Requires mandatory health insurance coverage for prosthetic devices

Title of bill

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

Purpose or general idea of the bill

To ensure that coverage for rehabilitative and habilitative services, including prosthetic devices, are available to military veterans residing in NYS.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would require that health insurers that provide medical, major, medical, or similar comprehensive type coverage and cover durable medical equipment include coverage for prosthetic devices for veterans of the armed forces who are residents of New York on parity with the coverage for durable medical, equipment.

Justification

Two recent wars involving the United States, Iraq and Afghanistan has left over 600 military men and women as amputees with life-long injuries. Each year 185,000 amputations occur in the US and there are nearly 2 million people living with limb loss in the US. Improving access to quality and updated prosthetic devices will improve the quality of life of veterans and other amputees, while helping to reduce other medical costs related to lack of mobility and associated physical and emotional health.

According to the Veterans Health Administration, approximately 6 percent of wounded service members returning from Iraq are individuals with amputations. As a society, we owe these veterans the best of our efforts to help them live improved lives after their sacrifice for our nation.

Prior legislative history

2013-14: S.5390C/A.6820C - Referred to Insurance/Passed Assembly

Fiscal implications for state and local government

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect May 1, 2017.