March is Lymphedema Awareness Month

Lymphedema is the fluid that is retained in your body, but mostly appendages, after cancer surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. 

There is treatment, which includes compression garments and manual lymphnode drainage massage therapy, however, Medicare and many other insurance policies do not pay for these garments and treatments, often leaving patients to suffer infections and increased disability.

HR3877, is currently being debated in the House of Representatives and if passed into legislation, the bill will set a precedent for insurers to follow and cover the cost of medically necessary compression supplies.

Contact your congressmen and senators and stress the importance of standing behind this bill. 

To write your representative now, go here for an easy interactive form from the Lymphedema Treatment Act Organization.

Critical Legislation to Improve Health Care for Lymphedema Patients Introduced

U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) and cosponsors Congressmen Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Bruce Braley (D-IA) introduced the Lymphedema Treatment Act, HR 3877, to ensure Medicare coverage for the millions of Americans who suffer from this condition.

"Seniors who suffer from lymphedema should not be punished for taking the necessary steps to treat their condition," Reichert said. "By rectifying Medicare's failure to cover compression garments we give seniors their best chance and real hope to fight back against this chronic disease. I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in this fight against lymphedema."

Lymphedema is a chronic condition resulting from damaged or inadequate lymph nodes or lymphatic vessels that afflicts millions of Americans. It is a disease that one can be born with but it is most often caused by cancer treatments that damage the body's lymph system or immune functions.

Due to the painful swelling that results from lymphedema, compression therapy is an essential component of treatment but compression supplies are not covered by Medicare despite being an ongoing necessity. HR 3877 closes this coverage gap by requiring Medicare to cover lymphedema compression items.