NEW JERSEY – The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Monday passed Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco’s (R-25) bill to expand health benefits coverage for an additional prosthetic appliance.
“As a cancer survivor myself, I’ve seen the struggles patients must endure when dealing with health-insurance companies,” said Bucco. “Our goal with this legislation is to lift that weight off of families’ shoulders so children and adults alike can live life to the fullest and make this process as seamless as possible while giving amputees the peace of mind they deserve when going through these tough times.”
The current law requires health benefits coverage for expenses incurred in obtaining an orthotic or prosthetic appliance from any licensed orthotist or prosthetist, or any certified pedorthist, as determined medically necessary by the covered person’s physician, but does not require coverage of an additional appliance for physical or recreational activities.
The bill, S-1439, requires health benefits coverage for an additional orthotic or prosthetic appliance from any licensed orthotist, podiatrist, or prosthetist, or any certified pedorthist, if the covered person’s physician determines that the additional appliance is necessary to enable the covered person to engage in physical and recreational activities, including running, bicycling, swimming, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and team and individual sports.
