Outcomes
The outcomes from any Unconference are various in nature and organic in terms of growth. The Academy's Bone-Anchored Prosthetics Unconference was no exception. As of the publication of these proceedings, the Academy's Bone-Anchored Prosthetics Society will investigate moving forward with the following actions:
A webinar, open to anyone interested in learning more about the discussion points covered during the Academy's Bone-Anchored Prosthetics Unconference, will be held on October 2, 2024. Additionally, the Academy and the American Board for Certification in Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Pedorthics are hosting a State-of-the-Science Conference on Bone-Anchored Prosthetics. The discussions during this Unconference will be referenced during that event.
- Create a list of variables related to bone-anchored prosthetics that clinicians want to collect data on and coordinate with clinicians to gather and analyze that data.
- Collaborate to devise a plan for building a cohort of clinicians and patients focused on bone-anchored prosthetics, including defining qualifications for joining the cohort.
- Work with manufacturers to create a comprehensive bundle of components and scheduled maintenance for different bone-anchored prosthetic systems, which will aid in seeking appropriate reimbursement codes.
- Identify a dedicated lobbyist who will advocate for osseointegration and the prosthetics industry with CMS and other stakeholders.
- Work with manufacturers to ensure consistency in the description and functionality of components across different bone-anchored prosthetic systems for appropriate coding and reimbursement.
- Collaborate with patient advocacy groups like the Amputee Coalition and IC2A to include patient representatives in discussions with CMS to advocate for appropriate reimbursement.
- Produce publications focused on the US patient population to support discussions with CMS regarding reimbursement for bone-anchored prosthetics.
- Work toward establishing a new base code or fee-for-service model for reimbursement of bone-anchored prosthetic services, separate from the existing socket-based codes.
- Educate payers on the medical necessity and hygiene requirements of bone-anchored prosthetics, such as the need for shower systems.
- Collaborate with existing limb loss registries like the LLPR and OI Registry to coordinate data collection and sharing for bone-anchored prosthetics.