So Marylanders Can Move
We believe movement is medicine and physical activity is a right, not a privilege. But today, thousands of Marylanders living with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility impairment are unable to afford and access life-changing orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) care that helps them be physically active due to inadequate insurance coverage, “not medically necessary” denials, and high out-of-pocket costs. Our legislation is working to change that.
ENACTED
Maryland SB-614 / HB-0865
Status:
Enacted
Plans Affected:
State Commercial Plans + Medicaid
Age Group:
All Ages
Types of Devices Covered:
Orthoses + Prostheses
State Lead:
Sheryl Sachs, CPO
Primary Bill Sponsors:
Sen. Beidle, Sen. Elfreth, Delegate Martinez
State Lead
Certified Prosthetist Orthotist, Dankmeyer Prosthetics & Orthotics
MBA Candidate, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Veteran, Athlete & Disability Advocate
At a Glance
Maryland Statistics
Physical activity is one of the most important factors in maintaining overall health throughout one’s lifetime. Whether it’s vigorous exercise or simple day-to-day movement, being physically active increases strength and balance, improves mental health, supports better-quality sleep, and reduces the risk of disease and cancer for every body, including people with disabilities.
4.5X
American College of Sports Medicine, Why We Must Prioritize Equitable Access to Physical Activity for Children with Disabilities
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1 in 2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Inactivity Related to Chronic Disease in Adults with Disabilities
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2X
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Disability and Obesity
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60 / 150 Mins
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition
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$44 Billion
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Disability and Obesity
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"F"
Physical Activity Alliance, The 2022 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
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Thousands of Marylanders with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility impairment face difficulties in obtaining affordable and accessible prosthetic and orthotic care for physical activities and exercise because state, federal, and private health plans deem this care “not medically necessary.”
Without health plan coverage, adults, children, and families are forced to:
Individuals with disabilities need activity-specific prostheses and orthoses in order to participate in physical activity and recreation. Without access, physical activity is out of reach or dangerous when utilizing the wrong device. Putting more strain on a general-use prosthesis or orthosis may cause damage to the device, resulting in more expense for insurance providers.
This bill will amend Maryland law to improve access to prosthetic and orthotic care for children and adults with disabilities by requiring the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and state commercial plans to provide coverage for prostheses and orthoses for purposes of performing physical activities, including running, biking, swimming, strength training and other activities to maximize the whole-body health and lower or upper limb function of the insured or enrollee. The bill also defines nondiscrimination standards, ensuring that applicable health plans shall provide coverage in a manner that shall not deny an O&P benefit for an individual with limb loss or absence that would otherwise be covered for a nondisabled person seeking medical or surgical intervention to restore or maintain the ability to perform the same activity.
This bill will ensure every Marylander covered by the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and state commercial plans that is living with limb loss, limb difference, or mobility impairment will have access to the prosthetic and orthotic care they need to participate in physical activity and exercise. Ensuring appropriate O&P coverage has a minimal impact on insurance premiums while reducing costly secondary health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Movement is Medicine.
Nate’s parents found out he would need to have his leg amputated shortly after he was born. Since day one, he has shown determination, strength, and commitment to live his life to its fullest. He inspires and teaches others daily and he doesn’t let his limb difference stop him. But he needs to fight to make sure his insurance provides the coverage he needs to be active. With this legislation, the sky’s the limit for Nate, as he aspires to be the first right below-knee amputee in the MLB.
Nate S.
Maryland
Nate’s parents found out he would need to have his leg amputated shortly after he was born. Since day one, he has shown determination, strength, and commitment to live his life to its fullest. He inspires and teaches others daily and he doesn’t let his limb difference stop him. But he needs to fight to make sure his insurance provides the coverage he needs to be active. With this legislation, the sky’s the limit for Nate, as he aspires to be the first right below-knee amputee in the MLB.
Nate S.
Maryland
John Edward is a decorated veteran and former Staff Sergeant in the US Marine Corps. He was hit by a drunk driver in 2016 causing severe damage to his left leg. After five years and more than a dozen surgeries, he chose to have a below-the-knee amputation. Thanks to his Veterans Affairs (VA) health coverage, John Edward was provided access to a prosthesis for running, one for snowboarding, and one for weightlifting. He is now a top qualifier for the 2024 Paralympics in Track and Field, the 2026 Paralympics in Snowboarding, and the Adaptive CrossFit games. Seeing how access to appropriate prosthetic care has impacted his mental, physical, and emotional health as well as opened up opportunities for employment, John Edward is now committed to advocating for his civilian comrades with disabilities to have equitable access to movement through So Every BODY Can Move in Maryland.
John Edward Heath
Annapolis, MD
View VideoJohn Edward is a decorated veteran and former Staff Sergeant in the US Marine Corps. He was hit by a drunk driver in 2016 causing severe damage to his left leg. After five years and more than a dozen surgeries, he chose to have a below-the-knee amputation. Thanks to his Veterans Affairs (VA) health coverage, John Edward was provided access to a prosthesis for running, one for snowboarding, and one for weightlifting. He is now a top qualifier for the 2024 Paralympics in Track and Field, the 2026 Paralympics in Snowboarding, and the Adaptive CrossFit games. Seeing how access to appropriate prosthetic care has impacted his mental, physical, and emotional health as well as opened up opportunities for employment, John Edward is now committed to advocating for his civilian comrades with disabilities to have equitable access to movement through So Every BODY Can Move in Maryland.
John Edward Heath
Annapolis, MD
View VideoThe O&P Community
American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA)
National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP)
Amputee Coalition
American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (AAOP)
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We believe movement is medicine and physical activity is a right, not a privilege.
Do you believe in the rights of the disability community?
Join us in the movement for change!
