AOPA In Advance SmartBrief February 6th, 2014 AOPA …€¦ · · 2017-08-21expand the pipeline...
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AOPA In Advance SmartBrief Breaking News February 6th, 2014 AOPA Headlines: Action Needed: Senate to Vote on O&P Master's Expansion Resources ALJ Letter Campaign Update – Restoring Due Process! Distance Learning Opportunities through AOPA February O&P Almanac: Center Stage in Sochi People in the News: Keith Gabel is the Newest Ottobock Ambassador AOPA’s Coding & Billing Seminar Goes to New Orleans in 2014! Become a Presenter at the 2014 AOPA National Assembly! Billing for Diabetic & Orthopedic Shoes, Mastectomy Services, & Surgical Dressings February Audio Conference Upcoming AOPA Events Action Needed: Senate to Vote on O&P Master's Expansion Resources AOPA is pleased that S. 1950, a comprehensive Veterans' bill, may be scheduled for debate and a vote on the Senate floor as early as this Monday, February 10. Section 322 of that bill would authorize the VA to provide $10 million to create new accredited master's degree programs in O&P or to expand existing O&P programs. With substantial numbers of experienced clinicians eligible for retirement, we must expand the pipeline of graduates with the master's degrees that are now required for entry-level clinical positions. It is vital that Senators understand the importance of this section before they vote on the bill, and that Representatives agree to these provisions in subsequent House-Senate negotiations. Click here to ask your Members of Congress to support expansion of advanced education in O&P! Click here to go back to the top of the newsletter.
Transcript of AOPA In Advance SmartBrief February 6th, 2014 AOPA …€¦ · · 2017-08-21expand the pipeline...
AOPA In Advance SmartBrief Breaking News February 6th, 2014
AOPA Headlines:
Action Needed: Senate to Vote on O&P Master's Expansion Resources
ALJ Letter Campaign Update – Restoring Due Process!
Distance Learning Opportunities through AOPA
February O&P Almanac: Center Stage in Sochi
People in the News: Keith Gabel is the Newest Ottobock Ambassador
AOPA’s Coding & Billing Seminar Goes to New Orleans in 2014!
Become a Presenter at the 2014 AOPA National Assembly!
Billing for Diabetic & Orthopedic Shoes, Mastectomy Services, & Surgical Dressings February Audio Conference
Upcoming AOPA Events
Action Needed: Senate to Vote on O&P Master's Expansion Resources
AOPA is pleased that S. 1950, a comprehensive Veterans' bill, may be scheduled for debate and a vote on the Senate floor as early as this Monday, February 10. Section 322 of that bill would authorize the VA to provide $10 million to create new accredited master's degree programs in O&P or to expand existing O&P programs. With substantial numbers of experienced clinicians eligible for retirement, we must expand the pipeline of graduates with the master's degrees that are now required for entry-level clinical positions. It is vital that Senators understand the importance of this section before they vote on the bill, and that Representatives agree to these provisions in subsequent House-Senate negotiations.
Click here to ask your Members of Congress to support expansion of advanced education in O&P!
Click here to go back to the top of the newsletter.
ALJ Letter Campaign Update – Restoring Due Process!
This has been one of our biggest “Calls to Action” and we have had 300 people send 968 letters to 244 different members of Congress.
AOPA feels strongly that the two year delay to suspend the processing of any new Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearings is a clear violation of your rights of due process afforded to you by the Benefits Improvements and Protection Act (BIPA) of 2000.
The ALJ level of appeal continues to be your best opportunity to be victorious and overturn unfavorable decisions made by the RACs and other auditors, and this delay undermines and delays your best prospect for relief. However, this announcement now provides us with even more concrete evidence that the current system of overly aggressive auditors is flawed and is putting undue burden on providers.
AOPA has taken the first step and addressed your concerns about this ALJ delay announcement and the subsequent revocation of your rights with a letter to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner on January 27th, 2014. AOPAs Letter to Administrator Tavenner read that “the only means of partially mitigating this harm is for CMS to suspend all of these audits until CMS & HHS put their house in order so that ALJ hearings are available within 90 days to conform to the law.”
We need you to take the next step and send your letter to your representatives and urge them to support your rights to due process.
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES & RESTORE DUE PROCESS!
Click here to read AOPAs Letter to CMS Administrator Tavenner
Click here to read the OMHA Memo Delaying ALJ Hearings
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.
Distance Learning Opportunities Through AOPA
Webcasts – AOPA offers two webcast series:
1. Mastering Medicare: Coding & Billing Basics and Principles contains nine modules is a recommended prerequisite to the Advanced Coding and Billing Techniques Seminar.
2. Practice Management: O&P
Administration Services contains three modules, 1. Establishing an O&P Practice; 2. Acquiring an existing O&P Practice; and 3. Enrolling in Medicare and Medicaid.
Learn more at http://www.aopanet.org/education/webcasts/ Audio Conferences – During these one-hour sessions, AOPA experts provide the most up-to-date information on a specific topic. Perfect for the entire staff--one fee per conference, for all staff at your company location ($99 Member/$199 Non-Member). A great team-building, money-saving, educational experience! Sign up for the entire series and get two conferences FREE. Entire Series ($990 Members/$1,990 Non-Members). The fee is per location and there is no limit on the number of staff you can assemble in one location. Learn more at http://www.aopanet.org/education/audio-conferences/ Video Learning Library – AOPA’s video learning library offers many different types of high level education. Clinical, business, motivational and more. Many of the videos have been approved for CE credits. After viewing the educational video in its entirety, complete and submit the quiz continuing education (CE) credits. On a quarterly basis AOPA will transmit the information to both ABC and BOC for those with passing grades of 80% or higher. Those not passing the quiz will be notified. Peruse the complete library at https://www.aopanetonline.org/education
O&P Almanac – AOPA is pleased to announce that beginning with the January 2014 edition of the O&P Almanac you can earn CE credits associated with the monthly Reimbursement Page and the Quarterly Compliance Corner. Because of the highly educational content of the O&P Almanac’s Reimbursement Page and Compliance Corner, O&P Almanac readers can now earn 2 Business Continuing Education (CE) Credits each time you read these articles and pass the accompanying quiz. Peruse the online 2014 Almanac Library here: http://bit.ly/2014OPalmanac Take the quizzes here: http://www.aopanet.org/publications/op-almanac-magazine/
Click here to go back to the top of the newsletter.
February O&P Almanac: Center Stage in Sochi
Paralympic Games – Sochi 2014
Amputee athletes from across the globe will meet in Sochi, Russia, next month to compete in the 2014 Winter Paralympics and showcase their abilities in several winter sports. Three of these elite athletes and their prosthetists recount their journeys, explaining the role of prosthetics in their achievements and sharing their expectations for the Games. Get the latest news in the recently published issue of the O&P Almanac – February 2014!
Turn to Page 14 and take February’s Quiz on the Reimbursement Page today!
People in the News: Keith Gabel is the Newest Ottobock Ambassador
Keith Gabel of Ogden, Utah, has been named the newest
Ottobock Ambassador. A below knee amputee, he will serve
as a role model for young athletes with disabilities, working
with Ottobock to promote the importance of an active lifestyle
and showcasing the technology that he uses in daily life and to
compete in the high performance sport of snowboarding.
A member of the first ever US Para Snowboard team,
Keith is ranked 1st in the world in the sport and is a
favorite to medal as the event makes its Paralympic
debut in Sochi 2014. Additional career highlights
include winning gold in the X-Games Para
Snowboard Cross, being a seven-time World Cup
medalist, and having the distinction of being the first
amputee to ever hit a 65 foot plus jump in an
international competition, the Burton Open.
Click here to go back to the top of the newsletter.
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!
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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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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