How To Get A Prosthetic Leg For Free

To become eligible for healthcare services through the VA, you must meet the following requirements:

• Received an honorable discharge.
• Have a minimum of 2 years of service if discharged after September 7, 1980 (no prior minimum)
• Served the entirety of the active duty portion of your service term if you are a reservist. All non-training duties must have been served in their entirety.

Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services at the Veterans Administration is responsible for the policies and programs for medical rehabilitation at the national level. They also oversee prosthetic and sensory aids services at the national level.

The VA’s goal is to promote physical and mental health, the independent living capacity, and the standard of living for veterans with disabilities.

The Defense Department’s worldwide healthcare program for active duty and retired uniformed service members and their families is called TRICARE.

This program covers prosthetics, prosthetic devices, and related supplies that are deemed necessary due to injuries from trauma, congenital anomalies, or disease.

TRICARE also covers:

• Accessories used with the prosthetic device to deliver therapeutic benefits and correct function.
• Training services for the patient education and proper device use
• Device repair resulting from normal wear and tear
• Custom changes to prosthetics performed by approved providers
• Replacement of the device if the following occurs:
• Patient growth or other change
• Device is lost or irreparably damaged
• Repair costs would be over 60% of the replacement cost.
• S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved surgical implants.

Prosthetics that have been approved by the FDA for investigational device exemption (IDE) are considered for coverage.  Also, prosthetic devices that the FDA categorizes as non-experimental or investigational (FDA Category B) will be considered.

Patient coverage depends on the prosthetic device meeting all other requirements set forth by TRICARE.  Coverage also depends on the covered person meeting IDE study protocols that are approved by the FDA.

It is important to note that this list does not cover all TRICARE’s covered services. TRICARE covers medically proven and necessary services. Special rules or limits on specific services exist, and some services are not covered.

The Defense Department’s worldwide healthcare program for active duty and retired uniformed service members and their families is called TRICARE.

This program covers prosthetics, prosthetic devices, and related supplies that are deemed necessary due to injuries from trauma, congenital anomalies, or disease.

TRICARE also covers:

• Accessories used with the prosthetic device to deliver therapeutic benefits and correct function.
• Training services for the patient education and proper device use
• Device repair resulting from normal wear and tear
• Custom changes to prosthetics performed by approved providers
• Replacement of the device if the following occurs:
• Patient growth or other change
• Device is lost or irreparably damaged
• Repair costs would be over 60% of the replacement cost.
• S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved surgical implants.

Prosthetics that have been approved by the FDA for investigational device exemption (IDE) are considered for coverage.  Also, prosthetic devices that the FDA categorizes as non-experimental or investigational (FDA Category B) will be considered.

Patient coverage depends on the prosthetic device meeting all other requirements set forth by TRICARE.  Coverage also depends on the covered person meeting IDE study protocols that are approved by the FDA.

It is important to note that this list does not cover all TRICARE’s covered services. TRICARE covers medically proven and necessary services. Special rules or limits on specific services exist, and some services are not covered necessary to keep a job or increase living independently.

It is important to ensure you have all the necessary documents ready. This will ensure there are no delays in the application process. Have the following documents on hand:

• Primary disability (date of onset and cause of disability)
• Secondary disability (date of onset and cause of disability)
• Employment record
• Family income
• Monthly expenses (rent/mortgage, utilities, loans, grocery, car payments, medical expenses, etc.)
• Health insurance details
• Name, age and relationship of dependents

After you have gathered the necessary information, plan out how you will argue in favor of your request for financial assistance. Both government and nonprofit programs often require a justification statement before funding can be provided.

State vocational rehabilitations programs require that you demonstrate how the assistance will support your employment. And if employment is not your goal, then the justification statement needs to show how the device will improve your independence. Be aware, each program may have its own individual stipulations.

Success in securing funding frequently depends on the applicant’s ability to address each agency’s unique requirements. Sources of financial assistance range from Medicare and other insurance options to national and local nonprofit organizations. The following is an overview of some of the available resources.

There are many sources of financial assistance available, from Medicare to local nonprofits!  Addressing each program’s particular concerns will increase your chance for funding. Below you will find options to get you started.

The following nonprofits provide help to amputees through grants, equipment, or prostheses. See what fits your needs!

While Ability Found does not offer prosthetics or orthotics, it does provide mobility and adaptive equipment at vastly reduced rates, including: wheelchairs (power and manual), walking devices, temporary ramps, home and vehicle lifts, as well as standing frames and grab bars.

Please note: A Professional Service Provider must apply on your behalf. This is typically a physical or occupational therapist, though they can be medical vendors, case managers, social workers, nurses, and physicians. These professionals assist in matching equipment to your specific needs.

There may be a small cost for shipping or adapted equipment.

For more information, please see: https://www.abilityfound.org/service-providers/

Amputee Blade Runners gives free running prosthetics to amputees. Since insurance companies do not cover running prosthetics, Amputee Blade runners offers them to athletes free of charge. They believe maintaining an active lifestyle is essential to total wellness.

Simply download an application at amputeebladerunners.com/want-a-running-leg and email it to [email protected]

Steps of Faith Foundation aids insured, and under-insured amputees attain the prosthetic limbs they urgently need in order to help revitalize their life.

Additionally, we find prosthetists who would like to dedicate their time to help our patients. Steps of Faith also takes care of the costs by raising money for the prosthetic limbs.

Fraternities or special interest groups in your community such as Local Service Clubs Lions, Rotary, Elks, or Shriners can provide monetary contribution or help with fundraising. Speak to the corresponding local organization for additional instructions.

The Wheelchair Recycler is a nonprofit group that specializes in refurbishing donated power wheelchairs. They then give these refurbished wheelchairs directly to new customers for an exceptionally low price. Much of the equipment is valued at 90% below market value.

Fraternities or special interest groups in your community such as Local Service Clubs Lions, Rotary, Elks, or Shriners can provide monetary contribution or help with fundraising. Speak to the corresponding local organization for additional instructions.

There are several organizations that specialize in helping children in need of prosthetic equipment. Such organizations are mentioned below. Children can additionally qualify for the above-mentioned programs, however these organizations mentioned below are in place to serve children and in a few cases young adults as well.

Through the Cancer Survivor’s Fund, financial hardship is alleviated for families by contributing towards the total amount of the prostheses for children and young adults. In order to qualify, candidates must be a survivor of cancer or is currently diagnosed with cancer and needs the prosthetic limb for a cancer-related issue. Additionally, a letter from the current treating physician stating that the patient needs the prosthesis because of treatment is necessary.

As a public nonprofit foundation, First Hand helps fund clinical obligations, medical material, and travel expenses related to treatment for individual children on a global and domestic scale. If you would like to request funding visit firsthandfoundation.org and click where it says, “request funding”. For further information pertaining to qualifications, click on “programs” and then “case grants”.

The Jordan Thomas Foundation is a nonprofit that helps children suffering from limb loss by providing them with the prostheses they need throughout their childhood and young adult life. Children up to the age of 18 may qualify. The foundation also offers a one-time program for young adults within the ages of 18-24.

The Limbs for Life Foundation is an organization that provides aid to lower-limb amputees.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., and they may not have any other way to pay for prosthetic care including Medicare, private insurance or any other forms of government or state assistance.

Applicants must also work with a healthcare provider who will accept payment from the Limbs for Life Foundation.

To apply, go to https://www.limbsforlife.org/gethelp

The Limb Preservation Foundation is an organization that works to prevent and treat limb threatening conditions that are caused by cancer, trauma, or infection.

They raise funds to foster research, education, college scholarships and patient assistance programs.

Applicants to the program must be residents of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah or Wyoming

The Mending Limbs Organization is a nonprofit group that helps cover the costs of prosthetics that are not fully covered by insurance.

To apply:  http://www.mendinglimbs.org/funding-application/

Move for Jenn is a foundation that provides research grants to studies on malignant tumors better known as sarcoma. The foundation also offers aid to those who have lost a limb as a result of a sarcoma or an affiliated disease.

Their goal is to make prosthetics affordable for sarcoma amputees so that they can regain some strength and mobility.

The National Amputation Foundation donates medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, canes and crutches to anyone in need through their Medical Equipment Give-A-Way program. These items must be picked up from the Foundation’s office in Malverne, NY.

The National Military Family Association aids military families through their Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP).

The program ensures that military families are not sent to areas where their medical, educational, or psychosocial needs are not met.

The EMFP also offers information and support to families to help them find local services

The Range of Motion Project U.S. Assistance Program provides aid to individuals who are unable get access to prosthetic care because of immigration status, a lack of insurance, or financial hardship.

The Lost Limbs Foundation aims to help the families of children with amputations to afford medical care and/or prosthetic devices. The foundation works with paranormal celebrities to raise money for this non-profit foundation.

The Wheel to Walk Foundation is a non-profit that helps children and young adults (up to age 20) access medical equipment not covered by their private insurance.

This equipment might include:

• Mobility devices
• Shower chairs
• Therapy cycles

While the agency hopes to expand in the future, the Wheel to Walk Foundation currently only accepts applications from families living in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Variety helps children who are in need but due to financial constraints they cannot access specific mobility devices such as:

• Wheelchairs
• Power scooters,
• Adaptive bicycles
• Walkers
• Strollers

Individual children and families may apply for several grants to offset the cost of prosthetics and orthotics.

In addition to the non-profit organizations listed above, each state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) offers its own Title V CSHCN to support children with special needs.

To learn more about services offered in your state, please refer to your state’s DHHS office. While there is currently no directory that lists every service available in the United States, the following programs are available in most states.

Children whose families whose income is too high to qualify for Medicaid may still qualify for reduced cost healthcare through CHIP.

CHIP coverage is offered to children in all 50 states. It is also available to parents and pregnant women in select states.

Children whose families whose income is too high to qualify for Medicaid may still qualify for reduced cost healthcare through CHIP.

CHIP coverage is offered to children in all 50 states. It is also available to parents and pregnant women in select states.

One important division of the Department of Health & Human Services is the Administration for Children and Families, otherwise known as the ACF.

The ACF provides grants to help families to afford prosthetic devices or DME. The ACF works to promote social and economic justice for children and their families. Please note that the availability, nature, and eligibility requirements of ACF grants varies over time.

When a child under the age of 18 suffers from a condition that could reasonably improve with proper medical care, Shriner’s Hospital for Children may offer orthopedic care, free of charge.

“Access for Athletes”, the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s flagship program, offers grant funding for coaching fees, equipment, and other travel or competition expenses.

For grant eligibility, an athlete’s physical disability must align with the classifications put forth by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

 Visit https://www.challengedathletes.org/grants/  to apply.

Applicants must demonstrate clear financial need in order for their grant to be considered eligible; the CAF does not discriminate based on age, gender, level of ability, or designated sport.

Providing medical and financial help to chronically underserved patients throughout the country. While primarily focusing on rare illnesses, Chive Charities also provides for injured or challenged veterans and first responders.

Visit https://chivecharities.org/recipient and press “I am a New Applicant” to apply.

Scholarships offered by the Fighting Back Program are available to those individuals suffering from life-changing illness or injury; providing financial help to those who cannot afford comprehensive rehabilitation is the primary focus for the FBSP.

To apply, visit https://www.fightingbacksp.org/ and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Those applicants that are chosen will receive comprehensive one-on-one rehabilitation at the Fighting Back Facility, located in Malvern, PA.
For all other questions, email [email protected]

Focusing on those individuals who have lost limbs due to severe accidents or traumatic injury, the Heather Abbot Foundation provides specialized prosthetics to those financially unable to afford them.
Visit heatherabbottfoundation.org/get-involved/apply-for-a-grant to apply.

Help Hope Live has a 35-year proven track record of helping clients and families who have experienced a health crisis. Even families with insurance are often unable to fully cover the expenses associated with traumatic injuries.

Help Hope Live teaches clients how to establish social networks to fundraise and cover the costs of uncovered medical expenses.

This foundation has helped raise millions of dollars for thousands of families since 1983. These expenses range in scope and cost, including:

• Medical equipment
• Physical therapy
• Medications and prosthetics
• Wheelchair-accessibility modifications
• Innovative treatments
• Medical travel expenses
• Emergency financial assistance for living expenses

The Wheelchair Project (TWP) collects donations of wheelchairs and other mobility-assistance devices and puts them in the hands of individuals in need.

This foundation has helped countless people in need all over the Globe.

To request a wheelchair, or to make a donation, visit

http://lifenets.org/wheelchair/