H.R. 1948House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Lymphedema Treatment Act of 2019

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.

Introduced March 28, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 3:29 AM UTC

The Lymphedema Treatment Act of 2019 changes the Social Security Act so that Medicare will cover certain compression‑therapy products used to treat lymphedema. By classifying these items as durable medical equipment, the bill expands Medicare benefits for people who need compression garments, bandages, and related supplies.

Key Provisions

  • Adds “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 other similar devices that are prescribed by a qualified health professional and used to treat lymphedema.
  • Specifies that the coverage includes both custom‑fit and standard‑fit compression garments, multilayer bandaging systems, non‑elastic and low‑elastic wraps, and any other compression aids the Secretary deems effective.
  • Sets the coverage to begin for items furnished on or after January 1 2021.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

March 29, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 28, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E366)

March 28, 2019

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.

March 28, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

March 28, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

March 29, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 28, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1948

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 28, 2019

Ms. Schakowsky (for herself, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Welch, Mr. Gianforte, Ms. Matsui, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Cicilline, Ms. Moore, Ms. Gabbard, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Mrs. Rodgers of Washington, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Gaetz, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Holding, Mrs. Bustos, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Vela, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mr. Rush, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Yarmuth, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Hill of California, Mr. Foster, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Massie, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Visclosky, Mr. Suozzi, Mrs. Davis of California, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Heck, Mr. Michael F. Doyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Cole, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Kind, Mr. Rose of New York, Mr. Duffy, Mr. Katko, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Griffith, Miss González-Colón of Puerto Rico, Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, Mr. Zeldin, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Deutch, Ms. Sewell of Alabama, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Ms. Mucarsel-Powell, Ms. Barragán, Ms. Schrier, Mr. Young, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Rice of South Carolina, Mrs. Radewagen, Mr. Neguse, Mr. Engel, Ms. McCollum, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Cooper, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Hurd of Texas, Mr. Rooney of Florida, Mr. Wenstrup, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. Loebsack, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Morelle, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Lawson of Florida, Mr. Posey, Mr. Lamborn, Ms. Adams, Mr. Palazzo, and Mr. Mitchell) 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.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Lymphedema Treatment Act of 2019.

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:

(kkk)

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 January 1, 2021.