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State By State
by AOPA
New Year, New Advocacy Initiatives
Updates from Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and Texas
Each month, State by State features news from O&P professionals about the most important state and local issues affecting their businesses and the patients they serve. This section includes information about medical policy updates, fee schedule adjustments, state association announcements, and more.
Request for Information
AOPA is seeking information from its members on current efforts to address health disparities and inequities in O&P patient populations across the country. If you are working to develop any initiatives or are aware of initiatives in your state, AOPA would like to hear about them. Please send information to AOPA’s Ashlie White, MA, at awhite@AOPAnet.org.
Kentucky
O&P providers are working with Kentucky Medicaid to reevaluate the pricing model for cranial remolding orthoses. Currently, S1040 is manually priced. The “cost-plus” methodology used by Medicaid in the state does not adequately account for the time required from an orthotist to provide the appropriate and necessary care associated with orthotic intervention.
Massachusetts
A bill that would establish a Durable Medical Equipment Board in Massachusetts, introduced previously in the 2020 legislative session, is expected to be reintroduced in the 2021 legislative session. The Massachusetts Society of Orthotists and Prosthetists is currently working to review options regarding this legislation and necessary actions to protect O&P providers in the state. For more information and a copy of the bill, visit the AOPA Co-OP.
New York
Providers in New York continue to push for a Medicaid fee schedule increase in the state. In addition to ongoing fundraising efforts, the New York State Chapter of AAOP is working with patient advocacy organizations to produce a sign-on letter that speaks to the importance of access to O&P devices for vulnerable patient populations in the state. To learn more about this effort, contact Ted Drygas, CPO, FAAOP, at ted@carecrafters.com.
Ohio
The Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board is now accepting applications for the authority to conduct 3D printing of open-source prosthetic kits. According to Ohio law, those wishing to 3D print open-source prostheses must obtain authority from the board. Applicants may review final rule language and apply online at http://elicense.ohio.gov. An application checklist also is available on the site.
Texas
On Nov. 23, 2020, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation passed an emergency rule related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this rule, all Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licensees with a renewable license that expired between Aug. 1 and Nov. 30, 2020, are considered to hold an emergency license valid for up to 120 days after their license expiration date.
These reports are accurate at press time, but constantly evolve. For up-to-date information about what is happening in your state, visit the Co-OP at www.AOPAnet.org/resources/co-op.
Submit Your State News To submit an update for publication in the State by State department of O&P Almanac, email awhite@AOPAnet.org.
