Current Status of the Lymphedema Treatment Act in Congress
- Penny
- Sep 24, 2017
- 2 min read
Current Status?
The Lymphedema Treatment Act is an active bill in the current, 115th Congress, which runs from the beginning of 2017 to the end of 2018.
Our House bill was introduced on 2/7/17, and assigned a bill number of HR 930.
Our House congressional leadership team is:
Representative Dave Reichert, WA-8 (lead sponsor); Representative Leonard Lance, NJ-7 (co-lead); Representative Earl Blumenauer, OR-3 (co-lead); and Representative Jan Schakowsky, IL-9 (co-lead).
Our Senate bill was introduced on 3/2/17, and assigned a bill number of S 497.
Our Senate congressional leadership team is:
Senator Maria Cantwell, WA (lead sponsor); Senator Chuck Grassley, IA (co-lead)
What This Legislation Will Do?
The Lymphedema Treatment Act (LTA) will improve coverage for the treatment of lymphedema from any cause by amending Medicare statute to allow for coverage of compression supplies. Although this legislation relates specifically to a change in Medicare law, it would set a precedent for Medicaid and private insurers to follow.
Specific goals of the LTA are as follows:
to provide comprehensive lymphedema treatment coverage, according to current medical treatment standards;
to enable patient self-treatment plan adherence by providing necessary medical supplies for use at home, as prescribed for each patient (including gradient compression garments, bandages, and other compression devices);
to reduce the total healthcare costs associated with this disease by decreasing the incidence of complications, co-morbidities and disabilities resulting from this medical condition.
The HHS Secretary has confirmed that a change in statute is necessary to allow for coverage of compression supplies. (See section above for details.) The Lymphedema Treatment Act will amend Sec. 1861 [42 U.S.C. 1395x] of the Social Security Act to enable coverage of these items under Durable Medical Equipment.
Details surrounding coverage, such as allowable quantities, etc., are not something that is written into statute. Matters of this nature are determined by policy decisions made after the legislation is passed. This allows flexibility to adjust policy as needed in the future, without having to pass new legislation.
*information gathered from lymphedematreatmentact.org
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