Access to Assistive Technology and Devices for Americans Study Act (H.R.
2461)
Master’s of Occupational Science & Therapy Student at Grand Valley State University
What Does “Appropriate Coverage” Look Like?
This bill will allow for further and necessary evaluation of
whether individuals are receiving appropriate coverage for
life-altering assistive technologies. Appropriate coverage has a
significant impact on the quality of care that individuals
receive, including:
(1) timely access to care, including educating patients
regarding options for assistive technologies;
(2) assessments and guidelines for assistive device
determinations;
(3) matching specific assistive devices with the needs of the
individual beneficiary, such as women;
(4) the affordability of assistive devices;
(5) the provision of rehabilitation services to support
acclimation to assistive devices; and
(6) appropriate timelines for assessments for surgery and
assessments of assistive devices.
RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2019
www.PosterPresentations.com
By: Samantha Turner
H.R. 2461, the “Triple A Study Act”
This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
to study issues related to health insurance and other coverage
for assistive technologies, such as prosthetic devices and
custom orthoses, for those who experience amputations or
live with a limb difference.
In conducting this study, the GAO must include comparisons
of claims and other data from Medicare, the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and commercial health insurers.
The Importance of the H.R. 2461
• The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is
in full support of H.R. 2461 (AOTA, n.d.).
• Occupational therapy is a holistic health profession that
recognizes the complexity surrounding limb differences
and the effect it has on everyday life, and the substantial
benefit assistive technology can have on this population.
• Amputations have medical, physical, social, and
psychological ramifications for veterans and their families
(Webster et al., 2020)
• For this population, assistive technologies can decrease
barriers to everyday participation, and promote
independence, productivity, and well-being.
Who Would Benefit?
• There are over 2.1 million people living with limb loss in
the U.S.
• It is expected that 3.6 million individuals will be living with
limb loss by 2050 (acl.gov, 2021).
• From 2009 to 2019, % of U.S. veterans with major limb
amputation seen in an outpatient amputation specialty
clinic each year increased from 4.8 to 26% (Webster et al.,
2020).
• Any individual, of any age, can experience limb loss/limb
difference.
• The high activity levels of amputees can reduce health care
costs over the long term by having a healthier, more active
Medicare amputee population (Bogenrief, 2015).
References
Amputee Coalition (n.d.). Limb Loss in the U.S. [PDF File]. https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2021-
04/llam-infographic-2021.pdf
American Occupational Therapy Association. (n.d.). Federal - HR 2461 Access to assistive technology and devices
for Americans study act . Retrieved December 16, 2021. https://cqrcengage.com/aota/app/bill/1480898?4
Bogenrief, J. (2015). AOTA requests Medicare rescind draft LCD lower limb prostheses. [PDF File].
https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/Advocacy/Reimb/News/Archives/Letters/AOTA-Requests-Medicare-
Rescind-Draft-LCD-Lower-Limb-Prostheses.pdf
Congress.gov. (n.d.). Text - H.R.2461 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Triple A ... Retrieved December 16, 2021, from
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2461/text
Webster, J., Scholten, J., Young, P., & Randolph, B. J. (2020). Ten-year outcomes of a systems-based approach to
longitudinal amputation care in the US Department of Veteran Affairs. Federal Practitioner: for the health care
professionals of the VA, DoD, and PHS, 37(8), 360–367. https://doi.org/10.12788/fp.0024