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You've asked us for a more in-depth Coding & Billing seminar and once again AOPA delivers. On Dec. 1-2 at the Hyatt Grand Cypress in Orlando, AOPA will present the final "Mastering Medicare: Advanced Coding and Billing Seminar" of 2008. Attend AOPA's "Mastering Medicare: Advanced Coding & Billing Seminar" to help you avoid errors and lost profits. At this seminar you will:

• Learn how to code complex devices, including repairs and adjustments, through interactive discussions with AOPA experts and your colleagues;
• Join in-depth discussions on compliance with Medicare billing rules and documentation expectations;
• Learn how to assess compliance risk areas and deal with them;
• Learn successful appeal strategies and hints on avoiding claim denials;
• Break-out sessions for practitioners and office staff;
• Detailed information on "Hot Topic" issues in O&P; and
• Earn 14 continuing education credits in two days.
  

The early-bird registration deadline for this final "Mastering Medicare:  Advanced Coding & Billing Seminar" of 2008 is approaching! Register before November 7 and save $25 on your registration. Registration for AOPA members before November 7 is $525, after November 7 it is $550. The hold on hotel rooms at the Hyatt Grand Cypress in Orlando are also guaranteed through November 7.

Click here to register today.

 
Questions? Contact Erin Kennedy at ekennedy@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0834.

 
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There's a strong O&P message that has to be sold over the next few months to avoid a disastrous cut in Medicare reimbursements. AOPA members received their renewal notice for the 2009 membership year this past week with a letter from executive director, Tom Fise, urging your renewal to express your vote of confidence in AOPA and your business future. The new administration and Congress with their likely focus on Medicare reform make it even more imperative that AOPA is equipped with adequate resources to preserve a healthy O&P community in what promises to be a radically new Medicare structure.
 
During the past year, anticipating the demands of 2009, AOPA has taken steps to make sure your dollars are wisely invested. Basic overhead costs have been reduced by significant amounts to free up cash for the 11 strategic initiatives, including a comprehensive public relations program to support the legislative battle ahead. Staff size has been reduced by outsourcing some non-core activities to experts. Lobbying talent has been expanded to include the former head of CMS, Tom Scully. Negotiations are underway to further expand the AOPA lobbying team by adding a former staffer of one of the most influential Senators on health care matters before the end of the year.

Tens of billions of dollars of Medicare payments will be on the chopping block next year, including a fair chunk of funding in the O&P area. There has never been a time when O&P needed such strong, aggressive and proactive representation in Washington. Retain your AOPA membership and encourage your O&P colleagues and competitors to join AOPA, and be part of the solution, OR bury your head in the sand and delude yourself into thinking that denial will help you keep from getting chopped.
 
Times may be tough but they're probably going to get tougher before they get better.  Now is not the time for penny wise, pound foolish decisions. AOPA needs your vote of confidence to make sure you receive your lifeblood - proper reimbursements.
 
Questions? Contact Steven Rybicki at srybicki@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0835.
   

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On November 19, AOPA will present the final audio conference of 2008, "New Codes for 2009." This affects your business so don't wait until January to be introduced to and educated about the new L-Codes! Register now for this informative audio conference. AOPA's coding expert, Joe McTernan, will prepare you for the transition into 2009. We'll prep you to hit the ground running in the New Year. At this audio conference you will:

• Learn about the new, deleted and changed procedure codes for 2009
• Find out valuable information about crosswalks from old codes to new codes
• New codes go into effect January 1, 2009 with no grace period 
• Learn AOPA's interpretation of the new codes and what products they represent
  

The audio conference will contain approximately 45 minutes of speaker time followed by a 15 minute Q&A session. As always, the cost of this audio conference is just $99 for members ($199 for non-members) and an unlimited number of people can participate at each location. For those needing CE credit, 1.5 units are available to those who submit the quiz (provided in advance) within 30 days and score at least 80 percent.

Click here to download the registration form.

Questions? Contact Erin Kennedy at ekennedy@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0834. 
 
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AOPA's strategic initiative on creating a comprehensive public relations program workgroup issued a Request for Proposals to work with AOPA in creating compelling public relations solutions to promote and support the goals of the O&P profession. Ten firms were invited to submit proposals with a submission deadline of November 5. Presentations from selected finalists will take place November 13 and a final selection will be made November 21.

The Request for Proposal cited these specific threats and opportunities that require public relations solutions:

• New competitors entering the field;
• Government and private payers seeking ways to reduce the costs for the provision of services;
• Increases in the disease drivers that ultimately result in patient needs for orthotic and prosthetic services;
• Increasing numbers of patients due to the demographic and population trends;
• Higher demands for service coming from the patients;
• Consideration of new rules and processes to determine who is qualified to provide the services;
• Demands from the payers for scientific demonstrations of the efficacy of the services;
• New technologies in the form of automation, device activation and control, materials, etc.
  

All of these challenges were gleaned from the member survey of last December and those responses have also driven the development of all 11 Strategic Initiatives. The public relations initiative is also an element that will help the legislative programs that AOPA is pursuing.

Questions? Contact Steven Rybicki at srybicki@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0835.
 

September 20-23, 2009 the AOPA National Assembly will be held at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center (WSCTC) in downtown Seattle. Please plan to join us for a meeting jam-packed with the best orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic clinical education in the industry. As always, we'll also feature can't miss business education, the nation's largest exhibit hall dedicated to O&P, networking, special events and more.

Accommodations for the 2009 AOPA National Assembly will be at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. Located directly behind the WSCTC, this AAA four diamond award-winning hotel puts you in the heart of downtown Seattle. Historic Pike Place market, the Seattle Space Needle and the Experience Music Project are all within easy walking distance, as are the best of Seattle dining, nightlife and fine arts. We're really looking forward to Seattle and we're excited to have you join us there.
 
Questions? Contact Erin Kennedy at ekennedy@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0834.

 

Share your expertise. Advance your career. Improve patient care. AOPA is excited to announce this call for papers.  AOPA requests that all interested presenters submit an abstract of their proposed scientific paper or description of their proposed business paper. And if your paper is accepted you will receive a complimentary registration for the 2009 National Assembly.

Presentations in Seattle will be 15 or 30 minutes based on the strength of the abstract as well as the amount of time requested by the presenter.

Click here to see additional information on presenting at the 2009 AOPA National Assembly.

Presentations will be selected from among papers received by the AOPA Assembly Program Committee.  Eligible presenters will receive a complimentary full-conference registration for the 2009 AOPA National Assembly. An electronic Call for Papers form should be submitted to Tina Moran at AOPA no later than January 31, 2009.

For further information, contact Tina at or tmoran@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0808.

 
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• Tech Depot Consultant for IT questions & quotes
• Custom furniture solutions for Executive Offices through 50-cubicle stations
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 CALL KEITH LILES AT (540) 687-0068.

If you're a supplier interested in increasing your profile in the O&P field, see how you will benefit from advertising and sponsorships that reach an audience of sophisticated O&P business decision-makers and practitioners! There is no better way to promote your products and services to the O&P industry than through AOPA events and publications.

Click here to download a .pdf version of the 2009 Media Planner.
 

Over 100 manufacturers have signed-up and are using LCodeSearch.com to list their products. Join the growing number of AOPA members who use this Web-based quick reference site to find appropriate coding for hundreds of O&P products. AOPA member manufacturers continue to add their products and codes to the site and the AOPA Coding and Reimbursement Committee is verifying accuracy and resolving any coding questions.

If you don't see products of a favorite manufacturer already on the site, remind them that as an AOPA member their products can be added to the site free of charge. All manufacturers will be given an opportunity to enhance their listings, enabling them to communicate extensive product information and post pictures, for a modest annual fee, covering all products posted on the site.

Questions? Contact Devon Bernard at dbernard@AOPAnet.org  or (571) 431-0854.

Now is your chance to purchase a copy of the Oct. 15 AOPAversity audio conference CD on "Fraud and Abuse," covered these topics:

The cost is $99 for AOPA members and $199 for non-members. Visit the AOPA Bookstore to order. For those needing CE credit, 1.5 units are available to those who submit the quiz, which is provided, within 30 days of receiving the audio conference and score at least 80 percent..

 

Past topics, also available on CD, include: "Handling Difficult Patients", "Hints on Complying with Quality Standards;" "Tips on Getting Paid;"  "Why Was My Claim Denied? Hints on Minimizing Claims Denials;" "The New CMS-1500 Form: Get It Right the First Time;" "Guidelines on Billing Different Venues & Should I Participate with Medicare?;" and "How Not To Get Sued."

Click here and visit the AOPA Bookstore for a complete list of available topics.

Questions? Contact Erin Kennedy at ekennedy@AOPAnet.org or call (571) 431-0834.

  

Fillauer LLC received the Tennessee Governor's Award for Trade Excellence (GATE) for achieved excellence in engaging in global trade as a medium sized company.  The state of Tennessee has honored large, medium and small sized companies for their participation in global trading with the GATE Award since 2007.

Kentucky Orthotics and Prosthetics Association, held its annual meeting at Keeneland Thoroughbred Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday, October 11. Speakers included John Reynolds CPO who represented AOPA on the subject of state licensure and Russell Hornfisher who talked about the many benefits of AOPA membership.

Monroe Orthotics & Prosthetics has earned a three-year accreditation in orthotics and prosthetics from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, & Pedorthics.

St. Petersburg College has partnered with Ohio Willow Wood and OPIE to integrate a progressive teaching model that includes both OMEGAŽ TracerŽ CAD/CAM technology and OPIE Software Management throughout its orthotic and prosthetic curriculum.
 

Donald Smerko, CP passed away on Oct 15 at the age of 52. Donald followed in his father's footsteps and dedicated his life to treating the disabled at the family business, Koeber's Prosthetic and Orthotic Labs in Chicago. He worked with his father, Joseph Smerko, his brother, Dennis Smerko, and his wife Loretta Smerko for many years. He graduated from Northwestern University and became ABC certified in 1984. Donald's desire to help others brought him to other countries (Grenada and Columbia) where he volunteered his professional services. In 1994 he served as President of the Illinois Society of Orthotists and Prosthetists.