Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act

The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act (HR4475) was introduced in the House on July 17, 2025, and has been referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means. This bill is currently in the early committee stage, indicating it has a significant legislative path ahead before potential enactment. The bill does not authorize direct funding. Instead, it proposes regulatory changes to Medicare payment policies for orthotics and prosthetics. Specifically, it prohibits Medicare payment for orthotics and prosthetics delivered via drop shipment to individuals who have not received training or education from a qualified practitioner. It also amends Section 1847(a)(7)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act to include physical therapists, occupational therapists, orthotists, and prosthetists among those practitioners exempt from competitive acquisition. These changes aim to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse while ensuring patient access to appropriate care. Structural winners under this bill would be established orthotics and prosthetics providers that rely on in-person patient care and qualified practitioners. Companies like Hanger Inc., which operates a large network of patient care clinics, would directly benefit from the elimination of competition from drop shippers and the emphasis on qualified professional services. Other companies with a presence in the broader orthopedic and medical device market, such as Zimmer Biomet Holdings ($ZBH) and Baxter International ($BAX), could see indirect benefits through strengthened professional channels. Steadily ($STRR) would also benefit from these provisions. The bill's companion, S2329, indicates bipartisan and bicameral support, which could increase its chances of passage. There are no recent presidential actions directly relevant to this bill. The listed presidential memoranda pertain to domestic petroleum production and Air Force operations, which are outside the scope of healthcare policy for orthotics and prosthetics. The legislative process for HR4475 requires committee review and potential amendments in both the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees, followed by floor votes in both chambers, and ultimately presidential assent.