Harkin, Snowe Seek Equal Coverage For Prosthetics

Press Release

As Congress approves ADA Amendments Act, Senators introduce bill to assist Americans with physical impairments

U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today introduced the Prosthetic Parity Act of 2008, a bill to ensure that group health plans treat coverage of prosthetic devices on par with other essential medical care covered by health insurance.

"With passage of the ADA Amendments Act and the introduction of the Prosthetic Parity Act of 2008, this has been a momentous week in the effort to ensure greater opportunity and accommodation for Americans living with disabilities," Senator Snowe said. "By expanding availability to prosthetics, this legislation will enable individuals to lead full and independent lives."

"Far too often we are seeing insurance companies cap benefits for prosthetics or eliminate coverage altogether. It is absurd that an individual with health insurance could have to pay out of pocket for a prosthetic device that is so integral to their daily life. However, that is exactly what is happening. This legislation will help people get the prosthetic devices they need so they can return to work and reclaim their lives," said Senator Harkin.

Currently, while many amputees receive full prosthetic coverage through Medicare and Medicaid, individuals with private plans are often forced to pay costly copayments for a prosthetic device or accept a "lifetime cap" which prevents them from replacing an existing prosthetic when needed. With an estimated two million individuals living with limb differences or loss in the United States, the impact of severely-restricted prosthetic coverage can be devastating. Without appropriate prosthetics, disabled individuals experience a decline in function and productivity until they have to rely on public assistance.

Cosponsored by Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Russell Feingold (D-WI), the Prosthetics Parity Act of 2008 will provide insurance parity under group health plans and group health insurance coverage for prosthetic devices to replace lost limb function as well as breast implants for women who have undergone a mastectomy. The bill does not mandate coverage, but it does assure an amputee that the terms of coverage for such a required prosthetic will be provided on par with other medical and surgical care.

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