Fighting for Health Insurance Coverage of Prosthetic Devices

Health insurance companies have a lot of exclusions and often the exclusions are legitimate but sometimes they are unfair and make no sense, such as denying coverage for prosthetics. According to www.baltimoresun.com amputees in Maryland are trying to fight to get their health insurance companies to pay for their prosthetics. Although prosthetics are covered with Medicaid and Medicare, insurance companies often deny coverage for prosthetics. According to the article many people have to pay out of pocket for medically needed prosthetics such as Frank Jennings. He "testified that his lower leg was amputated because of complications from diabetes, but that he can't afford the co-payment of about $10,000 for a prosthetic. Lorenzo Smith, 14, of Suitland, who lost his leg in a car accident, also testified. He has needed new artificial legs as he has grown, costing thousands of dollars."