The ACA has announced that it is leading the development of a “National = Action Plan for Access Among Individuals with Limb Loss.” As part of = this initiative, ACA – representing beneficiaries – is part of workgroup = that also includes manufacturers of myoelectric/computerized devices and = AOPA. Together, we are working to reverse “certain imprudent policies = regarding coverage of these devices”, as detailed in a recent letter to = practitioners that included a bibliography to provide “empirical = evidence that they can provide to payors to justify the provision of =
state-of-the-art devices.” ACA =
(http://www.amputee-coalition.org/aca_advocacy.html) and AOPA =
(http://www.aopanet.org) have posted this letter on their web sites to = ensure that it is available for all practitioners
It is important for us to educate insurance companies about the scope of = this issue by placing it in context. Not every amputee requires these = devices. A significant number of the 1.2 million amputees living in the = US have trans-tibial or lower amputations, and therefore do not use = microprocessor or myoelectric components.
However, elimination of coverage for these devices by certain insurance = companies is just the tip of the iceberg. Excluding prosthetics from = insurance policies and limiting coverage by imposing unrealistic annual = and lifetime caps are quickly becoming the rule, and not the exception, = in the insurance industry. With these changes, amputees are now facing = a national health crisis as insurers place them at risk for myriad = secondary health conditions resulting from the sedentary lifestyle that = naturally arises out of inadequate prosthetic coverage.
We need to show that the care received from well-trained, professional = individuals, along with the use of appropriate technology, improves = outcomes and prevents secondary conditions. This is an exciting but = daunting long-term project that requires the help and support of every = single person living with the loss or absence of a limb, as well as = those who care for them.
Paddy Rossbach, RN
President & CEO, Amputee Coalition of America
Leslie Duncan, MIS=20
Manager, Information Services=20
Amputee Coalition of America=20
900 East Hill Ave., Suite 285=20
Knoxville, TN 37915-2568=20
888-267-5669 ext. 8115=20
Fax 865-525-7917=20
[email protected]=20
www.amputee-coalition.org=20
1989-2004 Celebrating 15 years of Excellence
This E-mail and any attachments contain privileged and confidential = information. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or = agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, be aware = that any dissemination or copying of this E-mail is prohibited. If you = have received this E-mail in error, please notify us immediately by = returning it to the sender and deleting this copy from your system. = Thank you for your cooperation.
=20
