Lymphedema Treatment Act

Bill: 115-s-497
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2017-03-02
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health technology, devices, supplies

Immunology and vaccination

Medicare
Latest action: action_date: 2017-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-03-02
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Lymphedema Treatment Act</b></p> <p>This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover certain lymphedema compression treatment items as durable medical equipment under Medicare. (Lymphedema is a condition of&nbsp;localized&nbsp;fluid retention and tissue swelling&nbsp;that is caused when the lymphatic system is damaged or blocked.)</p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 497 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 2, 2017 Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Mr. Grassley , Mr. Brown , Mrs. Gillibrand , Mr. Coons , Mr. Franken , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Merkley , Mrs. Ernst , Mr. Blunt , and Ms. Klobuchar ) 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.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Lymphedema Treatment Act . 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 (jjj)) ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (jjj) Lymphedema compression treatment items 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 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.