Bill Summary
This legislation, known as the "Lymphedema Treatment Act," seeks to amend the Social Security Act to include coverage for certain lymphedema compression treatment items under Medicare. This includes compression garments, devices, bandaging systems, and supplies that are commonly used in the medical treatment of lymphedema. The Act specifies that these items must be prescribed by a physician and deemed effective by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The effective date for this coverage is set for January 1, 2021.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could potentially benefit people who suffer from lymphedema by expanding Medicare coverage to include compression treatment items, making it more affordable for them to receive necessary medical treatment.
2. It could also affect healthcare providers and suppliers who may see an increase in demand for these items and may need to adjust their practices to meet the new regulations and requirements.
3. The effective date of January 1, 2021 could also impact individuals currently receiving treatment for lymphedema, as they may need to wait until the legislation goes into effect to have their compression treatment items covered by Medicare.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 518 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 518
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare
coverage of certain lymphedema compression treatment items as items of
durable medical equipment.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 14, 2019
Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Mr. Young, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Blumenthal,
Mrs. Capito, Mr. Brown, Mr. Wicker, Ms. Harris, Ms. Murkowski, Mr.
Leahy, Mr. Blunt, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Tillis, Mr. King, Mr. Sullivan,
Mr. Coons, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Reed, Mr. Cotton, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Hyde-
Smith, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Booker,
Mr. Menendez, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Daines, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Jones, Mr.
Cardin, and Mr. Hoeven) introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare
coverage of certain lymphedema compression treatment items as items of
durable medical equipment.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Lymphedema Treatment Act''.
SEC. 2. MEDICARE COVERAGE OF CERTAIN LYMPHEDEMA COMPRESSION TREATMENT
ITEMS AS ITEMS OF DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.
(a) In General.--Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395x) is amended--
(1) in subsection (n), in the first sentence, by inserting
before the semicolon the following: ``and includes lymphedema
compression treatment items (as defined in subsection (kkk))'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``Lymphedema Compression Treatment Items
``(kkk) The term `lymphedema compression treatment items'--
``(1) means, with respect to an individual, compression
garments, devices, bandaging systems, components, and
supplies--
``(A) that are primarily and customarily used in
the medical treatment of lymphedema;
``(B) as prescribed by a physician (or a physician
assistant, nurse practitioner, or a clinical nurse
specialist (as those terms are defined in section
1861(aa)(5)) to the extent authorized under State law);
and
``(C) which would not, other than under subsection
(s)(6), be included as medical and other health
services under this title; and
``(2) includes--
``(A) multilayer compression bandaging systems;
``(B) custom or standard fit gradient compression
garments;
``(C) non-elastic and low-elastic compression
garments and compression wraps and directional flow
pads; and
``(D) any other compression garments, bandaging
systems, devices, and aids determined by the Secretary
to be effective in the prevention or treatment of
lymphedema.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply to lymphedema compression treatment items furnished on or after
January 1, 2021.
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