Bipartisan Medicare O&P Bill Introduced Ahead of NAAOP Legislative Fly-In

Published in Orthotics & Prosthetics on July 18, 2025

In a timely move ahead of next week’s NAAOP Legislative Fly-In, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act, a bill aimed at improving access to high-quality orthotic and prosthetic care for Medicare beneficiaries.

The legislation was introduced in the House by Reps. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), with a Senate companion bill expected soon from Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Mark Warner (D-VA).

The Patient-Centered Care Act seeks to address critical gaps in Medicare coverage for orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) services. Under current rules, beneficiaries may receive devices without the necessary clinical services or customization, which can compromise outcomes and safety. This bill aims to:

Prohibits drop-shipping of non-OTS (off-the-shelf) orthoses
Exempts practitioners from requiring a competitive bidding contract in order to provide OTS orthoses
Removes “reasonable useful lifetime” restrictions for custom-fitted and custom-fabricated orthoses

The bill has garnered strong support from over 40 national organizations, including the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA), the Amputee Coalition, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Advocates say the legislation will improve patient outcomes, reduce fraud, and ensure that individuals living with limb loss or mobility challenges receive the care they deserve.

“This legislation puts patients first by ensuring access to medically necessary, high-quality orthotic and prosthetic care,” said Rep. GT Thompson. “It’s a commonsense fix that protects both beneficiaries and taxpayer dollars.”

With OPGA and NAAOP members heading to Capitol Hill next week, the timing of the bill’s introduction couldn’t be more strategic. Advocates will push for swift passage and urge lawmakers to support this critical step toward modernizing Medicare’s approach to O&P care.

Read the full press release

Bill summary and text on Congress.gov

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