# Understanding the Lymphedema Treatment Act

This bill makes Medicare start paying for compression garments and other devices used to treat lymphedema, a condition where fluid builds up in the body and causes swelling, usually in the arms or legs. Right now, Medicare doesn't cover these items, so people with lymphedema have to pay for them out of their own pockets, which can be expensive since compression garments often cost hundreds of dollars and need to be replaced regularly.

The bill specifically covers two types of treatment items. First, it includes both standard and custom-fitted compression garments—the special sleeves, stockings, and wraps that people with lymphedema wear to manage their swelling. Second, it allows Medicare to cover any other devices the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines are effective for preventing or treating lymphedema. To get coverage, a person needs to have a doctor's diagnosis of lymphedema and a prescription from a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist. The coverage starts on January 1, 2023.

This matters most for Medicare beneficiaries who have lymphedema, whether from cancer treatment, surgery, infection, or other causes. Many people develop lymphedema after breast cancer surgery or radiation, and they currently struggle to afford the compression garments they need to manage pain and prevent complications. With this bill, Medicare would cover these costs, making treatment more accessible and affordable for seniors and disabled people on Medicare. The bill has broad bipartisan support, with sponsors from both political parties, suggesting there's general agreement that this is an important healthcare need.

Lymphedema Treatment Act

Schakowsky, Janice D.

Lymphedema Treatment Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of lymphedema compression treatment items. Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of (1) standard and custom fitted gradient compression garments that are prescribed by a physician or other specified health care professional to treat lymphedema, and (2) other devices determined to be effective in the prevention or treatment of lymphedema.