Co-Pay Limits & MS Limits

Co-pay Limits and Multiple Sclerosis Limits

Two significant pieces of legislation addressing access to physical therapy were introduced in January - and both have seen recent activity this session. 

While the IPTA has been focused on limiting co-pay costs to no more than what is imposed for primary care, the Multiple Sclerosis Society has been advocating for the removal of limits on PT for patients with MS.

SB 969 currently sits in the Senate's Insurance Committee with an amendment pending that would reduce the benefit of this legislation to only include state employees.  While we agree that it is a first step, we are not satisfied with this compromise.  We continue to work to advocate for fair co-pays under private insurance as well.

SB 193 initially would have provided for the removal of any limitations or caps on physical therapy benefits for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis.  That bill has now been amended to only require insurance companies to offer an exception process from treatment limitations.  SB 193 passed out of committee and is on the Senate calendar for 2nd reading.

You can follow the progress of these bills here:

SB 969: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=969&GAID=14&GA=100&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=103157&SessionID=91

SB 193: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=100&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=193&GAID=14&SessionID=91&LegID=100108