CLEVELAND -- As president and CEO of the Cleveland Sight Center, Larry Benders has made many trips to Columbus for meetings or other appointments.
- White canes to be classified as durable medical coverage
- Can be covered by Medicaid
- Takes effect in January 2019
While one trip in November 2017 seemed pretty routine, it eventually sparked change. Benders was accompanied on that particular ride by Alicia Howerton, a community relations specialist with the organization.
During a conversation, Benders remarked how the white cane -- a tool first introduced nearly 100 years ago to help those with a visual disability navigate their paths and alert others -- wasn’t covered by insurance.
“I know they aren’t covered,” Howerton reportedly told Benders. “I’ve been buying white canes for 30 years for myself.”
After that, they went to work. House Bill 587, advocating for expanded white cane coverage for Ohio residents, was introduced in April. But the change ultimately came via a recently finalized administrative rule proposal by The Ohio Department of Medicaid, which will now allow white canes to be covered as “durable medical coverage.”
While items like crutches and other types of canes already received that classification, white canes did not.
“We were able to go to legislators in Columbus and say, ‘look, the white cane isn’t an identification of safety device, it’s actually integral in treatment of visual issues, and essential of the independence of a citizen, just like a walker or a cane or a wheelchair,’” Benders said. “And they agreed.”
Howerton, who has what’s known as dominant optic atrophy, called her cane “an extension of my hand.”
“It gives me feedback,” said Howerton. “Whether I’m going up a hill, or there’s stairs, or anything like that.”
One obstacle some could face in obtaining a cane like Howerton’s could be price. Nearly 30 percent of people with a visual disability live below the poverty line, according to the National Federation of the Blind. Cane prices vary, but can range from anywhere from $15 to $60.
“If we can get more folks who are blind and visually impaired independent, able to move, get back and forth from their home to a workplace, that’ll help them become more self sufficient, reduce the burden on social services, and basically make our society better all around,” Benders said.
Benders said Ohio is the first state in the country to enact such a rule. The new change goes into effect at the beginning of 2019. If you're interested in getting a white cane, first check with your doctor.The state's sight centers also recommend reaching out to local providers to learn the availability of Medicaid-eligible white canes.