Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislation would have insurance companies cover cost of prosthetic devices

A plastic hand-shaped device with three raised fingers rested on the desk before her as she spoke.

Moments earlier, Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL-Spring Lake Park) had been wearing this device to have a full set of fingers on her left hand.

Koegel sponsors HF3339 that would mandate private sector health coverage of orthotic and prosthetic devices, supplies, accessories, systems, and services in an amount equal to or more than provided under Medicare.

“I was lucky that this happened to me late in life, so I had 40 years with all 10 fingers, but some people don’t have that and lose a limb at an early age,” Koegel said. “When you don’t have the proper equipment, it’s really limiting.”

Each finger on her prosthetic device costs between $5,000 and $20,000.

The House Health Policy and Finance Committee laid the bill over, as amended, Tuesday for possible inclusion in larger package.

Under current law, medical assistance covers orthotic and prosthetic devices, supplies, and services prescribed by a health care provider and determined to be the most appropriate model for physical activities, not limited to showering, bathing, running, biking, and swimming. The bill would add clarifying language in relation to this. 

Retired Dr. Elsa Keeler said her claim for a prescribed waterproof prosthetic knee and leg was denied by insurance because it wasn’t the standard model that met “minimum specifications.” Her older prosthetic leg had stopped working and was irreparable.

“I found myself wondering if I’m worthy,” Keeler said. “Active movement for people with limb loss is not a privilege, it is a necessity,” adding that she used her prosthetic knee and leg for daily movement, hiking, kayaking, portage canoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Nine-year-old Walker Ellis said he received a running blade leg from Wiggle Your Toes. “Now I can keep up with all my friends when we play,” he said.

Letters of support were presented to the committee by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association; National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics; American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists; Amputee Coalition; Minnesota Society of Orthotists, Prosthetists & Pedorthists; and Wiggle Your Toes.


Related Articles


Priority Dailies

Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, husband killed in attack
House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, pictured during the 2023 legislative session. (House Photography file photo) House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot in their home early Saturday morning. Gov. Tim Walz announced the news dur...
Lawmakers deliver budget bills to governor's desk in one-day special session
House Speaker Lisa Demuth gavels out the one-day, June 9 special session. Members are scheduled to be back together in St. Paul on Feb. 17, 2026. (Photo by Michele Jokinen) About that talk of needing all 21 hours left in a legislative day to complete a special session? House members were more than up to the challenge Monday. Beginning at 10 a.m...