O&P Terms

Certified Orthotist: A practitioner who has passed a national certification exam by one of the two certifying bodies for Orthotics. One is ABC (American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, & Pedorthics) and the second is BOC (Board of Certification/Accreditation, International). Practitioners that have been certified through ABC receive the credential CO, and those who have been certified through the BOC receive the credential BOCO.

Certified Prosthetist: A practitioner who has passed a national certification exam by one of the two certifying bodies for Prosthetics. One is ABC (American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, & Pedorthics) and the second is BOC (Board of Certification/Accreditation, International). Practitioners that have been certified through ABC receive the credential CP, and those who have been certified through the BOC receive the credential BOCP. A practitioner who is certified in orthotics and prosthetics through ABC will have the CPO credential. A practitioner who is certified in orthotics and prosthetics through the BOC will have the BOCO, BOCP credential.

Orthosis: According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, “A brace includes rigid and semi-rigid devices that are used for the purpose of supporting a weak or deformed body member or restricting or eliminating motion in a diseased or injured part of the body.”

Prosthesis: A prosthesis as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services as “…devices that replace all or part of an internal body organ or replace all or part of the function of a permanently inoperative or malfunctioning internal body organ.”

ABC Accreditation: The facility has met the requirements necessary required by ABC (American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, & Pedorthics) to meet accreditation standards. These standards ensure high quality patient care and Medicare certification. Since Carolina-Ottobock Care is Accredited through ABC, we are able to enroll with CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to bill Medicare and Medicaid claims.