American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association

12/23/2025

As we wrap up 2025, the AOPA staff would like to say thank you to our members, volunteers, partners, and supporters. Your engagement, collaboration, and commitment to AOPA and the O&P community made this a year of meaningful progress and shared success.

We’re grateful for the trust you place in AOPA and for the important work we do together to advance the O&P profession and improve the lives of the individuals we serve.

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy holiday season and all the best in the year ahead. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2026.

12/22/2025

Joe McTernan, AOPA's Director of Health Policy and Advocacy is back to wrap up 2025 and help you plan for 2026. Please take a few minutes to hear the latest and see how these updates impact you and your practice.

We look forward to continuing to support you in the coming year!

12/19/2025

Earlier this week, AOPA Executive Director Teri Kuffel, JD and Senior Director of External Affairs Ashlie White attended an event where they had the opportunity to connect with Chairman Brett Guthrie and Representative Russell Fry to discuss the Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act and other key issues impacting the O&P profession.

Conversations like these are critical to advancing policies that protect patient access, support O&P providers, and strengthen care for individuals with limb loss and limb difference.

We appreciate Chairman Guthrie and Representative Fry for their interest in and support of O&P, and we look forward to continuing to work with them on behalf of AOPA members and the patients we serve.

12/17/2025

In the final “Views from Leadership” of 2025, Teri Kuffel, JD, AOPA Executive Director reflects on the year of progress and collaboration. Please take a few minutes to hear her reflections.

The AOPA Board and Staff wishes you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season!

12/16/2025

The 2025 AOPA Annual Report is here!

This year’s report highlights the milestones, achievements, and progress that made 2025 a year of growth, innovation, collaboration, and impact across the O&P profession.

Inside, you’ll find:
- Key advocacy wins
- Major initiatives and programs
- Highlights from events
- Progress that strengthened patient care and supported AOPA members

None of this would be possible without our members, partners, and volunteers. Your engagement, expertise, and passion continue to move AOPA and the profession forward.

Thank you for being an essential part of AOPA’s mission. Together, we’re building momentum and elevating O&P for the individuals and communities we serve.

Read the report:https://aopanet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/AOPA-Annual-Report-2025-FINAL-FINAL.pdf

12/16/2025

Strong practices start with strong operations.

AOPA is excited to launch AOPA’s Admin Advantage, a brand-new education series designed specifically to support the administrative and operational side of O&P practices.

This structured series of short, expert-led 30-minute weekly courses focuses on the real-world billing, reimbursement, and operational challenges O&P practices face every day.

Who it’s for:
- Administrative and billing staff
- Practice managers and office leaders
- Owners focused on compliance and performance

Series 1 launches January 7 and is every Wednesday at Noon ET for six weeks. There will be live Q&A and on-demand options.
• January 7: Understanding the Basics of Medicare
• January 14: Medicare Terminology for O&P
• January 21: Introduction to Administrative Documentation
• January 28: Introduction to O&P Billing
• February 4: Introduction to Denial Management
• February 11: Understanding Revenue Cycle Management

To accommodate schedules, we have several registration options:
1. Individual Live Course and Q&A: $49 members / $79 non-members
2. Individual On-Demand Course: $49 members / $79 non-members (On-demand Courses will be available 2 days after the Live Course in AOPAversity.)
3. Live 6-Course Bundle Package – A $95 savings and includes a Recap Week (The Recap Week will run February 23 through March 2 and provide access to all the recordings, allowing you to watch anything you may have missed or want a refresher) : $199 members / $249 non-members

Taught by trusted O&P operations experts, AOPA’s Admin Advantage gives you practical tools you can use immediately. Visit AOPA’s Events Calendar to see the options and register to help build a smarter, more efficient O&P practice. https://aopanet.org/events/aopa-calendar/?mg_page=1&keyword=&queryCategories=&queryTypes=

12/15/2025

The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP) is now accepting applications for the George and Dena Breece Health Policy and Advocacy Fellowship, a paid, 9-week summer program based in Washington, DC.

This competitive fellowship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in federal O&P policy and advocacy, working alongside national organizations that advance access to O&P care for patients and the professionals who serve them.

The Fellowship Includes:
- Immersion in federal O&P policy and advocacy
- Exposure to O&P clinical and business settings
- Insight into disability and rehabilitation policy
- State-based advocacy experience
- All travel covered by NAAOP

The Fellowship runs late May – early August 2026 and is located in Washington DC.

One Fellow will be selected for the 2026 term through a competitive application and interview process.

If you’re passionate about advocacy, health policy, and the future of O&P, don’t miss this incredible opportunity.

Applications due by January 20, 2026.

Learn more and apply on NAAOP’s website:

As of December 1, 2025, NAAOP is accepting applications for its annual George and Dena Breece Health Policy and Advocacy Fellowship. NAAOP is a national nonprofit association advocating for consumers/patients requiring orthotic and prosthetic care, as well as the providers who serve them.  The NAAO...

12/15/2025

As 2025 ends, we’re saying goodbye to the print version of O&P Almanac and hello to the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Moving to an all-digital format has been part of AOPA’s long-term strategy. This shift allows us to deliver news faster, tell richer stories, and explore new formats like video, infographics, and interactive content, all while reinvesting resources back into content that matters most to the O&P community. Most importantly, it strengthens our connection with you. It allows us to amplify more voices, share more perspectives, and spark deeper conversations across the profession.

The November December 2025 issue, our final print issue reflects that spirit of innovation, featuring:
- A deep dive into how O&P facilities are using AI to streamline documentation and enhance patient care.
- A look at groundbreaking neural implant research restoring sensation through advanced prosthetics.
- Plus, much more.

After reading the issue, please be sure to join our mailing list to stay connected as new digital content launches. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey with us; we can’t wait to engage with you even more in 2026!

Read the issue: https://issuu.com/americanoandp/docs/november_december_o_p_almanac_2025

12/12/2025

Executive Director Teri Kuffel, JD and Senior Director of External Affairs Ashlie White were proud to attend the National Health Council’s Annual Meeting and Luncheon as a new member of the NHC this week. The event was held at the historic Willard InterContinental, bringing together national health leaders committed to advancing patient-centered care.

Later in the week, Teri met with American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) leadership Cathy Carter and Steve Fletcher, along with Academy Past President and ABC Surveyor Rick Miller, CO, FAAOP, for meaningful conversations focused on collaboration, alignment, and the future of the O&P profession.

These meetings reflect AOPA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening partnerships, elevating the voice of O&P, and working together to advance O&P care.

12/11/2025

More good news to share from The Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research! Congratulations to the 2025 Doctoral Training Awards recipients.

🌟CONGRATULATIONS🌟

2025 Doctoral Training Awards! 🎓

These outstanding clinician–scientists in training represent the future of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics research. By pursuing doctoral training, these clinicians will advance the evidence base that strengthens clinical decision-making, improves patient outcomes, and ensures sustainability for the OP&P profession.

These awards provide up to $1,000 to support ABC-certified CPOs, CPs, COs, and CPeds enrolled in PhD programs to maintain clinical credentials and remain professionally engaged.

🎉 Please join us in congratulating the 2025 recipients and celebrating their commitment to research in OP&P rehabilitation.

🔗 Learn More: https://oandpfoundation.org/2025-doctoral-training-awards/

🎁 Support our programs:https://oandpfoundation.networkforgood.com/projects/250266-website-donations

12/11/2025

AOPA is excited to share an important development in Medicare policy. After nearly two years of persistent engagement following our initial formal LCD reconsideration request in 2023, the DME MACs have released the final revision to the Knee Orthoses Local Coverage Determination and its corresponding Policy Article. This update represents a major step forward in correcting one of the most significant omissions in Medicare coverage: orthotic treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee.

Read what it covers and why it matters in AOPA's latest post: https://aopanet.org/dme-macs-issue-revised-lcd-to-expand-coverage-of-knee-braces-used-to-treat-osteoarthritis/

12/10/2025

As you have heard from AOPA’s previous two communications, CMS released the 2026 DMEPOS/Home Health Final Rule, which includes several significant changes that will directly impact O&P. This final rule takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Since our most recent communication last week, more information has been made available about the accreditation and survey requirements.

As you know, historically, providers were required to undergo accreditation surveys once every 36 months. Under the final rule, suppliers must now be surveyed and reaccredited at least once every 12 months. There are some nuances based on accreditation timing; these are described in AOPA’s latest update: https://aopanet.org/cms-final-rule-update-new-information-on-accreditation-requirements/