N.M. Stat. § 13-7-46 — NM_STATUTES Code / Chapter 13 / Article 7 / Section 13-7-46
§ 13-7-46. Prosthetic devices; custom orthotic devices; minimum coverage
Status: in_force

A. Group health coverage, including any form of self-insurance, offered, issued or renewed under the Health Care Purchasing Act shall provide coverage for prosthetics and custom orthotics that is at least equivalent to that coverage currently provided by the federal medicare program and no less favorable than the terms and conditions that the group health plan offers for medical and surgical benefits.

B. A group health plan shall cover the most appropriate prosthetic or custom orthotic device determined to be medically necessary by the enrollee's treating physician and associated medical providers to restore or maintain the ability to complete activities of daily living or essential job-related activities and that is not solely for the comfort or convenience of the enrollee. This coverage shall include all services and supplies necessary for the effective use of a prosthetic or custom orthotic device, including:

(1) formulation of its design, fabrication, material and component selection, measurements, fittings and static and dynamic alignments;

(2) all materials and components necessary to use it;

(3) instructing the enrollee in the use of it; and

(4) the repair and replacement of it.

C. A group heath plan shall cover a prosthetic or custom orthotic device determined by the enrollee's provider to be the most appropriate model that meets the medical needs of the enrollee for performing physical activities, including running, biking and swimming and to maximize the enrollee's upper limb function. This coverage shall include all services and supplies necessary for the effective use of a prosthetic or custom orthotic device, including:

(1) formulation of its design, fabrication, material and component selection, measurements, fittings and static and dynamic alignments;

(2) all materials and components necessary to use it;

(3) instructing the enrollee in the use of it; and

(4) the repair and replacement of it.

D. A group health plan's reimbursement rate for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices shall be at least equivalent to that currently provided by the federal medicare program and no more restrictive than other coverage under the group health plan.

E. Prosthetic and custom orthotic device coverage shall be comparable to coverage for other medical and surgical benefits under the group health plan, including restorative internal devices such as internal prosthetic devices, and shall not be subject to spending limits or lifetime restrictions.

F. Prosthetic and custom orthotic device coverage shall not be subject to separate financial requirements that are applicable only with respect to that coverage. A group health plan may impose cost sharing on prosthetic or custom orthotic devices; provided that any cost-sharing requirements shall not be more restrictive than the cost-sharing requirements applicable to the plan's medical and surgical benefits, including those for internal devices.

G. A group health plan may limit the coverage for, or alter the cost-sharing requirements for, out-of-network coverage of prosthetic and custom orthotic devices; provided that the restrictions and cost-sharing requirements applicable to prosthetic or custom orthotic devices shall not be more restrictive than the restrictions and requirements applicable to the out-of-network coverage for a group health plan's medical and surgical coverage.

H. In the event that medically necessary covered orthotics and prosthetics are not available from an in-network provider, the insurer shall provide processes to refer a member to an out-of-network provider and shall fully reimburse the out-of-network provider at a mutually agreed upon rate less member cost sharing determined on an in-network basis.

I. A group health plan shall not impose any annual or lifetime dollar maximum on coverage for prosthetic or custom orthotic devices, other than an annual or lifetime dollar maximum that applies in the aggregate to all terms and services covered under the group health plan.

J. If coverage is provided through a managed care plan, an enrollee shall have access to medically necessary clinical care and to prosthetic and custom orthotic devices and technology from not less than two distinct prosthetic and custom orthotic providers in the managed care plan's provider network located in the state.

K. Coverage for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices shall be considered habilitative or rehabilitative benefits for purposes of any state or federal requirement for coverage of essential health benefits, including habilitative and rehabilitative benefits.

L. If coverage for prosthetic or custom orthotic devices is provided, payment shall be made for the replacement of a prosthetic or custom orthotic device or for the replacement of any part of such devices, without regard to continuous use or useful lifetime restrictions, if an ordering health care provider determines that the provision of a replacement device, or a replacement part of such a device, is necessary because of any of the following:

(1) a change in the physiological condition of the patient;

(2) an irreparable change in the condition of the device or in a part of the device; or

(3) the condition of the device, or the part of the device, requires repairs and the cost of such repairs would be more than sixty percent of the cost of a replacement device or of the part being replaced.

M. Confirmation from a prescribing health care provider may be required if the prosthetic or custom orthotic device or part being replaced is less than three years old.

N. A group health plan subject to the Health Care Purchasing Act shall not discriminate against individuals based on disability, including limb loss, absence or malformation.