Tag: Lymphedema Treatment Act

WASHINGTON – After 12 years of making steady gains, women’s health stakeholders were elated when the Lymphedema Treatment Act was included in an omnibus bill passed by Congress in December.  “We finally got to the front of the line,” said Heather Ferguson, founder and executive director of the Lymphedema Advocacy Group. “There was a vehicle available, and it all fell into place at the right time.”  The legislation will require Medicare to pay for...

WASHINGTON – The Lymphedema Treatment Act has become law as part of an omnibus bill passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in late December.  The act requires Medicare to pay for compression garments, bandages and supplies to reduce lymphedema-related swelling and prevent recurrence.  “Congratulations to the Lymphedema Advocacy Group for their tireless efforts to pass the Lymphedema Treatment Act,” said Nikki Jensen, vice president of Essentially Women....

AMSTERDAM – Philips has temporarily paused its remediation program for its Trilogy 100/200 ventilators while it investigates a limited number of complaints on remediated units.  “We anticipate a several week delay from our initial four- to six-week timeline in providing remediated devices back to our customers,” the company stated in a Nov. 7 update. “Remediating these devices in a timely manner is our top priority. In order to keep remediation progressing once our...

WASHINGTON – Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, have reintroduced the Lymphedema Treatment Act with 52 co-sponsors. The bill, S. 1315, would require Medicare to pay for compression garments, bandages and supplies to reduce lymphedema-related swelling and prevent recurrence. Similar bills have been introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives in previous sessions of Congress. S. 518, introduced in 2019, garnered 71 co-sponsors while its companion...

WASHINGTON - With extensive groundwork laid in past sessions of Congress, stakeholders hope this is the year that bills seeking Medicare coverage for custom breast forms and compression garments for lymphedema get passed.“We are encouraged by the reception—maybe we can do the right thing for women,” said Tom Powers, director of government relations for VGM. “There's a lot of interest in passing good public policy.”Similar versions of the Breast Cancer Patient Equity...

WASHINGTON - The National Home Infusion Association is suing the Department of Health and Human Services over its transitional payment for home infusion therapy services.A final rule published in November 2018 limits reimbursement for professional services to only those days a “skilled professional is in the home.”Under CMS's interpretation, reimbursement for services by pharmacists and other professionals services are not recognized, according to a press release.“This rule undercuts...

WASHINGTON - With recently reintroduced legislation in hand, more than 70 lymphedema advocates will visit Capitol Hill this week to build on previous support.The Lymphedema Treatment Act would amend Medicare statute to pay for compression garments, bandages and supplies to reduce lymphedema-related swelling and prevent recurrence. Currently, Medicare only pays for pneumatic compression pumps, and therapy provided by physical and occupational therapists.“We're looking forward to keeping this...

WASHINGTON - Lymphedema advocates took to Capitol Hill last week to gain support for legislation that would address a gap in treatment coverage for the chronic and often debilitating condition. With a presidential election looming in the fall, the Lymphedema Advocacy Group, which held its 2016 Lymphedema Lobby Days April 19-20, wants to take advantage of the time it has now, before lawmakers get too distracted. “There's momentum behind this,” said Judy Woodward, chairwoman of...

WASHINGTON - Actress Kathy Bates joined the Lymphedema Advocacy Group and other advocates on Capitol Hill today in support of The Lymphedema Treatment Act. The bill seeks to improve Medicare coverage of compression supplies to treat lymphedema. "Compression is to lymphedema what medication is to many other diseases—indispensable!" said Heather Ferguson, founder and executive director of the Lymphedema Advocacy Group. "Passage of the Lymphedema Treatment Act will help to minimize the healthcare...