So Minnesotans Can Move

We believe movement is medicine and physical activity is a right, not a privilege. But today, thousands of Minnesotans 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

Minnesota HF-3339 / SF-3351

Bill Number:

Status:

Enacted

Insurance Plans Affected:

State Commercial Plans + Medicaid

Age Group:

All Ages

Types of Devices Covered:

Orthoses + Prostheses

State Lead:

Teri Kuffel, JD

Primary Bill Sponsors:

Rep. Erin Koegel, Sen. John Hoffman

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Meet the
Lead Advocate Team

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Teri Kuffel, JD

State Lead

Arise Orthotics & Prosthetics MSOPP & WYT Board

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Sam Walseth

Lobbyist

Capitol Hill Associates

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Aaron Holm

Founder & Executive Director, Wiggle Your Toes

At a Glance

Minnesota 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

Children with disabilities are 4.5 times less likely to engage in physical activity compared to their peers.

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

50% of adults with disabilities get absolutely no aerobic physical activity.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Inactivity Related to Chronic Disease in Adults with Disabilities

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2X

Adults and children with mobility limitations are at greatest risk for obesity and the prevalence of obesity in children with disabilities is almost twice that of children without disabilities.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Disability and Obesity

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60 / 150 Mins

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends children with disabilities get 60 or more minutes each day of moderate or vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity; for adults with disabilities, the recommendation is 150 minutes weekly.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition

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$44 Billion

Annual health care costs of obesity that are related to disability are estimated at approximately $44 billion.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Disability and Obesity

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“F”

According to the 2022 U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, the U.S. received an “F” grade for children with disabilities, with less than 17.5% meeting the recommended daily physical activity.

Physical Activity Alliance, The 2022 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Click Here

Thousands of Minnesotans 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:

  • Incur prohibitive out-of-pocket costs (ranging from $5,000 -$50,000)
  • Risk harm/injury using an improper device
  • Live sedentary lifestyles with costly health complications including obesity
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.
Background Element 1 Background Element 2

What will HF-3339 / SF-3351 do?

This bill will amend MN law to improve access to O&P care for children and adults by requiring state commercial plans provide coverage for orthotic and prosthetic care to:

  1. at a level that is equivalent to the federal Medicare program;
  2. for purposes of performing physical activities, as applicable, including but not limited to running, biking, and swimming, and maximizing the enrollee’s upper limb function;
  3. for the purposes of showering or bathing and
  4. 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

How HF-3339 / SF-3351 Benefits Minnesota

This bill will ensure every Minnesotan covered by a state commercial plan that is living with limb loss, limb difference, or mobility impairment will have access to the prosthetic and orthotic care they need to regain their mobility and independence and contribute to society. Ensuring appropriate O&P coverage has a minimal impact on insurance premiums while reducing costly secondary health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

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Inspiring Narratives from Minnesota

Logan, from Shakopee, is a multisport / activity kid. He wrestles, skateboards, plays soccer, sled hockey and races motocross. Logan has multiple prosthetics that allow him to keep up with his family and friends. Components include his daily ambulating prosthetic, running blade and a special prosthetic knee for racing motocross and riding his bike.

Logan

Shakopee, MN

Logan, from Shakopee, is a multisport / activity kid. He wrestles, skateboards, plays soccer, sled hockey and races motocross. Logan has multiple prosthetics that allow him to keep up with his family and friends. Components include his daily ambulating prosthetic, running blade and a special prosthetic knee for racing motocross and riding his bike.

Logan

Shakopee, MN

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Inspiring Narratives from Minnesota

Matt, from Prior Lake, is a husband and father, and employee of Wells Fargo Minneapolis. Diagnosed at a young age with osteosarcoma that ultimately resulted in the loss of his leg above the knee, Matt lives a very active lifestyle pushing his prosthetic components to their limits.

Matt

Prior Lake, MN

Matt, from Prior Lake, is a husband and father, and employee of Wells Fargo Minneapolis. Diagnosed at a young age with osteosarcoma that ultimately resulted in the loss of his leg above the knee, Matt lives a very active lifestyle pushing his prosthetic components to their limits.

Matt

Prior Lake, MN

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Inspiring Narratives from Minnesota

Courtney, from Mound, was injured in a boating accident that resulted in the loss of her leg below the knee. As a very active adult, wife, and mother of two, she depends on her prosthetic devices to keep up with family, work as a Fox9 news reporter, and to just stay active.

Courtney

Mound, MN

Courtney, from Mound, was injured in a boating accident that resulted in the loss of her leg below the knee. As a very active adult, wife, and mother of two, she depends on her prosthetic devices to keep up with family, work as a Fox9 news reporter, and to just stay active.

Courtney

Mound, MN

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Inspiring Narratives from Minnesota

Walker, from Woodbury, is a go getter! He recently received a prosthetic running blade from Wiggle Your Toes that allowed him the freedom to run like a non-disabled person! He loves hanging out with friends and family, school, and staying active by playing sled hockey on the MN Wild sled hockey team, soccer, and flag football.

Walker

Woodbury, MN

Walker, from Woodbury, is a go getter! He recently received a prosthetic running blade from Wiggle Your Toes that allowed him the freedom to run like a non-disabled person! He loves hanging out with friends and family, school, and staying active by playing sled hockey on the MN Wild sled hockey team, soccer, and flag football.

Walker

Woodbury, MN

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Inspiring Narratives from Minnesota

Lindsey, from Minneapolis, decided amputation was her best option for an active life after a ski accident and twenty limb salvage surgeries. She now enjoys rock climbing, visiting the ocean, teaching pilates, and is a certified prosthetist. She utilizes her water leg, running blade, and microprocessor ankle weekly in her day to day life.

Lindsey

Minneapolis, MN

Lindsey, from Minneapolis, decided amputation was her best option for an active life after a ski accident and twenty limb salvage surgeries. She now enjoys rock climbing, visiting the ocean, teaching pilates, and is a certified prosthetist. She utilizes her water leg, running blade, and microprocessor ankle weekly in her day to day life.

Lindsey

Minneapolis, MN

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