H.R. 930House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Lymphedema Treatment Act

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.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 12:40 PM UTC

The Lymphedema Treatment Act would change Medicare rules so that compression therapy items used to treat lymphedema are covered as durable medical equipment. This would let people on Medicare who have lymphedema receive reimbursement for things like compression garments and bandaging systems, provided a qualified health professional prescribes them. The coverage would start about six months after the law is passed.

Key Provisions

Amends the Social Security Act to add “lymphedema compression treatment items” to the list of items covered as durable medical equipment under Medicare.
Defines those items as compression garments, bandaging systems, wraps, pads, and related supplies that are primarily used to treat lymphedema and are prescribed by a physician or authorized practitioner.
Specifies that the items must be prescribed according to state law and would not otherwise be covered as medical services.
Sets the coverage to begin 180 days after the law’s enactment.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

February 21, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 7, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Energy and Commerce Committee

February 7, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

February 10, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

February 21, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 7, 2017

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 930

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 7, 2017

Mr. Reichert (for himself, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Lance, and Ms. Schakowsky) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

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.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Lymphedema Treatment Act.

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 amendment 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.