Text Box: Following up on a successful legislative year in 2006, the California Orthotics and Prosthetics Association (COPA) has set its sights on an issue of concern to O&P businesses statewide - poor reimbursement rates under the Medi-Cal program. With some codes offering meager reimbursement at below wholesale cost of the item, California’s ability to service its medically needy population is in jeopardy. Soon after COPA-sponsored, AB 2012 (insurance coverage), was signed by the Governor, the association entered discussions with the Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Medi-Cal on the subject of reimbursement. “We wanted to impact the budget process early in the year,” explained COPA President, Rick Chavez. “We want the administration and the legislature on the same page when the budget subcommittees start up.”

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The California Orthotics &

Prosthetics Association
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COPA Targets Medi-Cal Increase

2007 legislative agenda aimed at 80% of Medicare for all O&P codes 

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Bryce W.A. Docherty
Executive Director/Lobbyist
The Docherty Group
1231 I Street, Suite 203
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 446-4343
Fax: (916) 446-4333
E-Mail:
Web Site: www.oandp.com/copa/

February 2007
Text Box: With many California O&P businesses refusing to participate in the Medi-Cal program, reimbursement rates are a top priority for policy makers this year.

After the first meeting, DHS officials agreed to perform a rate review and to provide COPA with reimbursement data for the past five years. “The results were as we predicted,” said Chavez. “The majority of codes are being reimbursed at far below 80% of Medicare.”

Unfortunately, the lack of periodic increases by the Department means that in order to adjust the entire schedule, $7 million dollars would need to be added to the budget ($3.5 million of which would be in federal funds). “It’s kind of a catch 22,” said Chavez. “For years we were told there was no room in the budget for an increase, and now things have gotten so bad that the Department wants us to go to the legislature because the amount is so huge.”

COPA Lobbyist, Bryce Docherty, has already begun the process of working on the legislative side, consulting with health budget subcommittee staff over the Winter Recess. “It’s a tight budget year for sure,” said Docherty. “But, the O&P/DME category has seen cutbacks of over $20 million over the past five years—there’s room to ask for some of that back in the form of an increase.”

For more information on COPA legislative efforts, please visit our website: