Ellmers bill would put moratorium on Medicare coverage restrictions for prosthetic care

Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) on Tuesday would ensure that prosthetic devices continue to be covered under Medicare for veterans and senior citizens who need them.

The Preserving Access to Modern Prosthetic Limbs Act, H.R. 5045, would put a moratorium on Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) guidelines that would restrict coverage for prosthetic care for Medicare beneficiaries until 2017.

In the interim, stakeholders would be able to provide feedback about HHS’s proposed guidelines.

“This type of coverage restriction as advocated for by Medicare is both unnecessary and completely avoidable,” Ellmers said. “It would harm the quality of life for thousands of our nation’s most vulnerable while also impeding their ability to live an independent life. We must and can do better.

“In July of 2015, HHS issued guidelines that would severely restrict access to prosthetic care for Medicare beneficiaries. As the representative of Fort Bragg, and the 2nd district, I represent thousands of veterans and senior citizens who would be adversely affected by this decision.”

The Preserving Access to Modern Prosthetic Limbs Act would enable HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell to better understand the “far-reaching consequences” of the proposal before it’s enacted, Ellmers said.