In 2005: Medicare approved payment for nearly two million orthotic services for more than $358 million. The most prevalent orthotic service approved by
Saturday, September 1, 2007

In 2005:

Medicare approved payment for nearly two million orthotic
services for more than $358 million.

    • The most prevalent orthotic service approved by Medicare was for
    a custom fabricated, jointed ankle brace. Medicare approved payment
    for 35,000 braces at a value of over $21 million.

    • Medicare allowed nearly 2.5 million prosthetic services for $610
    million.

    • The most prevalent Medicare approved prosthetic component was
    for a specific type of a basic, lower-limb prosthesis. Medicare
    approved payment of more than $55 million for these components.

    • More than $60 million in government funds has been earmarked for
    research related to orthotic and prosthetic needs by
    veterans.
    — The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association