American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA)

Final Call for Presentations – Deadline Approaching! The Call for Presentations for the 2025 National Assembly—happening September 3-6 in Orlando—closes next Wednesday, March 12! This is your last chance to share your expertise, inspire peers, and shape the future of O&P. Submission Deadline: March 12, 2025 (Student Poster Contest deadline: May 16, 2025) We are seeking presentations that share groundbreaking ideas, tools, or techniques; inspire and involve your audience; and address key trends, challenges, and opportunities in O&P. Don’t wait—submit your proposal today! https://lnkd.in/eJKs8cnZ #AOPA2025 #WeAreOandP

Calling all New Jerseyans! S1439 has already passed in the Senate! Now, we need your help to ensure A3856 continues through the Assembly as well. Today, over 110,000 New Jerseyans living with limb loss, limb difference, and/or mobility impairments are unable to access life-changing O&P care that?enables physical activity?due to lacking insurance coverage, "not medically necessary" denials, and high out-of-pocket costs. Without coverage, adults, children, and families are forced to incur prohibitive out-of-pocket costs, risk harm/injury using an improper device, or live sedentary lifestyles with costly health complications. S1439 and A3856 seek to address this pressing policy challenge by mandating?that state commercial and public employee plans cover O&P devices intended for physical activity for enrollees of all ages. Please take a few minutes to email NJ Assembly Appropriations Committee Members and ask them to support A3856. https://p2a.co/rU0oBfL #WeAreOandP #oandpadvocacy #soeverybodycanmove

Collaboration will help move the O&P profession forward and improve the lives of individuals living with limb loss, limb difference, and other mobility challenges. In his first Views from Leadership, AOPA President Rick Riley reflects on the importance of cooperation and collaboration to drive O&P forward. He sees these happening now more than ever. He also discusses how AOPA will continue to have a leadership role in collaborating with sister organizations to optimize national advocacy strategies and activities this year. Additionally, AOPA will work with the Amputee Coalition and the other founding partners to support the So Every BODY Can Move policy initiatives in states throughout the country. Take a few minutes to hear more from Rick. #WeAreOandP #soeverybodycanmove

Staying passionate at work is a process. As part of POP Month, American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc.'s What Is POP wants to help all POP professionals feel invigorated and excited about their work. This Friday, March 7 from Noon -1pm ET, join AOPA's Interim Executive Director Teri Kuffel, JD for the first POP Talks, Tapping into Talent: Ensuring Vibrancy in the POP Workplace, for insights on managing stress and staying joyful. ? Teri will be joined by Gerald Stark, PhD, MSEM, CPO/L, FAAOP(D) and Jim Lawson. To learn more and to register visit: https://bit.ly/414CAhD #POPMonth2025 #WeAreOandP #oandpcareers

AOPA would like to add our congratulations to Thomas DiBello for receiving the Titus Ferguson Lifetime Achievement Award during #AAOP2025 in Atlanta last week. Having served as AOPA's President from 2010-2012 we know firsthand how deserving he is of this prestigious recognition. There is no doubt, he has made significant contributions to the profession. Congratulations and thank you, Tom. We appreciate all you've done and continue to do for O and P. #WeAreOandP

Today marks the start of the first ever #POPMonth, brought to us by American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc.’s What Is POP. All March AOPA will join in celebrating the incredible Prosthetists, Orthotists, and Pedorthists who serve the limb loss and limb difference community. Every day they are improving lives and this month will showcase that. How do you plan to celebrate #POPMonth? #POPMonth2025 #WeAreOandP

The AOPA team is having a blast at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists' Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium in Atlanta! They are ready to answer your questions, so stop by booth 341 today to get them answered or to just say "hello". #AAOP2025 #WeAreOandP

AOPA would like to add our heartfelt thanks to George Breece for his unwavering commitment to the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics and the O&P profession! We extend our deepest gratitude to George for his dedication, leadership, and unwavering advocacy for O&P. George has been a tireless champion for the O&P community, working to advance and improve policies. His passion, commitment, and influence will have left a lasting impact on the profession and all those in it. Join us in thanking George for his remarkable contributions and 38 years of dedicated service! We wish him the best in his retirement!

Connecticut lawmakers are considering several critical bills that could significantly benefit the limb loss and limb difference community and strengthen the O&P profession—but they need to hear from you now to potentially move forward! The Bills at Stake: - SB 1015, a So Every BODY Can Move bill, that, if passed, would require all individual and group health insurance policies regulated by state law cover orthotic and prosthetic devices intended for physical activity for enrollees of all ages. - HB 6100, if passed,?would?require that Medicaid rates for custom orthotic and prosthetic devices be increased. - SB 173, if passed, would require that Medicaid rates of reimbursement are increased to corresponding Medicare rates of reimbursement for health care professionals, including orthotists and prosthetists. - SB 162, if passed, would require that Medicaid rates of reimbursement for DME, including orthotics and prosthetics supplies, are equal to 100% of the corresponding, non-rural Medicare payment rates, that annual increases in rates are made to equal any increase in the consumer price index, that Medicaid rates be increased for services covered by Medicaid but not Medicare, and that any covered equipment, supplies, or technology that doesn’t have a set reimbursement rate be paid at a certain level. If you live in Connecticut, take a few minutes to visit the Connecticut Action Center to contact your legislators and urge them to support these bills. Every message helps push these vital changes forward! https://p2a.co/ZktJXwd #WeAreOandP #oandpadvocacy

We’re excited to join American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists at the 51st Academy Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium in Atlanta! ? AOPA is gearing up for some fun in the sun! Swing by booth 341 to get the inside scoop on the 2025 National Assembly taking place September 3-6 in Orlando (be sure to grab some orange themed swag). While there, get your coding and reimbursement questions answered, learn about the plans for the 2025 Policy Forum, and hear the latest on our various initiatives. We cannot wait to see you! ? #AAOP2025 #WeAreOandP #AOPA2025