Why Orthotics and Prosthetics Advocacy in Florida Matters
At Westcoast Brace & Limb, caring for patients goes beyond what happens inside our clinics. Protecting access to quality orthotic and prosthetic care also means participating in the conversations that shape the future of the profession.
That commitment is reflected in the leadership of two WCBL practitioners within the Florida Association of Orthotists & Prosthetists (FAOP). Greg Bauer, CPO, LPO, third-generation owner of Westcoast Brace & Limb, is serving as FAOP President, while Katie Bisutti, CPO, LPO, WCBL Clinical and Residency Director, is serving as President-Elect.
Through education, professional collaboration, and advocacy, FAOP works to advance orthotic and prosthetic care throughout Florida — and recent developments in Medicaid funding demonstrate why that work can matter to both providers and patients.
Florida’s O&P Professional Community
What Is FAOP?
The Florida Association of Orthotists & Prosthetists (FAOP) is a statewide professional organization representing Florida’s orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic community.
Through professional education, legislative and regulatory advocacy, communication with state agencies, and collaboration across the profession, FAOP works to support and advance O&P care throughout Florida. Its annual Scientific Symposium also brings together practitioners, educators, researchers, students, and industry partners for continuing education and discussion of developments in orthotic and prosthetic care.
For WCBL, participation in FAOP is an opportunity to contribute to the profession while advocating for access to appropriate O&P care throughout Florida.
WCBL Leadership in Florida’s O&P Community
Greg Bauer, CPO, LPO
FAOP President
“Greg-Bauer,-L.P.O.,-C.P.O.,-President” width=”300″ height=”192″ class=”alignnone size-medium wp-image-4464″ /> Born and raised in Tampa, Greg Bauer earned his bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurial Studies from Babson College before pursuing his education in orthotics and prosthetics. Today, as the third-generation owner of Westcoast Brace & Limb, Greg continues a family legacy of providing orthotic and prosthetic care that spans more than 50 years.
As FAOP President, Greg brings his experience as both a clinician and business owner to the association’s work supporting and advancing the O&P profession in Florida.
Katie Bisutti, CPO, LPO
FAOP President-Elect
Katie Bisutti was born and raised near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and relocated to Tampa in 2023. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Penn State University before completing her orthotics and prosthetics education at Northwestern University. Katie is a Board Certified and Licensed Orthotist and serves as WCBL’s Clinical and Residency Director. She has a particular passion for working with children and helping patients improve their mobility and quality of life.
As FAOP President-Elect, Katie joins Greg in representing WCBL within the leadership of Florida’s O&P professional community.
Why Advocacy Matters in Orthotics and Prosthetics
A Medicaid Funding Win for O&P Care in Florida
Orthotic and prosthetic care sits at the intersection of healthcare, technology, insurance coverage, and public policy.
Decisions involving Medicaid reimbursement, insurance coverage, replacement devices, components, repairs, and other O&P services can directly affect how care is delivered and what services patients can access.
That makes participation in the legislative and regulatory process an important part of professional organizations such as FAOP. One recent Florida Medicaid funding initiative provides an example.
Recurring funding is particularly significant because it establishes ongoing financial support rather than a one-time appropriation. For O&P providers and the patients they serve, reimbursement policies can affect access to specialized clinical care and the ability to provide medically necessary devices, components, repairs, and related services.
The 2026 state budget included approximately $3 million in recurring funding supporting Medicaid O&P reimbursement improvements.
$1,323,600 General Revenue
$1,676,400 Medical Care Trust Fund
Broader Efforts to Address O&P Coverage
The 2026 legislative session also included CS/SB 1110, Coverage for Orthotics and Prosthetics Services, along with the related House bill, HB 1301.
The legislation addressed Medicaid and certain private insurance coverage for qualifying individuals, including medically necessary orthoses and prostheses, necessary components, instruction in device use, repairs and replacement, and certain devices used for physical or recreational activities.
CS/SB 1110 received unanimous votes in its Senate committees and passed the full Florida Senate 33–0 on March 6, 2026. It did not complete passage through the House before the legislative session ended; HB 1301 likewise did not pass.
The approximately $3 million Medicaid appropriation was secured through the state budget and is separate from these bills.
What Does This Mean for Patients?
Healthcare legislation and reimbursement may feel far removed from an individual appointment, but these decisions can have practical consequences. Access to O&P care can involve much more than the initial device — including specialized components, adjustments, repairs, replacement devices, clinical follow-up, and evolving technology as a patient’s needs change.
Custom Devices
Medically necessary orthotic and prosthetic devices designed around individual patient needs.
Components &
Technology
Specialized components and evolving technologies that support mobility and function.
Ongoing Care
Clinical evaluation, follow-up, and adjustments as a patient’s needs change over time.
Repairs &
Replacement
Repairs and replacement devices when medically necessary to support continued care.
Custom Devices
Medically necessary orthotic and prosthetic devices designed around individual patient needs.
Components &
Technology
Specialized components and evolving technologies that support mobility and function.
Ongoing Care
Clinical evaluation, follow-up, and adjustments as a patient’s needs change over time.
Repairs &
Replacement
Repairs and replacement devices when medically necessary to support continued care.
Adequate reimbursement and appropriate coverage policies help support providers’ ability to deliver those services to eligible patients.
For WCBL, participating in professional advocacy is another way our team can contribute to the broader O&P community while continuing to focus on the patients we serve every day.
Education, Collaboration and the Future of O&P
Advocacy is only one part of FAOP’s work.
Professional education and collaboration are also central to the organization. Through educational programs such as the annual FAOP Scientific Symposium, Florida practitioners have opportunities to learn about emerging technologies, treatment approaches, research, regulatory developments, and other issues affecting O&P care.
Those connections help practitioners share knowledge and continue advancing the profession throughout Florida.
With Greg serving as FAOP President and Katie as President-Elect, we’re proud to have WCBL clinicians contributing their experience and leadership to that work.
Moving O&P Care Forward
For more than 50 years, Westcoast Brace & Limb has grown alongside the orthotics and prosthetics profession while remaining focused on a simple goal: helping patients achieve greater mobility, independence, and quality of life.
We’re proud of Greg and Katie for representing WCBL within FAOP leadership and for contributing their time and expertise to the future of O&P care in Florida.
