From The van Halem Group: Bid Winners in the Off-The-Shelf Bracing Category Should be Wary of Lead-Generation Services

Published in Orthotics & Prosthetics on November 23, 2020

In a recent blog from The van Halem Group, information about the latest competitive bidding updates and off-the-shelf bracing is provided.

Direct-to-consumer marketing and lead-generation are perfectly legal manners in which to court potential customers. However, with Medicare patients, there are a number of laws that HME suppliers must abide by. One of the reasons that CMS put off-the-shelf (OTS) braces into competitive bidding was the fraudulent and abusive practices that were occurring in this category. In fact, much of the fraudulent activity that occurred involved lead-generation services and questionable marketing practices. It is important to remember that you cannot contract with a third-party to perform activities that you cannot legally do on your own, to include cold-calling Medicare patients or paying physicians to perform evaluations, both of which are activities we have seen in the OTS bracing market – which resulted in a number of criminal indictments.

If you are a competitive bid winner in the OTS category, you will likely be inundated with calls from lead-generation services that will promise to make you a lot of money and drive a lot of business to you. You need to know the laws and do your due diligence.

Click here to read the full article.


TAGS

  1. competitive bidding
  2. orthotics and prosthetics
  3. the van halem group

From Our Experts

Navigating the Evolving Compliance Landscape: Guidance and Implications for Your Organization thumbnail Navigating the Evolving Compliance Landscape: Guidance and Implications for Your Organization In recent months, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has been working to update their compliance guidance, and all healthcare providers should be taking notice. Important Updates from NAAOP thumbnail Important Updates from NAAOP Check out these updates from Peter W. Thomas, NAAOP General Counsel Right Place at the Right Time: Self-Service When Your Customers Need it Most thumbnail Right Place at the Right Time: Self-Service When Your Customers Need it Most In order to be there for your customers in their time of need, they must be aware of how you can help them. Knowing you're their one stop shop makes a big difference. A Letter From the President, Adam Miller: September 2023 thumbnail A Letter From the President, Adam Miller: September 2023 Read from Adam Miller about the key takeaways from the 2023 AOPA National Assembly. OPGA Names 2023 Woman of the Year thumbnail OPGA Names 2023 Woman of the Year Nikki Grace-Strader has been selected as the 2023 O&P Woman of the Year. OPGA Supports OPGA Supports "So Every BODY Can Move" to Champion Accessible Prosthetic and Orthotic Care Through Hood to Coast 2023 Relay OPGA is proud to announce its support for the cause championed by "So Every BODY Can Move," an organization dedicated to ensuring individuals with limb loss and limb difference can access life-changing prosthetic and orthotic care. Cybersecurity: Five Tips For Remaining Secure thumbnail Cybersecurity: Five Tips For Remaining Secure We are providing five tips from VGM Group's SVP of Corporate Information Services, Jay Bracken, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). OPGA Announces 2023 O&P Woman of the Year Finalists thumbnail OPGA Announces 2023 O&P Woman of the Year Finalists OPGA) is excited to announce the four finalists nominated for the 2023 O&P Woman of the Year Award.  The winner will be announced at the AOPA National Assembly.