based DEKA Research and Development Corp. that’s an “advanced prosthetic

Photo: Hangar Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.

The fact is we are

arm and hand with a neural interface.”

According to Hamburg, the device is very close to market.

Another neurally controlled arm and hand prosthesis is being developed by the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

The concept is for the device to be controlled directly by human thought through an implanted sensor on the brain surface. It could therefore be used in cases of paralysis and not be limited to amputations.

“This neural control is the aspect that truly pushes the envelope past anything else near the market—and is truly astounding,” Hamburg said.

“The fact is we are in a golden age for biomedical discovery.”

Study results published in an April edition of The Journal of the American Medical Association concludes that The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) has demonstrated successful neural control in ankle and knee joints.

With lower-limb amputees forming a larger portion of the amputee population, RIC has detected an unmet need for a neural-controlled leg.

Particularly, researchers see challenges in transitioning bionic technology for upper limbs to lower limbs due to inconsistencies in electromyographic (EMG) signals.

But the research published in JAMA that measured EMG signals in lowerlimb muscles showed participants were able to control knee and ankle neural information measured in the thigh. The findings lead researchers to believe that targeted muscle reinnervation surgery “may not be necessary for amputees to regain control of knee and ankle movements with prostheses,” according to Levi Hargrove, PhD, of RIC’s Center for Bionic Medicine.

“We look forward to applying these findings to our continued research investigating neural control in lower-limb amputees and the future development of advanced physical knee and ankle prostheses.” a

What’s Next?

Research by the federal government could help launch future innovations within the O&P community. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ (VA) Center of Excellence for Rebuilding, Regenerating, and Restoring Function after Limb Loss is working in tandem with Brown University on the following cutting-edge concepts:

Osseointegration

Researchers are working with prosthetic legs that have a titanium bolt placed directly in the bone that they hope will avoid some of the problems surrounding anchoring methods, including skin sores, sweating, pain, and infections.

BrainGate

Brown and the VA have developed a system called BrainGate that decodes brain waves and translates them into computer commands. It uses a tiny sensor implanted in the area of the brain that controls movement and potentially allows people to think about moving artificial limbs. While it still relies on wires hooked to the brain, researchers hope to eventually graduate to a wireless system. This research in “neuroprosthetics” is part of a larger trend in prosthetics that aims to integrate the body, mind, and machine.

Talking to the Limb

Hugh Herr, MD, director of the “Leg Lab” at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is collaborating with the VA and Brown researchers on a model that uses bionic neuron microchips that pick up brain signals and relay them to a prosthetic.

“We need to have the amputee’s brain control the artificial knee, to tell the knee that they intend to turn left or right, or that there are stairs up ahead,” Herr says.

In the future, researchers hope that artificial hands will not only contain grip sensors, but also hot and cold detectors.

Tissue Engineering

The VA-Brown team also is exploring new surgical techniques to lengthen the bone in the residual limb that would make it easier to fit prosthetics and allow for greater mobility. Tissue engineering to help restore damaged joints is also being investigated. Techniques could include the use of biodegradable polymer beads smaller than a pinhead that would release proteins to trigger the production of bone and cartilage.

Artificial Eye

According to the VA, a neuroscience program at the University of Utah is researching a chip that could help blind people see.

The technology works by being implanted into the visual cortex, allowing the brain to process visual information. Video signals from a miniature camera mounted in eyeglasses travel through the electrodes and excite specific neurons, resulting in an image.

Chris Silva is a contributing writer for O&P Almanac.

AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

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Viva Las Vegas

The country’s oldest and largest trade show for the orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic profession hits the Las Vegas strip

models, emerging technologies, and the latest patient-care techniques, while O&P advocates will discuss threats to the industry, how to get involved, and so much more.

“You need to go there and be there for your profession,” says Rick Fleetwood, MPA, CEO of Snell Prosthetic and Orthotic Laboratory of Arkansas and a member of the AOPA board of directors.

“It’s a business decision: Do you go and support all those things? You can’t afford not to.”

F

rom clinical education sessions and a special program on the role of robotics in prosthetic development, to a bustling exhibitors’ hall and an O&P PAC Wine Tasting & Auction, the 2011 AOPA National Assembly, September 19-22 in Las Vegas, will be an experience to remember.

Each year, AOPA offers an impressive lineup of speakers and sessions designed to help attendees identify new business opportunities and prepare for coming challenges.

This year will be no exception. Industry experts will be on hand to talk about health-care reform, changing business

26

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

Dynamic Educational Sessions This year’s mix of business and clinical education sessions provide prosthetic, orthotic, and pedorthic professionals the opportunity to advance their careers, regardless of the experience level. As in previous years, attendees can earn as many as 34 continuing education credit hours at the Assembly.

Scientific programming led by world-renowned experts offers a glimpse into the future of the field.

During Tuesday morning’s “Robotics— From Research to Reality” session, researchers and patients will introduce

robotic prototypes and explain their emerging roles in O&P. The two-hour program includes a demonstration of a recently developed exoskeleton system that allows users to walk upright without muscular effort, in addition to discussions on powered prosthetics and orthotics, biomechatronics, and other cutting-edge technology.

“We try to come up with programs at the Assembly that you can’t find anywhere else. We want people to come in and say Russell ‘Wow,’” says Russell Hornfisher Hornfisher, chairperson of the AOPA Assembly Committee, member of the AOPA board of directors, and director of sales and marketing at Becker Orthopedic.

Other clinical offerings include a session on the growing need for animal-specific products, the latest advancements in osseointegration, an advanced fitting course, best practices for diabetic foot management, and more.

Such innovative educational offerings pave the way for clinicians to expand their knowledge of the field while helping their patients in the process, says Anita LibermanLampear, administrative director at the University of Michigan Orthotics and Prosthetics Center and a member of the AOPA board of directors “As providers we need these educational opportunities,” she says.

“It’s wonderful that AOPA offers such outstanding clinical education for practitioners to be the best providers they can be.”

This year’s Assembly also is “the place to be” to experience top-notch business education sessions.

Debuting this year is the first course in the AOPA Business Management Certificate Program series for O&P business owners and managers. The program focuses on four subject areas—management, sales and marketing, finance, and operations—with required and elective modules within each subject.

This first course, “Financial Management Profitability Tools—Using

Three Questions for Assembly Keynoter Melissa Stockwell, CP After losing her left leg to a roadside bomb in Baghdad, Melissa Stockwell, CP, became the first female solider amputee of the Iraq War. Stockwell, recipient of a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, began competing in the Paralympics and was even named the 2010 World Champion in the Paratriathlon. To add to her already impressive resume, she also is a certified prosthetist with Scheck and Siress.

Stockwell gave O&P Almanac a preview of her inspirational story of perseverance and dedication to the O&P field.

O&P Almanac: What do you plan on sharing with Assembly attendees?

Melissa Stockwell: I will share the story about my injury and journey from Baghdad to Beijing, what inspired me to become a competitive athlete, and how I trained to make it to the Paralympics and then the World Championships. I’ll also discuss how becoming a prosthetist has helped with my training and working with other athletes. I hope my experiences will educate and inspire practitioners and will lead them to provide better services for their patients.

O&P Almanac: How have your experiences shaped who you are today?

Stockwell: My experiences over the past seven years, after the loss of my left leg, have made me a better person with a renewed love of life. I have a new career, athletic accomplishments, and opportunities that I never could have imagined.

I’ve done more with one leg than I ever would have done with two.

O&P Almanac: How is the O&P industry changing?

Stockwell: The number of severely wounded soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan is moving the prosthetic field forward at a rapid pace.

These young, active individuals want prosthetic limbs that can keep up with their athletic lifestyles and even allow them to return to combat. It’s exciting to think about where the field will be in a few years.

Cost Accounting to Maximize Your Practice’s Profitability” will take place on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. and is free to all attendees. During this in-depth two-hour course, participants will learn how to develop an operations and financial budget, determine the financial impact of a proposed discount, create payer presentation strategies, establish an appropriate operation strategy for their business, and more.

“The old days of just working hard to succeed are gone,” says Fleetwood.

“You have to work hard and smart. The Assembly will give you the best business techniques on how to do that.”

This year’s business education lineup also features an all-new roundtable discussion on professional ethics, plus sessions on health-care reform, documentation, fraud and abuse, and revenue-generating business models.

Networking and Leisure The 2011 National Assembly wouldn’t be complete without a mix of leisure activities for practitioners and suppliers from every corner of the O&P community to mingle with other top professionals from around the world.

At Tuesday night’s O&P PAC Wine Tasting & Auction, participants will AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

27

Schedule

Monday, September 19 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Welcome to Las Vegas Reception

Tuesday, September 20 6:30 AM Registration Open 7:00 – 8:30 AM Opening General Session and Keynote Speaker 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Exhibit Hall Open/Product Preview Theater Presentations 10:00 AM – Noon Concurrent Education Sessions Noon Lunch in Exhibit Hall 2:00 – 5:00 PM Concurrent Education Sessions 6:30 PM O&P Wine Tasting & Auction

Wednesday, September 21 6:30 AM Registration Open 7:00 – 8:30 AM General Session 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Exhibit Hall Open/Product Preview Theater Presentations 10:00 AM – Noon Concurrent Education Sessions Noon Lunch in Exhibit Hall 2:00 – 5:00 PM Concurrent Education Sessions 5:00 – 6:30 PM Happy Hour in Exhibit Hall

Thursday, September 22 7:00 AM Registration Open 7:00 AM VIP Breakfast 7:30 – 8:30 AM AOPA Membership Meeting and Awards Ceremony 8:30 – 9:00 AM Award Winning Hamontree Business Education Program 9:00 – 9:40 AM Award Winning Thranhardt Clinical Education Programs 9:40 – 10:00 AM Grant Winning Research Papers 10:15 AM Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall 11:30 AM $10,000 Grand Prize Giveaway—

Sponsored by Arizona AFO and Branier Shoes Noon Lunch on Your Own 1:00 – 5:00 PM

Manufacturers’ Workshops—Tier III

spend an enjoyable evening learning about and tasting a variety of wines from around the world. Later, a silent and live wine auction, hosted by Liberman-Lampear and her husband, will raise money to benefit the O&P PAC. They expect to auction off about 50 to 60 lots of wine at the event.

28

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

“That’s why we do this: to raise money to support our issues with our legislators and still have fun,” says Liberman-Lampear.

Another Assembly tradition continues with the Thranhardt Golf Classic on Monday at 8:00 a.m. at the Royal Links Golf Club, recognized as the “Best Course in Las Vegas” by the Las Vegas Review Journal. Golfers will tee up 18 of the best holes inspired by 11 different British Open rotation courses just nine miles from The Mirage. For the third consecutive year, OPAF and AOPA’s Capitol Connection have co-sponsored this event to benefit the efforts of OPAF

and Capitol Connections’ legislative, research, and education efforts to advance the O&P agenda.

Back at The Mirage, the exhibitorsponsored Happy Hour takes place on Wednesday, from 5:00 to 6:30 in the expo hall. Attendees are invited to cruise the aisles and check out the latest industry products and services while sampling scrumptious snacks and drinks. Participants who keep the tokens passed out during the education sessions can test their luck playing a 12-foot slot machine on the expo floor for a chance to win fabulous prizes from exhibitors—including iPads.

They also can enter the Arizona AFO and Brainer Shoes-sponsored $10,000 Giveaway, another tradition that continues at this year’s event.

Vibrant Las Vegas Assembly attendees won’t have to venture far from The Mirage to find some superb entertainment options.

Inside the hotel, guests can visit Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. The Secret Garden is home to a variety of exotic animals, ranging from panthers and leopards to white lions and tigers, while bottlenose dolphins splash around in an aquatic environment at the Dolphin Habitat.

At The Mirage theater, LOVE—an aerial performance that brings together Cirque du Soleil and the legacy of The Beatles—will will be on stage Thursday through Monday. Drawing inspiration from Beatles lyrics, LOVE is described as “an intimate and powerful entertainment experience.”

With an unprecedented focus on clinical and business education and enjoyable networking events, the 2011 AOPA National Assembly has plenty to offer attendees—including the opportunity to advance the O&P field and speak out for the profession.

“I hope people will answer the call and come to the meeting,” says Fleetwood. “Together we can make a difference.” a

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AOPA Headlines AOPA WORKING FOR YOU

AOPA Survey Pictures a Resilient O&P Industry Despite a slight revenue dip, respondents see promising opportunities

H

PROFITABILITY SNAPSHOT

ow does the O&P field look now, compared with a few years ago? You have to look carefully to see any changes in the results of the December 2007 and December 2010 AOPA member surveys.

The needs members identified in the 2007 survey were translated into 11 strategic initiatives. Topping the 2007 list of important actions for AOPA was beefing up lobbying and advocacy efforts, followed by helping with the industry sales and marketing effort of O&P’s value; educating the public and decision makers about O&P distinctiveness; bringing unity to the industry; and continuing to fight for proper reimbursements.

Those same needs emerged with almost the same degree of concern in 2010. A total of 172 primary patient-care facility members completed the most recent survey, for a 23 percent response rate, compared with a 29 percent response level in 2007.

Interpreting those results, of course, must factor in changes in the total number of responses, as well as the possibility that different companies may have responded to either year’s survey. However, the fairly close similarity in respondents’ revenue and number of years in business confirms a strong enough correlation between those factors in both years to warrant confidence in the survey results.

percent in 2007, suggesting that fewer people had the means to spend their own money on care.

Third-party pay showed a slight rise in 2010—31.8 percent, compared with 30.6 percent in 2007. Revenue from Veterans Administration patients was almost the same, at 4.5 percent in 2010 and 4.7 percent in 2007.

The Financial Picture

The Road Ahead

Needs and concerns may look pretty much the same now as they did three years ago, but the financial picture has changed a bit.

Profitability numbers show some cause for pessimism.

In the 2010 survey, 37.9 percent of respondents reported increased profitability, down from 47.1 percent in 2007.

On the other side of the ledger, profits decreased for 29.4 percent of respondents, up from 24 percent in 2007.

Business remained the same for 32.7 percent in 2010, compared with 28.9 percent in 2007.

The recession may have affected payment sources as well. Medicare grew slightly, accounting for 39.3 percent of revenue in 2010, compared with 38.5 percent in 2007.

Medicaid also grew somewhat, from 16.9 percent in 2007 to 18 percent in 2010. On the other hand, self pay and other sources declined to 6.3 percent in 2010, down from 9.3

The opportunities you see on the horizon, and how you rate them, have helped shape AOPA’s agenda for the past three years and clarified the strategic initiatives that have driven allocation of your resources.

These opportunities haven’t changed: In 2010, as in 2007, the aging U.S. population, the incidence of diseases such as diabetes, and higher patient demand for services ranked at the top of the list.

Threats have not changed either, with the 2010 survey mirroring the 2007 perceptions. The most serious threat you see is manufacturers selling to all types of health-care facilities, followed by other allied health-care professionals entering the O&P field. Government regulations and competitive bidding ranked close behind. Topping off the list of threats were state reimbursements and changing patterns of care driven by payers.

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

47.1% 37.9% 29.4%

28.9%

32.7%

24.0%

2007

2010

Experienced Increased Profits

2007 2010 Experienced Decreased Profits

2007 2010 Remained Flat

Three quarters of those responding to the 2010 survey report having exit plans, up from only 64 percent in 2007.

Here’s how those plans stack up: • Passing the business on to a family member was cited by 25.9 percent of the respondents in 2007 but only 18.9 percent in the 2010 survey.

• Selling ownership back to the company or partners was the solution for 23 percent of the 2010 respondents but was not mentioned in the 2007 survey.

• Selling to a large player is still the vision for 21.3 percent of the 2010 respondents, as it was for 23.6 percent in the 2007 survey.

• Merging with a competitor or selling to another type of health-care professional was favored by 14.4 percent in 2007 but dropped to 11.5 percent in 2010.

The AOPA Report Card The 2010 survey also gave AOPA a report card, asking respondents to rate the value of AOPA services on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest rating. Not surprisingly, coding advice from AOPA staff experts topped the list of services rated as very valuable, with a score of 4.5. Other services were rated as follows:

• • • • • •

CMS representation and documentation advice: 4.4 each working for improved third-party reimbursement: 4.3 congressional representation: 4.3 clinical education: 4.3 business education: 4.1 public relations—telling the O&P story: 4.1.

The AOPA In Advance electronic newsletter, LCodeSearch. com, state representation, and the O&P Almanac all received scores of 3.9—still in the “very valuable” territory and all unchanged from 2007 to 2010.

Special thanks to the AOPA members who made this survey so valuable by responding. Additional thanks to those AOPA members in the workgroup who designed the study in collaboration with AOPA’s consultant, Scott Hackworth and his associates at Industry Insights. Bert Harman chaired the workgroup, which included Tom DiBello, CO, FAAOP; Brian Gustin, CP; Mike Hamontree; Jim Kaiser, CP; Tom Kirk, PhD; and Anita LibermanLampear, MA. And a great big “thank you” to the AOPA member who, in response to the question, “What you could do to combat the threats?” answered “Pay my AOPA dues!” a

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31

n

AOPA Headlines Member Suppliers Launch Student Recognition Awards at National Assembly

At its July meeting, the AOPA board of directors enthusiastically approved two proposed award programs that will bring two full-time O&P students to the National Assembly.

The Edwin and Kathryn Arbogast Prosthetic Student Award, established by the WillowWood Company, will recognize students who demonstrate the company’s vision to “level the playing field between physically unchallenged people and all people who find themselves challenged due to limb loss or limb dysfunction.”

The Otto and Lucille Becker Orthotic Student Award also will reward an outstanding student who reflects the values that would appropriately honor the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Becker and their significant contributions to the field of orthotics.

To be eligible for either award, students must be enrolled in or entering their final year of study at an NCOPE-approved institution.

Both awards will be presented annually at the National Assembly and provide the winning students with

round-trip airplane tickets to the meeting and a check for $500. Each award is funded by a $30,000 endowment created by the respective companies and their families, which will fund the annual stipend and air travel. AOPA also will provide a complimentary National Assembly registration for each student.

The awards program grew out of the National Assembly Planning Committee’s desire to further expand students’ awareness of AOPA through their presence at the National Assembly and the Curriculum Education Strategic Initiative, both of which are chaired by Russ Hornfisher.

In addition to the student recognition for poster presentations, the popular Thranhardt Lecture Series and the Sam E. Hamontree, CP, Business Education Award (launched at last year’s National Assembly) recognize contributions to clinical education and O&P business management respectively. All four programs are funded by endowments that help defray expenses and reward those recognized.

Former Health and Human Services Lawyer Joins AOPA

Kathy Dodson Retires After 22 Years of Service

AOPA is pleased to announce that Catherine Olin Graf, Esq., has been hired as AOPA’s director of regulatory affairs. This new position was created in response to CMS and other federal agencies preparing to implement the health-care reform law by creating new regulations over the next few years. Graf will give AOPA a proactive presence with CMS. As a healthpolicy expert, she will assure that AOPA’s voice is heard on key rulemaking records.

Graf received her juris doctor’s degree from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. From 2007 to 2009, she served as a law clerk at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. From September 2009 until joining AOPA, Graf was a general attorney in the Office of General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services, where she provided legal advice to the CMS. She also is the recipient of CMS’ Administrator’s Special Citation Award for her role on the Medicare Administrator Contracts Corrective Team.

Kathy Dodson, senior director of government affairs, retired from AOPA on June 30. Kathy’s expertise in understanding O&P’s place in a complex medical regulatory environment and her fluency with those associated topics— whether speaking one-on-one with members, to large groups, or with the regulating bodies—has been invaluable to AOPA and the entire O&P field. Kathy has been an integral and devoted citizen of the O&P community, and AOPA wishes her the very best in her well-deserved retirement.

Dodson leaves the government affairs department of AOPA in the capable hands of Joe McTernan, director of coding and reimbursement services, education, and programming; Devon Bernard, manager of reimbursement services; and Catherine Graf, director of regulatory affairs. Kathy has agreed to continue work as a consultant to AOPA on a limited number of areas to assure continuity on key issues and a smooth transition. She will be present in Las Vegas during a portion of the AOPA National Assembly, September 19-22.

32

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

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AOPA Headlines

Legislators Support O&P Medicare Improvements Act On May 24, Reps. Shelley Berkley (D-Nevada) and Glenn Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) introduced HR 1958, the Medicare O&P Improvements Act of 2011.

That legislation, if enacted into law, would accomplish the following: • Improve the quality of care for O&P patients by assuring that providers have appropriate qualifications to give patients the care they deserve.

• Save the Medicare program at least $250 million over the next five years by reducing fraud and abuse, largely arising from untrained individuals who take advantage of our patients.

HR 1958 would accomplish those objectives using three steps: 1. In licensure states, it would only reimburse those who are properly licensed. In non-licensure states, reimbursement would be limited to only those credentialed by a recognized body that meets ABC or BOC standards.

2. It limits deemed accrediting bodies to those experienced in O&P that meet BIPA 427 criteria.

3. It links reimbursement to the provider’s qualifications and the complexity of the patient’s device.

Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nevada)

Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pennsylvania)

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-West Virginia)

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-West Virginia) has committed to introduce a Senate companion to HR 1958, which means, for the first time ever, we will have this bill introduced in both Houses of Congress. AOPA is working with Rockefeller on identifying a Senate Republican to join as a lead sponsor to demonstrate the bipartisan nature of this effort. As those familiar with federal Medicare issues can attest, it’s unusual to see a specific bill get enacted into law as a stand-alone piece of legislation. However, it is no surprise that Congress is spending a huge amount of time discussing budget and debt limit issues. In this environment, a bill that would generate a budget savings while benefiting patients has a good prospect of being picked up as part of a larger Medicare bill.

Thanks to Berkley and Thompson, the other House co-sponsors, Rockefeller, and AOPA’s lobbying team for introducing this bill and moving it forward.

To read HR 1958, the Medicare O&P Improvements Act of 2011, visit www.thomas.gov/home/gpoxmlc112/h1958_ih.xml

AOPA’s 2011 Policy Forum Audio Now Online AOPA is making audio presentations from educational sessions led by O&P legislative policy and advocacy experts during the first day of the Policy Forum available to members on www.

AOPAnet.org.

Presentations from the 2011 Policy Forum include • issues related to the budget and debt ceiling from former Congressmen Earl Pomeroy (D-North Dakota) and Scott Klug (R-Wisconsin) • information about CMS fraud and abuse initiatives from Laurence Wilson, director of CMS’ Chronic Care Policy Group • updates on federal legislative issues and the healthcare reform law implementation from Peter Thomas, Esq. of NAAOP; Kendra Calhoun and Sue Stout of the

34

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

Amputee Coalition; AOPA Executive Director Thomas Fise, Esq.; and Stephanie Kennan of AOPA’s legislative counsel Alston & Bird • legislative workshop for state representatives on dealing with Medicaid cuts, licensure, and parity • primer on persuasive advocacy from AOPA Lobbyist Kevin Brennan, Esq., of the Foley-Hoag law firm • an update on AOPA’s research and education funding efforts from Catriona Macdonald of federal legislative policy, strategy, and advocacy firm Linchpin Strategies.

The handouts distributed during visits to legislative offices and talking points AOPA created for members to use in their advocacy outreach can be downloaded at www.AOPAnet.org.

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628-E and 728-E are specially designed to accommodate severe bunion/bunionette and edema with built-in foam collar and flex area on medial and lateral sides.

The uppers are made of Lycra elastic material to allow more flexibility. Foldable heel counter allows for easier entry.

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n

AOPA Headlines California Budget Update

In 2010, AOPA supported the efforts of the California Orthotics and Prosthetics Association (COPA) and opposed proposals seeking to Arnold Schwarzenegger eliminate O&P benefits provided

by Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. The budget policy was proposed by former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the provision was ultimately discarded.

COPA is monitoring the budget situation for the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget process and is paying special attention to the proposals Gov. Jerry Brown is offering. AOPA was alerted to some positive news by COPA’s Executive Director and Lobbyist Bryce Docherty.

The ongoing COPA advocacy campaign to spare Medi-Cal O&P benefit cuts won another victory as Brown released the budget Gov. Jerry Brown “May Revise.”

California unexpectedly received a surge from income tax revenue in April. This ongoing surge is estimated to generate $6.6 billion in unexpected revenue. As a result, the “all cuts” budget has been shelved and O&P benefits have been spared for enrollees in the Medi-Cal Program.

The main impact from the “May Revise” on O&P providers will be a transfer of all those enrolled in the California Health Family Program into Medi-Cal-managed care arrangements. That move will require a federal waiver.

The shift is in addition to previous Medi-Cal enrollee limits the Legislature approved in February, which included caps on physician office visits and mandatory co-payments. Last, O&P providers are still subject to the 10 percent provider rate cut in the Medi-Cal Program, adopted as part of the 2008-2009 budget deal.

Going forward, Brown and the Legislature will pare down their forthcoming ballot initiative asking voters to approve some combination of extensions on sales, vehicle, and income taxes.

More information on the California budget can be found at www.ebudget.ca.gov. AOPA will keep members abreast of the 2011-2012 California budget as it affects O&P.

36

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

O&P Makes Licensure Gains in Pennsylvania Eileen Levis, CEO of Orthologix and member of AOPA’s board of directors, alerted AOPA to the passage of HR 48 in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. This licensure law has requirements for prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists, and orthotic fitters. On May 2, the bill passed by a vote of 174-20, and its main sponsor Rep. Mario M. Scavello (R-176th district) spoke enthusiastically about its value.

“Technological advances in prosthetics and orthopedic footwear have enabled this health-care field to grow and offer additional services, so, naturally, we want to make sure patients are able to receive the highest quality care available,” says Scavello. “The process for creating artificial limbs, prosthetic devices, and special footwear has advanced tremendously in the past decade and requires training and expertise.”

The oversight pays for itself with licensing fees, so this proposal has no cost to taxpayers and ensures that patients receive quality care and maximize their productivity,” says Scavello.

Levis expressed appreciation to Scavello for his sponsorship of the bill as well as to Rep. Julie Harhart (R-183rd district), chairwoman of the House Professional Licensure Committee and the PA House of Representatives Leadership. The bill now heads to the Pennsylvania Senate. AOPA will keep members updated of the bill’s progress.

IN MEMORIAM

Larry Rohling, CO Larry Rohling, CO, passed away on June 11. He was 63. Rohling, an Alabama O&P employee, served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was educated at both Columbia State Community College and Northwestern University. Rohling was co-owner of Alabama O&P for many years, before leaving to open his own practice in Florence, Alabama, in 1990. In 1994, he sold his practice to Alabama O&P and worked there until his death.

Rohling is survived by wife Beth Chance Rohling, daughter Jamie Bedingfield, son Stuart Rohling, and four grandchildren.

n

AOPA Headlines

By Tom Wessel

The Value of AOPA Membership Are you making the most of your affiliation?

A

s director of business development, my job has three key elements: First is to increase membership; second is to work with membership to make sure everyone is aware of the wonderful products and services that are available through AOPA; and third is to learn from existing membership what the future needs Tom Wessel are and what strategic direction AOPA should be looking towards in the future.

Most members agree that the primary role and priority of AOPA is continuing the great work advocating for the O&P industry in Washington and educating our political leaders on the seven initiatives. AOPA also is recognized as a great resource for education, especially billing, coding, and reimbursement. These are the two macro areas from AOPA, but some members have asked me what does AOPA membership do for my business? Usually, I ask more questions to better understand the concern, and, in most cases, I find the problem stems from the member’s lack of knowledge or utilization of many of the products and services that are already available to him or her.

As I have had the opportunity to interact with membership, I am surprised at how many members are not aware or utilizing the wonderful resources that AOPA provides, many of which are free. It is interesting to me how many members have not called or emailed AOPA with a question relating to billing, coding, or reimbursement. Having the opportunity to get an expert opinion can save significant time and money.

Many members have not updated their profiles and email addresses either, which then means they also are are not receiving the AOPA in Advance (AIA) newsletter. The AIA is a bi-weekly electronic newsletter containing up-to-the-minute news, Medicare updates, the latest from Capitol Hill, and 38

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

high-quality analysis from AOPA experts. We are still offering a series of free videos from last year’s National Assembly on five business and five clinical topics with associated continuing education credits—at no charge to AOPA member employees.

Have you requested a free Cailor Fleming insurance quote?

Many members have reported saving more than $1,000 a year in premiums. LCodeSearch.com is another new online service to provide 24/7 access to coding information. You can search

by L Code, product, or anatomy. With suppliers supporting enhanced listings, additional product descriptions, pictures, and direct links to web pages are available.

Many members do not realize that their AOPA membership provides them membership and access to the Chamber of Commerce. This is just a short list of the many products and services that are included with an AOPA membership.

Are you utilizing the AOPA membership to the maximum value? Do we have your correct email address? Are the right people getting the AIA and Insider? Let me know if I can help you access AOPA resources. If you are not an AOPA member and would like more information on how AOPA supports the O&P industry and can directly help support your business, please do not hesitate to contact me.

As we all look to the future, I would like to request your input and thoughts on the following two questions: What would you like to see AOPA working on and developing?

What are the biggest problems your business is facing? I also would like to hear from you if you have product ideas or areas that you think AOPA should be developing or supporting. AOPA is your advocate, and we are all committed to supporting and improving the O&P business. a

Tom Wessel is AOPA’s business development consultant. Reach him at twessel@AOPAnet.org.

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AOPA Applications

The officers and directors of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) are pleased to present these applicants for membership. Each company will become an official member of AOPA if, within 30 days of publication, no objections are made regarding the company’s ability to meet the qualifications and requirements of membership.

At the end of each new facility listing is the name of the certified or state-licensed practitioner who qualifies that patient-care facility for membership according to AOPA’s bylaws. Affiliate members do not require a certified or statelicensed practitioner to be eligible for membership.

At the end of each new supplier member listing is the supplier level associated with that company.

Supplier levels are based on annual gross sales volume: Level 1: equal to or less than $1 million Level 2: $1 million to $1,999,999 Level 3: $2 million to $4,999,999 Level 4: more than $5 million

AOPA PRESENTS

Audubon Orthotic & Prosthetic Services

New Step Orthotic Lab Inc.

ThyssenKrupp AIN Plastics

3030 N. Circle Drive, Ste. 110 Colorado Springs, CO 80909 719/867-7335 Fax: 719/867-7311 Category: Patient Care Facility Kenneth Gavin, CO

4225 S. State Route 159, Ste. 1 Glen Carbon, IL 62034 618/288-9287 Fax: 618/288-1260 Category: Patient Care Facility Joshua Allison, C.Ped.

1750 E. Heights Drive Madison Heights, MI 48701 877/246-7700 Category: Supplier Level 1 Shawn Lynam a

Caremedics O&P Inc.

5420 W. Loop South, Ste. 1200 Bellaire, TX 77401 713/660-8801 Fax: 713/660-8809 Category: Patient Care Facility Steven Plant, CO, LO

421 N. Brookhurst Street, Ste. 126 Anaheim, CA 92801 714/956-7998 Fax: 714/956-0776 Category: Patient Care Facility Chandrakant Patel, CO

Dynamic Prosthetics & Orthotics 8006 S. 101st East Avenue, Ste. A Tulsa, OK 74133 918/994-4880 Fax: 918/994-4885 Category: Patient Care Facility Mark Chimento, CP, LPO

OPA 1 Ltd

Savannah Orthotics & Prosthetics Inc. 906 E. 68th Street Savannah, GA 31405 912/355-7778 Fax: 912/355-7768 Category: Patient Care Facility Ian Lintern, CO, LO

Expert Coding Advice 24/7 at www.LCodeSearch.com

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The O&P coding expertise you’ve come to rely on is now available whenver you need it.

Match products to L codes and manufacturers— anywhere you connect to the Internet.

This exclusive service is available only for AOPA members.

Log onto LCodeSearch.com and get started today.

Not an AOPA member?

GET CONNECTED 40

Contact Michael Chapman at (571) 431-0876, ext. 293 or mchapman@AOPAnet.org.

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

Manufacturers: Get your products in front of AOPA members!

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Alps New Extreme Cushion Liner has limited vertical stretch to reduce movement of redundant tissue. Use appropriate for TT or TF Alps New EZ Flex Liner applications. (anterior view shown above) is available in 3mm or 6mm Uniform thicknesses. Eight sizes fit circumferences of 16 cm to 44 cm.

support the residual limb and Antioxidants in EZ Gel help sensitivethe tissues. protect skin from damage caused by free radicals.

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EXITS

On the following pages is an advance look at the companies that will be exhibiting at the 2011 AOPA National Assembly. You’ll find website information and booth numbers for each exhibitor—use this guide and floor plan to organize your visit to the exhibit hall. Better yet, check out their websites now and plan ahead!

+

Companies with are Supplier Plus Partners. Companies in BOLD are AOPA Members. Exhibitors as of 7/15/11.

ACOR ORTHOPAEDIC INC................. 824 www.acor.com

+ ALLARD USA INC.......................... 713 www.allardusa.com

FE/ FS

120 118

ADVANCED O&P SOLUTIONS LLC... 517 www.aopsolutions.com AETREX WORLDWIDE INC................ 413 www.foot.com AIN PLASTICS.................................... 513 www.ainplastics.com

112 FE/ FS

102

433 532 431 530

30'

Fillauer Inc 60'

329

429 528

325

24' Freedom Innovations Inc

223

20'

119

20'

318

20'

111 210 16' Vorum Research Corp 20'

205

311

SPS

Trulife

16'

ALPS 50'

40'

30' 20'

301

201 300

1

20'

413

306

2 6' Table

FHC/ FS

16'

Aetrex Worldwide Inc

24' 20'

101

20'

211 310

107

16' Steeper USA 20'

419

Optec USA, Inc 30'

113 212

20'

16' DAW Industries Inc 20'

420

16'

215 314

20'

20'

319 418

217 316 20'

20'

425 524

323 422

30'

ALTERNATIVE PROSTHETIC SERVICES INC.................................................... 1225 www.alternativeprosthetics.com

FE

3 6' Table

4 6' Table

FE/ FS

401 5

FE

6

FHC7

FS

FE

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOTISTS AND PROSTHETISTS....................... 1435 www.oandp.org

Sponsors

AOPA would like to extend a special thank you to our Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver Sponsors.

DIAMOND ❯

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

16' Vibrant Commercial Technologies

FE

Sponsors

42

16'

FE/ FS

114

SLO MACH

FE

18

327 426

104

ALPS................................................... 401 www.easyliner.com

19

HALF MO CARPE

FE

VIDEO WALL

ADN - EXTREMITY GAMES....................1439 www.adnpage.org

FE/ FS

20

PPT

106

ACSYS ORTHOPEDIC......................... 111 www.acsysortho.com

20'

FE

SEATING FOR 150

STAGE

❯❯

2011 Exhibit Directory

FHC FS

SEPTEMBER 19-22, 2011 MIRAGE - EVENT CENTER LAS VEGAS, NV

2011 EXHIBIT DIRECTORY FLOOR PLAN SEPT. 19-22, 2011

EXITS FS

FHC 3'

EXIT EXIT

6'

CYBERFS SPACE

OT HINE

6'

EXITS

3'

FHC FE

17

20'

FE/ FS

16

FS

FE

14

6'

3'

•

THE MIRAGE RESORT & CASINO

32'

16'

531

733 832 20'

833 932 16'

FS

SNACK SHACK

6'

FHC

FS

1425 1427

FE

1431 1433

FE/ FS

827

60'

30'

16' AOPA 16'

20'

Comfort Products

820

821

925 1024 16' Arizona AFO 20'

921

719 818

20'

16'

517 24'

513

20'

30'

1029

30'

814

713 812

32'

16'

Otto Bock HealthCare

Ossur Americas Inc

1129 1228

50'

30'

1123 1222

1223 1322

1121

1221

1021

501

50'

1119 1218

16' Orthomerica Products Inc

20'

1115 1214

1013

701

801 9 6' Table

FS 8

FS FS

ENTRANCE

FHC

FE

Bulletin 10 Board 6' Table (4'x8')

FE/ FS

OrthoCare Innovations

POSTERS POSTERS POSTERS POSTERSFS

1217 1316

1213

20'

1211 1310

50'

12

FE

16' PEL Supply Co 20'

1101

FHC 13

FE/ FS

FE/ FS

1209 1308

ENDOLITE

1001

11

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS EXHIBIT HALL C2

1215 1314

16'

16'

20'

1219 1318

FE/ FS

20'

1107

901

FE

20'

1302

1201 1300

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

POSTERS POSTERS POSTERS

50'

20'

30'

16'

FS

1440

1225 1324

30'

College Park Industries Inc 30'

EXHIBITOR SERVICE AREA

1424 1426 1428 1430 1432 1434 1436 1438

909 Ohio Willow Wood

30'

1229

1125 1224

30'

16'

1443

FOOD SERVICE AREA

Amfit 30'

Cascade Orthopedic Supply Inc

16' Euro International Inc

813

613

1131 1230

16'

1018

917 1016

20'

POSTERS POSTERS POSTERS POSTERS

Becker Orthopedic Otto Bock Healthcare

20'

Townsend

927 1026

20'

725 824 OPGA Supplier Partners

20'

20'

POSTERS POSTERS POSTERS POSTERS

20'

AOPA 40'

FE 6' Table 6' Table 6' Table 1435 1437 1439

16'

20'

931 1030

830

729 828

40'

20'

LAS VEGAS

EXITS FHC

OON ET

SureStep 20'

•

EXHIBIT HALL C1

FHC/ FS

FS

POSTERS POSTERS POSTERS

FE

FE/ FS

FE FHC

FS

FE

EDUCATION ENTRANCE FS

FHC

FE

special thanks

Sponsors PLATINUM ❯

GOLD ❯

SILVER ❯

AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

43

2011 EXHIBIT DIRECTORY

AMERICAN BOARD FOR CERTIFICATION IN ORTHOTICS, PROSTHETICS & PEDORTHICS (ABC)........................................12 www.abcop.org

AON O&P INSURANCE PROGRAM.....1129 www.insurance4op.com

BIOSCULPTOR CORP......................... 217 www.biosculptor.com

AOPA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS... 821 www.aopanet.org

BLEDSOE BRACE SYSTEMS............ 1300 www.bledsoebrace.com

APIS FOOTWEAR CO......................... 314 www.bignwideshoes.com

BMI INTERNATIONAL...................... 1318 www.orthobmi.com

ARIZONA AFO.................................... 921 www.arizonaafo.com

BOARD OF CERTIFICATION/ACCREDITATION, INT’L (BOC)..............................5 www.bocusa.org

AMERICAN CENTRAL FABRICATION..................................... 420 AMERICAN ORTHOPEDICS MANUFACTURING CORP................. 1217 www.americanomc.com

ARTECH LABORATORY INC............ 1431 www.artechlab-prosthetics.com

AMERICAN ORTHOTIC & PROSTHETIC ASSOCIATION (AOPA)....................... 827 www.aopanet.org AMERICAN PLASTICS.................................530 www.americanoandp.com

ASPEN MEDICAL PRODUCTS......... 1214 www.aspenmp.com ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL P&O.... 1030 www.aibracing.com

BORT-SWISS ORTHOPEDIC SUPPLY............................................. 1121 www.bort-swissortho.com BOSTON BRACE INTERNATIONAL INC...................... 1310 www.bostonbrace.com

ATLANTIC RIM BRACE MFG CORP... 327 www.spinalbraces.com

+ AMERICAN PROSTHETIC COMPONENTS......................................20 www.apcomponents.com

ATLAS INTERNATIONAL................. 1440 www.atlasortho.com

AMFIT INC........................................ 1229 www.amfit.com

BADER PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS/ KINETIC RESEARCH INC.................... 814 www.kineticr.com

AMPUTEE COALITION..........................13 www.amputee-coalition.org ANATOMICAL CONCEPTS INC........ 1125 www.anatomicalconceptsinc.com

BAUERFEIND USA.....................................1314 www.bauerfeindusa.com BECKER ORTHOPEDIC APPLIANCE CO................................... 813 www.beckerorthopedic.com BIO-MECHANICAL COMPOSITES INC............................ 1302 www.phatbraces.com BIONESS............................................. 517 www.bioness.com BIOQUEST PROSTHETICS LLC........ 1428 www.bioquestpros.com

44

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

BRANIER CUSTOM MOLDED SHOES................................ 820 www.branier.com BREG INC.......................................... 1219 www.breg.com THE BREMER GROUP COMPANY..... 931 www.bremergroup.com BRIGHTREE LLC................................. 517 www.brightree.com BSN MEDICAL...................................................14 www.bsnmedical.com BULLDOG TOOLS INC....................... 425 www.bulldogtools.com

2011 EXHIBIT DIRECTORY

DELCAM........................................... 1230 www.delcam-healthcare.com DEROYAL INDUSTRIES INC............. 1026 www.deroyal.com CAILOR FLEMING INSURANCE...... 1024 www.cailorfleming.com

DJO..................................................... 210 www.djoglobal.com

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS (CAPO)........4 www.pando.ca

DME MEDICARE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTORS..........................................1211 www.ncsmedicare.com

CASCADE DAFO INC......................... 927 www.cascadedafo.com

DR. COMFORT.................................... 725 www.DrComfort.com

+ CASCADE ORTHOPEDIC

DREW SHOE CORP.......................................418 www.drewshoe.com

SUPPLY INC...................................... 1021 www.cascade-usa.com

+ CENTER FOR ORTHOTIC DESIGN A FILLAUER COMPANY..................... 223 www.centerfororthtoicdesign.com

+ EMOTIS – A FILLAUER

E TH CE A PLTO BE!

+ FLO-TECH® ORTHOTIC & PROSTHETIC SYSTEMS INC............ 1308 www.1800flo-tech.com FREEDOM INNOVATIONS LLC.......... 119 www.freedom-innovations.com FREEDOM MACHINE TOOL...................1425 www.Freedomcnc.com FRIDDLE’S ORTHOPEDIC APPLIANCES INC............................... 517 www.friddles.com FUTURA INTERNATIONAL INC......... 832 www.futuraintl.com GRACE PROSTHETIC FABRICATION INC............................. 422 www.gpfinc.com

COMPANY.......................................... 223

+ ENDOLITE.................................... 1001 www.endolite.com

HOPE ORTHOPEDIC.......................... 319 www.hopeortho.com

+ HOSMER DORRANCE CORP. -

+ CENTRI – A FILLAUER COMPANY.......................................... 223 www.centri.se

ESP LLC.........................................................1224 www.wearesp.com

A FILLAUER COMPANY..................... 223 www.hosmer.com

CIR SYSTEMS/GAITRITE.................... 433 www.gaitrite.com

EURO INTERNATIONAL INC.............. 909 www.eurointl.com

HUTNICK REHAB SUPPORT SERVICES INC.................................. 1213 www.thehutnickcenter.com

COLLEGE PARK INDUSTRIES INC..... 901 www.college-park.com

FABRICA MACHINALE....................... 113 www.fabricamachinale.it

COMFORT PRODUCTS INC............... 719 www.comfortoandp.com

FABTECH SYSTEMS LLC.................... 205 www.fabtechsystems.com

KISS TECHNOLOGIES LLC................. 818 www.kiss-suspension.com

COMPLETE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS........................................ 833 www.oandp-solutions.com

KLM LABS.....................................................1018 www.klmlabs.com

COYOTE DESIGN................................ 517 www.coyotedesign.com

+ FILLAUER COMPANIES INC.......... 223

CSUS LLC............................................ 106 www.csusmed.com

INNOVATIVE NEUROTRONICS INC...................................................... 212 www.walkaide.com

KNIT-RITE INC.................................... 517 www.knitrite.com

www.fillauercompanies.com

+ FILLAUER LLC - A FILLAUER CYBERTECH MEDICAL.................... 1201 www.cybertechmedical.com

COMPANY.......................................... 223 www.fillauercompanies.com

DAW INDUSTRIES INC....................... 419 www.daw-usa.com

FLORIDA BRACE CORP...................... 925 www.flabrace.com

LADON SYSTEMS OF LAWTON BRACE & LIMB CO INC..................... 1432 www.ladonsys.com

AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

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2011 EXHIBIT DIRECTORY

LANGER BIOMECHANICS INC.................112 www.langerbiomechanics.com

OPPO MEDICAL INC.......................... 828 www.oppomedical.com

LEVY & RAPPEL............................... 1322 www.LevyandRappel.com

OPTEC USA INC................................. 311 www.optecusa.com

LIBERATING TECHNOLOGIES INC.... 517 www.liberatingtechnologies.com

ORFIT INDUSTRIES AMERICA.......... 318 www.orfit.com

LINKIA - A HANGER ORTHOPEDIC GROUP COMPANY............................. 323 www.linkia.com

ORTEN................................................ 830 www.orten.fr

MAXIMUM MOBILITY....................... 118

NEARLY ME TECHNOLOGIES INC..... 528 www.nearlyme.org

ORTHOCARE INNOVATIONS.......... 1107 www.orthocareinnovations.com

M. J. MARKELL SHOE CO. INC........... 104 www.markellshoe.com

NEW OPTIONS SPORTS.................. 1123 www.newoptionssports.com

ORTHOFEET..................................... 1228 www.orthofeet.com

MD ORTHOPAEDICS......................... 431 www.mdorthopaedics.com

NEW STEP ORTHOTIC LAB INC...... 1434 www.newsteporthotics.com

ORTHOMERICA PRODUCTS INC.... 1013 www.orthomerica.com

MED SPEC (ASO).............................. 1119 www.medspec.com

NORA SYSTEMS GMBH, SHOE COMPONENTS................................. 1223 www.nora-shoe.com

ORTHOPAEDIE + REHA-TECHNIK (O+R 2012)............................................................3 www.ot-leipzig.de

NORTH SEA PLASTICS................................120 www.northseaplastics.com

OPAF & THE FIRST CLINICS...................9 www.opfund.org

O&P 1 CENTRAL FABRICATION........ 517 www.oandp1.com

+ ORTHOTIC & PROSTHETIC GROUP

MEDFORCE TECHNOLOGIES...................426 MEDI USA........................................... 211 www.mediusa.com MICA CORP........................................ 517 www.micacorp.com

OF AMERICA (OPGA)........................ 517 www.opga.com

O&P BUSINESS NEWS/SLACK INC......19 www.oandpbiznews.com

+ MOTION CONTROL INC A FILLAUER COMPANY..................... 223 www.UtahArm.com NATIONAL ASSN FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF O&P (NAAOP).........................1 www.naaop.org NATIONAL COMMISSION ON O&P EDUCATION (NCOPE)...........................11 www.ncope.org

O&P EDGE/WESTERN MEDIA LLC.... 114 www.oandp.com/edge O&P ENTERPRISES INC..........................8 www.oandpenterprises.com

ÖSSUR AMERICAS INC...................... 701 www.ossur.com

OANDP.COM.................................... 1115 www.oandp.com

+ OTS CORP. A FILLAUER COMPANY..................... 223 www.ots-corp.com

OANDPDIRECT.COM......................... 517 www.oandpdirect.com

FOR MORE INFO

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

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OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE................ 501 www.ottobockus.com

2011 EXHIBIT DIRECTORY

OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE - PLANNING & EQUIPPING DIVISION.................... 613 www.ottobock.com

RENIA GMBH. CHEMISCHE FABRIK.............................................. 1221 www.renia.com

PEL SUPPLY CO................................ 1101 www.pelsupply.com

RESTORATIVE CARE OF AMERICA INC................................... 1131 www.rcai.com

+ PILGRIM SHOES DBA HOOPOE FOOTWEAR........................................ 325 www.pilgramshoes.com

ROYAL KNIT INC...................................17 www.royalknit.com

PINE TREE ORTHOPEDIC LAB INC. 1433 www.pinetreeorthopedic.com

RX TEXTILES INC ............................. 1218 www.rxtextiles.com

PMT CORPORATION.................................1222 www.pmtcorp.com

SILIPOS INC...................................... 1324 www.silipos.com

+ PROFESSIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

SOLETECH INC................................... 729 www.soletech.com

INTERNATIONAL INC........................ 733 www.protech-intl.com PROSTHETIC DESIGN INC................. 215 www.prostheticdesign.com

E TH CE A PLTO BE!

TEXAS ASSISTIVE DEVICES LLC....... 532 www.n-abler.org THE BARR FOUNDATION.......................1437 www.ti-med.com TiMed................................................ 1430 www.medgroup.com THE MED GROUP............................. 1215 www.medgroup.com TOUCH BIONICS................................ 917 www.touchbionics.com

+ TOWNSEND DESIGN................... 1029 www.townsenddesign.com + TRULIFE......................................... 300 www.trulife.com USISPO AND ISPO INTERNATIONAL........2 www.usispo.org

PROSTHETICS LABORATORIES INC.................................................... 1424 www.optable.com

www.spinaltech.com

PROTEOR............................................ 310 www.proteor.com

SPS...................................................... 301 www.spsco.com

PROVEL INC..................................... 1316 www.provel.us

SPS - NATIONAL LABS...................... 306 www.spsnatllabs.com

QUALITY OUTCOMES........................ 517 www.qualityoutcomes.org

ST&G USA CORP................................ 201 www.stngco.com

+ SPINAL TECHNOLOGY INC.......... 524

STEEPERUSA...................................... 101 www.rslsteeper.com SURESTEP.......................................... 531 www.surestep.net

VGM FINANCIAL................................ 517 www.vgmfs.com VGM FORBIN...................................... 517 www.forbin.com VGM INSURANCE.............................. 517 www.vgminsurance.com VIBRANT COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.......................... 329 www.vibrantcommerce.com VORUM RESEARCH CORPORATION................................... 107 www.vorum.com VQ ORTHOCARE........................................1209 www.vqorthocare.com

SYMMETRY PROSTHETICS............... 429 www.symmetryprosthetics.com

+ TAMARACK HABILITATION TECHNOLOGIES INC.......................... 812 www.tamarackhti.com

+ WILLOWWOOD............................. 801 www.willowwoodco.com

TECHMED 3D INC...................................7 www.Techmed3d.com AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

47

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2011 Product Guide

On the following pages, you’ll see a sampling of the products that will be displayed at AOPA’s National Assembly, Sept. 19-22, 2011.

Go to www.AOPAnet.org to register.

ASPEN MEDICAL PRODUCTS Booth #1214

APIS FOOTWEAR COMPANY Booth #314

The SUMMiT 456 by Aspen Medical Products was designed very specifically to return kyphotic patients to a functional midrange, restore balance and reduce daily pain. Offloading destructive forces in the spine and stopping muscle fatigue can lead to an increase in vital function, and a better quality of life.

By helping the patient to a functional midrange, the pressure on the nerves is relieved, the neuro pathways are opened, and lung capacity is restored.

The SUMMiT 456 is intended to improve core strength and provide comfort for a more active daily life.

For more information, visit www.aspenmp.com.

Apis is devoted to offering our customers high-quality, genuine leather, diabetic/ therapeutic footwear off-the-shelf or custommade, comfortable, accommodating orthotics made for your patient using top-quality materials. Value-added services include: guaranteed fit for custom-made shoes, shoe modification services, free foam boxes, free samples, a no-hassle return policy, large inventory, and quick turnaround.

Together with your support and our continuous efforts, Apis Footwear Company is striving to become the one-stop shop for all your therapeutic footwear needs.

Please call our friendly customer service at 888/937-2747, or visit www.bignwideshoes.com.

NEW TAMARACK FLEXURE JOINT CAPS™ Booth #813 Tamarack Flexure Joint Caps are a new external mounting option for installing Tamarack Flexure Joints, providing perfectly matched joint cavities for articulating thermoplastic and carbon fiber devices.

Tamarack Flexure Joint Caps are a time and cost-saving alternative to fabricating a new brace when articulation is desired with a solid ankle orthosis, or in situations when it’s difficult to form good cavities using molding dummies, such as with carbon layups.

Currently available for large Tamarack Flexure Joints.

Choose from black or natural color options.

Visit Becker Orthopedic booth #813 at the 2011 AOPA National Assembly to see the latest addition to the Tamarack Flexure Joint® product line.

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

CSI Booth #1201 The C-Spine Immobilizer is a two piece thermoplastic collar that offers superior control in limiting flexion and extension, rotation, and lateral bending. The uniquely contoured load diffusion tabs with integral thoracic extension distribute pressure over a large area providing the highest degree of patient comfort, control, and compliance.

A large anterior opening accommodates passage of tracheotomy facilitation. The moldable occipital component and an adjustable aluminum spine element combine to provide industry leading ergonomics; full customization for total contact conformity of cervical arch contours.

Code L0174 approved. You are invited to visit AOPA booth #1201.

2011 PRODUCT GUIDE

CYBERTECH CYBERSPINE Booth #1201 The CyberSpine Cervical Orthosis incorporates the best design features of past proven systems with state-ofthe-art materials. The result is not an upgraded extraction collar, but a functional, comprehensive, all-adjustable cervical immobilization system to conform to individual patient needs, and maximize support and stability.

Code L0180 approved. You are invited to visit AOPA booth #1201.

MOTION CONTROL—MOTION FOOT Booth #223 The Motion Foot is a unique hydraulic foot and ankle system with a natural-range of ankle movement. Fully adjustable for nearly all levels of activity, the manual lock prevents unwanted movement in situations like driving, climbing ladders, or putting on shoes. Features: • Independent plantarflexion and dorsiflexion hydraulic resistance adjustments to match patient preferences • Adjustable toe stiffness • Ankle locks at neutral for convenient driving and dressing • Adjustable toe lift (dorsiflexion stop) for those who want an easier time going up hills • Sizes 22-30 cm; Weight limit of 220 lb (100 kg) • Two-year warranty.

For more information, contact Motion Control at 888/6962767 or visit www.utaharm.com.

E TH CE A PLTO BE!

KISS TRAINERS––DYNAMIC FLEXIBLE KEEL STUBBIE FEET Booth #818 KISS Trainers combine phenomenal balance and ease of use. Patients feel stable while confidence training using these flexible keel “stubbie” feet.

Constructed of highly durable, flexible material that dynamically stores energy, these feet are of professional quality and ready to use. Bilateral above-knee amputees especially save time and energy while training, and all patients can use KISS Trainers for in-home ambulation. KISS Trainers: Part #: CMP27/A. For more information, call 410/663-KISS (5477) or visit www.kiss-suspension.com.

THE TRUSTEP® FOOT FROM COLLEGE PARK Booth #901 Trustep® wearers experience unsurpassed comfort and naturalfeeling mobility in their daily activities. The Trustep® is carefully and concisely crafted to offer nearly the same vertical motion, rotation, and balance as an anatomical foot.

This range of motion allows for a natural gait and optimal performance on any terrain. Key features include: • Polycentric design provides advanced stance phase control and facilitates independent heel and toe adjustment • Superior range of motion for the most natural gait pattern available today • True multi-axial function with transverse rotation for optimum terrain compliance • Shock absorbing cushioning provides a smooth, controlled stride • Same-day, custom built-to-order.

For more information, call 800/728-7950 or visit www. college-park.com.

product guide AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

49

2011 PRODUCT GUIDE

COMFORT PRODUCTS Booth #719 The one stop shop for ALL of your stockinette needs: • Cotton • Nylon • Perlon • Nyglass • Multi-Size • Aralon • Spectralon • SpectraCarb • Fiberglas • SpectraCarb/Aralon • Carbon/Fiberglass • Carbon/FiberglassKevlar • Nylon Helanca Stretch • Modelsoft.

For more information, contact Comfort Products at 800/822-7500 or email info@comfortoandp.com.

UNIVERSITY CERVICAL COLLAR Booth #1201 Cybertech Medical introduces the University Cervical Collar. The University Cervical Collar is designed for multipurpose long-term patient care, comfort, and ease of adjustability. It is universally sized and has unique, patent pending variable height positioning for fast and secure adjustments.

Simply pull out the dual adjustment tabs, select the height, and re-engage. The University Cervical Collar meets individual specialized needs with unparalleled comfort, control, and compliance. Code L0172 approved.

You are invited to visit AOPA booth #1201.

FOR MORE INFO

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

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EURO INTERNATIONAL’S “ORTHOTIC BANDAGE CARE CATALOG” Booth #909 Euro International’s “Orthotic Bandage Care Catalog” by Streifeneder ortho.production is THAT NEW that we have not been able yet to provide catalogs to all our customers; however, this ad provides the perfect opportunity to show at least one product from this catalog.

The LumboVariotec is a multifunctional spinal orthosis that thoroughly stabilizes and secures the entire lumbar spine, including the lumbosacral passage within each therapy phase. A definite plus is the fact that during the rehabilitation process the LumboVariotec allows targeted training of the spine by removing stabilizing elements of the orthosis like the back shell and boning bar, thus making it a very versatile rehab tool. The LumboVariotec is used post-operative after intervertebral disc surgery of the lumbar spine, post-operative after stabilizing surgery or fusion, vertebral slipping, narrowing of the vertebral canal, nerve root irritations due to narrowing at the intervertebral foramen, degenerative instability, bone cancer, and inflammatory diseases of the lumbar spine.

For more information, call 800/378-2480 or visit www. eurointl.com.

OTS BT-4 INFRARED OVEN Booth #223 OTS is proud to introduce a new addition to the PDQ oven line, the BT-4 Infrared Oven. The BT-4 is capable of bubble forming and heating sheet plastic while taking up a minimal amount of floor space. The BT-4 Infrared Oven is big enough to heat most of your KAFO sheet plastic and has enough drop for even the biggest check socket, but it only takes up a corner space in your lab.

• Eight 1,000 watt emitters; four on top and four on bottom • Programmable digital temperature controller • Dual electric fans for air circulation • 4 interior lights and large viewing window • Access point for vacuum line • Tray with fitted Teflon® cover for sheet plastic • 18 in clearance for bubble forming.

For more information, contact OTS Corp. at 800/221-4769 or www.ots-corp.com.

For over 50 years, PEL has offered practitioners outstanding

Christie Reznik • A.A. in Business Communication • Working towards B.A. (Marketing) • Loves to golf, ski, snowboard • Plays on three softball teams • “What spare time...?”

Becker Orthopedic Modular Slim Line Double Action Ankle Joints

NEW!

• Available in 3⁄4" or 5⁄8" recess • Accommodates A and B size modular knee joint uprights • Available in stainless steel or aluminum

Service on the most popular products available from the O&P industry’s leading manufacturers.

Phone, fax or email your order to a PEL CSR, like Christie, for friendly, expedient and dependable service. Over 98% of popular products ship from PEL the same day.

One Visit! ie t Pa nt

Allard USA C4C, Cut-4-Custom

When you need a custom TLSO or LSO NOW! • Becomes soft – ready to mold to patient in less than 10 minutes (your oven or heat gun!)

• Front and Back sections have pre-attached straps • 4 heights accommodate prescription and patient anatomy • Back and Fronts sold separately and interchangeable • Optional washable covers add attractive appearance, provide soft interface between brace and skin • Aerated for breathability • Lightweight

WillowWood Fusion™& DuraLite™ Feet Performance and responsiveness are delivered from the Fusion Foot and the DuraLite Foot.

• Choice of three proximal adapters: pyramid receiver, rotating pyramid, torsion receiver • Field-adjustable trim height and heel stiffness • Includes full-height, high-activity foot shell Fusion Foot • Integrated design delivers vertical shock absorption, smooth heel-to-toe transition, and inversion/eversion • Provides multiaxial movement DuraLite • Urethane toe pad enhances medial/lateral motion • Split heel conforms to terrain for stability

PEL Supply Co. Orthotic & Prosthetic Components

®

pelsupply.com

4666 Manufacturing Road Cleveland, OH 44135-2672 USA

Ph 800-321-1264 Fx 800-222-6176

®

Experience the Power of One.

2011 PRODUCT GUIDE

EMOTIS FAMILY OF FEET Booth #223

TM

FOOT SYSTEM

FOOT SYSTEM

TM

Emotis’s variety of foot systems, developed with advanced composite materials, range from all-purpose to high-performance. The Element Foot System sets itself apart from two-spring prosthetic foot designs by adding an innovative third element providing unsurpassed smoothness, stability, and performance throughout the gait cycle. The ElementDS combines the Element Foot System and the DuraShock to create a foot system that produces incredibly smooth rollover and increased vertical shock absorption. The Ibex Foot System integrates innovative micro-slices in the pylon and a split heel plate that provides controlled inversion/eversion for terrain conformance. Also available, the Ibex XD, weighted for patients up to 440 lbs. The latest addition to the Emotis Foot line, the Wave Sport Foot System, gives active amputees the ability to engage in extreme sports to light jogging. The Wave Sport uses an innovative wave spring between the pylon and heel plate to provide shock absorption and stability. Distributed by Fillauer LLC. For more information, contact Emotis at 800/251-6398 or www.fillauer.com.

FILLAUER LLC: REL-K MICROPROCESSOR KNEE SYSTEM Booth #223 The REL-K (Rizzoli Electronic Knee) is the latest generation of microprocessor knees which promises amputees the ability and freedom to navigate their environment simply and easily. With its innovative sensor system that samples angular position, velocity, and knee loads at 1,000 times per second, the REL-K instantly works in concert with the patient and adjusts itself for optimum performance. Since the control system is located entirely in the knee, most foot and pylon combinations can be used. Unlike other systems that restrict ankle and foot combinations, the REL-K is adaptable

52

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

to a variety of systems. The knee’s composite frame was developed by Italian sports car designers for high-strength and cosmetic appeal. The hydraulic unit evolved from a design used in F1 racing for speed and accuracy of control.

The REL-K is rated for patients up to 220lbs/100kg.

For more information, contact Fillauer LLC at 800/2516398 or visit www.fillauer.com.

SMARTKNIT® AFO SOCKS IN NEW INFANT SMALL SIZE Booth #517 A1, A2, A3, A4 Knit-Rite’s SmartKnit AFO Socks are now available in a new Infant Small size. The width measures 1-1/2 in and the length measures 7-1/2 in.

Each patented SmartKnit® AFO and KAFO is a seam-free, wrinkle-free sock that fits like a second layer of skin, providing exceptional softness and wicking moisture away from the skin. In addition to being free of seams and the pressure that seams cause, each sock features a “heel-less” design to ensure a perfect fit every time. Anti-microbial fibers help inhibit odor in the socks.

For more information, contact Knit-Rite at 800/821-3094 or email customerservice@knitrite.com.

KNIT-RITE A-PLUS™ PROSTHETIC SOCK WITH NEW 3-D TOE SHAPE Booth #517 A1, A2, A3, A4 Knit-Rite’s A-Plus™ Prosthetic Sock features a new patented hemispherically knit threedimensional distal shape. The new distal end shape provides improved fitting qualities and comfort over the traditional flat knit envelope shape of prosthetic socks. The acrylic plus LYCRA Spandex prosthetic sock provides softness, stretch, conformability, moisturewicking properties, easy care, and long wear. The stretch of the A-Plus sock allows it to fit a fairly wide circumference range. However, special sizes can be ordered if needed.

Hole-in-toe socks also available.

For more information, contact Knit-Rite at 800/821-3094 or email customerservice@knitrite.com.

2011 PRODUCT GUIDE

VERTAMAX—PDAC APPROVED L0627 Booth #311 VertaMax is designed and manufactured utilizing dense elastic material that provides significantly more compression than those conventionally used for lumbar supports. Vertamax provides unparalleled anterior-posterior support, abdominal support, perfect anatomic fit, ease of donning and doffing, and soft comfort. Abdominal compression can be increased or decreased with the fastening tabs. The adjustable anterior and posterior plastic panels contour and conform to patients of all shapes, sizes, and lordotic curves with no heat molding necessary. Your patients will appreciate the streamline design that is virtually undectable under clothing.

Contact Optec USA for all your bracing needs at 888/9828181 to speak with our customer service team or check out our website at www.optecusa.com. Don’t forget to visit us at AOPA Booth 311!

STEALTH PRO™—PDAC APPROVED L0631 Booth #311 OPTEC is proud to present our new Stealth PRO, which is ideal for patients requiring firm support. The Stealth’s revolutionary intercrossing strapping system, along with the anterior opening design, combines with a rigid back panel to provide spinal stabilization from the sacrococcygeal junction to T9 vertebra. The Stealth PRO back panel attaches to the Stealth brace with our secure elastic suspender, which ensures the same fit every time with no rotation of either component when donning. PDAC recently approved both the Stealth PRO2 and Stealth PRO4 for HCPCS code L0631.

Find out more about this and our many other products online at www.optecusa.com or call us today at 888/982-8181!

Don’t forget to visit us at AOPA Booth 311!

E TH CE A PLTO BE!

ORTHOMERICA INTRODUCES THE NEW PDAC-APPROVED CALIFORNIA® VENTURA™ SPINAL BRACE Booth #1013 Orthomerica® Products Inc. introduces the new California® Ventura™ Spinal Brace that is easy-to-fit yet simple for the patient to don and doff. The California® Ventura™ provides controlled levels of stability by featuring easily removable rigid plastic components—making it ideal throughout rehabilitation. When spinal control of extension and flexion is desired, the Ventura is the perfect fit. The Ventura is available in four different PDAC-approved options as well as the ability to purchase additional components.

Visit AOPA booth #1013 or contact Orthomerica at 800/446-6770 or www.orthomerica.com.

ORTHOMERICA INTRODUCES THE NEW SPECTRUM SLIM™ Booth #1013 Orthomerica® Products Inc. is pleased to introduce the new Spectrum Slim™—a valuable addition to our latest Spectrum™ AFO product line. This slimmer and sleeker, eye-catching gauntlet is designed to allow your patients a greater range of shoe options. The Spectrum Slim™ is ideal for patients that find standard gauntlets a challenge to get into a shoe. Its low profile design makes donning and doffing much easier for the patient, and its soft leather offers maximum comfort. Available in black/ tan leather or black/white synthetic material.

Visit AOPA booth #1013 or contact Orthomerica at 800/446-6770 or www.orthomerica.com.

AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

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2011 PRODUCT GUIDE

ÖSSUR’S FLEX-FOOT® BALANCE™ NOW AVAILABLE FOR LOW ACTIVITY PATIENTS UP TO 300 LBS Booth #701 Flex-Foot Balance by Össur, which provides the optimum balance of light-weight and stability, is now available for K2 patients weighing up to 300 lbs.

Designed especially for household or low-impact users, Flex-Foot Balance features an integrated multi-axial ankle for a comfortable, smooth, rollover, and increased confidence. Now, more low-activity patients can benefit from the ideal balance of light-weight and stability offered by Flex-Foot Balance!

For more information, visit our website at www.ossur.com or call 800/233-6263. *Please note product shown without its accompanying foot cover.

THE NEW RE-FLEX SHOCK™ BY ÖSSUR: WORK HARD. PLAY HARD. Booth #701 Össur announces the new Re-Flex Shock, the ultimate in vertical shock absorption and dynamic energy return for active patients. With a design originating from Össur’s Re-Flex VSP, the original and unparalleled vertical shock foot, Re-Flex Shock offers all the benefits of its predecessor and much more! Featuring increased energy return, improved durability, easier fitting and finishing, and the EVO feature for smoother walking, this foot takes vertical shock feet to the next level and is the ideal solution for amputees who demand the ultimate in performance and comfort.

For more information, visit our website at www.ossur.com or call 800/233-6263.

PEL OFFERS WILLOWWOOD HIGH ACTIVITY FEET Booth #1101 PEL Supply offers the high-activity Fusion™ and DuraLite™ feet from WillowWood, with a choice of three proximal adapters: pyramid receiver, rotating pyramid, and the new torsion receiver. Both feet offer field-adjustable trim height and heel stiffness, and include a full-height, high-activity footshell. The Fusion Foot has an integrated design that 54

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

delivers vertical shock absorption, smooth heel-to-toe transition, and inversion/eversion. It also provides multiaxial movement. The lightweight DuraLite Foot offers high energyreturn and incorporates a urethane toe pad to enhance medial/lateral motion. It features a split heel that provides stability on uneven terrains.

For more information on the Fusion or DuraLite Foot and choices in proximal adapters from WillowWood, call your friendly PEL customer service rep at 800/321-1264, fax your order to 800/222-6176, email customerservice@pelsupply.com or order online at www.pelsupply.com.

NEW WATERPROOF PROSTHESES FROM OTTO BOCK Booth #501 Just in time for this summer’s trip to the beach or pool, Otto Bock launches a line of waterproof components! The Aqualine® waterproof prostheses provides waterproof protection for either below-knee or aboveknee users. The Aqualine components are perfect for use as a shower leg or for other water activities. The Aqualine accommodates users who weigh up to 330 lbs and includes specially modified adapters, pylons, and a tube clamp along with the waterproof knee and foot.

Call your local sales representative to learn more: 800/328-4058.

WILLOWWOOD OFFERS EDUCATION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT AOPA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Booth #801 See the latest in liner technology and demonstrations of the Fusion™ Foot at WillowWood’s AOPA booth! The Fusion Foot delivers function without compromise…see for yourself by attending live demonstrations on our walking course.

Learn more about the Fusion at our product preview theater on September 20 at 12:05 p.m. For hands-on learning with the OMEGA® CAD system, attend our workshop on September 19 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Pre-registration is requested: Call 877/665-5443 or pre-register at willowwoodco.com. Visit WillowWood at AOPA booth #801 for demonstrations, product developments, and more. Visit the calendar of events at willowwoodco.com for our up-to-date show information. a

n

Jobs

INCREASE EXPOSURE AND SAVE!

Place your classified ad in the O&P Almanac and online on the O&P Job Board at jobs.AOPAnet.org and save 5 percent on your order. BONUS! Online listings highlighted in yellow in the O&P Almanac.

- Northeast - Mid-Atlantic - Southeast

Southeast Certified Prosthetist or Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (licensed or eligible) Memphis Ready for a change! Memphis is the second-largest city in Tennessee boasting blues, gospel and rock ‘n’ roll music roots, the Memphis Zoo, Carnival Memphis, and arts festivals to mention a few. While considered the South, Memphis has four distinct seasons and sits on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River. It offers several professional sports teams; and, who could forget famous Beale Street! We offer a very competitive salary and benefit package accompanied by relocation assistance and sign-on bonus plus much more! If interested, please contact, in confidence:

- North Central - Inter-Mountain - Pacific Use our map to find which region you fit into!

CLASSIFIED RATES Classified advertising rates are calculated by counting complete words. (Telephone and fax numbers, email, and Web addresses are counted as single words.) AOPA member companies receive the member rate.

Member Nonmember Words Rate Rate 50 or fewer words $140 $280 51-75 words $190 $380 76-120 words $260 $520 121 words or more $2.25 per word $5.00 per word Specials: 1/4 page, color

1/2 page, color

$482 $678 $634 $830

Advertisements and payments need to be received approximately one month prior to publication date in order to be printed in the magazine. Ads can be posted and updated at any point on the O&P Job Board online at jobs.AOPAnet.org.

No orders or cancellations are taken by phone.

Ads may be faxed to 571/431-0899 or emailed to srybicki@ AOPAnet.org, along with a VISA or MasterCard number, the name on the card, and the expiration date. Typed advertisements and checks in U.S. currency made out to AOPA can be mailed to P.O. Box 34711, Alexandria, VA 22334-0711.

Note: AOPA reserves the right to edit Job listings for space and style considerations.

Responses to O&P box numbers are forwarded free of charge. Company logos are placed free of charge.

JOB BOARD RATES Visit the only online job Member Nonmember board in the industry at Rate Rate jobs.AOPAnet.org! $80 $140 Save 5 percent on O&P Almanac classified rates by placing your ad in both the O&P Almanac and on the O&P Job Board, online at jobs.AOPAnet.org.

56

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

Sharon King Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc. Phone: 512/777-3814 Fax: 512/777-3772 Email: Sking@hanger.com www.hanger.com/careers

Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist, Certified Orthotist Nashville Nashville is the largest city in Tennessee featuring country and bluegrass music roots, Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, and multiple parks and festivals. Now is your chance to work with an energetic practice, with multiple locations in Middle Tennessee. We are seeking five years’ experience, self-motivated practitioners and offer a competitive salary and benefit package. If interested, send resume to:

Restorative Health Services Inc. Phone: 615/890-2160 Fax: 615/890-2361 Email: lmrrambo@gmail.com

Inter-Mountain Prosthetic Technician Denham Springs, Louisiana Growing company looking for an experienced prosthetic tech. Competitive wages with paid health insurance. Send resume to:

Gregg Crabtree Freedom Prosthetics 8369 Florida Blvd. Ste. 7 Denham Springs, LA 70726 Fax: 225/665-0319 Email: Greg@freedomprola.com

Certified Orthotist, Certified Prosthetist (licensed or eligible) Houston Energy capital of the world; voted first in Texas and third in the U.S. for “Best Places for Business and Careers”; known for the youngest population in the nation; the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; ZZ Top, Lyle Lovett, Clint Black, Hilary Duff, Blue October; NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center; many parks and outdoor venues! Considered by

many to be one of the premier practices in the country, this position will challenge the successful applicant with a broad exposure to a diverse patient population. If you want more than a job and are ready to make a move, we would love to discuss your goals. We offer a very competitive salary and benefit package accompanied by relocation assistance and sign-on bonus potential…plus much more! To apply for this position, please contact, in confidence:

Sharon King Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc. Phone: 512/777-3814 Fax: 512/777-3772 Email: Sking@hanger.com www.hanger.com/careers

AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

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Jobs Pacific Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist, Certified Orthotist

Come Join Our Team!

Shriners Hospitals for Children® is a one-of-a-kind international system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs. Children up to age 18 with orthpaedic conditions, spinal cord injuries, and limb deficiencies are eligible for admission, care, and treatment regardless of financial need or relationship to a Shriner.

With recent program development and an expanding operative schedule, we are anticipating a need to expand our O&P service to meet the need of our patients and hospital.

O&P Practitioner Works with a multi-disciplinary care team to determine, design, fabricate, fit, and evaluate the effectiveness of orthoses and prostheses for children with orthopedic impairments, spinal cord injuries, and limb deficiencies. Engages in evidence-based practice related to the field of orthotics, prosthetics, neuroprosthetics, and rehabilitation. Supports and actively engages in performance improvement initiatives and research.

Undergraduate degree in O&P, allied health field, engineering, kinesiology, biology, or biomechanics preferred. Experience in prosthetics and/or orthotics as evidenced by successful completion of an accredited prosthetic and/or orthotic program with certification by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics. At least three years of experience preferred. Strong interest in working with children and families is a must.

Call, fax, or email inquires to:

Megan Hauser Shriners Hospitals for Children®-Philadelphia 3551 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19140 Phone: 215/430-4061 Fax: 215/430-4180 Email: hr_phila@shrinenet.org

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

Northern California Do you dream of earning six figures? Receiving a significant sign-on bonus and working for the oldest and one of the most respected orthotic and prosthetic patient-care companies in the world? Are you looking for security? In addition to the above, we offer competitive benefits, worldclass education fair, latest technology, and a family of over 1,000 practitioners in addition to the support of HR, sales/ marketing, accounting, etc. Our core values are • Integrity • Clinical and operational excellence • Unsurpassed customer satisfaction • Flexible and entrepreneurial operations • Creativity and innovation • Shared success.

If you have the skills, drive, and ambition…let’s talk!

Contact, in confidence:

Sharon King Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc. Phone: 512/777-3814 Fax: 512/777-3772 Email: Sking@hanger.com www.hanger.com/careers

Northeast Certified Orthotist/Certified Fitter Long Island/New York City We are a well-established practice offering an excellent opportunity for a driven person with a positive attitude. We offer benefits including 401(k), health, and profit sharing.

Send resume to:

O&P Ad 0611, O&P Almanac 330 John Carlyle St., Ste 200 Alexandria, VA 22314 Fax: 571/431-8099

CO or CPO Mid-Atlantic Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist Philadelphia Culture, arts, history, and architecture…not to mention cuisine! Philly has it all! It is the country’s fifth-largest city comprised of art museums and galleries, serious shopping, all four major sports, and the University of Pennsylvania.

And, you can’t forget the Philly cheesesteak! If you want more than a job and are ready to make a move, we would love to discuss your goals. We offer a very competitive salary and benefit package accompanied by relocation assistance and sign-on bonus potential…plus much more. If interested, please contact, in confidence:

Sharon King Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc. Phone: 512/777-3814 Fax: 512/777-3772 Email: Sking@hanger.com www.hanger.com/careers

Marshfield Clinic is one of the largest patient care, research and educational systems in the United States. The Marshfield Clinic’s Orthotic and Prosthetic department is dedicated to helping patients regain their active lifestyles and live life without limitations.

Our department offers the newest advancements in orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic technology combined with friendly, highly skilled and experienced staff that is committed to the highest quality patient care.

Discover Marshfield, Wisconsin & enjoy:

• Low cost of living • Clean, safe environment • Short commutes with low traffic volume • Excellent educational opportunities for both you and your family • Recreational & cultural activities during all four seasons • Easy access to urban centers at Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee or Minneapolis/St. Paul • Competitive total compensation package

ABC Certified in Orthotics & Prosthetics and 3 years of experience required.

Experience in Pediatrics would be helpful.

Join us and see how your career can shine.

To apply, please visit:

www.marshfieldclinic.jobs Reference Job Number MC090202 Marshfield Clinic is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity. Minorities, females, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

AVAILABLE POSITIONS Orthotist

Why do I work for Hanger?

“

I like working for a company that cares for its employees as much as they care for their patients. That’s why I’ve been with Hanger for the past 28 years.

When Hurricane Katrina hit my hometown of New Orleans, Hanger was there for me. They gave me as much time as I needed—with pay—and helped me relocate to Atlanta.

By working at the largest prosthetic and orthotic company in the nation, I have more than just career opportunities.

I have an employer that treats me like family.

”

Tony Thaxton Jr., CPO, LPO, Certified Practitioner, Orthotist-Prosthetist

Pensacola, FL Belleville, IL Urbana, IL Indianapolis, IN Wichita, KS

Prosthetist American Canyon, CA Fairfield, CA Melbourne, FL Port St. Lucie, FL Hazel Crest, IL Covington, LA

Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment to all qualified individuals. All conditions of employment are administered without discrimination due to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship, or any

other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Residency Program or Certificate Primary Education Program Info, contact: Robert S. Lin, CPO/Dir. of Academic Programs. Hanger P&O/ Newington O&P Systems, Ph. 860.667.5304; Fax 860.667.1719

Jackson, MS Albany, NY Elmira, NY Oneonta, NY Pittsburgh, PA Austin, TX

Prosthetist/Orthotist Springdale, AR Long Beach, CA Pensacola, FL Covington, LA Bangor, ME Baltimore, MD Olivette, MO Meridian, MS

Denver, CO Belleville, IL Olympia, WA

To apply for any of these positions, visit www.hanger.com/careers

York, PA Spartanburg, SC Union, SC Houston, TX Parkersburg, WV

Albany, NY Brooklyn, NY Elmira, NY Oneonta, NY Salem, OR Pittsburg, PA Memphis, TN Houston, TX

Certified Pedorthist

Renton, WA Tacoma, WA Vancouver, WA

Orthotic Fitter Olympia, WA

Frisco, CO

Hollywood, FL Naples, FL Griffin, GA

Vancouver, WA

CO / Practice Mgr.

CPO AUGUST / Pract2011 ice M gr. ALMANAC 59 O&P Indianapolis, IN Bend, OR

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Calendar

2011 ■■

PROMOTE EVENTS IN THE O&P ALMANAC

CALENDAR RATES Telephone and fax numbers, email addresses, and websites are counted as single words. Refer to www.AOPAnet.org for content deadlines.

Member Nonmember Words Rate Rate 25 or less $40 $50 26-50 $50 $60 51+ $2.25 $3.00

per word per word Color Ad Special: 1/4 page Ad $482 1/2 page Ad $634

$678 $830

BONUS! Listings will be placed free of charge on the Attend O&P Events section of www.AOPAnet.org.

Send announcement and payment to: O&P Almanac, Calendar, P.O. Box 34711, Alexandria, VA 22334-0711, fax 571/431-0899, or email srybicki@AOPAnet.org along with VISA or MasterCard number, the name on the card, and expiration date. Make checks payable in U.S. currency to AOPA. Note: AOPA reserves the right to edit Calendar listings for space and style considerations.

For information on continuing education credits, contact the sponsor.

Questions?

Email srybicki@AOPAnet.org.

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

■■ AUGUST 5 Bio-Mechanical Composites Inc. Texas Chapter of AAOP Educational Program Qualifying Workshop.

Austin. Custom Engineering of Energy Storing AFO’s and Partial Foot Prostheses utilizing Pre-Preg Carbon Fiber.

AUGUST 5-6 The Texas Chapter AAOP Annual Meeting. Austin.

Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol. For more information, visit www.oandp.org/ membership/chapters/texas/.

■■

■■ AUGUST 10 AOPA Audio Conference: “How to Get Paid for Miscellaneous and Repair Codes.” To register, contact Stephen Custer at 571/4310876 or scuster@AOPAnet.org.

■■ AUGUST 10 Ultraflex: Pediatric UltraSafeGait™ Continuing Education Course, via WebEx, 5:00 – 6:00 pm ET. Covers assessment of pediatric pathological gait and influencing shank kinematics with the new Adjustable Dynamic Response™ (ADR™) technology. Presenter: Keith Smith, CO, LO, FAAOP. Call 800/220-6670 or register at www.ultraflexsystems.com.

■■ AUGUST 11 Bio-Mechanical Composites Inc. Custom Engineering of Energy Storing AFO’s and Partial Foot Prostheses Utilizing Pre-Preg Carbon Fiber Qualifying Workshop.

Orlando. 7.25 ABC credits.

Contact Agnes Curran, CP, at 515/554-6132 or agnes@ phatbraces.com.

■■ AUGUST 11-12 Allard USA: T.O.T.E. (Tomorrow’s Orthotic Technology Education).

Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Two courses: Concepts in Applied Biomechanics; Transferring CAB Principles into Customized Orthotic Solutions. Approved for 18 CEUs. Contact 888/678-6548; email: info@allardusa.com.

■■ AUGUST 13 Arizona AFO Inc.: The Custom AFO Workshop.

Atlanta. Learn L-Coding, AFO selection, hands-on casting, footwear/modification tips, and ideas for marketing to referral sources. The $150 fee includes lectures, handouts, and lunch. Approved for 6.5 ABC/7 BOC CEUs. To register, call 877/780-8382, ask for the “Workshop” or email education@arizonaafo.com.

■■ AUGUST 13 Ultraflex: Pediatric Spasticity Continuing Education Course, via WebEx, 9:00 – 10:00 am ET. Covers clinical assessment of the pediatric neuromuscular patient with spasticity and using R1 and R2 for determining orthotic design for maintaining and improving muscle length.

Presenter: Keith Smith, CO, LO, FAAOP. Call 800/2206670 or register at www. ultraflexsystems.com.

■■ AUGUST 16 WillowWood: Discover LimbLogic® VS via WebEx, 10:30 am ET. Critical components and operation discussed. Covers interpreting feedback from fob and basic fabrication processes for system. Credits: 2.5 ABC/ 2.5 BOC. To register online, visit www.willowwoodco.com.

■■ AUGUST 16 WillowWood: LimbLogic® VS for Technicians via WebEx, 1:30 pm ET. Learn essentials of elevated vacuum socket fabrication using available socket adaptors with LimbLogic VS. Learn how to deal with airtight issues, unit operation, and diagnostics that will keep the system optimal for patient use.

Credits: 2.5 ABC/2.5 BOC. www.willowwoodco.com.

■■ AUGUST 19-20 Spinal Technology Inc. is once again pleased to offer our Scoliosis Symposium in Boston on August 19 and 20.

Featuring leading industry experts in the orthotics field, this ABC-accredited course will extensively review measurement techniques and brace options for fulltime scoliosis intervention, as well as the benefits of the Providence Nocturnal Scoliosis System. Practitioners will earn 12.25 credits for this day and one-half presentation with hands-on demonstrations.

Contact Nancy Francis at nancy_f@spinaltech.com or 508/775-0990 x8374.

■■ AUGUST 25 Ultraflex: Adult UltraSafeStep™ Continuing Education Course, via WebEx, Noon – 1:00 pm ET. Focuses on normalizing adult pathological gait with the utilization of Adjustable Dynamic Response™ (ADR™) knee and ankle technology.

Call 800/220-6670 or register at www.ultraflexsystems.com.

■■ AUGUST 25-26 Allard USA: T.O.T.E. (Tomorrow’s Orthotic Technology Education).

Madison, WI. Two courses: Concepts in Applied Biomechanics; Transferring CAB Principles into Customized Orthotic Solutions. Approved for 18 CEUs. Contact 888/678-6548 or email info@allardusa.com.

AUGUST 25-26 Two Day RCR Workshop.

Boise, ID. A comfortable hands-on format of the RCR Transtibial socket design.

The RCR socket increases patient comfort, rotational control, and range of motion.

Workshop features the fitting of suction pin suspension as well as vacuum pin suspension. Contact Miranda Johnson, Coyote Design & Mfg., at 208/429-0026.

■■

AUGUST 25-26 WillowWood: Existing OMEGA® Tracer® Users Prosthetics and Orthotics Course. Mt. Sterling, OH. Advanced course covers OMEGA Scanner use, modifying orthotic and prosthetic shapes, and review of custom liner, cranial, and spinal software. Must be current OMEGA Tracer facility to attend. Credits: 14.25 ABC/15.5 BOC. Visit www. willowwoodco.com.

■■

■■ AUGUST 26 Ultraflex: Complex Orthopedic Rehabilitation Continuing Education Course, via WebEx, Noon – 1:00 pm ET. Focuses on Ultraflex combination dynamic and static stretching orthosis for addressing complex orthopedic rehabilitation goals and restoring range and function. Call 800/2206670 or register at www. ultraflexsystems.com.

■■ AUGUST 30 One Day RCR workshop.

Tampa. A condensed version of the RCR socket design workshop. Features a live casting, fabricating, and a fitting of an amputee.

Multiple suspension options are covered. Contact Miranda Johnson, Coyote Design & Mfg., at 208/429-0026.

■■ SEPTEMBER 7 Ultraflex: Pediatric UltraSafeGait™ Continuing Education Course, via WebEx, 8:00 – 9:00 am ET. Covers assessment of pediatric pathological gait and influencing shank kinematics with the new Adjustable Dynamic Response™ (ADR™) technology. Presenter: Keith Smith, CO, LO, FAAOP. Call 800/220-6670 or register at www.ultraflexsystems.com.

■■ SEPTEMBER 8-9 The Northern Plains Chapter AAOP Annual Meeting. Vadnais Heights, MN. Jimmy’s Conference & Catering Center. For more information, visit www.oandp. org/membership/chapters/ northern_plains/.

■■ SEPTEMBER 12-13 Allard USA: T.O.T.E. (Tomorrow’s Orthotic Technology Education).

Norfolk, VA. Two courses: Concepts in Applied Biomechanics; Transferring CAB Principles into Customized Orthotic Solutions. Approved for 18 CEUs. Contact 888/678-6548 or email info@allardusa.com.

■■ SEPTEMBER 19 Bio-Mechanical Composites Inc. AOPA National Assembly Technical Workshop. Las Vegas. Mirage Hotel. Custom Engineering of Energy Storing AFO’s and Partial Foot Prostheses Utilizing Pre-Preg Carbon Fiber.

■■ SEPTEMBER 19 WillowWood AOPA Manufacturers’ Workshop: An Introductory, Hands-on Approach to OMEGA® Tracer®, 1:00 – 5:00 pm PT. Las Vegas. Learn the basics of the OMEGA CAD System for prosthetic applications.

Limited space is available for hands-on learning. Preregistration requested. Call 877/665-5443. Additional observation space available.

Visit www.willowwoodco.com.

K N E E

■■ SEPTEMBER 19–22 AOPA National Assembly.

Las Vegas. Mirage Hotel.

Exhibitors and sponsorship opportunities, contact Kelly O’Neill, 571/431-0852, or koneill@AOPAnet.org.

■■ OCTOBER 3-5 The New England Chapter AAOP Continuing Education Seminar. Warwick, RI. Crown Plaza Hotel. For more information, visit www.oandp. org/membership/chapters/new_ england/.

R A N G E

O F

M O T I O N

- Adjustable ROM from 0˚ to -110˚ while tracking natural knee joint motion - Simple and quick t with single joint - Ideal for post op ROM applications - Thigh and calf segments dynamically shorten to eliminate soft tissue sheering forces

■■ SEPTEMBER 14 AOPA Audio Conference: “Don’t Run Afoul of the KO Rules.” To register, contact Stephen Custer at 571/4310876 or scuster@AOPAnet.org.

AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

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Calendar

■■ OCTOBER 3-6 Applied Technology Institute (ATi) Orthotic Fitter School.

Baltimore Four Points by Sheraton. Independent comprehensive course to prepare for certification exam.

Approved entry-level school

by NCOPE and BOC, and for continuing education by ABC, BOC, and NATA. Contact Lois Meier at 888/265-6077, email lois@kasseledu.com, or visit www.kasseledu.com.

OCTOBER 12 AOPA Audio Conference: “Developing Your Medicare Billing Compliance Plan.”

To register, contact Stephen Custer at 571/431-0876 or scuster@AOPAnet.org.

■■

■■ OCTOBER 12-16 Skills for Life 3: Bilateral Upper Limb Loss Workshop.

Denver Renaissance Hotel.

US Member Society-ISPO, Amputee Services of America, and the Amputee Coalition.

For more information, visit www.usispo.org/skills_ for_life.asp.

■■ OCTOBER 15 Arizona AFO Inc.: The Custom AFO Workshop.

San Jose, CA. Learn L-Coding, AFO selection, hands-on casting, footwear/ modification tips, and ideas for marketing to referral sources. The $150 fee includes lectures, handouts, and lunch.

Approved for 6.5 ABC/7 BOC CEUs. To register, call 877/780-8382, ask for the “Workshop” or email education@arizonaafo.com.

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O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

■■ OCTOBER 20 WillowWood: LimbLogic® VS Applications Practitioner Course. Mt. Sterling, OH. Course covers various clinical aspects of LimbLogic VS applications: static and dynamic socket fitting, vacuum pump configurations, fob operation, system evaluation, liner options, alignment, and troubleshooting. Credits: 7.25 ABC/7.75 BOC. Registration deadline: 9/29/2011. Contact 877/665-5443 or visit www.willowwoodco.com.

■■ OCTOBER 20-21 Two Day RCR Workshop.

Boise, ID. A comfortable hands-on format of the RCR Transtibial socket design.

The RCR socket increases patient comfort, rotational control, and range of motion.

Workshop features the fitting of suction pin suspension as well as vacuum pin suspension. Contact Miranda Johnson, Coyote Design & Mfg., at 208/429-0026.

■■ OCTOBER 20-22 The North Carolina/South Carolinia Chapter AAOP Annual Meeting. Charlotte.

Ballantyne Resort. For more information, visit www.oandp. org/membership/chapters/north_ carolina/.

■■ OCTOBER 21 WillowWood: LimbLogic® VS Applications Technicians Course. Mt. Sterling, OH. Learn all aspects of fabricating LimbLogic VS for various applications: socket materials, controller configurations and care, fob operation, troubleshooting.

Fabricate sockets following recommended techniques for airtight socket designs.

Credits: 9.75 ABC/9.75 BOC. Registration deadline: 9/29/2011. Contact 877/665-5443 or visit www.willowwoodco.com.

■■ OCTOBER 28-29 The Academy’s OneDay Seminar Certificate Programs, The Effect of AFOs on Balance AND Prosthetic Management of Multiple Limb Deficiency.

Hilton Chicago O’Hare. For more information, visit www. oandp.org/education/seminars/ one-day/.

■■ DECEMBER 8-10 Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago: Pediatric Gait Analysis: Segmental Kinematic Approach to Orthotic Management.

Chicago. Featuring Elaine Owen. Application for 21.25 ABC Credits. Contact Melissa Kolski at 312/238-7731 or visit www.ric.org/education.

■■ NOVEMBER 9 AOPA Audio Conference: “Happy Holidays: Kickbacks and Gifts in O&P.” To register, contact Stephen Custer at 571/431-0876 or scuster@ AOPAnet.org.

■■ DECEMBER 14 AOPA Audio Conference: “Are You Ready for the New Year? 2012 New Codes and Policies.” To register, contact Stephen Custer at 571/4310876 or scuster@AOPAnet.org.

■■ NOVEMBER 9-11 The New Jersey Chapter AAOP Meeting. Atlantic City.

Bally’s Hotel & Casino. For more information, visit www. oandp.org/membership/chapters/ new_jersey/.

■■ NOVEMBER 12 The Academy’s 6th Annual Golf Invitational. Scottsdale, AZ. Contact Manisha Bhaskar at 202/380-3663, x 210, or mbhaskar@oandp.org.

■■ NOVEMBER 19 Arizona AFO Inc.: The Custom AFO Workshop.

Phoenix. Learn L-Coding, AFO selection, handson casting, footwear/ modification tips, and ideas for marketing to referral sources. The $150 fee includes lectures, handouts, and lunch.

Approved for 6.5 ABC/7 BOC CEUs. To register, call 877/780-8382, ask for the “Workshop” or email education@arizonaafo.com.

2012 ■■ FEBRUARY 16-18 PrimeFare West Regional Scientific Symposium 2012.

Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City. For more information please contact: Jane Edwards 888/388-5243 or go to our website www. primecareop.com.

■■ MARCH 21–24 38th Academy Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium. Atlanta. Hilton Atlanta. Contact Diane Ragusa at 202/380-3663, x 208 or dragusa@oandp.org.

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■■ JUNE 15-16 PrimeFare East Regional Scientific Symposium 2012. Nashville Convention Center, Nashville. For more information please contact: Jane Edwards 888/388-5243 or visit our website at www.primecareop.com.

SEPTEMBER 6-9 AOPA National Assembly & AAOP NE Chapter Combined Meeting. Boston.

Hynes Convention Center.

The 2012 AOPA National Assembly will be held jointly with the NE Chapter Meeting. Please plan to join us for this significant event.

Exhibitors and sponsorship opportunities, contact Kelly O’Neill at 571/431-0852 or ■■

koneill@AOPAnet.org. To

register, contact Stephen Custer at 571/431-0876 or scuster@AOPAnet.org.

2013

for the orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic rehabilitation profession. To register, contact Stephen Custer at 571/4310876 or scuster@AOPAnet. org. a

■■ FEBRUARY 20–23 39th Academy Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium. Orlando. Caribe Royale Orlando. Contact Diane Ragusa at 202/380-3663, x 208 or dragusa@oandp.org.

■■ SEPTEMBER 18-21 O&P World Congress.

Orlando. Gaylord Palms Resort. Attend the first U.S.-hosted World Congress

Ad Index

COMPANY

PAGE

PHONE

WEBSITE

Allard USA Inc.

17

888/678-6548

www.allardusa.com

ALPS

41

800/574-5426

www.easyliner.com

American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics

19

703/836-7114

www.abcop.org

Anatomical Concepts Inc.

61

800/837-3888

www.prafo.com

Apis Footwear

35

888/937-2747

www.bigwideshoes.com

Arizona AFO

37

877/780-8382

www.arizonaafo.com

Cailor Fleming Insurance

55

800/796-8495

www.cailorfleming.com

College Park Industries Inc.

15, 39

800/728-7950

www.college-park.com

DAW Industries

1

800/252-2828

www.daw-usa.com

Dr. Comfort

5, C3

800/556-5572

www.drcomfortdpm.com

DYCOR

14

800/794-6099

www.dycormfg.com

Euro International

13

800/378-2480

www.eurointl.com

KISS Technologies LLC

33

410/663-5477

www.kiss-suspension.com

KNIT-RITE

2

800/821-3094

www.knitrite.com

OandPStudyGuide.com

31

www.oandpstudyguide.com

OPGA

11

800/214-6742

www.opga.com

OPTEC

8, 9

888/982-8181

www.optecusa.com

Orthomerica Products

29

800/446-6770

www.orthomerica.com

Ossur Americas Inc.

23, C4

800/233-6263

www.ossur.com

Otto Bock HealthCare

C2

800/328-4058

www.ottobockus.com

PEL Supply Company

51

800/321-1264

www.pelsupply.com

Provel

31

509/857-2009

www.provel.us

Spinal Technology Inc.

7

800/253-7868

www.spinaltech.com

®

AUGUST 2011 O&P ALMANAC

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AOPA Answers

Multiple Identifiers Answers to your questions regarding provider numbers and billing AOPA receives hundreds of queries from readers and members who have questions about some aspect of the O&P industry. Each month, we’ll share several of these questions and answers from AOPA’s expert staff with readers.

If you would like to submit a question to AOPA for possible inclusion in the department, email Editor Josephine Rossi at jrossi@strattonpublishing.com.

Q:

If I am a sole proprietor, am I required to obtain separate Provider Transaction Access Numbers (PTAN) and National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers for all my locations?

A:

A sole proprietorship is the only exemption to the rule. Medicare has stated that if your business operates as a sole proprietorship, then each of your subparts is not required to have separate PTAN and NPI numbers. The facilities are covered by the PTAN and NPI you obtained as an individual.

Be aware, however, of the difference between a sole proprietor and a sole proprietorship. Being a sole proprietor—the only owner—does not necessarily mean your business is a sole proprietorship.

Sole proprietors may incorporate their business and operate as a corporation. If you are not certain if you are operating as a sole proprietorship or a corporation, consult with an attorney or an accountant.

Q:

We have multiple offices, but our billing is done from a central location. Does each office still require a separate PTAN or Medicare Supplier Number, and NPI number?

A:

Yes. The PTAN and NPI numbers are not attached to a specific billing location but rather to each physical location where Medicare

64

O&P ALMANAC AUGUST 2011

services are rendered. You are not required to bill from each location, but your claim should indicate where the service was rendered. That is why the CMS-1500 form has separate boxes for billing location and services rendered location.

Even if you do all your billing from one central location and under one main PTAN number, you will want to submit at least one claim a year from each of your satellite offices and their PTAN numbers.

Remember: If a claim is not sent from a PTAN number for four consecutive quarters, Medicare will assume it is non-active and will deactivate the PTAN number.

Q: A:

What happens if my PTAN number is deactivated?

If your PTAN number is deactivated, you must complete a new Medicare enrollment application, either the paper-based CMS 855S form or the online version through the PECOS system.

During the time your PTAN is deactivated and your application is being processed, the location associated with the PTAN will no longer have billing privileges and claims will not be paid. a

Visit www.AOPAnet.org today!

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NEW Double Depth Comfort Collection

From A Family of Comfort.

Each year millions of people will develop foot complications due to health problems. Properly fitted shoes, socks, inserts and compression wear are essential for reducing these risks. Dr. Comfort shoes are made from the finest leathers and are scientifically designed for various foot complications. Our footwear is extra depth with patented footbeds, our socks and compression wear are created by leading designers with attention to detail and our uniquely patented inserts are comfortable, beyond the “norm”.

Wellness is our business and our market, we care and pay attention to detail, with new products being developed all the time. “ Call now to experience exceptional quality and profitability with the finest “Total System” for your professional practice.

800.992.3580 www.drcomfort.com ®

©2011 Dr. Comfort All Rights Reserved

Visit us at AOPA 2011 Booth #725.

WORK HARD. PLAY HARD. RE-FLEX SHOCK.™ As a hard-working, hard-playing father of two young boys, Jim Bonney needs a prosthetic foot that can keep up with his active lifestyle.

Enter Re-Flex Shock with EVO™ by Össur.

Re-Flex Shock takes the proven design of the Re-Flex VSP,® the original vertical shock prosthetic foot, to the next level.

With dynamic energy return and the most vertical travel of any prosthetic foot, Re-Flex Shock can be used comfortably as an everyday foot, yet also protects Jim during sports and other recreational activities.

So whether he is working, rock climbing, or chasing his sons around the yard, Jim never loses a step.

To watch Jim's Re-Flex Shock video on your Smartphone: 1. Go to http://gettag.mobi 2. Get the free app 3. Scan the tag

CALL (800) 233-6263 OR VISIT OSSUR.COM TO LEARN MORE.

©2011 Össur. All rights reserved. Össur, Re-Flex Shock, Re-Flex VSP and EVO are trademarks of Össur.