New Hampshire Becomes 14th State to Mandate Insurance Coverage for Activity Prostheses
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Summary:
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New Hampshire becomes the 14th state to mandate insurance coverage for adult activity-specific prosthetics.
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Law (SB 408) takes effect Jan. 1, 2028; adults get one covered activity prosthesis, insurers can cap it to once every five years.
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Builds on NH’s law covering the same benefit for children under 19.
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Part of the “So Every BODY Can Move” campaign’s 28x28 push: 28 states by the 2028 LA Olympics/Paralympics.
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Starting January 1, 2028, adults in New Hampshire will be eligible for insurance coverage of activity-specific prostheses—specialized limbs designed for activities like running, swimming, skiing, or other sports that standard prostheses can’t support. New Hampshire becomes the 14th state to mandate such coverage, joining others that are addressing a long-standing gap in prosthetic care.
The new law, Senate Bill 408, requires health insurance policies to cover adult prosthetic devices, including those for specific activities. However, coverage may be limited to one activity-specific prosthesis every five years. This law expands on a 2024 legislation that already required similar coverage for children under 19.
For individuals with limb loss, the difference between an everyday prosthesis and an activity-specific one is more than just a matter of personal preference. A daily-wear prosthetic leg is designed for walking and standing, while running on it can strain the back and joints. In contrast, a running blade features a curved carbon-fiber structure that functions like a spring, absorbing impact and returning energy with each step.
In an interview with the Concord Monitor, Carl Barton, an above-knee amputee from New Hampshire, mentioned he has been considering a running blade. He said that while most people can simply switch from lifestyle shoes to running sneakers when they want to run a marathon, he and many other lower-limb amputees didn’t have the option. Now that the bill has passed, that option will soon be available.
Dana Clarke, a below-knee amputee from Belmont, shared with the Concord Monitor that he already knows what access to multiple devices looks like. Through Veterans Affairs, he has an everyday leg, a “wet leg” for showers and swimming, and a running leg. When he discovered many amputees in his situation couldn’t get the same setup through private insurance, he testified before the legislature. He said that he wanted the panel to understand that having access to multiple prosthetic devices significantly improves his quality of life.
Hudson Hammer, a below-knee amputee who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident, attended the first legislative hearing on the bill after beginning care at ForMotion, a prosthetics and orthotics clinic with branches in Manchester and Concord. His current everyday prosthesis is also suitable for running, allowing him to complete a 5K, but he is now considering a leg designed specifically for skiing, snowboarding, or weightlifting.
Jason Lalla, a certified prosthetist at the ForMotion clinic in Manchester and an above-knee amputee, testified as both a clinician and a patient, according to the Concord Monitor. He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 1989 and went on to win a gold medal in alpine skiing at the 1998 Paralympics. He also mountain bikes, which requires a specialized device. Without activity-specific coverage, clinicians often cannot provide the appropriate equipment for patients.
Beyond individual mobility, advocates emphasize broader health outcomes. Without access to activity-specific devices, people with limb loss face increased risks of a sedentary lifestyle and related issues such as obesity and depression, Lalla told the Union Leader.
28 by 2028
New Hampshire’s law is part of a broader national initiative—the So Every BODY Can Move, a disability rights campaign running the 28x28 campaign. Its aim is to achieve activity-prosthetic coverage laws in 28 states by the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles. With the passage of New Hampshire’s law, the campaign has reached its midway point: 14 states out of 28.
Lalla explained to the Concord Monitor that this is about more than just pursuing goals, such as being an adaptive athlete or Paralympian; it’s also about the simple joys of allowing adults with limb loss to ride a bike with their kids.
Related Reading:
Medicare and Prosthetic Limbs: Coverage for Amputees Explained
Maryland Law Provides Amputees Access to Crucial Prosthetic Limbs
Insurance Coverage Disputes Over Prosthetic Legs Affect Children in Tennessee
Health Insurers Cut Back on Prosthesis Coverage Over Medical Doubts
