Springfield, Illinois —Illinois State Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) has passed legislation out of the Senate that will require insurance companies to provide coverage for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices at the same level as other medical surgical benefits under the plan. “There are over 69,000 people in Illinois living with limb loss and a comparable number of people living with disabling diseases such as Spina Bifida, Cerebal Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy.  Many of these adults and children require the use of prosthetics or custom orthotics,” Senator Munoz said.  “This legislation will allow not only those who can afford it, but everyone who is covered by policies with Orthotic and Prosthetic benefits to receive the medical necessary devices they need to be active and productive members of society.”

House Bill 2652 requires that individual or group major medical health plans, with coverage for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices, provide such coverage under terms and conditions of the plan that are no less favorable than the benefits for any other medical or surgical benefit under such plan.  This bill protects patients from unreasonable restrictions on coverage such as additional co-pays, deductibles and annual or lifetime caps.

With prosthetic and orthotic devices becoming more technologically advanced so has the need for specialized training and education of providers. Under this act, providers are required to be licensed under the Illinois Prosthetic, Orthotic and Pedorthic License Act.  This provision ensures quality patient care.  

Laurie Johnson, President of Families & Amputees in Motion (FAIM), the Patient Advocacy Group sponsoring this bill said: “Senator Munoz was instrumental in spearheading this parity legislation that protects the rights of a large group of amputee and disabled Illinois citizens.  We commend him on his ability to garner bi-partisan support for this worthy cause.  We are truly grateful for all of his hard work.”

This legislation has passed the Senate and the House of Representatives.  It now goes to the Governor for his signature.