Amy Purdy, award-winning Paralympic snowboarder and “Dancing With the Stars” finisher, has joined forces with Freedom Innovations LLC in an outreach campaign encouraging amputees to fight the recently released draft policy for the Medicare coverage of lower limb prostheses.
According to a Freedom Innovations press release, Purdy is encouraging members of the general public to join the petition and letter writing campaign spearheaded by the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP), available at www.saveprosthetics.org.
Purdy, who became a bilateral amputee after a bout with bacterial meningitis, has a stake in the future of the draft policy for Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Lower Limb Prosthetics released by the four Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs).
“The reason I am able to live a full life is because my legs fit well and I am able to receive the level of [prosthesis] to match my full potential,” Purdy said. “If this Medicare change happens, kids potentially will not be able to get the [prostheses] and the care they need to run, play and progress as a normal child would and people like me would be limited in our ability level.”
She continued, “This proposed change impacts those of us relying on [prostheses] in an enormous way. Prosthetics legs are not a luxury. Without proper prosthetics, our quality of life, health and financial well-being are all compromised.”
Reference: www.freedom-innovations.com
