National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP)

03/27/2026

NAAOP is pleased to announce that Elijah Brummond has been selected as the 2026 George and Dena Breece Fellow. Following a highly competitive selection process, Elijah distinguished himself among a strong field of applicants. As the ninth recipient of the Breece Fellowship, he will join a growing group of emerging leaders dedicated to advancing public policy and advocacy in orthotics and prosthetics. Elijah grew up in Minnesota and is currently a sophomore at Drake University, where he is studying Business Law. He has been living with limb loss since birth and has used a below knee prosthesis throughout his life. Elijah began participating in advocacy at age seven through his work with “Wiggle Your Toes,” an organization focused on supporting children with limb loss and their families. NAAOP and the Fellowship Selection Committee extend their sincere appreciation to the individuals and organizations whose support makes the Fellowship possible. Special recognition is extended to the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC) Opportunity Fund and Cathy Carter, as well as Hanger, Inc. and Pete Stoy, for their continued commitment to supporting the Fellowship both now and in the years to come. If you would like to contribute to the Breece Fellowship, you can do so at www.naaop.org

6-Month Moratorium on New Medicare DMEPOS Suppliers: CMS recently announced a six-month moratorium on Medicare enrollment of seven categories of DMEPOS suppliers, impacting medical supply companies, including those with orthotic and prosthetic personnel. See, Moratorium. The reason cited for the moratorium is fraud, waste, and abuse that CMS outlines as a basis for this action. The moratorium is temporary but may be extended for additional six-month periods.

CRUSH Fraud Initiative Seeks Comments by March 30th: CMS also announced a Request for Information from the public to offer suggestions to Medicare on ways to fight fraud, waste, and abuse. Known as CRUSH, Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare, the announcement details multiple instances of fraud and abuse in the off-the-shelf and prefabricated orthotics benefit. NAAOP, in conjunction with the O&P Alliance, will be submitting comments detailing the need for CMS to adopt key aspects of the Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act as well as for CMS to finally implement BIPA Section 427, linking Medicare payment of custom orthotics and prosthetics with the qualifications of the supplier.

Upper Limb Coding and Payment Decisions: The HCPCS coding decisions on upper limb prostheses have been released and, while some progress on coding has been made, there is much work to be done on pricing of several codes. Unfortunately, some of the reimbursement levels announced on specific upper limb and hand/digit codes are well below what practitioners must pay manufacturers before any clinical care is provided, creating a major barrier to patient access to care. Additional work will be necessary to try to correct these misguided decisions.

OTS Competitive Bidding Implementation: NAAOP, in conjunction with the O&P Alliance, recently met with CMS officials to discuss ways to mitigate the negative effects of competitive bidding of OTS orthotics, which CMS expects to implement over the next two years. The meeting was positive and created additional action items for follow up as CMS implements this program for certain knee, back, and upper limb OTS orthotics.

Message from Nate Kapa, President of NAAOP:It is my pleasure to announce that the NAAOP Fellowship Selection Committee has selected the next George and Dena ...

11/27/2025

NAAOP wishes you a joyous Thanksgiving and a delightful day!

07/25/2025

Annika, our Breece Fellow, enjoyed a rewarding week, beginning with a luncheon held in her recognition. Appreciation is extended to all attendees, including all of the George and Dena Breece Fellows, Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) and VGM & Associates, American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics,
American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association,BOC International,National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), Amputee Coalition

07/23/2025

Today promises to be an exciting day at NAAOP. Annika, our Breece Fellow, has put considerable effort into organizing our Hill Day event this summer. Industry leaders, O&P Alliance members, and our Breece Fellows will converge on the hill to advocate for three critical issues highlighted in our monthly videos. Follow our social media platforms for updates on the meetings our members will be attending.

07/21/2025

We are proud to support the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Medicare Orthotic and Prosthetic (O&P) Patient-Centered Care Act (H.R. 4475; S. 2329) in the119th Congress. This transformative legislation reflects a strong, united commitment to improving access to high-quality orthotic and prosthetic care for individuals with limb loss and limb impairment while protecting the Medicare program from fraud and abuse. NAAOP worked closely with the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and additional members of the O&P Alliance, including the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC), and the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC), in moving this bill toward introduction.

NAAOP applauds Representatives Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-PA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) in the House and Senators Steve Daines (R- MT) and Mark Warner (D-VA) in the Senate, for their leadership in introducing this important legislation. We are deeply grateful for their steadfast support of individuals with limb loss, limb impairment, and other orthopedic conditions. Their efforts help ensure that patients receive timely, medically appropriate care from trained and credentialed O&P professionals in collaboration with rehabilitation physicians and therapists.

‘NAAOP urges members of the House and Senate to co-sponsor and swiftly pass the Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act,” stated Nate Kapa, C.P., President of NAAOP. “This bipartisan legislation ensures care is delivered by qualified professionals, modernizes outdated Medicare policies, and addresses healthcare fraud and unnecessary barriers to timely treatment.”

“With Medicare OTS orthotic competitive bidding scheduled to be re-started in the next year or two and increasing national focus on Medicare program integrity, this bill comes at a critical moment to close dangerous loopholes, support ethical clinical care, and improve outcomes for patients,” stated George W. Breece, Executive Director of NAAOP. The Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act addresses key challenges in Medicare that limit access to essential O&P services and permit bad actors to exploit the system. As highlighted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s June 30, 2025 announcement of the largest healthcare fraud “takedown” in U.S. history, criminals continue to abuse the Medicare program, including in the area of orthotic benefits. At the same time, outdated policies prevent certified clinicians from providing off-the-shelf (OTS) orthoses unless they hold a competitive bidding contract—a requirement not imposed on physicians and therapists, who are able to provide OTS orthoses at the point of service but at the competitively bid payment rate. Patients also face delays in care due to rigid rules that deny coverage for replacement orthoses, even when their medical condition has changed.

This legislation offers three targeted reforms to resolve these issues. It would exempt licensed and certified orthotists and prosthetists from needing a competitive bidding contract to provide off-the-shelf orthoses, increasing access without increasing costs. It would prohibit the drop shipping of custom-fabricated and custom-fitted orthotics and prosthetics to patients without in-person clinical care, helping to reduce fraud and ensure safe treatment. And it would require Medicare to cover replacements for custom orthoses when medically necessary, regardless of whether the device has reached the five-year “useful lifetime,” aligning orthotic policy with that of prosthetic limbs.

“We are grateful that 47 national disability and rehabilitation organizations join NAAOP in supporting this important bill, including consumer, clinical and research organizations,” stated Peter Thomas, general counsel to NAAOP. “We strongly support this legislation and urge swift passage by Congress.

To encourage YOUR Representative and two Senators to cosponsor this legislation, click https://p2a.co/mDIbW98 or go to NAAOP’s Congressional Action Center https://www.naaop.org/congressional-action-center to easily send emails to Congress seeking co- sponsorship of these bills.

As a national nonprofit organization, NAAOP is dedicated to advancing the interests of individuals with limb loss, limb impairment, and all those who rely on orthotic and prosthetic care. Our mission is to ensure access to clinically appropriate, patient-centered services delivered by licensed and certified O&P professional.


Supporting Organizations of the Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act

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 Allianc

TAKE ACTION NOW—Email Your Members of Congress Today to Urge Them to Cosponsor H.R. 4475/S. 2329, the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Car...

07/07/2025

Check out our latest update from our General Counsel Peter Thomas and Annika Berlin, the 2025 George and Dena Breece Fellow. She is hard at work in Washington, DC, halfway through her 10-week fellowship gaining experience and learning about O&P policy and advocacy. Annika has helped draft an O&P Edge article on Medicaid reforms, researched and authored a paper on the impact of tariffs on orthotic and prosthetic imports, and is helping to plan NAAOP’s first in-person Congressional Fly-In scheduled for July 22nd -23rd , in partnership with OPGA. Annika also visited Nikki Grace Strader of OPGA in Iowa to understand their operation and be exposed to the Iowa state legislature.​

Annika also spent two days in Michigan with NAAOP President, Nate Kapa, CP, learning about clinical practice and visiting the Michigan State House. She rounded out her clinical experience at a Hanger Clinic at National Rehabilitation Hospital in DC hosted by Maggie Baumer, former NAAOP President. Annika will continue her fellowship experience through July before returning to her employer, PSYONIC, Inc., an innovative upper limb prosthetic manufacturer.​

Medicaid Reforms About to Become a Reality: The most recent version of the Budget Reconciliation bill pending before Congress is about make major changes to the Medicaid program, as well as private coverage available through the Affordable Care Act. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has forecast that as many as 16 million people will lose access to health care coverage as the federal government reduces funding for the Medicaid program by a little less than $1 trillion over ten years. This is likely to have a major impact on access to care, generally, and is expected to have a negative impact on people with limb loss and limb impairment who rely on Medicaid for their O&P coverage.​

Tariff Impact on O&P: Working in collaboration with the O&P Alliance, NAAOP has been researching and drafting a statement to help educate the O&P field on the impact of tariffs on O&P imports. The paper will examine the Nairobi Protocol, an international agreement that provides for duty free treatment of devices, parts and accessories that serve the needs of people with disabilities. However, there are key exceptions to tariff law that exempt certain O&P parts and accessories from duty-free treatment. The paper will be released as soon as it has been fully vetted and adopted by the national O&P organizations.​

NAAOP In-Person Congressional Fly-In: In close partnership with OPGA, the NAAOP is hosting at the end of July its first-ever, in-person Congressional Fly-In to educate Congress on key O&P priorities. The 30-person event is invitation-only and focuses on board members, fellows, and members of NAAOP who are represented by legislators on key Congressional committees. The agenda will focus on advancing the Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act, securing funding for O&P outcomes research, and other O&P priorities. NAAOP thanks OPGA for their close collaboration on this event and we look forward to amplifying our voice on O&P issues on Capitol Hill.

Medicaid, Tariffs, and the Breece Fellowship Experience2025 Breece Fellow Update: Annika Berlin, the 2025 George and Dena Breece Fellow, is hard at work in W...

07/04/2025

We extend our wishes to everyone for a happy and safe Independence Day!

07/02/2025

Where has our Breece Fellow been? Annika recently visited Michigan, accompanied by NAAOP President Nate Kapa and Bremer Prosthetics. She gained hands-on experience in a clinical setting and enjoyed kayaking the Detroit River with the Bremer Prosthetics team. Additionally, Annika met with Michigan Rep. Curtis VanDerwall and Senator Curtis Hertel to discuss So Every BODY Can Move initiatives in Michigan. We appreciate everyone who made Annika's time in Michigan so enlightening.

06/24/2025

Last week, Anni spent a few days with Maggie Baumer, who leads patient advocacy at Hanger and is also NAAOP past President. They visited the National Rehab Hospital and got to meet with Hanger CPO Ben Higgs and Dr. Gilmer, a PM&R physician. Throughout the week, Anni joined in on several advocacy calls — including the launch of SEBCM efforts in her home state of California and some work around expanding wheelchair repair coverage. She also took the lead on writing a public comment to a federal agency about a proposed rule that could impact building accessibility.

Outside of all that, she squeezed in some museum visits and caught a documentary and panel at the DC Film Fest hosted by the Center for American Progress.

06/06/2025

Where has our Breece Fellow been this week? Anni recently spent several days in Iowa visiting the VGM Group, gaining valuable insight into the intersections of O&P care, advocacy, and policy implementation.
She met with members of the VGM team—including Nikki Grace Strader (Breece Fellow 2022) Denise Doyle, Tom Powers, Jeff Kessler, Adam Miller, Tyler Mahncke, and Ike Isaacson—to better understand how OPGA supports providers and advances access across the field.

Time spent with former Iowa State Senator Jeff Danielson offered further perspective on the importance of strategic relationships and state-level policymaking.

A visit to Clark & Associates allowed for meaningful conversations with CPO Andrew Steele about clinical realities and the access challenges faced by both patients and providers.

The highlight of the trip was an unexpected meeting with former U.S. Senator Harkin during a tour of The Harkin Institute. Thank you to Daniel Van Sant who is the Director of Disability Policy at The Harkin Institute. As co-sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Senator Harkin’s legacy continues to shape disability policy nationwide. Anni had the opportunity to speak with him about her prosthetic hand, the progress made in the field, and the critical work still ahead. Thank you VGM & Associates and all who provided such valuable insight.

05/30/2025

Please join us in welcoming Annika Berlin, our 2025 George and Dena Breece Fellow, as she concludes her first week. We are grateful to our supporters for their contributions, which enable us to offer this fellowship!