Relates to mandatory health insurance coverage for providing prosthetic devices

1 Co-sponsor

• Joseph E. Robach

BILL NUMBER:S3951A

Title of bill

An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to mandatory health insurance coverage for providing prosthetic devices

Purpose or general idea of bill

To provide mandatory coverage for prosthetic devices for children who periodically need to have these devices altered or replaced due to normal physical growth, for adults whose conditions change and to account for updated technology, repair and replacement.

Summary of specific provisions

Sections 1, 2 & 3: Amends subsection (i) of section 3216, subsection (1) of section 3221, and section 4303 of the Insurance Law to require that every policy which provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive type coverage shall include coverage equal to or above Medicare's standard of coverage for prosthetic devices.

Section 4:Effective date.

Justification

Though not as common as in adults, children, even infants may need a prosthetic device due to the loss of a limb. The overwhelming experience for a child of losing a limb does not need to be compounded by a long battle to pay for treatment. This legislation will provide coverage to children and adults for prosthetic devices and to replace or change these devices as needed to account for natural growth and repairs of such devices.

Legislative history

S.2893 of 2010: Died in Senate Insurance Committee, Died in Assembly Insurance Committee S.2893 of 2009: Died in Senate Insurance Committee, Died in Assembly Insurance Committee S.1672 of 2008: Died in Senate Insurance Committee, Died in Assembly Insurance Committee S.1672 of 2007: Died in Senate Insurance Committee, Died in Assembly Insurance Committee S.599 of 2006:Died in Senate Insurance Committee, Died in Assembly Insurance Committee S.599 of 2005:Died in Senate Insurance Committee, Died in Assembly Insurance Committee

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law and shall apply to policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on or after such effective date.