New MD law to help amputees get essential prosthetic limbs

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – Tammie Wells, like many amputees, considers herself a fighter. And now, Marylanders like her are protected by the ‘So Everybody Can Move Act’, which Governor Wes Moore signed into law on January 1.

It requires insurance companies to provide coverage for specialized prosthetics, as nationally, many insurers are pulling back.

“I don’t want people to feel sorry for amputees; we just ask that you treat us right and you give us the things that we need to do what we can do,” Tammie said.

Back in April of 2022, a major blood clot in Tammie’s left leg resulted in an amputation at the knee.

“It was totally different; it was relearning life all over again, relearning to walk, relearning how to love yourself again, I think that was the most difficult thing,” Tammie said.

After the procedure, Tammie had to adjust to a new normal of wearing a prosthetic leg.

Before this major life change, she said her insurance company was generous with coverage. But after the prosthetic leg came into the picture, they began offering less money than she had hoped, to cover the pricey new addition.

“They didn’t even want to cover the 20% that they previously had paid, so it was either you get the product that they wanted you to have, or you got nothing,” Tammie said.

Tammie hopes this new law will give other amputees some new hope to get the prosthetics that best fit them to lead fulfilling lives.

“We want to be out there, participating and making a difference, because once we get on our feet we have to go back and get another amputee and pull them and tell them to get on,” Tammie said.