American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association

04/22/2026

AOPA President Kimberly Hanson, CPRH is back with an update on AOPA's 2026 Policy Forum that took place last week in Washington DC. Please take a few minutes to hear from her about the issues over 125 advocates brought to Capitol Hill and the importance of advocacy.

Thank you to all who joined us last week, your efforts made a difference!

04/22/2026

AOPA’s Executive Director, Teri Kuffel, JD and Senior Director of External Affairs, Ashlie White, proudly wore orange on Capitol Hill last Wednesday while advocating for the O&P community.

By wearing orange, they helped raise awareness for the limb loss and limb difference community and celebrated Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month ( ).

Are you wearing orange today for ?

04/21/2026

Attending OTWorld 2026?

Stop by the AOPA U.S. Pavilion and connect with us and other leaders from the U.S. O&P community.

As Pavilion sponsor, AOPA is proud to showcase six innovative U.S. exhibitors and welcome attendees to explore opportunities in the U.S. market. AOPA staff and Board members will be onsite, and we’d love to meet you!

Don’t miss:
Workshop: Break into the U.S. Market
May 20 | 4:00–4:45 PM
Room M1, Floor 0, Messehaus

Networking Happy Hour
May 20 | 5:00–6:00 PM
Hall 1, Stand B28

We look forward to connecting with you in Leipzig!

04/20/2026

The 2026 AOPA Quick Coder is here! This is your go-to resource for fast, reliable access to the latest HCPCS codes for orthotics, prosthetics, shoes, and modifiers.

Updated with April 1 codes and laminated for daily use, it’s designed to help you code with confidence and efficiency.

Get yours today: https://aopahub.aopanet.org/merchandise?reload=timezone

04/20/2026

Better patient care starts with making sure patient voices are heard.

On April 13–14, Erick Janisse, CO, CPed, attended the AOPA Policy Forum in Washington, D.C., advocating for improved access to orthotic and prosthetic care.

Discussions focused on supporting legislation that would make care more accessible, reduce fraud, and ensure decisions are based on patient needs. There was also strong support for the Limb Loss Resource Center and research that improves real patient outcomes.

While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it plays an important role in improving care for patients today and in the future.

We’re proud to support efforts that help patients get the care they need.

04/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Washington DC this week for AOPA’s 2026 Policy Forum!

Because of you, more than 125 O&P advocates from 31 states came together to ensure the voice of our profession and the limb loss and limb difference community was heard loud and clear on Capitol Hill.

Together, you participated in 158 congressional meetings, including 92 in the House and 66 in the Senate, sharing real stories and advancing key priorities:
- Passage of the Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act
- Funding for the National Limb Loss Resource Center in FY27
- Reinstating funding for the Orthotics & Prosthetics Outcomes Research Program (OPORP)

This is what advocacy in action looks like and it makes a difference. We have already received an additional co-sponsor for the Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act and expect more to follow in the coming weeks.

We also extend our sincere thanks to our Policy Forum sponsors for their support in making this important event possible. Your partnership helps power the profession’s collective voice.
Cranial Technologies
Allard USA
American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics
Becker Orthopedic
Exton Advisors LLC
Hanger Clinic
International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics
National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP)
OPGA
PROTEOR USA
Trulife
World Insurance Associates LLC

We are grateful for each one of you and look forward to building on this momentum together.

04/15/2026

Today, AOPA’s Executive Director, Teri Kuffel, JD and Senior Director of External Affairs, Ashlie White joined members of Cranial Technologies team, Tim Littlefield and Justin Bova on Capitol Hill.

As a part of this tailored corporate fly-in we met with the offices of with Sen. Banks, Sen. Ernst, Sen. Budd, Sen. Blumenthal, Sen. Peter’s, and Sen. Tuberville to discuss TRICARE coverage of cranial remolding orthoses.

We are grateful for the direction and support to ensure that military families can get access to cranial remolding orthoses for their babies with plagiocephaly and brachycephaly. It truly was also a pleasure to support our member, Cranial Technologies to advocate for this important coverage.

04/15/2026

AOPA staff came together to wear orange for Wear Orange Wednesday in support of the Amputee Coalition, Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, and the incredible limb loss and limb difference community.

Our team proudly showed up in orange to raise awareness, celebrate the limb loss and limb difference community, and stand alongside the individuals and families the O&P profession serves every day.

We are also excited that AOPA staff live and work in states where Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month proclamations have been submitted or officially recognized, helping elevate awareness.

A special shoutout to Maryland and Minnesota for having their proclamations officially received!

This month and every month AOPA remains committed to advancing awareness, advocacy, and access to care for the limb loss and limb difference community.

04/14/2026

Today was an incredible day of meetings on Capitol Hill! Together, we’re improving the future of O&P care.

Thanks to our over 125 Policy Forum attendees from all over the country who are investing in the power of policy change for the profession and the limb loss and limb difference community

04/14/2026

AOPA’s President-Elect, Matt Swiggum helping to make sure we are ready to speak with one voice today on Capitol Hill! Over 125 O&P advocates are excited and ready to advocate for the O&P profession and the limb loss and limb difference community!

04/14/2026

Today, during the first day of the 2026 Policy Forum attendees learned to harness their voice as advocates, educate members of Congress, and come together on behalf of the profession and the limb loss and limb difference community.

Tomorrow, we head to Capitol Hill on behalf of the entire O&P profession. Over 30 states represented and over 150 meetings with members of Congress!

04/12/2026

Welcome Dr. Carmen Elliot! AOPA looks forward to working with you as we continue to support the Amputee Coalition in empowering the limb loss and limb difference community!

The Amputee Coalition is proud to welcome Carmen Elliott, DHS, CAE, as our new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Elliott brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across healthcare associations, public policy, and nonprofit management. She joins the Amputee Coalition from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), where she held several senior leadership roles, including Acting Chief of Staff, Executive Director of the Physical Therapy Fund, and Vice President of Payment Policy and Advancement. Throughout her career, she has led strategic initiatives across policy, member engagement, fundraising, and organizational growth, managing multimillion-dollar budgets and driving work that supports both professionals and patients.

Her leadership style is grounded in strengthening organizations, improving participation in care, and building strong, connected communities. These priorities closely align with the Amputee Coalition’s mission and the work we do every day alongside the limb loss and limb difference community.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are thrilled to welcome Carmen Elliott as the Amputee Coalition’s next President and CEO,” said Carrie Davis, Board Chair. “Her experience, thoughtful leadership, and commitment to community will help guide the organization into its next chapter.”

Dr. Elliott is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and holds a Doctor of Human Services in Organizational Leadership from Capella University, a Master of Science in Healthcare Management from Marymount University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bowie State University.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Carmen Elliott as we continue building on 40 years of progress and look ahead to what’s next!