HB-1136

Sponsors:

Rep. David Ortiz

Rep. Anthony Hartsook

Sen. FaithWinter

Sen. Larry Liston       

So Coloradoans Can Move

What is the public health problem?

Coloradans living with limb loss And limb difference are unable to afford and access life-Changing prosthetic care for physical activity and exercise due to a lack of insurance coverage, "not medically

necessary" denials, and high out-of-pocket costs.

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. Current Colorado insurance law

Requires prosthetic coverage Based on Medicare rules for the Aged and disabled Individuals need specialized prostheses for physical activity and recreation. Children with disabilities are 4.5times less likely to engage In physical activity than children without disabilities

How does HB-1136 fix it?

This bill modifies Colorado’s current prosthetic coverage law so health insurance plans will be required

to cover an additional prosthetic device necessary for physical activity.

What is HB-1136's potential fiscal and social impact?

Covering devices for physical activity has a minimal impact on insurance premiums while providing long

term social and fiscal benefits by improving health access and equity for Coloradans with disabilities.

The estimated increase to premiums as a result of HB-1136 is conservatively calculated at $0.01- $0.09

PMPM, with a total of $73,307.81-$724,923.63 annual impact to the state of Colorado.

Providing appropriate prosthetic care lowers overall healthcare costs:

Knee or hip problems resulting from lack of appropriate prosthetic care can result in increased

healthcare costs ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 over the course of a single patient’s lifetime.[2]

A Colorado state study showed providing Medicaid prosthetic coverage decreased overall

healthcare costs by $1,177.60 per patient.[2]

People with disabilities who are physically active are more likely to be employed, advance in their

careers, and have improved physical and mental health.[3]      

[1] American College of Sports Medicine, Why We Must Prioritize Equitable Access to Physical Activity for Children with Disabilities: https://www.acsm.org/blog-detail/acsm-blog/2021/03/22/prioritize-equitable-access-to-physical-activity-for-

children-with-disabilities

[2] Amputee Coalition, Help Us Introduce the Insurance Fairness for Amputees Act: https://www.amputee-

coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/insurance-fairness-amputees-act.pdf

[3] Move United, Sports and Employment Among Americans with Disabilities:

https://moveunitedsport.org/app/uploads/2021/06/Sports-and-Employment-Among-People-With-Disabilities-2-1.pdf

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

Rocky Mountain Orthotic and Prosthetic

Coalition (RMOPC)

Amputee Coalition

American Orthotic and Prosthetic

Association (AOPA)

National Association for the

Advancement of Orthotics and

Prosthetics (NAAOP)

The American Academy of Orthotists and

Prosthetists (AAOP)

The Association of Colorado Centers for

Independent Living (ACCIL)

Colorado Cross Disabilities Coalition

(CCDC)

Center for People With Disabilities

(CPWD)

Limb Preservation Foundation

Mental Health and Inclusion Industries

Colorado Trauma Network

Family Voices Colorado

Disability Law Colorado

ARC Thrift

Colorado Poverty Law Project

PASCO Personal Assistance Services

of Colorado

Chronic Care Collaborative

Paradox Sports

The Arc Colorado

Ignite Adaptive Sports

Mental Health Colorado

Colorado Academy of Family

Physicians

Alliance Colorado

Casting Scarlett's Way

The Independence Center of

Colorado Springs

Colorado Medical Society

Next 100 Colorado

CONTACT

Edie Busam

ebusam@aponte-busam.com

Dr. Jeff Cain

jeffrey.cain@cuanschutz.edu

Angela Montgomery, CPO

angelamontgomery@p-o-group.com