The Women’s Health & Cancer Rights Act (established in 1998) requires most group health insurance plans which cover mastectomies to also cover breast reconstruction & associated treatment costs (such as lymphedema). But changes still need to be made. Medicare does not cover compression for lymphedema (& consequently many other insurance providers do not cover compression). As a result, the compression supplies needed during & after treatment are often not available for patients who require them but cannot afford them. Consequently, mobility becomes more difficult & self-care independence is reduced while lymphedema becomes worse with chronic infections, tissue changes & repeated hospitalizations. However, you have an opportunity to make a difference! Please contact your congressmen. We’ve made it easy for you below (simply click on the link).
Contact your congressmen by visiting: http://www.capwiz.com/lymphedematreatmentact/issues/alert/?alertid=68841626&type=CO
Find out more about the Lymphedema Treatment Act by visiting: http://lymphedematreatmentact.org/about-the-bill/
References
http://lymphedematreatmentact.org/
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfortreatment/understandinghealthinsurance/womens-health-and-cancer-rights-act
