GENERAL INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
O&P ALMANAC The O&P Almanac is the official magazine of the 2016 AOPA National Assembly. Look for your complimentary copy in your meeting attaché bag. Attendees interested in subscriptions, editorial or general information about AOPA publications are encouraged to stop by the AOPA booth #1615 in the Exhibit Hall.
Official Magazine of the AOPA National Assembly
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This article is the first in a three-part series written by members of AOPA’s Operating Performance Committee focusing on the financial aspects of running an O&P facility. This month, we discuss how comparing your facility’s numbers to data provided in the AOPA Operating Performance Report can teach you to benchmark and identify areasCOVER of strength and areas of improvement for your facility.
impact on your business. So consider this example: How do you know if you are paying too much for the products? Sure, you can track your practice’s cost of goods and then compare those expenses to your revenue so that you find your cost of goods percentage. But what does that number mean? Is it good or is it bad? One good place to figure out the answers to some of these questions is the annually published AOPA Operating Performance Report, which aggregates self-reported data from AOPA members. This unique report presents a wide range of business data in many different formats to allow practice owners of all sizes to see how their own business compares to other practices in our field. By using the 2015 AOPA Operating Performance Report, you can begin to benchmark key financial metrics from your practice with those same details from more than 100 other O&P practices. As you compare these numbers,
trust, all others must
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bring data. —W. EDWARDS DEMING
VERY DAY, A NEW article about the importance of data in the healthcare world is highlighted in a medical journal, written up in an online article about the price of insurance company stocks, included in a newspaper article about the Affordable Care Act, or published in a report from the Office of the Inspector General. In the vast majority of these sources, there are repeated indications about how data is changing health care today and how the future for everyone in health care is dependent on data. All of these articles are exactly right about the rapidly growing importance of health-care data. You cannot underestimate the importance of focusing your practice on understanding the significance of data to the future success of your business, on deciding which systems to utilize to gather your data, and on making a serious commitment to gathering clean data. However, in their rush to highlight how data is changing the entire health-care field, the vast majority of these articles neglect to include the real value of this amazing new pool of knowledge that
is being created. At the end of the day, having good data is important, but the really important part of having data is using it. As an essential part of the medical profession, it is critical that the owners of O&P practices push themselves into the brave new world of health-care data. Yes, it’s a different way of managing your business, and yes, it will require you to stretch your brain. But this change in how you view your business through the eyes of data is possible, and there is a great tool to helping you make the transition to a user of data from your current role as an owner of a practice, as a clinician, or both. That unique tool is benchmarking. Benchmarking is the process of comparing one’s business processes and performance metrics to industry bests or best practices from other companies. What this means in real life is that benchmarks are a great way to make data more than just about the numbers and actually link the data to your everyday work. You connect the data to information that has an
benchmark – n. a standard of excellence, achievement, etc., against which similar things must be measured or judged COVER
look for the places where your financials have the biggest differences from the various data metrics, and then dig into your own financial data in these areas to figure out why your numbers are different. Just like that, you will be benchmarking and really using the data that everyone is talking about! Mark Ford is president of The OPIE Choice Network in Gainesville, Florida. Reach him at mark.ford@oandp.com.
Ferrier Coupler Options!
COVER STORY
The A5 Standard Coupler is for use in all lower limb prostheses. The male and female portions of the coupler bolt to any standard 4-bolt pattern component.
Model F5
The F5 Coupler with female pyramid receiver is for use in all lower limb prostheses. Male portion of the coupler features a built-in female pyramid receiver. Female portion bolts to any standard 4-bolt pattern component. The Ferrier Coupler with an inverted pyramid built in. The male portion of the pyramid is built into the male portion of the coupler. Female portion bolts to any 4-bolt pattern component.
Interchange or Disconnect
Model FA5
NEW! The FA5 coupler with 4-bolt and female pyramid is for use in all lower limb prostheses. Male portion of coupler is standard 4-bolt pattern. Female portion of coupler accepts a pyramid.
Model FF5
NEW! The FF5 has a female pyramid receiver on both male and female portions of the coupler for easy connection to male pyramids.
Model FP5
NEW! The FP5 Coupler is for use in all lower limb prostheses. Male portion of coupler has a pyramid. The Female portion of coupler accepts a pyramid.
FEBRUARY 2016 | O&P ALMANAC
Model T5
The Trowbridge Terra-Round foot mounts directly inside a standard 30mm pylon. The center stem exes in any direction allowing the unit to conform to uneven terrain. It is also useful in the lab when tting the prototype limb. The unit is waterproof and has a traction base pad.
O&P ALMANAC | FEBRUARY 2016
POLICY
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FORUM
COVER STORY
Need to Know: As the consumer virtual reality market goes mainstream, the O&P community has been quietly using it in military and academic settings for the past several years.
O&P ALMANAC
O&P
DISCUSS FORUM POLICY AND G A BILL 2016 AOPA OF THE DEVELOPIN ATTENDEES OF JOINTLY S LAWMAKER THE EXPERIENCE G IT TO PRESENTIN
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How virtual reality could be the next powerful tool for the profession
By CHRISTINE UMBRELL
| O&P ALMANAC
HE VIRTUAL REALITY
CYBERSECURITY
By JOSEPHINE
(VR) market
patients with phobias, is heating up. Nearly every post-traumatic indusstress disorder, and other try is beginning to harness anxiety its power disorders. In addition, to transcend physical and high-fidelity economic VR and augmented reality—video barriers. The immersive and multimedia digital images superimposed platform has become useful over for storyusers’ view of their actual telling in education, research, environtourism, ment—are being used marketing, and more. In in physician the gaming training exercises as well world, VR headsets and as for VR-capable surgical simulation purposes. hardware and software Experts debuted for predict that augmented sale this holiday season, reality will be and movie increasingly streamlined studios and news organizations into health are care. expected to bring VR content to the But the idea of VR is not masses later in 2016. new the O&P community. Beginning to In the medical arena, VR in the has a 1990s, rudimentary virtual number of important usages. environIn ments were created to cal settings and experimental clinitreat phantom studies, limb pain: Researchers the technology is being developed used for pain “mirror boxes” and similar management: Participants mirror who are therapy environments immersed in VR experience to help ampureduced tees view a mirror image levels of pain, distress, from the limb and unpleasthey still have and find antness. The technology relief as their also has been brains synced with the used as “exposure therapy” movements of to treat real and phantom limbs. O&P ALMANAC | DECEMBER 2015
ROSSI
Jackson/whitehouse.gov
2015
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Photos: Courtesy of Motekforce Link
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Top-Lawrence
VIRTUAL
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OWNERS
Access to a VR environment during treatment can help speed the rehabilitation process both physically and psychologically. The technology can be used to improve gait function, stability, and motor control; boost research and treatment protocols; conduct evaluations; and more. Because VR environments create conditions where patients can be tested and data collected to support the efficacy of O&P intervention, the technology may play a role in reimbursement as studies and trials are brought to the attention of payors. While the majority of the patients benefitting from VR-assisted rehabilitation are military patients, it is possible that practitioners at small facilities may help their civilian patients participate in clinical trials at facilities with VR systems. Future VR applications could include more realistic rehab scenarios and real-time feedback on gait parameters that allow online tuning and adjustment of orthoses and prostheses.
came to PT, CEAS, the help raise USAN PAUL, has become Forum to as healthPolicy Forum livelihoods the Policy the AOPA professionals’ for practitionerswho spent in the YEARS, only for O&P PAST 24 visibility Paul, of life hang and VER THE advocacy—not mobility and quality as a unified therapist care professionals. event for whose come together as a physical for a multisite seminal them 32 years for their patientsproviders and patients director and educate of combut also of them. lawmakers rehabilitation named director training hundreds to resolve was their respective Each year, and how affairs, and company, level one balance. to meet with the profession regulatory Prosthetics and participation Capitol Hill where pliance, took that voice on issues affecting in January. writing session organizers pressing Illinois, for Comprehensive This year, on the most a legislation to the the various in Peoria, by hosting Orthotics to get “everybody of a bill to addressto face. step further care We need jointly authored continues O&P who is taking ourselves attendees community not allow table equally that should includewe’ve the O&P that we do currently and challenges “I think important ourselves patients, at she says. that we find “It is critically clinical officer practitioners,”things in the background by the chaos FAAOP, chief participants. of to be in to be defined PhD, CO, done a lot and now we need reminded Campbell, president the initiatives in,” James for people, and AOPA defined by environment.” that we are Hanger Clinic the forefront.” it is important take within the chaotic the event James Campbell, “Rather, FAAOP that we (D-Nebraska), teams PhD, CO, and the actions Sen. Bob Kerrey PT, CEAS where smaller key Led by former sessions Susan Paul, seven group break-outa draft bill featuring By CHRISTINE UMBRELL featured durable medical of the merits of O&P from discussed orthoses the separation off-the-shelf the issues, including definitions for between participated clear and more. the connection Paul had equipment, for the Although law. self adjustment, and Medicare payments, a to write writing campaigns Association and minimal in letter of the provider have to be a lawyer Therapy “But, you Physical don’t qualifications attendees. Bob for other American that news is you Kerrey told Former Sen. developmenther first visit to what’s in “The good 12 years,” and policy if you know Kerrey (D-Nebraska) this was up here for and done done I wrote laws organizations,to “stump the Hill,” you want and lawyer, and get what I’m not a that you’ll Washington bill with her colleagues the semantics In but also the likelihood own that legislation.” the experience. increase crafting themselves, could perceive them. beneficial if you really the issues new and to really direct our a one-page a was lawmakers not only legislation, how to form truly weighed that it helped two issues we were The teams “I think of five topics were presented—and gone to us of what and eliminate how they combine Act, consisting read the full bill.) when I’ve ask, inform syntax of to elected to laid out Normally, Care Modernization bit.ly/kerreybill the teams asking for. everything’s been the end, and Orthotic on the Hill. (Visit asking, get something do anything, is what you’re that presented bill, the Prosthetic could actually personally the argument [for] us—‘This I think you imagine Kerrey then and it’s narrow, hard for me to written.” Five “If it’s small said. “It’s the language and ownership? Kerrey against year,” could use 33 of advocacy and sharing it with done this 2016 new level of Congress | JUNE a bill react to this any member developing O&P ALMANAC on jointly participants How did perspectives share their Capitol Hill. attendees staffs on and their lawmakers PHOTO:
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a draft Local KNOW published DME MACs governing the four Policy Article this policy 16, 2015, (LCD) and On July If enacted, prostheses. Determination amputees, for U.S. Coverage of of lower-limb impact care coverage limb technology Medicare and adversely of care and would dramatically to the standard reverting effectively allies, and the 1970s. members, mobilizing goal of requesting immediately, with the AOPA responded on multiple strategies, to work advisors be rescinded. 5,000 draft policy more than that the parties, that generated interested an initiative and other rule-making. practitioners, AOPA spearheaded for LCD from patients, official record the draft regarding comments in the included of comments which were 43 pages submitted AOPA also data used that the policy. based on demonstrating policy was the a data analysis cited in their proposed AOPA conducted the authors to support several of in the LCD. contractors by CMS In addition, the recommendations information. refuted outdated and bibliography of print a series DME MAC’s media with of patient a series LCD hit the mainstream as well as the proposed AOPA’s initiative campaigns, impact of advertising the personal television communicating vignettes MAC care. at the DME on patient a patient for five speakers arranged then organized 26, AOPA representatives Maryland, On August conclusion, in Linthicum, met with At the rally’s Coalition public meeting Amputee headquarters. the and the work with rally at HHS Alliance, they would the O&P that their who said from AOPA, explained CMS officials directors. They not limit and would high-ranking medical evidence contactors’ by clinical regional be supported beneficiaries. policy would Medicare service for LCD is unknown necessary the proposed are hopeful, efforts on stakeholders of these with the outcome other O&P While the AOPA and to the problems publishing, call attention on the ultimate as of this efforts to impact that their believing have a significant policy. LCD will proposed the proposed 2015 regarding | OCTOBER decision
NEED TO
The Ferrier Coupler provides you with options never before possible:
Model A5
Model P5
STORY
AOPA 2016
EDITOR’S NOTE: Contact bleppin@aopanet.org to participate in the 2016 Operating Performance Survey. Participation is free, and participants receive a copy of the final published report ($325 value) and a personalized company report ($1,000-plus value) free of charge comparing their business to other O&P facilities of similar size and location.
Enables a complete disconnect immediately below the socket in seconds without the removal of garments. Can be used where only the upper (above the Coupler) or lower (below the Coupler) portion of limb needs to be changed. Also allows for temporary limb replacement. All aluminum couplers are hard coated for enhanced durability. All models are interchangeable.
WE STAND IMAGE: iStock.com/jodiecoston
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Thursday, September 8
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday, September 9
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday, September 10
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, September 11
7:00 – 11:00 AM
Communicator Awards Graphic Design USA Excellence Award
By MARK FORD
In God we
The Speaker Ready Room will be open:
Association TRENDS All Media Contest
per year by reading the Reimbursement Page and Compliance Corner
Learn to engage in benchmarking to make data work for you
Need a little more time to prepare for your presentation? Speakers and presenters are encouraged to use our Speaker Ready Room, located in the Exhibit Hall Foyer of the Hynes Convention Center on Level 2 near registration. This room will be equipped with a full complement of audio-visual equipment.
An Award-Winning Publication
EARN 36 FREE CREDITS
Leveraging Data for O&P Business Management
SPEAKER READY ROOM
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JUNE
2016
• Businesses should implement a cybersecurity s includes assigning oversight duties to a trusted trategic plan that installing updated antimalware software, whole staff member and drive encryption, and intrusion detection tools.
| O&P ALMANAC
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PROTECT YOUR PATIENT S AND YOUR BUSINESS FROM C OSTLY DATA BREACHES BY IMP LEMENTING CYBERSECURITY MEASU RES NEED TO KNOW • O&P business owners and managers should be breaches are occurring at health-care facilities aware that data pace: Nearly 90 percent of health-care organiza at an unprecedented of their business associates have experienced dtions and 60 percent ata breaches during the past two years. • O&P facilities are required to safeguard electron against breaches, and they must comply with re ic files to protect both the Health Insurance Portability and Accougulations set forth by ntability Act and the Payments Card Industry.
• Because even the most stringent security contro guaranteed to prevent all intrusions, O&P facilit ls are not ies should consider purchasing cyber liability insurance.
32 AUGUST 2016 | O&P ALMANAC
• A well-written, comprehensive policy should offe liability; first-party expenses; cyber extortion; fo r coverage for restoration, and notification costs; and business rensic, audit, interruption coverage.
T SEEMS
YOU CAN’T look at the news these days without hearing of a data breach. Wendy’s, Target, Anthem, CareFirst, the Office of Personnel Management, eBay, Starbucks, and many more have all been casualties of expensive and well-publicized exposure of confidential data. While those scenarios may seem far removed from the world of O&P, it is very likely that a data breach could happen at your facility—or may even be happening without your knowledge. Understanding cybersecurity—and what you need to do to prevent and protect against data exposures—is an important responsibility for O&P business owners and managers. Nearly 90 percent of various sized health-care organizations and 60 percent of their business associates have experienced data breaches the past two years, according during to the “Sixth Annual Benchmark Study on Privacy & Security of Health-Care Data,” conducted by Ponemon Institute and sponsored by ID Experts. And 79 percent of health-care organizations experienced multiple data breaches (two or more) in that time period—up 20 percent since 2010. Looking specifically at 2016 data is even more troubling: During the first three months of this year, 3.5 million medical records were compromised, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Health-care businesses experienced nearly four data breaches per week during that time period. O&P ALMANAC | AUGUST 2016
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AOPA National Assembly App Use your smart phone to navigate the Assembly.
REGISTRATION HOURS
Download the “AOPA 365” App on your iPhone, Android or iPad to:
Assembly registration will occur on Level 2 of the Hynes Convention Center just outside of the exhibit hall.
• Get up-to-date information regarding the National Assembly
• Connect with Alumni
An auxiliary registration will be set up at the Sheraton Boston, Level 3 on Thursday, September 8 for those who are pre-registered and attending the morning workshops.
• Easily view the agenda and set up your own personal schedule
• See how Membership has its benefits
• Interact with colleagues
Badges and registration materials will be available for pick up during the following dates and times:
• Get current with Hot Issues
• Share photos and comments
• See how Mobility Saves
• Search for speakers and specific topics
• Visit the AOPA Bookstore
Wednesday, September 7
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Navigate the Exhibit Hall
Thursday, September 8
7:00 AM – 6:30 PM
• Review speaker bios
Friday, September 9
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday, September 10
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, September 11
7:00 AM – Noon
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AOPA National Assembly 2016 www.AOPAnet.org
• Read the O&P Almanac
• Access the AOPA Membership Directory
Download the app by either scanning the QR code or by searching the keyword AOPA365 in the Apple or Google stores. AOPA National Assembly 2016 www.AOPAnet.org
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