Gov. Bev Perdue signed H 535, Health Insurance Coverge/Lymphedema into law July 17.  Sponsored by Rep. Tricia Cotham (D-Mecklenburg), the bill requires all health insurance plans to provide coverage for lymphedema treatment, including coverage for gradient compression garments. Rep. Cotham introduced the bill when she learned from a constituent that some health plans do not provide coverage for the treatment or for the expensive gradient compression garments. Rep. Cotham’s constituent was seeking help on behalf of her young son, who was born without functioning lymph nodes in the lower part of his body and was repeatedly denied coverage. The provisions of H 535 become effective Jan. 1, 2010 for all health plans delivered, issued or reissued on or after that date. NCOTA supported the bill along with the NC Physical Therapy Association. NCOTA thanks and commends Rep. Cotham for her leadership on this issue. To read the new law, please view http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2009/Bills/House/PDF/H535v4.pdf .

Stay informed on activity in the NC legislature impacting OT by going to http://www.ncota.org/about/advocacy  This area of the website is accessible to NCOTA members only.  To access member-only areas, a member must complete a one-time account registration--see top of home page (www.ncota.org) .  If you forget your login, go to the top of the home page and complete a "forgot password" request.