Medicare Lymphedema Treatment Bill Introduced
Posted in Lymph Drainage, Medical Massage on 03/16/2010 08:54 pm by AMMA
H.R. 4662, “Lymphedema Diagnosis and Treatment Cost Saving Act of 2010,” was recently introduced in the Senate by Congressman Larry Kissell of North Carolina. Ron Paul (R-TX14) was the first co-sponsor of the bill. Phil Roe (R-TN1) is the second.
Please urge your local Congressmen and Senators to support this bill. Lymphedema is treatable, but proper treatment is extensive. Passage of this bill would allow for many people to receive treatment for services that would not otherwise be covered by insurance. When Medicare makes a change, private insurance companies usually follow suit.
Specific goals of the bill include:
- to provide diagnosis and treatment of individuals with and at risk for lymphedema according to current medical treatment standards, including manual lymph drainage, compression bandages, garments, devices, and exercise
- to enhance quality of lymphedema patient care by providing therapist qualification requirements
- to provide for lymphedema patient education in the procedures for self-treatment so as to transfer the treatment from the clinical to the home setting
- to encourage patient self-treatment plan adherence by providing necessary medical supplies for use at home
- to expand patient access to qualified lymphedema therapy by extending coverage to qualified, trained lymphedema therapists who may practice under a qualified physician, physical therapist or occupational therapist.
Yes! When this passes, lymphedema management at AMMA (manual lymph drainage, combined decongestive therapy, bandages & exercises) will be covered by insurance!