Carter-authored law kickstarts Medicare coverage of lymphedema treatments

Thanks to a law authored by U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Medicare Part B coverage is now available for doctor-prescribed compression garments to treat lymphedema, which is chronic swelling caused by a buildup of fluid that occurs when the lymphatic system is either faulty or damaged. 

The bipartisan Lymphedema Treatment Act, which Rep. Carter introduced in 2021 alongside fellow bill author and sponsor U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), became law in December 2022 as part of the omnibus spending bill, allowing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement a rule allowing new coverage to start on Jan. 1 for lymphedema compression supplies.

“As co-chair of the Cancer Survivors Caucus and a pharmacist, I am excited that Congress is providing relief to patients who have been denied Medicare coverage for far too long,” Rep. Carter said last week. “For lymphedema patients, compression garments are a need, not a luxury, and this need is finally being met.”

Medicare Part B now pays for standard and custom-fitted lymphedema compression treatment items for each affected body part, including compression garments, compression bandaging systems and supplies, and gradient compression wraps with adjustable straps, among others, according to information provided by the congressman’s staff.

“Help has arrived for lymphedema patients, some of whom live through one of the worst diagnoses imaginable — cancer — only to come out the other side with an equally debilitating condition and a fraction of the resources and support,” said Rep. Carter. “I remain committed to ensuring that all patients can access the treatment and care they need.”

Nearly three million lymphedema patients on Medicare will get needed relief thanks to the enactment of the Lymphedema Treatment Act, according to Rep. Schakowsky.

“Our bill finally expands access to medical compression garments that lymphedema patients rely on to treat their painful, incurable swelling,” said the congresswoman. “For years, I heard from friends and constituents suffering from lymphedema about the high out-of-pocket costs for compression garments, the only remedy for this debilitating condition. Cost should never be a barrier to care.”

The Lymphedema Advocacy Group and Susan G. Komen thanked the members for their efforts in getting the bill enacted.