Medicare AFO Height Requirement Rescinded

As expected, the height requirement for an AFO is being removed by medicare.

Let’s get on with helping people walk!

Below is the text from the Medicare website:

February 6, 2013

Ankle-Foot Orthoses/Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses LCD related Policy Article – Revised
The related Policy Article for the Ankle-Foot Orthosis/Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis is being revised. The Policy Article with an effective date of January 1, 2013 included Coding Guidelines for AFOs that included a height requirement. The height requirement is being removed. The effective date for the revised Policy Article is for dates of service on or after January 1, 2013.

See for yourself here:
http://www.cgsmedicare.com/jc/pubs/news/2013/0213/cope21209.html

Again, the only type of AFO that requires a PDAC Coding verification letter is the L1906. Insightful does not use that code for any of its current bracing. To verify this for yourself, please see the PDAC website listing those that are required. The link to this page is below.

https://www.dmepdac.com/review/items_requiring_coding_verification_reviews.html

Finally, keep in mind that the pretibial shell that has been offered by our competitors is essentially a custom shin guard, the argument that this provides axially unloading as medical justification is risky in our opinion.

Foot of the Week – Episode 25 – Best Post Tib Brace

In this video blog, we discuss the importance of casting the post tib patient’s foot and ankle in a neutral position. If the cast is taken in a full weight bearing position, it can be difficult to provide the needed correction to the AFO or custom ankle brace for posterior tibial tendonitis.

Foot of the Week – Episode 22 – AFO brace donning

In this episode, a patient shows us his unique method for donning the Step-Smart AFO brace for drop foot. In most instances, Insightful suggests attaching the AFO brace into the shoe first and donning the shoe brace combination at once. In this example, the patient finds it easier to don the AFO brace first and then he slides the foot brace combination into the shoe.

Foot of the Week – Episode 21 – Hiking with Drop Foot

http://www.insightful-products.com/buy-afo.html

In this week’s vblog, we speak to a drop foot patient who uses the Step-Smart brace to go hiking.

Foot of the Week – Episode 18 – Toe Off

In this week’s video blog, we compare the differences between braces designed for toe off and braces designed for drop foot. Braces designed for toe off are supposed to help in gait with plantarflexion, not dorsiflexion. Braces designed for drop foot or foot drop are supposed to help in gait with dorsiflexion, or lifting the foot up and not pushing off with weak toes. Some of these toe off brace designs do give clearance at swing phase, allowing the toes to clear the ground while swinging the leg forward, but most do not help with shock absorption at heel strike. A key component to any good drop foot brace is the ability to slow the foot down at heel strike thereby preventing foot slap while also not restricting plantarflexion too much. The reality is that most of these toe off designs are not strong enough to assist in toe off. As seen in this video, the brace bends almost beyond its limit at about 15 lbs and most people weigh between 120 and 200 lbs. Even though the toe off is made of carbon fiber or mostly carbon fiber, the designs we have looked at can not handle weight over 100lbs and therefore the toe off benefit claimed is worthless in our opinion.

Step-Smart Testimonial – Drop Foot Solution for Active lifestyle

In this video testimonial, you hear from a drop foot patient who has tried many AFO’s and drop foot braces over the years and finally found the Step-Smart brace. He talks about his experience with Foot Drop and how it had reduced his quality of life. He is an avid motorcyclist and was not able to change gears so could no longer ride his bike until he found the Step-Smart. With the Step-Smart AFO he is able to do the things he wasnt able to do before, including drive his motorcycle.

Foot of the Week – Episode 17 – Drop Foot AFO Comparison and testimonial

http://www.insightful-products.com/buy-afo.html
In this video episode of “Foot of the Week”, we talk to a drop foot patient who has been using the dorsi-strap or x-strap (similar to the freedom walk, Foot up, or steady strider). We compare this drop foot treatment to the Step-Smart brace and demonstrate how the Step-Smart provides superior shock absorption at heel strike and also provides lateral support for better drop foot gait. Foot drop often causes falls resulting from an ankle rollover. Our drop foot gait analysis shows that without the ability to dorsiflex, the ankle is more susceptible to lateral instability. The lateral side of the foot or the outside of the foot can catch on an edge and rollover. Also, if the dropped foot lands on uneven ground, a rollover is difficult to prevent without ankle support. The drop foot patient also provides a testimonial in his owns words describing his experience and fear of falling. The Step-Smart is the best drop foot brace and dropfoot braces on the market.

Foot of the Week – Episode 15 – Ankle Foot Orthosis Straps

http://www.insightful-products.com
In this Week’s vblog, we talk about the use of the term orthotic and how it is more than just a word to describe the Foot orthotic but also the AFO or Ankle Foot Orthosis. Also, we discuss AFO straps and how simple it can be to adjust your strap’s length by simply cutting excess material. We have many foot and ankle patients that dont feel comfortable altering the brace strap but so long as you leave enough of the strap to fasten the brace to the foot and ankle, its fine to cut off the excess material to make the adjustment.

Foot of the Week – Episode 14 – Foot Drop Brace refurbishment

http://www.insightful-products.com
In this episode, we demonstrate how we can refurbish an old AFO, in particular, the Step-Smart AFO. If your drop foot brace is looking old and shabby and needs to be cleaned up with new straps and brace parts, we provide this service at a reasonable price.

Foot of the Week – Episode 12 – Drop Foot Treatment

In this week’s episode, we demonstrate how the Step-Smart brace (treatment) for drop foot can be adjusted to track better on the leg. The existing orthotic should be removed from the shoe before inserting the brace. The Step-Smart AFO has a good arch support and foot orthotic built into the braces footplate. This needs to be aligned properly so that the calf section tracks on the leg properly.