Tag: Lymphedema
Providers get crash course on lymphedema rules
February 9, 2024HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine – It’s a “time of learning” for providers, as they navigate providing compression therapy garments for Medicare beneficiaries with lymphedema, say industry stakeholders.
CMS in November issued a final rule that expanded coverage to include compression garments and in December the agency published a related fee schedule.
“Now people are trying to figure out how to transact business to support these patients who finally have access to...
BOC launches lymphedema accreditation
January 16, 2024HME News Staff
OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Board of Certification/Accreditation has added a new lymphedema/compression accreditation in response to CMS’s decision to start covering compression garments and related accessories through Medicare Part B on Jan. 1, 2024. “This recent development by CMS represents a significant victory for patients struggling with lymphedema and the health care providers dedicated to their care,” said BOC’s COO Matthew Gruskin, MBA, BOCO, BOCPD, CDME....
CMS details lymphedema coverage, supply refills, brace definitions
November 2, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS has released a 2024 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update final rule that includes updates to its new coverage policy for lymphedema compression garments and other DME-related items.
Per the final rule, Medicare will pay for three daytime garments every six months and two nighttime garments every two years for each affected extremity or part of the body, an increase in daytime garments over the amount previously proposed.
This rule also establishes...
InfuSystem enters lymphedema market
June 29, 2021HME News Staff
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. – InfuSystem Holdings has entered into a joint agreement with Bio Compression Systems to add lymphedema therapy to its Integrated Therapy Service (ITS) platform. As part of the new relationship, InfuSystem’s solutions will include providing pneumatic compression devices with calibrated and non-calibrated gradient pressure, garments and certified technicians for proper fitting of the compression system. InfuSystem was recently designated as a Community Health Accreditation...
Sigvaris spreads awareness
March 10, 2020HME News Staff
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. - Sigvaris Group participated in World Lymphedema Day on March 6, helping to spread awareness and support the search for a cure. “As an advocate for the millions living with lymphedema, our company seeks to put lymphedema research front and center on the global healthcare stage through our long-standing relationships with nonprofits, researchers and the medical community,” said Barbara Osborne, CEO and president of Sigvaris Group North America. World Lymphedema Day...
Lymphedema bill reintroduced
February 15, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Todd Young, R-Ind., reintroduced The Lymphedema Treatment Act on Feb. 14. The bill, S. 518, would require Medicare to pay for compression garments, bandages and supplies to reduce lymphedema-related swelling and prevent recurrence. It has 32 original co-sponsors. A previous version of the bill was introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in 2017. Those bills, ultimately, garnered 385 and 66 co-sponsors, respectively.
Lymphedema advocates apply consistent pressure
March 2, 2018Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - One of the most supported healthcare-related bills currently pending in Congress, this may be the year H.R. 930 crosses the finish line, lymphedema advocates say.“We are looking at any possible vehicles to get this attached to,” said Judy Woodward, chairwoman of awareness for the Lymphedema Advocacy Group. “There are people championing this and trying to find ways to make that happen.”The Lymphedema Treatment Act would amend Medicare statute to pay for compression...
Tactile Systems launches system to treat head and neck lymphedema
May 26, 2017HME News Staff
MINNEAPOLIS - Tactile Systems Technology has launched Flexitouch, a pneumatic compression system to treat head and neck lymphedema at home. In a completed limited market release with more than 80 patients, 88% saw a reduction in head and neck swelling after an initial 32-minute session, according to a press release. “We are thrilled with these positive results demonstrating that the Flexitouch system can help head and neck lymphedema patients effectively reduce lymphedema swelling and improve...
Lymphedema advocates leverage personal connections
March 24, 2017Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
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...
Lymphedema advocates push for broader coverage
April 22, 2016Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
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...