Wisconsin Society of Orthotists, Prosthetists & Pedorthists
February 2009 Newsletter
WSOPP continues to make strides in achieving Parity in the state of Wisconsin, see inside for further details.
Message From President
Greetings WSOPP members,
Happy New Year! It seems big changes are afoot in the world of Wisconsin O&P.
As it turns out the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finally decided that pedorthists and pedorthic facilities are not exempt from the mandatory accreditation requirements for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies. This means that all pedorthic facilities need to have already applied for accreditation and must achieve accreditation by September 30, 2009 in order to be compliant with CMS regulations and maintain their status as Medicare providers.
Another major change involves the minimum education and training requirements for anyone desiring to provide O&P care. Five of the major national organizations representing the O&P profession have reached a consensus on these requirements. The document, mandating a bachelor's degree, as well as specific formalized instruction from accredited O&P schools, was signed by the heads of AAOP, ABC, AOPA, BOC and NAAOP. This comes as CMS is working on proposed regulations to prohibit payment to suppliers or providers who are not qualified through specific education and training. The five organizations feel that this new agreement will aid CMS in implementing appropriate education and training standards for O&P providers.
Finally, I would like to take a minute to congratulate Brian Gustin, CP. I'm sure all of the WSOPP members are as proud as I am to have a Wisconsinite as the new President of AOPA. Congratulations, Brian!
Best wishes for and much success for 2009.
Dennis Janisse, C.Ped.
