Va. Senate sends bill on prosthetics insurance back for study

Below is a brief news story from Virginia that shows a little of what we're up against.

Some small business folks (definitely not all) are under the impression that prosthetic parity will significantly increase their costs. In fact, the marginal cost increase of $0.10 to $0.25 per member per month will be greatly offset by amputees returning to work.

Plus, we believe that even if the cost-benefit analysis were not so clear cut, this is a justice issue the State of Missouri should deal with. Individuals and their employers who sign up for insurance policies that claim to cover prosthetics should actually get coverage that isn't capped at less than 25% of what a simple below-knee prosthesis costs. And a small slice of the population--amputees and potential amputees--should not be taken advantage of in order to reduce costs (ever so slightly) for everyone else.

By Kate Wiltrout The Virginian-Pilot© February 11, 2008
RICHMOND

The Senate today voted to shelve a bill that would have required insurance companies in Virginia to cover the expenses for prosthetic devices.

Sen. Patsy Ticer (D-Alexandria) sponsored SB 645, a bill she first proposed in 2006. The idea was sent to a joint legislative audit review commission, which recommended mandating prosthetics for patients who lose a limb or part of a limb. State and federal insurance plans already cover prosthetics, as does the military and Medicaid. But because high-tech limbs can cost upwards of $80,000, many private insurers cap their coverage at a level that makes it impossible for amputees to get replacement limbs recommended by their doctors.

"This benefit will not cause a single business to drop health care benefits for their employees," Ticer said before the vote. "This bill will keep some Virginians from turning to Medicaid, even if they have health insurance."

Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach) recommended sending the measure back to the Commerce and Labor Committee for further study next year. Wagner, a business owner, bemoaned the increasing costs of providing insurance to employees. The Senate voted 23-17 in favor of Wagner's motion