Summary

Insurers are increasingly denying coverage for advanced prosthetic limbs, questioning their medical necessity despite laws in some states requiring parity with Medicare.

People like Michael Adams, who relies on a $50,000 microprocessor-controlled knee for mobility, face coverage roadblocks despite doctor recommendations.

Advocacy groups call this discriminatory, as basic prosthetic coverage varies widely and caps often exclude advanced devices.

Cost remains a significant barrier, with many paying out-of-pocket or relying on loans. Federal proposals aim to prevent repossession of prosthetics due to unpaid loans, but challenges persist for many amputees, whose appeals for coverage have been repeatedly denied.