Beacon amputee filmmaker fights NY's ‘One Limb Per Lifetime’ health insurance rule
News 12 met with Rachel Handler on Friday at the Beacon studio where she has been editing her documentary, “How Much Am I Worth?” about New York's insurance laws, especially the state's "One limb per lifetime rule."
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A state law requiring certain health insurance plans only to cover one prosthetic device, per limb, per lifetime for amputees is about to come under attack.
News 12 met with Rachel Handler on Friday at the Beacon studio where she has been editing her documentary, “How Much Am I Worth?” about New York's insurance laws, especially the state's "One limb per lifetime rule."
Insurance plans on the public state health insurance exchange do not have to cover anything beyond one prosthetic device per limb for an adult amputee.
The documentary covers the trials of several amputees, including Handler, who lost her leg in a car accident in 2012.
A recent transplant to New York state, Handler's public insurance plan affords her one prosthetic for basic mobility, which still requires a co-pay of $4,000.
She received help from a foundation to pay for a flexible blade that allows her to be more active.
Amputees who lose weight, gain weight, or take up a new sport face significant costs for new prosthetics.
"[It] can make people with disabilities question, 'What is my worth when I have to pay thousands of dollars to be able to function and do the things I want to do in this life?’'" Handler said.
Handler has been working with two state senators on legislation that would require public insurance plans to cover all necessary prosthetic devices for adult amputees.
As she lobbies other lawmakers, she has learned she must make amputees more visible to gain support for the legislation.
She said one lawmaker told her he does not see amputees out in his community.
"It can be so hard to get the health care and the equipment that we need to lead an active lifestyle," Handler said, "So when he said he had only seen amputees in medical settings, it really broke my heart."
Handler hopes the legislation passes later this year, soon after “What Am I Worth?” debuts, though the bill has not yet been filed.
News 12 reached out to multiple state lawmakers and groups that have lobbied on behalf of insurance companies and is awaiting responses.
