AOPA In Advance SmartBrief January 23rd, 2013 AOPA Headlines
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AOPA In Advance SmartBrief Breaking News January 23rd, 2013 AOPA Headlines: 2014 AOPA Quick Coders Are Available! Congress Approves New Funding for O&P Outcomes Research pushed by AOPA REMINDER: PECOS Enforcement in Effect AOPA’s Coding & Billing Seminar Goes to New Orleans in 2014! Are You Using All Of Your Valuable AOPA Benefits? People in the News: Hanger Clinic Announces New Clinicians Become a Presenter at the 2014 AOPA National Assembly! Billing for Diabetic & Orthopedic Shoes, Mastectomy Services, & Surgical Dressings February Audio Conference Upcoming AOPA Events AOPA Representatives Are Available! Have a state, regional or any other type of meeting on the calendar for 2014; and you are you looking for well versed and entertaining speakers? If you answered yes, we are pleased to announce that AOPA representatives are available to help you. AOPA's Government Affairs staff has made presentations at several meetings in the past and the presentations were well received by attendees. Attendees found the discussions of, Medicare medical policy changes, healthcare reform, competitive bidding and Medicare audit activity (just to name a few topics) very helpful in staying current with the ever-changing healthcare landscape. If your state or region has an upcoming meeting and would like an AOPA speaker, please pass your request on to Joe McTernan or Devon Bernard . If scheduling permits, we would be happy to provide an entertaining and educational presentation. The only costs your group would incur are the speaker's travel expenses.
Transcript of AOPA In Advance SmartBrief January 23rd, 2013 AOPA Headlines
AOPA In Advance SmartBrief Breaking News January 23rd, 2013
AOPA Headlines:
2014 AOPA Quick Coders Are Available!
Congress Approves New Funding for O&P Outcomes Research pushed by AOPA
REMINDER: PECOS Enforcement in Effect
AOPA’s Coding & Billing Seminar Goes to New Orleans in 2014!
Are You Using All Of Your Valuable AOPA Benefits?
People in the News: Hanger Clinic Announces New Clinicians
Become a Presenter at the 2014 AOPA National Assembly!
Billing for Diabetic & Orthopedic Shoes, Mastectomy Services, & Surgical Dressings February Audio Conference
Upcoming AOPA Events
AOPA Representatives Are Available!
Have a state, regional or any other type of meeting on the calendar for 2014; and you are you looking for well versed and entertaining speakers? If you answered yes, we are pleased to announce that AOPA representatives are available to help you. AOPA's Government Affairs staff has made presentations at several meetings in the past and the presentations were well received by attendees. Attendees found the discussions of, Medicare medical policy changes, healthcare reform, competitive bidding and Medicare audit activity (just to name a few topics) very helpful in staying current with the ever-changing healthcare landscape.
If your state or region has an upcoming meeting and would like an AOPA speaker, please pass your request on to Joe McTernan or Devon Bernard. If scheduling permits, we would be happy to provide an entertaining and educational presentation. The only costs your group would incur are the speaker's travel expenses.
2014 AOPA Quick Coders Are Available!
With the vast changes, over 80 plus changes, to the 2014 Medicare codes, don’t be left out in the cold!
The 2014 AOPA Quick Coders are now available for purchase. The 2014 Quick Coders are new and improved. With the new and improved Quick Coder there is no more need to search through numerous pages of HCPCS codes and modifiers. All the codes and modifiers used by O&P practitioners can be located in a single compact format. The color coded sections allow you to rapidly find an orthotic code or a prosthetic code. The 2014 Quick Coder also includes a quick reference page for modifiers, each prosthetic code has its appropriate K-level functional modifier indicated, indicates what items require PDAC coding verification and has the added feature of a quick reference tool for inpatient billing. The laminated pages ensure that the Quick Coder will hold up to everyday use and abuse. Its durability and size mean it can easily be stored on a clipboard, in an examining room or the front desk. To order your 2014 AOPA Quick Coder, visit the AOPA Bookstore!
Pre-order other 2014 Coding Products Today 2014 Illustrated Guide This easy-to-use reference manual provides an illustrated guide to the coding system in use for orthotics, prosthetics, and shoes, including the HCPCS code, the official Medicare descriptor and an illustration for each code.
2014 Coding Pro Software SU/NV The Coding Pro is O&P's comprehensive guide to Medicare codes, reimbursement, and medical policies. This is the single-source reference for all your coding needs! The Coding Pro CD-ROM provides updated Medicare fee schedules for all 50 states and allows you to customize and import other fee schedules used by your office. Illustrations of the codes allow you to quickly sort codes. And writing prescriptions just got easier with the prescription writing tool. Network Version for use on multiple office terminals.
(Anticipated Delivery is March 1
st, 2014)
Visit the AOPA Bookstore and order your 2014 Coding Products today!
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Congress Approves New Funding for O&P Outcomes Research pushed by AOPA
During the current Congressional session, AOPA, through the hard work of its lobbyist Catriona Macdonald of Linchpin Associates, worked with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) toward developing funding support for both: (1) new
appropriated moneys for outcomes research in O&P (via S. 521) and (2) new appropriated moneys to support educational advances for new O&P Masters programs as well as increased funding for existing O&P programs (via S. 522). We are pleased to inform AOPA members that all of the efforts by AOPA, our lobbyist Ms. Macdonald, and the hundreds of letters, calls, and visits by AOPA members and others supporting these bills have born some important fruit. The House and the Senate have adopted the essence of S. 521 when they accepted the proposal by Senator Durbin, and included in the defense portion of the budget bill enacted yesterday a provision instructing DoD to invest $10 million dollars in the coming fiscal year, to support new outcomes research initiatives on O&P research topics. In the meantime, Ms. Macdonald is in conversations with Congressional offices, DoD officials and others to suggest some of the key areas where these funds would be particularly useful, and to assure that DoD officials implement these funds in a manner that is consistent with the intent of S. 521 and Senator Durbin's statements introducing and describing this provision. We also continue to work, and will keep everyone informed regarding the other half of the target for this effort, namely, educational funding in support of the Masters in O&P entry level education programs.
Questions regarding this issue may be directed to Steve Custer at [email protected].
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REMINDER: PECOS Enforcement in Effect
AOPA members are reminded that claims with a date of service on or after January 6, 2014 will be subject to edits that will ensure that the referring/ordering physician has an active profile in the Provider Enrollment Chain Ownership System (PECOS). Claims where there is no PECOS record for the referring/ordering physician will be denied. The Affordable Care Act established the PECOS requirement for referring providers but implementation has been delayed. Since 2009, claims that involved a non-PECOS enrolled physician have been processed with a warning message that the referring provider was not in PECOS. On or after January 6, 2014, these claims will be denied.
The official announcement from CMS is contained in MedLearn Matters Article SE1305 which may be viewed here.
Click here for a direct link to the CMS ordering/referring list.
AOPA’s Coding & Billing Seminar Goes to New Orleans in 2014!
Don’t miss the February 10-11
Coding and Billing Seminar in the
heart of the French Quarter on world
famous Bourbon Street!
There is a reason why the AOPA Coding and Billing
Seminar is ranked #1 by the most successful O&P
Professionals!
During the general session you will learn how to code complex devices, including repairs and
adjustments, plus:
O&P Overview of Federal Agencies
Medical Policy Basics
Review of Medicare LCDs/Policy Articles
Specific guidelines on coding Lower Limb Prostheses, Spinal Orthoses and AFO/KAFO
Documentation
Claim Reviews
Internal Audits
Hot Topics, Utilization Data & Current Trends in O&P
During breakout sessions practitioners cover coding principles specific to clinicians and spend
time on interactive hands on coding.
Office administrators cover the following during their break out: Mutually Exclusive Codes,
New Supplier & Quality Standards, NPI Numbers, Advanced Beneficiary Notice, Modifiers,
Appeal Strategies, Inpatient Billing, Returned/Refused Devices, Electronic Records and
Medicare as Secondary Payer. Learn more by clicking here.
Register today by clicking here!
Are You Using All Of Your Valuable AOPA Benefits?
AOPA’s partnership with Bank of America can reduce your credit card processing rates to as low as 1.9% for AOPA members. Many members are paying more than 2.5% and if you’re handling $500,000 a year in credit card transactions, the 0.6% savings is like getting a 200% return on your membership dues investment.
To request an audit of a recent processing statement to identify the savings you would enjoy by switching to Bank of America, call 888/317-5402 or email: [email protected]. Not an AOPA member? Call 571/431-0843 or visit www.AOPAnet.org/join for more information or to join now.
People in the News: Hanger Clinic Announces New Clinicians
Hanger Clinic announced the addition of 5 new clinicians: Mark Webster, CO – Hanger Clinic is pleased to announce the addition of Mark to its Huntersville, North Carolina patient care clinic. Mark received his education from the
Camp Institute of Applied Technology and is also BOC and ABC certified in orthotics. Jason Sandford, CO – Hanger Clinic welcomes Jason to its Morgantown, West Virginia patient care clinic. Jason received his Masters of Science, Orthotics and Prosthetics from Eastern Michigan University. William Murphy, C. Pedorthist – Hanger Clinic welcomes William to its Tamarac, Florida patient care clinic. William was certified as a Pedorthist in 1994 after obtaining his pedorthic education and completing NCOPE approved pre-certification courses. William brings more than 20 years of experience to his position. Timothy “Chad” O’Connor – Hanger Clinic is pleased to announce the addition of Chad to its Lafayette, Colorado patient care clinic. Chad received his education, both as a prosthetic technician and Prosthetist, at Century College in While Bear Lake, MN. Peter Springs, CPO -- Hanger Clinic is pleased to announce the addition of Peter to its Spokane, Washington patient care clinic area. Peter received his Bachelor of Science degree from Seattle Pacific University and his bachelor’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics from the University of Washington. Click here to go back to the top of the newsletter.
Become a Presenter at the 2014 AOPA National Assembly!
Share Your Expertise ▪ Advance Your Career ▪ Improve Patient Care
Become a Presenter at the 97th Annual AOPA National Assembly Your submissions, based on sound research and strong empirical data, will set the stage for a broad curriculum of highly valued clinical and business offerings at the 2014 AOPA National Assembly. Submit an abstract of your proposed scientific paper or description of your proposed business or technical paper today. All free paper abstracts or symposia proposals for the 2014 AOPA National Assembly must be submitted electronically using the online submission forms at: http://www.aopanet.org/education/2014-assembly/call-for-papers/ For complete details, visit http://www.aopanet.org/education/2014-assembly/call-for-papers/, or contact AOPA Headquarters at (571) 431-0876 or [email protected] THE AOPA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 4-7, 2014 ♦ LAS VEGAS THE MANDALAY BAY RESORT AND CASINO For millions of people around the world, Las Vegas is a city unlike any on earth. It’s unpredictable, constantly evolving and always delivers unforgettable experiences–which is exactly why it is the perfect location for the 2014 AOPA National Assembly. Don’t miss this incredible show as we combine the ENERGY of Las Vegas with the ENERGY of 200 Exhibitors and the ENERGY of more than 2,000 attendees along with top-notch business and clinical experts to give the 2014 AOPA National Assembly. To participate or obtain additional information visit www.AOPAnet.org or contact Tina Moran at (571) 431-0808 or [email protected]
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Billing for Diabetic & Orthopedic Shoes, Mastectomy Services, & Surgical Dressings February Audio Conference
Having a hard time billing properly for shoes, dressings, and external prostheses? Join AOPA on February 12th for an AOPAversity Mastering Medicare Audio Conference that will focus on Medicare policies and correct billing opportunities for Diabetic & Orthopedic Shoes, Mastectomy Services, and Surgical Dressings. During the Audio Conference, an AOPA expert will discuss how to properly bill for the following items: • How to bill for split shoe sizes • How to bill for diabetic shoes attached to braces • How many bras may be dispensed at one time • How and when compression garments are considered medically necessary. The cost of participating is always just $99 for AOPA members ($199 for nonmembers) and any number of employees may listen on a given line. Listeners can earn 1.5 continuing education credits by returning the provided quiz within 30 days and scoring at least 80%.
Register online here! Contact Devon Bernard at [email protected] or 571/431-0854 with content questions. Contact Betty Leppin at [email protected] or 571/431-0876 with registration questions. Click here to go to the top of the newsletter.
Upcoming Events
Feb 10-11 Mastering Medicare: Essential Coding Billing Techniques Seminar
New Orleans, LA Learn more or register online here Feb 12 Billing for Diabetic & Orthopedic
Shoes, Mastectomy Services, and Surgical Dressings Telephone Audio Conference
Learn more or register online here
Mar 12 The ABC’s of Audits: What to Expect and How to Respond Telephone Audio Conference Learn more or register online here
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