HR4475 is an early-stage bill that bans Medicare payment for drop-shipped orthotics and prosthetics, forcing patient fitting by qualified practitioners. This protects established providers like $ZBH and $STRR from low-cost mail-order competition but faces a long legislative path with zero direct federal funding attached.
→ Eliminates direct-to-patient drop-ship competition that bypasses Star Equity's clinic-based distribution network; increases demand for custom-fabricated devices sold through exempt practitioners, which is the primary channel for Star Equity's O&P segment.
HR4475