Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act Introduced in Congress

Academy Joins Broad Coalition to Champion Access to Quality Care for O&P Patients

The American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy) proudly joins the O&P Alliance and a broad network of healthcare and disability advocates in celebrating the introduction of the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) Patient-Centered Care Act in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. This bipartisan legislation takes essential steps to protect and strengthen access to high-quality, clinician-directed care for Medicare beneficiaries who rely on orthotic and prosthetic services.

The bill is the product of strong, unified advocacy efforts across the O&P profession and beyond. Through Powers Law’s efforts, 47 national organizations (the ITEM Coalition) —representing a wide range of patient and provider interests—have formally endorsed the legislation. The Academy extends its appreciation to all involved in moving this critical legislation forward.

Next week, our partners at the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP) and the Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) will bring 33 advocates to Capitol Hill for an in-person Congressional Fly-In, where they will meet with legislators to promote awareness and encourage co-sponsorship.

The Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act is designed to support Medicare beneficiaries by:

• Protecting clinical care by distinguishing orthotic and prosthetic services from durable medical equipment (DME) in Medicare policy.
• Preserving access to custom-fit orthoses by refining the competitive bidding process to apply only to devices requiring minimal self-adjustment.
• Reducing administrative barriers by allowing certified and/or licensed orthotists and prosthetists to provide off-the-shelf orthoses without a bidding contract.
• Preventing fraud and safeguarding patients by prohibiting the drop shipping of custom-fabricated and custom-fit O&P devices.

“Getting to this point has been a truly collaborative effort,” said Charity Quick, MBA, CAE, Executive Director of the Academy. “We are proud to stand alongside our partners in the O&P Alliance and the wider rehabilitation community to support legislation that prioritizes access to patient-centered, high-quality care.”

The Academy will continue its advocacy efforts to ensure the passage of this bill and advance policies that recognize the essential role of credentialed O&P professionals in delivering medically necessary care.

Helpful Links:

• O&P Alliance Website
• Academy Advocacy Resources
• H.R.4475 — 119th Congress (2025-2026)
• S.2329 — 119th Congress (2025-2026)

We look forward to sharing continued updates as we build on this momentum and work together to shape a stronger future for the O&P profession and the patients we serve.