Our state act, HB 2652, Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Parity Act
passed the Senate (58 yes to 5 no) and the House (113 yes to 0 no)
last week and it's certain that Gov Quinn will sign it soon.
Laurie Johnson, FAIM President, and Brian Duffy, our ISOPP lobbyist,
were key to this passage. Laurie and Brian will present their
thoughts on this legislation at the MWAAOP seminar in Hickory Hills on
Saturday, 11-7 at 8 a.m. You are encouraged to come and listen and
thank them for their commitment to this project.
HB 2652 summary:
-Major Medical plans that cover Prosthetics and Custom Orthotics are
required to provide no less favorable coverage than the normal plan
benefits under the medical/surgical plan benefits offered in the plan
document. Basically, O/P coverage can no longer be dumped into the DME
coverage requirements that generally have higher deductibles and
co-pays.
-Prosthetics and custom orthotics are defined as stated in our
Illinois Prosthetic, Orthotic, Pedorthtic Practice Act of 2009 and
licensed practitioners are required to provide the care.
-The act will be effective 6 months after the Gov signs it into
law.... pretty normal implementation protocol.
-The generic in-shoe foot orthotic device is not covered by the act
but custom FO's are a part of custom orthotic and are a part of the
act.