Requires certain health insurance coverage for prostheses and custom orthoses

• Republican1

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Lea Webb says this is needed

So Every BODY Can Move (SEBCM) is a bipartisan policy initiative created in 2022 by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA), the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP), The Amputee Coalition (AC) and the American Academy of Ortho- tists and Prosthetists (AAOP) to ensure that the custom prostheses and custom orthoses to required to participate in fitness, physical activ- ities, and sports are covered for individuals with state-regulated health insurance coverage. According to SEBCM, there are almost 290,000 New Yorkers living with limb loss, limb difference, or some other form of mobility impairment. Of this, approximately 20-30 percent are thought to have private health insurance coverage. However, most plans will only cover one basic device for ambulation, while denying coverage for additional, specialized devices for activities such as showering/bathing or performing specific types of physical activity (e.g. sports, job-specific movement). SEBCM also notes that, according to the World Health Organization, phys- ical activity is a vital component for overall physical/mental health and is defined in four main domains household/domestic tasks; occupational/work; transportation/movement and recreational/leisure activities. For individuals with limb loss or mobility impairments, the ability to participate in these domains depends on access to appropriate prosthetic and orthotic devices. In short, access to appropriate orthotic and prosthetic care is essen- tial for maintaining employment, independence, and whole-body health. Yet activity-specific devices for showering/bathing are frequently denied as "not medically necessary," even when prescribed by licensed providers.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.