Rates for Orthotics Provided to Medicare Patients
AOTA submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed list of “Off-The-Shelf” (OTS) orthotics. CMS drafted a list of orthotics that initially identifies specific Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes that are considered Off-The-Shelf (OTS) orthotics. See http://www.cms.gov/DMEPOSFeeSched/04_OTS_Orthotics.asp for CMS’ list (available in a zip file under the "Downloads" section at the bottom of the page). These items would be paid to occupational therapists (OTs) at the competitive bidding rate, which we expect to be lower than present rates. OTs are exempt from competitive bidding and can continue to supply these items under the OT plan of treatment without submitting bids.
For background information on competitive bidding, see:
AOTA Advocacy Success: CMS Exempts OTs in Private Practice from Competitive Bidding Requirement
CMS Says Occupational Therapists Exempt from DMEPOS Accreditation Requirements
CMS Issues Final Interim Rule on Competitive Bidding
Check back for future developments.
