Change in process exempts approximately 95 percent of prosthetic limb orders from contracting officer reviews.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has streamlined the process of purchasing prosthetic limbs to more efficiently serve thousands of veterans who receive prosthetics through the VA every year.
Under prior procurement rules, orders for all prosthetic limbs had to be approved by a contracting officer, which meant veterans had to wait several additional weeks before delivery.
On April 22, 2026, VA Secretary Doug Collins exempted approximately 95 percent of prosthetic limb orders from contracting officer reviews and determined that only the most expensive prosthetic limbs would continue to be subject to these reviews. Collins also authorized local purchasing agents to source directly from local suppliers whenever prosthetic limb prices are set by Medicare, in which case there is no negotiation over price and no need for review by a contracting officer.
These changes have already reduced veterans’ wait times for prosthetic limbs by 10 days, and VA expects average wait times to fall more than 40 percent – from 94 days to 54 days – as facilities across the nation fully implement this new process.
“Every day counts for veterans,” Collins said. “By removing needless bureaucracy, VA is enabling clinicians and procurement teams to provide veterans with high-quality prosthetic care, better and faster than before.”
More than 45,000 veterans rely on VA each year for major limb loss care. For more information, visit these sites:
- Veterans Healthcare