As each new year begins we as orthotists and prosthetists always anxiously await the new guidelines and documentation requirements brought forth by the powers that be from CMS and Medicare.  Being allied health care providers we here at Sierra Orthopedic treat every patient respectfully and uphold the stringent guidelines introduced by Medicare. 

As of January 1, 2013, Medicare has introduced a new set of criteria and documentation to be required for all custom fabricated ankle foot orthoses (AFO’s).  Regardless of the diagnosis, here is a synopsis of what is needed for a custom fabricated ankle foot orthosis to be covered by Medicare/CMS: