Reps. GT Thompson, Mike Thompson, Bilirakis, Dingell, Sens. Daines, Warner Lead Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and DebbieDingell (D-MI) and Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Mark Warner (D-VA) today introduced the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act. This bipartisan, bicameral bill will ensure Medicare beneficiaries can access the orthotics and prosthetics devices they need. Under current Medicare requirements, beneficiaries are at risk of receiving orthotic and prosthetic devices without the necessary services and customization required for the best use. The bill will clarify the law and permit Medicare beneficiaries who require prosthetics and orthotics to receive these important services.

“After nearly three decades working as a therapist, rehab services manager, and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, I’ve witnessed the challenges people face when they need orthotics or prosthetics,” Rep. GT Thompson said. “This bipartisan bill recognizes that access to medically necessary, high-quality, orthotic and prosthetic care is essential to a patient’s mobility and overall quality of life.”

"Seniors on Medicare deserve to be protected from poorly-made or deceptive orthotic and prosthetic products," Rep. Mike Thompson said. "I'm proud to work with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to introduce the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act to protect patients, improve care, and crack down on scams and disreputable businesses." 

“This vital legislation ensures that individuals with limb loss and orthopedic conditions receive safe, effective, and patient-centered care,” Rep. Bilirakis said. “It streamlines Medicare coverage for orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) services, reduces fraud and abuse by clearly identifying qualified providers, and prioritizes both clinical outcomes and patient needs. By upholding high standards and strengthening oversight, this bill advances fiscal responsibility while delivering compassionate care to some of Medicare’s most vulnerable beneficiaries.”

“Medically necessary, high-quality orthotic and prosthetic devices are life changing for millions of people," Rep. Dingell said. "But patients must also have access to personalized services and care in order to safely use and maintain these devices. I’m proud to co-lead this legislation that will ensure Medicare recipients can get the care they require to live full and healthy lives.”

“The last thing orthotics and prosthetics patients should have to worry about are unnecessary hurdles impacting access to quality care," Sen. Daines said. "I’m proud to help introduce this bipartisan, bicameral bill that will reduce waste & fraud in the Medicare system and remove unneeded regulations that hinder access to prosthetic and orthotic devices.”

“For Virginians living with limb loss or mobility challenges, access to quality orthotic and prosthetic care isn’t optional – it’s essential to living with dignity and independence," Sen. Warner said. "I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan effort to ensure Medicare covers the specialized services and devices these patients need, while also cracking down on fraud and abuse that drive up costs and undermine trust in the system. This is a commonsense fix that puts patients first and protects taxpayer dollars.”

“The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) applauds Representatives Glenn "GT" Thompson, Mike Thompson, Debbie Dingell, and Gus Bilirakis for introducing the bipartisan Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act in the House. For years, AOPA and its more than 1,500 members—comprising both the facilities that care for individuals with limb loss and limb difference and the manufacturers of orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) devices—have advocated for policies that protect access to high-quality clinical care. This legislation does exactly that. It not only safeguards patients’ access to medically necessary O&P care but also addresses fraudulent practices that place unnecessary costs on the Medicare system. If passed, this bill has the potential to transform the lives of millions of Americans. We are deeply grateful for the Representatives’ continued leadership and their commitment to advancing the O&P profession and the patients it serves,” said Teri Kuffel, JD, Executive Director of AOPA. 

“This important legislation could not come at a better time. In the wake of Department of Justice investigations where criminals have exploited the vulnerabilities in the Medicare orthotic benefit and the Medicare program is poised to return to competitively bidding orthotic care, the three major provisions of this bill will help reduce fraud and abuse and improve patient-centered care for beneficiaries with limb loss and limb impairment.  We strongly support this legislation and urge swift passage by Congress," said Peter W. Thomas, JD, counsel to the Orthotic and Prosthetic Alliance, a coalition of five national O&P organizations that support the bill.

This bill has support from the following 47 organizations: 

Access Ready, Inc.

ACCSES

All Wheels Up

American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists

American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

American Association on Health and Disability

American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics 

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

American Cochlear Implant Alliance

American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

American Music Therapy Association

American Occupational Therapy Association

American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association

American Physical Therapy Association

American Podiatric Medical Association

American Society of Hand Therapists

American Therapeutic Recreation Association

Amputee Coalition

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses

Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network

Board of Certification/Accreditation

Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis

Center for Medicare Advocacy

Center on Aging and DIS-Ability Policy

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Clinician Task Force

Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation

CureLGMD2i Foundation

3DA

Institute for Matching Person & Technology

Lakeshore Foundation

Miami Project to Cure Paralysis

Muscular Dystrophy Association

National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

National Association of Rehabilitation Providers and Agencies

National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

National Disability Rights Network

National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers

Paralyzed Veterans of America

RESNA

Simon Foundation for Continence

Spina Bifida Association

The Viscardi Center

United Cerebral Palsy

United Spinal Association

VisionServe Alliance

You can click here to read the text of this legislation.

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