Tag: Lymphedema Treatment Act
USMCA, Medtrade partner on compression session
March 4, 2024HME News Staff
DALLAS – The United States Medical Compression Alliance (USMCA) is working with Medtrade to offer additional information about the Lymphedema Treatment Act and what it means for the HME industry. The USMCA, which represents the five major manufacturers in the compression market (medi USA, Essity, Juzo, Lohmann & Rauscher and Sigvaris), will host a session at the show to provide the history and ongoing efforts to gain Medicare coverage for compression therapy garments, to detail the billing...
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...
LTA could be game changer for O&P
November 13, 2023John Andrews
The orthotics and prosthetics market received a positive boost from the passage of the Lymphedema Treatment Act (LTA) earlier this year and field specialists are optimistic it will benefit providers and patients.
Set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2024, the LTA allows for consistent Medicare coverage and reimbursement for compression garments and supplies for patients living with lymphedema. This new law could be a game changer for the industry, said Matthew Gruskin, COO for Owings Mills, Md.-based...
Lymphedema stakeholders eager to move forward
January 13, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
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...
Lymphedema coverage now in the works
January 9, 2023HME News Staff
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....
In brief: Philips pauses remediation, lymphedema bill passes, AAH comments on CGMs
November 22, 2022HME News Staff
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...
Senators reintroduce lymphedema legislation
April 23, 2021HME News Staff
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...
Stakeholders seek to fast track two women's health bills
March 8, 2019Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
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...
In brief: NHIA sues over transitional payment, Great Elm's DME biz exceeds expectations
February 15, 2019HME News Staff
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...
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...