Many health insurance plans only offer partial payment for a child's
artificial limb. In some cases, specific prosthetic procedures and
technology, such as object-compliant hands, a multi-joint prehensor,
electronic hand or fully configured bionic arm may be excluded as "not
medically necessary."
Meeting deductibles and co-pays for these prosthetic devices and
services can be difficult for families, particularly since children
generally outgrow a myoelectric prosthesis every 18 to 24 months. These
deductibles and co-pays can add up to several thousand dollars.
The Variety Myoelectric Center
also offers access to resources for parents seeking an up-to-date
analysis and interpretation of their current health care insurance
policy as it relates to coverage for various prosthetic services and
procedures, such as an electronic hand, object-compliant hands,
prosthetic terminal device, expedited prosthetic fitting, multi-joint
prehensor or a complete bionic arm.
The Center's staff will work with families to evaluate all funding
options, including securing funding through Variety the Children's
Charity-Detroit.