Sheryl Sachs, MSPO, CPO Awarded for Advocacy

Sheryl Sachs, Dankmeyer CPO, was a prime mover in the effort to get the So EveryBody Can Move (SEBCM) legislation passed in Maryland. Sheryl was the State Lead Advocate for Maryland. SEBCM is a grassroots policy and advocacy initiative to create equitable and life-changing access to orthotic and prosthetic care necessary for physical activity for individuals with disabilities.

After months of hard work, dedication, and passion from countless advocates, partners, and legislative sponsors SB 614/HB 865 passed the Maryland legislature, and was signed into law by Governor Moore, This legislation will go into effect on January 1, 2025.

Dankmeyer’s Sheryl Sachs, CPO, has worked tirelessly to advocate for passage of the SEBCM legislation in Maryland. In September 2024, Sheryl received two awards to recognize her for her hard work. At the 2024 annual American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association (AOPA) National Assembly in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sheryl was recognized as Woman of the Year. Sheryl was nominated for the award by her peers in O&P, and was selected from four finalists to receive the award in the 2024 O&P Woman of the Year Ceremony.

Prior to the meeting, Sheryl was notified that she had been selected as one of the recipients of the AOPA Ralph R. “Ronney” Snell Legislative Advocacy Award. This honor is bestowed annually to recognize individuals who have made valuable contributions toward advancing the legislative and regulatory goals of the O&P field by motivating members of Congress and other decision makers to take action on behalf of O&P.

Several of Sheryl’s Dankmeyer colleagues were attending the Assembly and were there when she was presented with these awards. We are so proud of the work Sheryl has done that will serve to benefit all of those with limb loss and limb difference in Maryland.

Congratulations, Sheryl!

SEBCM Maryland Bill is signed into law!

So EveryBODY Can Move!

Insurance Coverage of Activity Specific Devices

Bill is passed and signed into law by Governor Moore.

Sheryl Sachs, Dankmeyer CPO and a prime mover in the effort to get the So EveryBody Can Move legislation passed in Maryland writes:

As the State Lead Advocate for So Every BODY Can Move - Maryland, I am thrilled to share a monumental achievement for our community and state. So Every BODY Can Move is a grassroots policy and advocacy initiative to create equitable and life-changing access to orthotic and prosthetic care necessary for physical activity for individuals with disabilities.

After months of hard work, dedication, and passion from countless advocates, partners, and legislative sponsors Senator Beidle, Senator Elfreth, and Delegate Martinez, I am pleased to share that SB 614/HB 865 have passed the Maryland legislature, have been signed into law by Governor Moore, and will go into effect on January 1, 2025.

Thanks to the unwavering support, advocacy, and collective effort of individuals and organizations like yours, our state has successfully passed legislation that mandates health insurance coverage for prosthetic devices specifically designed for physical activity, sport, and exercise. This legislative victory marks a significant step forward in dismantling healthcare inequities and reaffirms our belief that access to movement is a right, not a privilege.

What This Legislation Means:

This new law addresses a critical gap in our healthcare system for the limb loss and limb difference community. Historically, insurance did not cover prosthetic devices for physical activity, sports, and exercise. Although exercise and physical activity are viewed as an integral part of everyday life by the general public, insurance companies often consider a second, activity-specific prosthesis not medically necessary. Our successful legislative reform ensures that qualifying patient candidates are not denied the right to move, engage in sports, or exercise due to the lack of access to necessary prosthetics.

Next Steps

The legislation will go into effect on January 1, 2025 with the following key provisions:

• Commercial health insurance plans and state Medicaid are required to cover an additional prosthetic device for physical activity deemed medically necessary by a treating physician in a non-discriminatory manner.

• Coverage includes the assessment, fitting, all materials and components necessary to use the devices, repairs/replacements, and maintenance of these devices, ensuring that individuals receive comprehensive support.

• Insurers subject to the legislation must submit a report of claims data to the state’s insurance agency.

The So Every BODY Can Move legislation in Maryland impacts the following:

• Patient Age: all ages

• Insurance Plans Affected: state commercial plans, state employee plans, and Medicaid

• Devices Covered: activity-specific prostheses (when deemed medically necessary)

• Additional implementation communication will be developed in collaboration with healthcare providers, insurance companies, and advocacy groups to ensure smooth adoption and compliance.

How to Start Getting Access:

Starting on January 1, 2025, individuals with health insurance plans impacted by the legislation can start the following:

1. Review Patient Plan: After the bill goes into effect, beneficiaries are encouraged to review their health insurance plans and understand the new coverage options available.

2. Consult Healthcare Provider: Individuals requiring prosthetic devices for physical activity should consult their healthcare providers about their needs and support with the medical necessity authorization.

3. Partner with O&P Provider: Patients should collaborate with the O&P provider to determine which device will meet their need for physical activity and to start the claims process. Healthcare and O&P Providers will be instrumental in navigating the new coverage provisions.

4. Begin Claims and Reimbursement Process: After our state’s So Every BODY Can Move legislation goes into effect, O&P providers can begin the claims and reimbursement process. The claims and reimbursement process will remain the same as receiving a device for daily living.

5. Stay Informed: So Every BODY Can Move will continue to offer resources and support to healthcare providers and the community to ensure everyone can make the most of this legislative change.

Your Role Moving Forward:

As valued stakeholders in this initiative, your ongoing support and advocacy remain crucial. We encourage you to:

● Spread the word within your networks about this legislative win and the new coverage provisions.

● Engage with us in upcoming initiatives to monitor the implementation of the law and address any challenges that may arise.

● Continue championing the rights to health and movement in our community and beyond.

Stay connected with all things So Every BODY Can Move - https://soeverybodycanmove.org/

This victory is a testament to what we can achieve together. Let us continue to work together to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to move freely and live a full, active life.

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to this cause.

Warmest regards,

Sheryl N Sachs, MSPO, CPO

Lead Advocate

So Every BODY Can Move- Maryland

sebcm.md@gmail.com

Senator Pamela Beidle, John Edward Heath, Emerson Spekis, Steven McDonald, Wendy Spekis, Sheryl Sachs at Dankmeyer.

 Dankmeyer’s Sheryl N Sachs, MSPO, CPO is one of the national leaders in this initiative and is working hard in Maryland to promote legal action to accomplish these goals. A long time patient advocate, Sheryl has written more about advocacy efforts on our Advocacy page.

Congratulations Sheryl! And the whole Maryland SEBCM Team!

So EveryBODY Can Move!

Insurance Coverage of Activity Specific Devices

April 2024 UPDATE on Bills in the Maryland legislature

Sheryl Sachs, Dankmeyer CPO and a prime mover in the effort to get the So EveryBody Can Move legislation passed in Maryland writes:

I am THRILLED to announce that with less than an hour before the end of the 2024 Maryland Legislative Session (Sine Die), both SB 614 & HB 865, the "So Every Body Can Move Act" bills, passed the floor votes and will be heading to Gov. Wes Moore's desk to be signed into law!

We are so grateful for our primary bill sponsors, Senators Pam Beidle and Sarah Elfreth, and Delegate Ashanti Martinez, who helped champion our bills through to the end. We are honored that both the Maryland Senate Finance Committee members and the HGO committee members all asked to be added to our legislation as co-sponsors.

Once these bills are signed into law, starting in January 2025, individuals with limb loss and limb difference will now have insurance coverage for medically necessary activity-specific prosthetic devices, allowing them to participate in physical activities that we take for granted, such as running a 5k, surfing at the beach, and ice skating with our families.

This will make Maryland the 6th state to pass such legislation as part of the grassroots "So Every Body Can Move" initiative. To learn more, please visit our website by clicking here.

A huge thank you to our advocates, including John-Edward Heath, Nina Bondre, Kyle Stepp, and Colin Q. Potts, and for the support from Jennifer Witten with LifeBridge Health to get us over the finish line!

We look forward to keeping you informed of our progress with this initiative.  Thank you all for your support.  For more information, please email us at: SEBCM.MD@gmail.com 

 Dankmeyer’s Sheryl N Sachs, MSPO, CPO is one of the national leaders in this initiative and is working hard in Maryland to promote legal action to accomplish these goals. A long time patient advocate, Sheryl has written more about advocacy efforts on our Advocacy page.

So EveryBODY Can Move! Bills in the MD Senate and House.

So EveryBODY Can Move!

Insurance Coverage of Activity Specific Devices

February 2024 UPDATE on Bills in the Maryland legislature

Maryland’s legislative session is in full swing!  We are excited to announce that we have secured primary bill sponsors in both the Maryland Senate and Maryland House of Delegates, and both bills have been introduced in the Legislature!  The process is far from over, but this is a huge step forward.  We sincerely appreciate the support of our primary bill sponsors: Senator Pam Beidle (pictured above), Senator Sarah Elfreth, and Delegate Ashanti Martinez. Delegate Martinez also secured 10 co-sponsors for the House bill.  

  Our bill numbers are: SB0614/HB0865. The MD Senate hearing was held on 2/14 and our House bill hearing took place on 2/15! You can read about the bills  here. The bills are cross-filed, which means right now, the language is the same for each bill. 
We have been meeting with members of the legislature to ask for their support, and the response has been very positive. That being said, we need everyone's support to show our state senators and representatives that the Maryland community wants these bills to pass. 

What we need from you is: 

1.     Sign a letter of support from the medical professionals, patients, and O&P companies in Maryland for this bill: To have your name and employer added, please fill out  this short Google form.  

2.     If you are a medical professional, encourage your colleagues to show their support: Please ask your colleagues—other PTs, OTs, social workers, physicians if they will sign onto the written testimony. You can share the link provided above with them. 

3.     Most importantly, if you are a patient, make sure your voice is heard! The most powerful way to move our legislators is for patients to share why this bill should be passed, and that they are only limited by access to the appropriate O&P devices. Patients who are MD residents can engage in multiple ways: 

- Fill out the Google form  to be added to a letter of support from patients that we will put together 

- Email legislators to express support for the bill 

We look forward to keeping you informed of our progress with this initiative.  Thank you all for your support.  For more information, please email us at: SEBCM.MD@gmail.com 

 Dankmeyer’s Sheryl N Sachs, MSPO, CPO is one of the national leaders in this initiative and is working hard in Maryland to promote legal action to accomplish these goals. A long time patient advocate, Sheryl has written more about advocacy efforts on our Advocacy page.