Committee hears H.432 to expand insurance coverage to orthotics and activity‑specific prosthetics

Summary

Legislative staff, insurers and disability‑advocates discussed H.432, which would add orthotic devices to existing prosthetic coverage, require nondiscriminatory utilization review, mandate network access or out‑of‑network referral and require insurer reporting; Blue Cross and advocates urged more data on costs and utilization before a mandate.

Jen Harvey of the Office of Legislative Council opened discussion of H.432, saying, “This is H432. This is an act relating to health insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices.” The draft would expand the statutory definition of prosthetic devices to include orthotics and widen covered items to include activity‑specific devices (running, biking, swimming), waterproof devices for showering and bathing, instruction on use, and repair or replacement.

Harvey said the bill would replace older terms (insured/carrier) with covered individual/health insurance plan, require nondiscriminatory utilization‑review determinations and require plans to ensure access to at least two in‑state prosthetic/orthotic providers in‑network or provide out‑of‑network referral and reimbursed care when those providers are unavailable. She also noted insurer reporting…

Committee hears H.432 to expand insurance coverage to orthotics and activity‑specific prosthetics

Summary

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